It could be because we have a 12-year-old boy in the house or maybe it’s because we’ve been told that our gut may be our true brain. But over on Green Prophet we’ve been following the development of fecal transplants for the last decade. So we love it when news develops in his space: Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators have developed a breakthrough technology that can track beneficial bacteria after fecal microbiota transplants (FMT). Basically, they can figure out whose donor “poo” works the best in transplants. (And yes, you can donate your stool samples and get paid!)

The tool — a mix of long-read DNA sequencing and computational wizardry called LongTrack — reveals which donor microbes take root, how they evolve, and how they might hold the key to safer, more targeted microbiome therapies.

Published in Nature Microbiology (October 22), the study helps scientists follow donor bacteria for up to five years after fecal transplant — identifying which strains thrive, which mutate, and which might be responsible for lasting recovery in patients treated for infections like C. difficile or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

“Our findings bring us closer to precision medicine for the microbiome,” said Professor Gang Fang, senior author of the study.

Why we need fecal transplants

Antibiotics, processed diets, and chronic stress have left many people’s internal ecosystems stripped of the microbes that keep digestion, immunity, and even mood in balance. Fecal microbiota transplants — the medical term for taking stool from a healthy person and putting it into a sick one — sound gross, but they’ve already saved lives by restoring gut flora after antibiotic-resistant infections.

Still, until now, no one really knew which microbes made the magic happen or how to ensure consistency from donor to donor. That uncertainty — plus the “ick factor” — has limited the acceptance of FMTs beyond clinical settings.

Thanks to studies like Mount Sinai’s, the future of gut therapy could look less like brown smoothies and more like engineered microbiome capsules. Instead of whole stool donations, researchers are isolating and then culturing the exact bacterial strains that heal. They can grow an entire medicine from one person’s poop. Should we call the union? Or should donors be asking for shit tickets or royalties?

A few pioneering companies are already in the space:

Rebiotix (acquired by Ferring Pharmaceuticals) – developers of Rebyota, the first FDA-approved microbiota-based therapy to prevent recurrent C. difficile infection.

OpenBiome – a nonprofit stool bank supplying screened donor material to hospitals and researchers, helping standardize FMT safety.

Seres Therapeutics – creators of Vowst, an oral capsule that delivers healthy bacteria without the need for invasive transplants.

Together, they’re turning what was once a fringe medical experiment into a $1-billion-plus bio-innovation industry.

The ick factor: get over it

Yes, it’s poop. But it’s also the most biodiverse material your body produces — a living cluster of bacteria and enzymes that quietly maintain human health. Just as blood donations sustain trauma patients, stool donations can rebuild lives. The process is far less invasive than it sounds: donors provide a sample, labs screen for pathogens, and the material is processed into sterile therapeutic preparations.

So, could your microbiome be gold-standard and worth more than Bitcoin?

If you’re young, active, eat whole foods, and haven’t taken antibiotics recently, chances are your gut community is robust — and possibly valuable. Stool donors can receive compensation and, more importantly, contribute to the next generation of microbiome-based medicine.

With Mount Sinai’s LongTrack system showing which bacteria truly stick around — and biotech startups turning fecal matter into precision medicine — donor poop is officially having its moment.

The post 💩 Who Has the Healthiest Donor Poo? Maybe You Do. appeared first on Green Prophet.

Commonly occurring and caused by a range of elements, including genetics, hormone imbalances, stress, medical disorders, or even some drugs is hair loss. Men and women both suffer from androgenetic alopecia, a congenital disorder most commonly occurring. Other causes could be inadequate diet, scalp infections, or autoimmune diseases such alopecia areata. Correctly resolving the problem depends on knowing the fundamental cause since it enables people to investigate solutions catered to their requirements. Fortunately, advances in dermatology have resulted in the creation of effective hair loss treatment options, ranging from topical drugs like minoxidil to sophisticated surgeries like hair transplants, providing hope for people wishing to regain their confidence.

