Category archives: Health

Microbiota and depression

Microbiota and depression

HealthMicrobiologyNeurobiologyNeurosciencePhysiology

By José Ramón Alonso

Gut microbiota has a surprising importance in processes related to the development of the nervous system, its functioning and to psychology and behavior, both in people and in animals. The microorganisms produce substances that after crossing the intestinal epithelium reach the blood and through it and after crossing the blood-brain barrier they reach the brain […]

Ayahuasca in the treatment of depression

Ayahuasca in the treatment of depression

HealthMedicineNeurosciencePharmacy

By José Ramón Alonso

Ayahuasca is an illegal entheogenic drug, substances that have the capacity to generate a mystical experience, a psychological sensation of contact with the divinity. Ayahuasca is an infusion prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi liana and other ingredients, which include leaves of Psychotria viridis , Diplopyterys cabrerana and Mimosa tenuiflora . Psychotria has dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a […]

TRAMIL: Program of Applied Research to Popular Medicine in the Caribbean

TRAMIL: Program of Applied Research to Popular Medicine in the Caribbean

BiologyBiomedicineHealthPlant biology

By Gerardo Cebrián

Authors: Gerardo Cebrián-Torrejón 1, Michelle Salas Pinel 1,2 1 Laboratoire COVACHIM-M2E EA 3592, Université des Antilles, 97157 Pointe-à-Pitre Cedex. 2 Forest engineer. Heredia. Costa Rica. The Applied Scientific Research Program of Medicinal Plants, k nown as TRAMIL, is an investigation program of traditional and popular medicine from the Caribbean, whose purpose is to rationalize health […]

Is thermal sterilisation of preservative-free rice cakes possible?

Is thermal sterilisation of preservative-free rice cakes possible?

HealthMathematicsMicrobiology

By BCAM

High-moisture soft solid snack foods such as rice cakes have become increasingly popular. Most of these snacks are freshly made and sold on the spot, whilst industrially produced versions use chemical preservatives to inhibit microbial growth and improve shelf life. With the increasing demand for preservative-free foods from some consumers, physical methods are needed to […]

Molecular mechanisms underlying the link between cannabis abuse and schizophrenia

Molecular mechanisms underlying the link between cannabis abuse and schizophrenia

HealthMolecular biologyPharmacy

By Invited Researcher

Author: Leyre Urigüen is a researcher at the Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental CIBERSAM Cannabis, also called marijuana, is a drug that comes from the plant Cannabis sativa (hemp plant). The plant contains more than 400 different chemicals, of which approximately […]

Augmented reality and autism

Augmented reality and autism

HealthMedicineNeurobiologyNeuroscience

By José Ramón Alonso

The most effective interventions in people with autism are based on a personal work by specialized professionals and these therapies, when well designed and well done, achieve a constant improvement in different areas such as social communication, the presence of stereotypes and other atypical behaviors characteristic of autism. However, person-to-person therapies are by their very […]

Sunscreens, health and environment: a dangerous cocktail?

Sunscreens, health and environment: a dangerous cocktail?

EcologyHealth

By Sergio Laínez

Prolonged exposure to sunlight is not recommended. Even though is really important to synthesize vitamin D which helps us absorbing calcium or phosphate and maintain a mineralized skeleton, the effects of sun´s ultraviolet radiation (mainly UVA and UVB) can be prejudicial in the long term. Main issues may be sunburn (UVB), reduced skin elasticity leading […]