Latest news with #highaltitude
Sustainability Times
15-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'They Cloned a Yak in the Himalayas!': Chinese Scientists Defy Nature with First-Ever Livestock Copy at 12,000 Feet
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Chinese scientists have successfully cloned the world's first yak, marking a significant milestone in biotechnology . . 📈 This breakthrough aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve food security in high-altitude regions like Tibet. and improve food security in high-altitude regions like Tibet. 🧬 The cloning utilized somatic cell cloning , a technique that allows for the propagation of animals with desirable traits. , a technique that allows for the propagation of animals with desirable traits. 🌍 The innovation draws inspiration from the iconic cloning of Dolly the sheep, highlighting both scientific potential and ethical considerations. In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, Chinese researchers have successfully cloned a yak, marking a significant milestone in livestock breeding technology. The cloned calf, delivered via C-section on July 11 in Tibet, weighs in at an impressive 73.9 pounds and is reportedly in excellent health. This advancement not only underscores China's growing capabilities in biotechnology but also opens new doors for enhancing agricultural productivity in high-altitude regions like Tibet. As traditional livestock breeding faces numerous challenges, innovations like these offer promising solutions for sustainable development. The Cloning Process: A New Frontier in Biotechnology Chinese scientists employed a fascinating technique known as somatic cell cloning to produce the world's first cloned yak. This method involves transferring DNA from a body (somatic) cell into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The ability to reprogram adult cells to develop into a full organism is a remarkable feat of genetic engineering, echoing the pioneering work done on Dolly the sheep in the 1990s. Somatic cell cloning allows researchers to select and propagate animals with desirable traits, such as increased size and enhanced milk production, through whole-genome selection. This precision breeding technique is particularly crucial in Tibet, where yaks play an indispensable role in the local economy and ecology. By creating yaks that are stronger, more productive, and disease-resistant, scientists aim to bolster food security and improve the livelihoods of communities dependent on these animals. 'Wild Spinach Saves the Day': Scientists Discover This Ordinary Plant Could Stop Catastrophic Fungus From Destroying US Farmlands The Importance of Yaks in Tibetan Culture and Economy Yaks are vital to life on the Tibetan Plateau, having been domesticated for thousands of years. Their unique ability to thrive at high altitudes where other livestock cannot makes them essential for the survival of local communities. These animals provide meat, milk, and fuel, and serve as reliable pack animals, enabling the transportation of goods across Tibet's challenging terrain. Beyond their economic contributions, yaks are integral to the region's cultural heritage. They support traditional herding lifestyles and participate in religious and cultural practices. Furthermore, yaks contribute to maintaining the ecological balance of Tibetan grasslands, grazing sustainably, and promoting biodiversity. The introduction of cloned yaks could enhance these roles, ensuring that yaks continue to support both the cultural and economic fabric of Tibetan society. Apple Origins Uncovered: Stunning New Study Maps 60-Million-Year Journey From Ancient Forests to Worldwide Domination Lessons from Dolly: Pioneering Cloning Technology The successful cloning of a yak in China draws inspiration from the iconic achievement of cloning Dolly the sheep in 1996. Dolly was the first mammal to be cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer, a process that demonstrated the potential of cloning technology. Her birth proved that specialized adult cells could be reprogrammed to create a new organism, challenging existing notions in the field of genetics and biotechnology. Dolly's creation spurred global interest in cloning, highlighting both its scientific potential and ethical implications. Her legacy continues to influence modern cloning research, as scientists explore ways to harness this technology for agricultural and medical advancements. The cloning of a yak in Tibet is a testament to the enduring impact of Dolly's pioneering journey, demonstrating how lessons from the past can shape the future of science. 'Farmers Freak Out': This Wild New AI Warns of Crop Diseases Before You Even See a Single Rotting Leaf Future Prospects: Cloning and Sustainable Development The advent of yak cloning opens up new possibilities for sustainable development in high-altitude regions like Tibet. By enhancing the genetic traits of yaks, researchers aim to improve agricultural productivity and ensure food security for local communities. Cloning technology could also play a crucial role in preserving endangered species and biodiversity, offering a lifeline for ecosystems threatened by climate change and human activity. As cloning technology advances, it is essential to consider the ethical dimensions of its application. Balancing scientific innovation with ethical responsibility will be key to ensuring that cloning contributes positively to society. How can we harness the power of cloning to address global challenges while respecting the complex ethical questions it poses? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (24)
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese military's self-propelled howitzers deliver high-precision fire at high-altitude