Dealing with hair loss calls for a careful approach since not all treatments fit every person. An efficient hair loss treatment should take individual goals, health, and underlying cause into account. For early-stage hair thinning, for example, stem cell therapy for hair loss could be effective; for major hair loss, surgical choices including hair transplants could be more suitable. Finding the best hair loss cure depends on seeing a trained dermatologist orste trichologist, who guarantees that it is customized to the particular situation of the patient. Choosing the correct course can help people get greater results and more quickly rebuild their confidence.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Alopecia, either male or female pattern baldness

Affected millions of people globally, this genetic condition is defined by a persistent pattern of hair thinning. It results from hormonal shifts and genetic inclination as well as from hair follicle DHT sensitivity. There are effective hair loss treatment alternatives, including medications, hair restoration procedures, and lifestyle changes, notwithstanding the possibility of stress.

Hormonal changes

Hormones increase hair development during pregnancy; but, postpartum hormonal shifts produce telogen effluvium, or temporary hair loss. Menopause reduces estrogen, which can cause thinning or loss of hair. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism throw off the hair development cycle and produce either thinning or too much shedding. Medical treatment can help control these hormonal changes so less hair loss results.

Medications and medical conditions

Targeting hair follicles, an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere. Another inflammatory disorder, lupus, can cause scalp inflammation and scarring that results in lifelong hair loss. Red, scaly scalp psoriasis can also prevent hair growth. Targeting fast dividing cancer cells, chemotherapy can also cause temporary but significant hair loss. Among side effects of antidepressants could be shedding. After determining the cause, an effective hair loss treatment can boost confidence and encourage good hair growth.

Dietary deficiencies and an imbalanced diet

Hair thinning or shedding can result from an iron, vitamin D, zinc, and biotin deficit. Low iron levels impede hair follicle oxygen delivery; biotin deficit influences keratin production. Restricting food and crash diets can aggravate vitamin deficits and hair loss. In order to stimulate hair follicles and promote regeneration, an effective hair loss treatment requires a balanced diet high in proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

Stress and psychological elements

Traumatic events or anxiety can aggravate the effect of ongoing stress on follicles and hair development. Emotional turmoil might lead to trichotillomania. With the right hair care and nutrition, an effective hair loss treatment plan incorporates stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness and therapy. Minimizing psychological stress will help hair grow and slow down loss.

Chemical treatments and hairstyling

Frequent usage of flat irons and curling wands could weaken and break the hair shaft. Moreover causing traction alopecia are braids, ponytails, and buns. Additionally drying out hair is overuse of chemical treatments including dyes, bleaches, and perms. The key to effective hair loss treatment is gentle hair care, avoiding heat style, avoiding harsh chemicals, and using nouraging scalp treatments and products.

Early Signs and Diagnosis

Changes in hair density and condition early on indicate hair loss. As your scalp becomes more apparent, particularly around the crown or hairline, thinning hair may show itself. Additionally suggesting too much shedding is hair in your brush, shower drain, or pillow. For individuals, localized hair loss may produce bald patches. Furthermore exposing underlying diseases causing hair loss could be scalp irritation or inflammation including redness, itching, or discomfort. Early recognition of these signs facilitates the identification of causes and the search for treatments.

Extreme hair loss may be able to be addressed by a dermatologist or trichologist. Trichologists treat hair and scalp illnesses; dermatologists address skin, hair, and nail issues. Usually, during your appointment, you should thoroughly go over your medical history, way of life, and health issues. Scalp biopsies, blood tests, and dermatoscopic imaging can identify the reason of your hair loss—including hormonal imbalances, nutritional inadequacies, autoimmune illnesses, and others. Customizing a treatment plan calls for a comprehensive diagnosis.

Lifestyle Changes and Preventive Strategies

Good hair loss therapy consists on healthy hair development and avoidance of nutrient-deficient diets’ effects. Packed in protein and biotin, eggs contribute to the keratin production for hair. Iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C found in spinach and other leafy greens help with scalp health and sebum production. High in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon keeps hair strong and moist. B12 and vitamin D shortages can cause hair thinning and breaking, hence these minerals are rather important. A good diet supplies the nutrients your hair needs for strength building and development.

Stress can cause telogen effluvium, in which case hair follicles shed too early. Long term stress affects the hair growth cycle and causes hair loss. Good hair calls the control of tension. Meditation, yoga, and exercise help to improve well-being by lowering tension. Stress management and an effective hair loss treatment, such as topical treatments or nutritional supplements, can help those who are already losing their hair by addressing both the source and the symptoms.

