Cholesterol, and its effect on how the brain works

It seems that cholesterol affects more than the heart. It also seems to affect the adenosine receptors in the brain. Understanding how this works may have major ramifications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's and others like it.

Summary:
"A study demonstrates that the cholesterol present in cell membranes can interfere with the function of an important brain membrane protein, through a previously unknown mode of interaction. Specifically, cholesterol is capable of regulating the activity of the adenosine receptor, by invading it and accessing the active site. This will allow new ways of interacting with these proteins to be devised that in the future could lead to drugs for treating diseases like Alzheimer's."
Source:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170223114836.htm

Living Longer: Expectancy at 90

As we now approach longer life expectancies, the true concern now will be how the global economy, production capacity, and healthcare outlook will adapt to this fact.

Source:
http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2017/02/22.htm

The Deadpool Conundrum: Telomeres and Cancer

Deadpool, the comic book character, was a man who had incredible healing abilities, but was disfigured because somehow, his body was also riddled with tumors or cancerous growths. Now, it seems that whoever wrote that into his power set was right on the scientific level: if your telomeres are too long, then you have a higher risk for cancer. In order to keep on going, people in the future may have to periodically subject themselves to gene therapy to adjust telomere sizes for an optimum lifespan without getting the cancer risk.

It's kinda like a built-in anti-obsolescence system. It makes you wonder if our instinctive knowledge of this mechanism in our bodies is the basis for how consumer technology is made.

Source: http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2017/01/13.htm

New Tooth Repair Option Takes a Bite Out of Tooth Decay

It looks like there *is* a way to stimulate new tooth material growth. And if this is true, then we can lessen the need for fillings and other similar dental methods.

http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2017/01/12-3.htm

Stopping Melanoma in its Tracks?

It looks like there is a new drug that can stop melanoma spread by 90%. If we can combine that with other treatments, it looks like this is another form of cancer that we can deal with.

"The human-made, small-molecule drug compound targets a gene's ability to make RNA molecules and proteins in melanoma tumours. This gene activity causes the disease to spread, but the compound can shut it down. Until now, few other compounds of this kind have been able to accomplish this."

http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2017/01/12-4.htm

Sweet Solution for Alzheimer's: Cannabis

It looks like we have to remove our blinders when it comes to the cultural bias against marijuana. As it turns out, it may also be good for treating Alzheimer's.

Copy Corruption: Failing Clones

As in PC hard drives and classic facsimile machines, it seems that errors in copying data is at the root of why cloning has so many failures. The solution to this will probably lead to a revolution in biology and medicine.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161209184310.htm

Prosthetic Hands for those who need them: Affordable, 3D-printed

One important factor for prosthetics is cost - so that people from all walks of life can be assisted. new technology can help with that, with 3D-printing as the key.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161209184317.htm

Cancer Research: An old avenue to reexplore

Science, too, should allow for the possibility that some avenues may have been untaken, due to the limitations of the time. Such is the case with cancer research:

"Cancer researchers and drug companies may have been too quick to ignore a promising line of inquiry that targets a specific cell protein, according to a research team."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161209184821.htm

3D-printed Lungs

It's not science fiction anymore; although it will probably take some more time to come up with fully-functioning, implantable 3D-printed organs, the idea of using them for modeling and preparation is here. The next big challenge is to make this technology affordable - we don't want an Elysium situation here, right?

https://futurism.com/new-synthetic-human-lung-is-quite-literally-a-breath-of-fresh-air/

Racing to the Cure for Cancer

With cancer cases rising worldwide, the cancer vaccine is the next big thing. A new alliance composed of around thirty organizations is working on it. Let's hope they don't get too many bumps on the road.

https://futurism.com/a-new-alliance-could-give-humanity-the-worlds-first-cancer-vaccine/

More positive news for Alzheimer's sufferers and their families

I'm trying to find words, but I'll let the article do it:

"The protein, called tau protein, normally functions as a stabilizer for the microtubules that act as rails for transporting materials around the cell. As New Scientist reported, studies have suggested problems with the tau protein is somehow linked to Alzheimer’s. The protein can clump together in twisted tangles and could be releasing Alzheimer’s-inducing toxic chemicals."

It's another step in beating debilitating diseases like Alzheimer's, and that's a very welcome thing.

http://futurism.com/manipulating-one-brain-protein-could-allow-us-to-prevent-alzheimers/

New Antibiotics from the Human Microbiome

Now that the threat of drug-resistant superbaugs are very real, exploring all possible avenues for new antibiotics is necessary.

http://www.futuretimeline.net/blog/2016/11/20.htm

A few steps closer to a bioartificial kidney

Soon, we may be able to have, aside from functioning artificial kidneys in ourselves, miniature full-function life-support systems that are relatively portable. I can foresee their uses in advanced wheelchair systems and other such.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161119185930.htm

The Rise of Scientific/Medical Vampirism?

It looks like vampirism may be good for older people. Yes, there is a rare disease that probably created the vampire archetype, but it seems that science has found another reason: It really does rejuvenate older people. It's something that will lead to more in-depth research, or it will spawn some creepy billionaire practices.

http://futurism.com/young-blood-transfusions-improve-mental-and-physical-performance-in-old-mice/

Progress in Addressing Heart Failure

Cardiac tissue reprogramming offers promise for those who have extensive scar tissue from heart failure. However, more research has to be done in this and other avenues.

http://futurism.com/new-study-brings-us-one-step-closer-to-curing-heart-failure/

Walking Once Again

The idea of an implant letting paraplegics walk again will soon be a science fact for medicine, if all goes well. It reminds me of the certain technologies from the Instrumentality storylines of Cordwainer Smith, specifically in "Scanners Live in Vain."

http://futurism.com/paralyzed-monkeys-able-to-walk-again-with-brain-implant-human-trials-are-next/

Electroactive Gauze

This looks like another good shift from science fiction to reality - It may not sound like much, but the faster an open wound heals, the better it is for all.

https://futurism.com/healing-human-flesh-nasas-new-high-tech-gauze-could-accelerate-wound-recovery/

The Artificial Pancreas

As a Type-2 Diabetic (though my partner and parents keep on saying I'm not, just sugar-sensitive), this device is a welcome thing. Of course, I am sure that there will be an offshoot system that will work with Type-2, aside from Type-1. I'll wait for the iteration where there will be an automatic blood sugar level checker, though that may mean it will also have some sort of invasive "pricking" system.

http://futurism.com/a-cyborg-society-the-fda-has-approved-the-first-artificial-pancreas/

Is Aging a Disease?

I do think that aging is a medical condition, but I'm not too sure if it's a disease, from my point of view. I think it's the biggest maintenance challenge for science, yes, since stopping, reversing, or even modifying it in a positive manner will probably have the biggest impact to society, climate change aside.

http://futurism.com/is-aging-a-disease-one-medical-expert-thinks-so/