Reports indicate that China recently conducted a live-fire artillery exercise at high altitude using the PCL-181 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer. The drill supposedly took place in rugged mountainous terrain under harsh conditions. These include thin air, cold weather, and steep slopes, all of which are most likely to be found in or near the Tibetan Plateau or the Xinjiang region, which border India. The test is being seen as a critical development as traditional artillery often struggles at high altitudes, owing to distinct lack of oxygen, which impacts both engines and ballistics. Such conditions also pose logistical challenges to military operations, notwithstanding the rough terrain. To this end, the test demonstrates that the PCL-181 can fire accurately and move quickly in these challenging environments, a significant development for not only China but all armed forces around the world. Developed by the Chinese Defense Company NORINCO, China's PCL-181 is a modern artillery system introduced in 2019 that fires 155mm NATO-standard shells up to 25 miles (40 km). The howitzer is mounted on a wheeled 6x6 truck, not a tank-like track system, making it faster, lighter, and more mobile. Its mount enables the gun to allegedly travel at speeds of over 56 mph (90 kph) with an operational range of more than 373 miles (600 kilometers). The howitzer platform can carry 27 rounds of ammunition. It can allegedly deliver a firing rate of four to six rounds per minute, supported by a semi-automatic loading mechanism that reduces crew fatigue and accelerates fire missions. The weapon system features advanced targeting systems, satellite navigation, digital communications, and auto-loading capabilities, requiring less manpower and delivering greater precision. It can also reposition and fire within three minutes, making it harder for the enemy to detect and destroy. According to reports, the PCL-181 is being deployed in areas like Xinjiang and Tibet. The move is believed to reflect China's push to improve its military readiness along the India border, especially after the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. Historically, towed artillery has dominated there. That said, the PCL-181 can drive itself into place much faster, crucial in remote or mountainous areas. The weapon is also part of a broader Chinese strategy to digitize and modernize its military, focusing on rapid deployment, precision strikes, coordination with drones and satellite data, and survivability in contested zones. Looking at the bigger picture, China is building forces that are better suited for fast, modern warfighting, not just static defense. To this end, the PCL-181 can also be deployed rapidly to Taiwan, the South China Sea, or Central Asia. The tests also reflect a trend whereby China wants artillery that can act as both a frontline hammer and a strategic deterrent. In this sense, the PCL-181 is more than a new gun, it's a sign of China's military moving toward high-tech, mobile, and networked warfare especially in rough and contested environments, such as the Himalayas. The recent high-altitude test was both a technical validation and a political signal.
Medscape
05-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Dyspnea, Cough, and Extreme Fatigue in a Hiker
Editor's Note: The Case Challenge series includes difficult-to-diagnose conditions, some of which are not frequently encountered by most clinicians, but are nonetheless important to accurately recognize. Test your diagnostic and treatment skills using the following patient scenario and corresponding questions. If you have a case that you would like to suggest for a future Case Challenge, please email us at ccsuggestions@ with the subject line "Case Challenge Suggestion." We look forward to hearing from you. Background and Initial Presentation A 32-year-old man presents to an emergency department in a remote mountain town after being rescued from a solo hiking expedition at 12,500 feet. He had been hiking for 3 days at high altitude with minimal acclimatization. Over the past 24 hours, he has developed progressive shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, and extreme fatigue. The symptoms worsened overnight, and he was unable to continue hiking. He activated his personal emergency beacon and was airlifted to safety. Upon arrival at the hospital, he appeared dyspneic, with a resting oxygen saturation of 82% on room air. Physical Examination and Workup On examination, the patient was tachypneic (respiratory rate, 28 breaths/min) and tachycardic (heart rate, 112 beats/min). He was afebrile. Auscultation revealed bilateral inspiratory crackles, most prominent in the lower lung fields. There was no peripheral edema or jugular venous distension. Chest radiography is the most important initial test of those listed above because it provides rapid, noninvasive imaging to assess for pulmonary pathology and can help differentiate between potential causes of hypoxemia. Although ECG can help rule out cardiac causes, it is neither sensitive nor specific for the likely causes of this patient's symptoms. Similarly, although arterial blood gas analysis provides useful information about oxygenation and acid-base status, it does not identify the underlying cause of hypoxemia. CT pulmonary angiography is primarily used to evaluate for pulmonary embolism; however, given the low pretest probability based on the patient's history, a D-dimer should be obtained first. Initial workup included chest radiography, which demonstrated patchy alveolar infiltrates (Figure). Arterial blood gas analysis revealed hypoxemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen, 58 mm Hg) and respiratory alkalosis (pH, 7.48). Bedside lung ultrasonography, performed shortly after presentation, showed diffuse B lines bilaterally. Cardiac biomarkers (troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide) were within normal limits, and ECG showed sinus tachycardia without ischemic changes. D-dimer was 0.3 mg/L (low probability). Figure. Chest radiograph showing patchy alveolar infiltrates. Discussion High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a noncardiogenic pulmonary edema caused by hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction at high altitudes.[1,2] It typically occurs above 8000 feet and is a leading cause of altitude-related mortality.[1] Risk factors include rapid ascent, lack of acclimatization, and strenuous physical exertion.[1-3] The diagnosis of HAPE is clinical and based on a history of recent ascent in an unacclimatized individual. Diagnosis, particularly in the field, relies primarily on characteristic reported symptoms such as dyspnea on exertion disproportional to previous experience, nonproductive cough, fatigue, and weakness, which can progress to dyspnea at rest. Objective findings, when available, aid in confirming the diagnosis and ruling out alternatives.