Good washing and conditioning address scalp condition as well as hair loss prevention. Use moderate, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners to take care of hair without stripping it of oils. Moreover decrease of hair damage results from avoiding strong chemicals and heat. Protection hairstyles as braids or buns help to minimize daily styling tension and breakage. These methods help to protect and strengthen hair when used in conjunction with an effective hair loss treatment such as specialist serums or nutrient-dense pills.

Emerging and Experimental Treatments

In several medical disciplines, including as an effective hair loss treatment, stem cell therapy is a relatively new and experimental treatment that shows great potential. This novel method stimulates hair follicles using the regenerative qualities of stem cells, hence perhaps reversing hair thinning and encouraging growth. Among the possible advantages of stem cell treatment include low invasiveness relative to conventional techniques like hair transplants and natural-looking outcomes. Still, there are restrictions like expensive expenses, limited access, and the necessity of more clinical studies guaranteeing safety and efficacy. Notwithstanding these difficulties, developments in stem cell research keep opening the path for innovative ideas to treat medical disorders like hair loss.

As an effective hair loss treatment, emerging and experimental therapies like gene therapy show considerable promise. Targeting the underlying causes of hair loss—such as genetic predisposition or hormone imbalances—gene therapy seeks to alter or repair genetic material. Targeting particular genes linked to hair growth cycles helps scientists create treatments meant to either stimulate dormant follicles or stop more hair thinning. These developments, which currently belong in the experimental stage, indicate future opportunities where tailored medicine could transform the treatment of hair loss. Determining the safety, practicality, and general applicability of gene therapy for hair loss will depend much on continuous research and clinical studies.

Choosing the Right Solution for You

Personalized treatment plans are vital for effective hair loss treatment since they incorporate multiple treatments to meet an individual’s needs. These plans treat hair loss with topical, oral, and lifestyle therapy. Monitoring progress keeps the treatment on track and identifies ways to improve outcomes. This adaptable method improves treatment efficacy and provides a complete experience, helping patients restore confidence and achieve lasting outcomes.

Early action is key to effective hair loss treatment. Early detection allows for immediate action, averting future deterioration and improving targeted remedies. Professionals can accurately diagnose and create a customized treatment plan, so consult them. Early consultation can help people find the finest solutions and protect their hair and confidence.

Hair loss can be difficult and upsetting, but it’s crucial to focus on progress and future prospects. With scientific developments and a variety of effective hair loss treatments, people have more tools than ever to address their concerns and achieve substantial outcomes. Remember that hair recovery takes time, persistence, and positivity. Celebrate minor wins and rely on professionals and loved ones to keep motivated. By taking action and staying dedicated, confidence and hair health can be restored.

The post Your Complete Guide to the Most Effective Hair Loss Solutions appeared first on Green Prophet.

Israeli non-profit Modern Agriculture Foundation (MAF) is developing lab-grown chicken meat that doesn’t require the rearing and slaughtering of birds.  Since 2014, they’ve been researching mass production of cultured chicken meat from a single bird cell.  If they succeed, we could soon be asking, Which came first, the chicken…or the chicken?

Chicken is the world’s second favorite meat product after pork, with an estimated 23 million chickens killed daily just to feed Americans. The United Nations estimates that by 2050 world population will exceed 9.6 billion. That’s two billion more mouths to feed, and increasingly, they’ll be meat-eaters. How is the food industry gearing up for demand?

In 2013, Green Prophet reported on the first lab-grown beef, an experiment undertaken by Maastricht University which culminated in a hamburger patty that cost roughly $325,000 to create. We questioned the viability of “victimless meat“: will consumer commitment to food with a lower carbon footprint overcome the “ick” factor of meat born in a petri dish?  Considerable investment will be needed to scale up to commercial manufacture, so for now production of synthetic meat (or shmeat, or tubesteak) is now limited to research labs.

Did you know that ranching and livestock rearing now take up 30% of earth’s surface? Meat production causes negative environmental impacts ranging from soil erosion to deforestation with significant losses in biodiversity.

A report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization found that current levels of meat production contributes up to 22 percent of the 36 billion tons of “CO2-equivalent” greenhouse gases (GHG) generated globally every year. Scientific American put that into perspective, calculating that producing half a pound of hamburger releases as much GHG into the atmosphere as driving a 3,000-pound car nearly 10 miles. The industry is also a voracious consumer of water (4,325 liters of water is required to produce 1 kg of chicken meat, according to the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers ).

