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Showing posts from November 1, 2023

Second Patient Dies After Genetically Altered Pig Heart Transplant

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How Pig Hearts Are Genetically Altered Genetically altered pig hearts are created by editing the DNA of pigs using a gene editing technology called CRISPR-Cas9. This technology allows scientists to insert, delete, or change specific genes in an organism's DNA. To create a genetically altered pig heart for transplant, scientists typically make the following changes: They inactivate genes that code for proteins that trigger an immune response in humans. They insert genes that code for human proteins that help to suppress the immune response and promote organ acceptance. They inactivate genes that control the growth of the pig heart, so that it does not overgrow after transplant. The Science Behind Genetically Altered Pig Heart Transplants Genetically altered pig heart transplants are a type of xenotransplantation, which is the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another. Xenotransplantation has been a goal of medical science for many years, but it has been hamper...

Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life and Remembrance

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Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to honor and remember deceased loved ones, and to celebrate the cycle of life and death. The holiday has its origins in pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, which believed that death was not the end of life, but rather a transition to another realm.  On Day of the Dead, families build altars (ofrendas) in their homes, decorated with photos, candles, flowers, food, and other offerings to their deceased loved ones. They also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, and to leave offerings for their loved ones. Day of the Dead is a time for families and communities to come together and remember their loved ones. It is also a time to celebrate Mexican culture and traditions. Here are some of the most common traditions and symbols associated with Day of the Dead: Ofrendas: Ofrendas, or altars, are built in homes and cemeteries to honor and remember deceased loved ones. They are d...