Increase in e-bike accidents; epigenetics in memory formation; Komodo dragons now scarier

This week we reported on new epigenetic insights into memory formation and a dramatic rise in micromobility-related head injuries, so there’s plenty of head science in focus right now. There’s been new evidence on an increasingly fearsome and terrifying apex predator, and the future of coffee is looking a little brighter—the best part about waking up is climate-resilient strains in your cup.

Neurons decoded

“Your genes are not your destiny.” That’s a nice way of saying that just because your father developed hammer toes in his 40s doesn’t mean you will too. A big reason genes aren’t the only factor determining offspring development is the epigenome, the set of chemical changes to DNA that modulate gene expression.

Because this is a new field of genetics, there are still vast, unexplored areas to be studied. A team of researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne is currently studying neural nuclei to find out what influence epigenetics has on memory formation.

Previous studies focused on neuronal plasticity but did not take into account the state of the nucleus of neuron cells. The study found that the epigenetic state of a neuron is actually crucial to its role in memory encoding. When a neuron is “epigenetically open,” its DNA is untangled and relaxed; it is considered “epigenetically closed” when the DNA is compact.

The researchers report that open neurons are more likely to be included in a new memory trace, as indicated by spikes in electrical activity during learning phases. They believe their findings could have immediate application in Alzheimer’s research, as well as in studies of other cognitive disorders characterized by aberrant epigenetic mechanisms.

Drinks resistant

Look, climate change is happening; we can’t avoid it. We have to get through it. And that means we have to adapt our coffee drinking habits, our waterways, our infrastructure and our disaster insurance policies, because production of the world’s most popular coffee variety, Coffea arabica, is expected to decline by 80% by 2050 due to climate change.

Arabica coffee has a distinctive flavor profile that is preferred by most coffee drinkers and that will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace, but growers have a possible solution that is at least better than nothing: switching production from Arabica coffee to Robusta varieties.

A team of researchers from France and Brazil is studying the potential of the Robusta variety as a complement and perhaps a replacement for Arabica coffee. They are growing it in alternative climates and at high altitudes to test its resilience. According to their study, Robusta is more sustainable because it can be produced with less water and fertilizer. Robusta beans are of high quality and have a good aroma. In addition, Robusta is able to adapt to new production systems.

Komodo dragons: The species richest in heavy metals on earth

Reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s album covers and the enemies from Id Software’s DOOM series, researchers report that Komodo dragons native to Indonesia have iron-coated teeth to kill their prey more effectively.

Although other species have similar dental plaque, researchers say Komodos have this powerful, electricity-generating trait more pronounced than any other animal. Think you have tartar problems? Dude, Komodos have teeth that can rust. Combined with a venomous bite, these skull-shattering apex predators can take down prey including invertebrates, birds and mammals as large as water buffalo.

The researchers analyzed samples of Komodo teeth using chemical and structural imaging and discovered orange, iron-containing coatings on the teeth and tips. They believe the iron deposition was probably a feature of certain early ziphodont dinosaur species, but fossilization cannot preserve iron coatings. Has anyone ever looked at Komodo bones to see if they are made of carbon fiber or something?

E-bikes cause more e-concussions

The natural helmet, the skull, is not suitable for certain human activities, such as jumping over the Snake River Canyon on a motorcycle, and requires an additional artificial skull made of compressible material or Kevlar or something similar. The inadequacy of the skull is a growing problem, say researchers at UC San Francisco, who report that as micromobility takes off in the United States through the proliferation of small electric vehicles, the number of traffic accidents involving electric scooters and bicycles is also increasing.

Emergency departments across the country are reporting more micromobility-related injuries and hospitalizations due to a number of factors, including unprotected heads. Electric vehicle riders are also more likely to suffer internal injuries than users of regular bikes and scooters. The number of injuries from e-bikes has doubled every year between 2017 and 2022, while the number of injuries from e-scooters has increased by 45%.

“This increase in crashes has not only brought about a demographic shift, but also highlights the urgent need for additional safety measures. The use of micromobility vehicles offers undeniable health and environmental benefits, but structural changes must be made to encourage safe driving,” says researcher Adrian Fernandez, MD, chief of the Division of Urology at UCSF.

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