“Earth cannot take it. It’s not a prediction or speculation. It’s truth. There’s not enough land on the planet to raise the animals. We are raising 70 billion land animals at the moment. We won’t have space for another 70 billion,” MAF cofounder and biologist Shir Friedman told Mirror Online.

Cultivated meat sidesteps animal cruelty and flock-shared disease such as Avian and Swine flu.

Chickens bred for meat are typically raised in highly efficient (and controversially cruel) intensive factory farms which accelerate the birds’ growth to market weight in six to seven weeks, a rate three times faster than in the mid-1900’s.

Use of growth hormones in poultry is illegal in the US and many other countries, but the animals are fed high calorie feeds to quicken weight gain, which cause all manner of medical problems to the birds including immobility. Proponents of cultivated meat will point out that the fried thigh you are about to tuck into may have been pressed to a feces-packed floor for the few months of its owner’s life, featherless and covered with sores.

Cultured meat is made from stem cells harvested from live animals. The cells are fed with a nutrient cocktail that enables them to grow into muscle tissue, which must be mechanically stimulated in order to develop properly. It is 100% meat, and involves no genetic engineering.

Tissue specialist Amit Gefen (pictured below) from Tel Aviv University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering is heading up the MAF study which aims to have devise a lab-cultured chicken meat recipe by January 2016, identifying all associated technologies, resources, and costs.  The goal is to one day produce in factories on a commercial scale, which would require between seven and 45 percent less energy, 90% less fresh water and 99% less land, and would result in 80 to 90% less GHG emissions than the traditional chicken meat industry.

“If 2.5 billion people join us in eating only cultured meat by 2050, we get all those resources back. It’s truly a magic solution,” says Friedman.

Hebrew University Prof. Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, says that if the process becomes economically feasible, “the ecological and ethical considerations would make cultured meat irresistible. Cultured meat is one of the most important revolutions in the history of food and in the history of humankind itself.”

MAF is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in March last year. The project is privately funded.

Lead image of a chicken from Shutterstock, all others from MAF Facebook page.

The post Israeli lab aims to hatch chicken from stem cells! appeared first on Green Prophet.

The burger was unveiled by its creator Mark Post, Vascular Physiology Head of the Department of Physiology at Maastricht University.  The fake meat, which cost about $325,000 to produce, was then taste-tested at a London press conference.

Austrian food researcher Hanni Ruetzler told the BBC, “I was expecting the texture to be softer. There is some intense taste. The consistency is perfect, but I miss salt and pepper.”

The protein patty was formed from 3,000 microscopic strips of artificial meat grown from cow stem cells. The team of scientists who concocted it believe that the product could become a household staple within a decade (or two). It’s part of food revolution taking place in laboratories (instead of kitchens) as scientists explore ways to offset the extreme environmental damage caused by livestock and seek to adequately feed the world’s hungry.

“Eventually, my vision is that you have a limited herd of donor animals which you keep in stock in the world,” Post told The Independent, “You basically kill animals and take all the stem cells from them, so you still need animals for this technology.”

“Right now, we are using 70% of all our agricultural capacity to grow meat through livestock. You are going to need alternatives. If we don’t do anything, meat will become a luxury food and will become very expensive,” said Post.

Compared to traditionally reared beef, test tube burgers would result in 45% less energy use, 96% fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 99% less land use, according to an independent study published in Environmental Science and Technology. It would also allow “meat” production to occur virtually everywhere, including in water-starved regions like the Middle East.

Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin financed the project, underwriting Big Science with potential for super scalability. The idea is to ultimately lower productive costs to be competitive with traditional ranching, then undercut  the multi-billion-dollar meat industry as it gains a larger market share.

It’s a solid source of protein that looks like meat, smells like meat, and kinda sorta tastes like meat.  No question it’s an environmental  game-changer. But how about a poll in the comments section: would you eat this stuff?

Image of woman with a burger from Shutterstock

The post $325,000 Fake Beef Burgers Grown in a Lab & Coming to a BBQ Near You! appeared first on Green Prophet.