Can our Sense of Smell and our Pulse complexity predict Cognitive Decline, Protein Editing and your own Satellite
May 15
This week we examine two new investigations into cognitive decline. We consider the link between our sense of smell and our cognitive decline. We also look at the complexity of our pulse rates and how changes over time predict cognitive decline (why two articles on cognitive decline this week, I am just asking for a friend). We discover a new method of editing proteins in living cells. This may open a new pathway to new treatments for a range of aliments. Finally we contemplate purchasing our own military grade satellite.
A causal link between Smell and Cognitive Decline?
As the population ages more and more of us are entering a period of cognitive decline after middle age. Our brain functions, cognitive abilities and memory can deteriorate and age related disorders, particularly dementia are more common. It is estimated that 139 million people globally will be suffering from some form of dementia by 2050.
Recent studies have pointed to people’s ability to perceive and identify odors having a link to cognitive abilities. This correlation is well documented however causation has not been proved as yet. The decline in olfactory and cognitive functions may just be the result of similar age related degeneration.
A team at Fudan University in China found that the nasal microbiome could be a contributing factor in the relationship between smell and cognitive health. Using a brief Chinese smell identification test, a cognitive test called the mini-mental state exam, a revised Hasegawa demential scale and 16S RNA gene sequencing, the team generated microbiome profiles for all 510 participants.
It was found that higher olfactory dysfunction was associated with a higher richness of nasal bacteria. 18 different nasal bacteria were identified as being associated with olfactory dysfunction. An analysis of the data showed a that people with microbiome profiles with a prevalence of some genus of bacteria had milder cognitive impairments than those the predominately contained other genera of bacteria.
The overall finding was that some types of bacteria populating the noses of individuals could contribute to the link between olfactory and cognitive decline. This finding may help us to develop strategies for early identification of problems and to create novel strategies for targeting this decline early.
Pulse Measure that can predict Cognitive Decline
A healthy heart is able to adapt to different demands. They also hav heartbeats with complex variations that result from adjusting to tiny ongoing changes in our bodies. A team at Mac General Brigham (a research hospital in Boston) have developed a new way to measure the complexity of pulse rates via a wearable pulse oximetry device. This new measure provides more detail than traditional methods and it shows a link between decreased complexity of pulse and future cognitive decline.
The team measured overnight pulse rates via a fingertip pulse oximetry device. Comprehensive cognitive tests were conducted at the same time as the pulse measurement. At least one annual follow up was completed for the next 4.5 years for the 503 participants (average age 82, 76% women).
It was found that participants with a greater complexity of heartbeat tended to experience slower cognitive decline over time. Conventional measures of heart rate variability did not predict this effect. The new testing method has greater sensitivity in capturing heart functions allowing it to be predictive of cognitive decline.
The next step is to investigate whether pulse rate complexity can predict the development of dementia. This would provide a simple non invasive method of determining who might benefit from early stage interventions. Future studies will aim to increase the understanding of the interplay between heart health and cognitive aging. In the meantime, it is probably wise to keep hitting the gym to keep your heart as healthy as possible.
Protein Editing
A team at Princeton University have developed a way to edit proteins in living cells. This new method allows us to edit proteins in a similar way to the editing of DNA and RNA was enabled by the CRISPR technology first used in 2012.
The difficulty with editing proteins comes from their 3D folding mechanisms. We have previously spoken about how Google’s AlphaFold and others have developed methods for predicting how proteins will fold.
The team developed a new method called “protein transposition” that allows edits to be made in a short coordinated time frame. The editing is carried out when the protein is already folded. This allows avoidance of the complications of a still folding protein.
Using “split inteins” the team was able to use cut and paste splicing to insert the tiny modifications. It has taken the past two decades to learn how the split inteins work and thus engineer them for the desired protein modifications.
This new method can serve as a tool to probe disease states in mammalian cells. In disease states, proteins can be turned on and off or they can be turned on for an extended period of time. By being able to make specific site modifications researchers can study what happens inside a cell at any given time and the effect on the overall disease.
The large public data sets of proteins and their structure will enable a wide range of researchers to throughly investigate the potential applications of this new technology.
Your Own Satellite
United Spaceports from Las Vegas has begun sales of the Black Star 1000, an advanced military grade private satellite. For US$5.5 million you will receive a small refrigerator sized satellite, the satellite’s trip into space and a terrestrial command center.
The company claims that private satellites will provide the most secure data and communications platforms. Also included is a cryptocurrency wallet, remote camera for watching the earth and a telescope to view space, military grade communications, around the clock dedicated support and solar arrays to keep the satellite powered.
The satellite would operate in Low Earth Orbit however for a higher cost you could keep your satellite in geostationary orbit. Receivers could be mounted to your private aircraft to enable constant communications. I am wondering who would actually need such a satellite with these security capabilities.
Maybe it is just the ultimate flex. If I buy one I will have to work out how to drop the fact that I own a private secret satellite with military grade hardware into a casual conversation at the pub without having people report me to ASIO/CIA/MI6 or other government agencies.
Paying it Forward
If you have a start-up or know of a start-up that has a product ready for market please let me know. I would be happy to have a look and feature the startup in this newsletter. Also if any startups need introductions please get in touch and I will help where I can.
If you have any questions or comments please comment below.
I would also appreciate it if you could forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested or provide a recommendation on Substack.