Month: June 2023

No matter whether tonsil or appendectomy or the straightening of a fracture – this is usually done under general anesthesia. But what was not known until now is: general anesthesia changes the brain. General anesthesia makes surgery easier – not only for the doctor but also for the patient. Those who are afraid of surgery often want general anesthesia so they don’t experience any of it. Until now, it was assumed that our nervous system, and thus the brain, is “switched off” for a short time during a general anesthetic,…

Researchers discover a rare circumbinary planetary system, similar to Tatooine from Star Wars. BEBOP-1c, the newly discovered planet, orbits two stars and has an enormous mass. It is only the second time such a system with multiple planets has been found. In the Star Wars saga movies, the planet Tatooine plays a unique role and stands out visually: Because the home of the hero Luke Skywalker orbits around two stars – not just one, as in our solar system. It was unclear whether such systems with planets existed for a…

Taurine prolongs life and promotes health, researchers say. Mice, like humans, are healthier when they have more of it in their blood. Taurine levels decline with age in several animal species, including humans. Experiments on middle-aged animals have shown that raising taurine levels to youthful levels prolongs life by more than 10 percent and improves physical and mental health. The researchers say taurine could be an “elixir of life,” – but boosting taurine levels in humans has not yet been tested. The Columbia University team in New York advises against…