grabhilt.blogg.se

1. #NEW FINDINGS POSE TOUGH QUESTIONS CHILDREN HOW TO#
2. #NEW FINDINGS POSE TOUGH QUESTIONS CHILDREN SERIES#

Metformin on our mindĭr Beall went on to describe how metformin, a drug often used to lower blood sugar levels in people living with type 2 diabetes, can turn up levels of AMPK in the brain. It switches on when our body’s fuel levels are low, like in a hypo, sending messages to the liver to make more sugar.

#NEW FINDINGS POSE TOUGH QUESTIONS CHILDREN SERIES#

The audience was divided in half to pretend to be each type of neuron, and clapped or stamped depending on their behaviour for a series of different sugar levels, shouted out by Dr Beall.Īn energy sensing molecule, called AMPK, also helps by acting like the brain’s fuel gauge. Neurons are nerve cells which send and receive messages from all around the body, like a telephone.ĭr Beall explained that the brain has two types of specialised glucose-sensing neurons – one which sends messages when sugar levels are high, and one which sends messages when sugar levels are low. This means it’s really important for the brain to have a constant supply of sugar, which is why hypos (when blood sugar levels are too low) can be so dangerous.ĭr Beall described how the brain measures blood sugars levels. The brain takes up around 2% of a person’s body weight, but needs around 20% of the body’s entire supply of glucose (or sugar). Then Dr Craig Beall took over the reins, and told us that not many people realise how important the brain is in managing blood sugar levels. Sadly we didn’t make it onto the national leaderboard, but the venue winners walked away with a prize. Our knowledge on all things science, including invertebrates, sci-fi films, and the solar system was put to the test. With the help of Kwizzbit, the Bootlegger went up against all the other Pint of Science pubs in the country over a series of synchronised questions. The halfway point was a perfect opportunity to top up, swot up, and get competitive juices flowing with a quiz. One day, Dr Rackham explained we might even be able to use them to intervene in the development of type 1 diabetes, which could prevent the condition entirely. This would make islet transplants more effective and could mean that more people who live with type 1 diabetes can be treated with a life-changing transplant.

#NEW FINDINGS POSE TOUGH QUESTIONS CHILDREN HOW TO#

They can also protect the beta cells from the immune system, by teaming up with immune police cells to block villainous ones.ĭr Rackham’s research into how MSCs work and how to supercharge their powers could lead to new ways to help transplanted beta cells to survive and thrive. She explained that MSCs can respond to inflammation signals sent from beta cells and can boost their healing powers. Stem cells can be coaxed to shape-shift into different cells, or be given power-ups in specific cell jobs, like healing, sensing, or growth. She introduced us to an exciting group of cells, called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). With our funding, Dr Rackham is working on a solution. The donated beta cells can become inflamed after transplantation, causing them to die off. In islet transplants, pancreas cells from donors are given to people with type 1, allowing them to make some of their own insulin again and keeping blood sugar levels more stable.Īt the moment, these transplants are only available to people with type 1 who have severe hypos and have lost awareness of them, because donor cells are so scarce. Dr Rackham explained how islet transplants are promising solution to replace some of the beta cells people have lost. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system attacking and destroying the insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Back to the basics of beta cell transplantsĪfter getting a round in at the Bootlegger in Exeter, we settled in to hear from Dr Chloe Rackham about her work to unleash the benefits of an exciting treatment for type 1 diabetes. Their mission is to bring researchers and members of the public together to chat about science and learn from each other in friendly environments, away from daunting lecture theatres. Pint of Science is the world’s largest festival of public science talks.