🌞 Diabetes Miracle

Daily Upsider - Friday, May 31st, 2024

Friday, May 31st, 2024

Good Morning! 🌞 

Make sure to scroll down to our Funny Friday feature today. Those are some wild facts!!

Today’s Upside

Health Science

Type 2 Diabetes Cured by Stem Cells

Stem cells are increasingly being used in a variety of medical treatments, but a recent breakthrough from Shanghai suggests the best is yet to come.

A senior who had suffered from type-2 diabetes for 25 years hasn't taken insulin for 33 months after receiving a regenerative islet cell transplantation.

Type-2 diabetes, often developed due to poor diet and lifestyle choices, is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. China is particularly affected, with 140 million people suffering from diabetes-related complications such as kidney problems, blindness, amputation, and cardiovascular issues.

However, this new breakthrough, the result of 10 years of research and testing, might revolutionize the treatment of diabetes.

Yin Hao, a leading researcher and director of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital’s Organ Transplant Center, explained that they took the patient’s own peripheral blood mononuclear cells and reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells, which were then injected into the pancreas.

“Our technology has matured and it has pushed boundaries in the field of regenerative medicine for the treatment of diabetes,” Yin told China Daily. His team conducted the research with scientists from the Center for Molecular Cell Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Current transplant treatments for type-2 diabetes are limited by a shortage of donor cells and the complexity of pancreatic islet cell isolation technology. Pancreatic islet cells are the main insulin producers in the body, and the patient’s cells were almost completely inhibited. He relied on multiple daily insulin injections and had also undergone a kidney transplant.

After receiving the manufactured stem cells in 2021, he gradually stopped needing external insulin over 11 weeks, and his diabetes seemed largely cured.

“Follow-up examinations showed that the patient’s pancreatic islet function was effectively restored, and his renal function was within normal range,” Yin said. “Such results suggested that the treatment can avoid the progression of diabetic complications.”

The study was published in Cell Discovery on April 30th. Future research, the authors wrote, should explore pharmacological options that could provide off-the-shelf equivalents for islet transplantation.

World News

Man Saves Forest

Alok Shukla – credit Goldman Environment Prize

An Indian environmental activist has won the prestigious 'Green Nobel' for saving a 657 square-mile forest from 21 coal mines.

India faces frequent blackouts, affecting everyone from city residents to rural communities. The Modi government's push for development and economic dominance has led to massive increases in power generation, including both solar and coal energy. India is a major coal consumer, and the Hasdeo Aranya forests, known as the "Lungs of Chhattisgarh," are rich in coal deposits.

The state government was considering 21 coal mining projects across 445,000 acres of biodiverse forests that are crucial to 15,000 indigenous Adivasi people and numerous wildlife species, including tigers, elephants, and leopards. These forests, one of India's largest intact habitats, faced destruction from 5.6 billion metric tons of mineable coal.

Alok Shukla, founder of the Save Hasdeo Aranya Resistance Committee, has spent a decade fighting to protect Hasdeo. His efforts included media campaigns, protests, and direct appeals to the legislature, emphasizing constitutional protections for tribal people and their environments.

Shukla proposed the creation of the Lemru elephant reserve within Hasdeo to protect migration corridors and cancel three mining proposals. This sparked a 160-mile protest march towards Raipur, the state capital. Midway through their march, they learned that the state legislature had unanimously agreed to protect the forest and cancel all mining proposals and existing licenses.

"We had no expectations, but the legislative assembly voted unanimously that all of the coal mines of Hasdeo should be canceled, and the forest should be saved," Shukla recalled to the Goldman Prize media channel. "That was a very important and happy moment for all of us."

Shukla shares the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize with five other winners from Brazil, the US, South Africa, Australia, and Spain.

Sports

Sports Spotlight: Serena Williams

Serena Williams stands as one of the most iconic figures in the history of tennis, her career marked by unparalleled achievements and a profound impact on the sports world.

Achievements

Serena Williams' professional career is defined by her exceptional record on the court. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era, and only one shy of Margaret Court's all-time record of 24. Her Grand Slam victories span over two decades, showcasing her enduring dominance. Williams has secured seven Australian Open titles, three French Open titles, seven Wimbledon titles, and six US Open titles.

Beyond singles, Serena has excelled in doubles, often partnering with her sister Venus Williams. Together, they have claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals in doubles (2000, 2008, and 2012). Serena also won an Olympic gold medal in singles in 2012.

Serena Williams' influence extends far beyond her trophy cabinet. She has been a trailblazer for gender and racial equality in sports. Her powerful playing style and unyielding competitiveness have redefined women's tennis, while her success has challenged stereotypes and inspired a new generation of athletes.

Off the court, Williams has been a vocal advocate for equal prize money and has used her platform to address issues such as racial injustice and gender discrimination. Her efforts have contributed to significant changes in the sport, including the push for equal prize money in all four Grand Slam tournaments.

Williams has also ventured into business, fashion, and philanthropy. Her investments in various startups, including those led by women and minorities, and her own fashion line demonstrate her commitment to empowering others. Through the Serena Williams Fund, she has supported education and community projects, further cementing her legacy as a champion both on and off the court.

Fun Animal Facts

  • The Blue Whale's Tongue Weighs as Much as an Elephant
    The blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, has a tongue that can weigh as much as an adult elephant - between 4,000 and 8,000 lb. 

  • A Group of Flamingos Is Called a "Flamboyance"
    When a group of flamingos comes together, it's referred to as a "flamboyance." These vibrant birds are not only stunning to look at but also have a unique collective noun.

  • Polar Bears Have Black Skin
    Despite their white fur, polar bears actually have black skin, which helps them absorb and retain heat from the sun.

  • Dolphins Have Names for Each Other

    Dolphins use a signature whistle to identify themselves, much like a name. They also use these whistles to call to each other.

  • Bees Can Recognize Human Faces

    Honeybees have the ability to recognize and remember human faces, which has been demonstrated through scientific experiments.


Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I’m a box that holds keys without locks, yet they can unlock your soul. What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
A sheet of paper 😅 

Chris Hostetler got the correct answer first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.

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