[1] In well-resourced facilities, the presence of hypoxemia and either unilateral or diffuse bilateral alveolar opacities on plain chest radiography is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical context. Objective findings include radiographic findings of pulmonary edema, often seen as patchy alveolar infiltrates on chest radiographs, and diffuse B lines on lung ultrasound, consistent with pulmonary congestion.[4] Arterial blood gas analysis frequently shows hypoxemia with respiratory alkalosis, and pulse oximetry can confirm hypoxemia, a key feature that distinguishes HAPE from other sources of dyspnea. The case patient had hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis. This distinction can help differentiate between inflammatory and infectious causes of pulmonary infiltrates at altitude. Although HAPE can present with a low-grade fever, it typically lacks the high-grade fever, leukocytosis, and purulent sputum often associated with pneumonia. Differentiation from other conditions presenting with pulmonary edema is important.[1] Acute respiratory distress syndrome, while also a non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, usually occurs in response to a systemic insult rather than altitude exposure. Pulmonary embolism is less likely given the absence of pleuritic chest pain, focal findings on imaging, and a normal D-dimer value but should not be excluded solely on clinical grounds. Treatment of HAPE The mainstay of HAPE treatment is immediate descent to lower altitude, which often leads to rapid improvement. Supplemental oxygen is highly effective in reversing hypoxemia. When descent is not possible, pharmacologic treatment with nifedipine (a pulmonary vasodilator) can reduce pulmonary hypertension and improve oxygenation. Portable hyperbaric chambers may also be used in remote settings. Beta-blockers are not recommended because they blunt the sympathetic response needed to maintain adequate cardiac output and oxygen delivery during hypoxia.[5] In addition, they do not address the underlying pulmonary hypertension that contributes to HAPE.[5] The patient was placed on high-flow oxygen, given oral nifedipine, and observed for 24 hours. He demonstrated significant improvement, with normalization of his oxygen saturation and resolution of dyspnea. He was advised to avoid rapid ascents in the future, which is a primary method for preventing HAPE. He was also advised to consider prophylactic nifedipine for future high-altitude activities. Tadalafil may be used in patients who are not candidates for nifedipine. Acetazolamide should not be used for HAPE prevention in those with a history of the disease, although it can be considered for prevention of reentry HAPE, which affects individuals who reside at high altitudes, travel to a lower elevation, and then develop HAPE upon rapid return to their residence.[1] Proper prevention strategies for altitude sickness include gradual ascent, often achieved through staged ascent and limiting daily altitude gain. For HAPE prevention in individuals with a history of the condition, nifedipine is the preferred medication, with tadalafil as an alternative.[1-3] The patient was discharged with instructions to avoid further high-altitude exposure until fully recovered and to seek medical guidance for future expeditions. HAPE is a potentially life-threatening condition, but with prompt recognition and treatment, the prognosis is generally excellent. When treated early with interventions including immediate descent to a lower altitude, supplemental oxygen, and sometimes medications such as nifedipine, most patients recover fully, without long-term complications.[1,2] The condition is typically self-limiting once altitude exposure is reduced, and most patients do not develop chronic lung disease. However, if left untreated or reexposure occurs without proper acclimatization, the condition can be fatal or lead to complications. Patients who experience HAPE should be educated on proper acclimatization strategies to prevent recurrence in future high-altitude activities, but with appropriate treatment, full recovery is common and long-term effects are rare.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
There's A Serious Reason Why You Should Be Extra Careful If You Have The Window Seat On A Plane, And I Truly Never Would've Guessed This
Earlier this year, TikTok user FindingFiona uploaded a travel video that got serious attention, garnering more than 2 million views and 1,000 comments. In the post, she emphasized the importance of wearing sunscreen on flights, citing reports of people incurring more sun damage when they're at higher altitudes. 'Even though you're inside the aircraft, because of the high altitudes, you're actually experiencing stronger UV radiation, especially if you're in the window seat,' she says in the video. According to dermatologists, the TikToker's claim is partially correct — but it's also a little wrong. 'The good news is that the true risk from one flight, or somebody who flies occasionally, is probably low,' said Dr. Elizabeth Jones, an assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. But Jones noted that for flight crew members and pilots, the risk is higher. 'People who are flying occupationally, they're going to be exposed much more to ultraviolet light given — especially if they're in the cockpit — the size of the windshield,' and given all the time they spend at a higher altitude, she said. Jones pointed to a 2015 study that found pilots and cabin crew have roughly twice the incidence of melanoma, a less common but more serious form of skin cancer, when compared to the general population. So, there is a connection between flying and sun damage. Below, dermatologists explain what you should know about your sun damage risk when you're at cruising altitude. Airplane windows block out most UVB rays, but not all UVA rays. 'Airplane windows effectively block out most of the UVB rays,' Jones said, referring to the rays that can cause sunburn and skin cancer. So even if you're sitting in the window seat, you likely won't end up with sunburn after a flight. But that doesn't mean other damage can't occur. This is also true for non-airplane windows, said Dr. Jennifer Holman, a dermatologist with U.S. Dermatology Partners Tyler in Texas. 'Most typical windows in a house or a car are going to filter out ... like 97%, 98% of the UVB radiation, which is typically the wavelength that people think of that causes sunburns,' she said. While windows block these rays, they don't block all rays. According to Jones, airplane windows don't fully keep out UVA rays, which can 'cause premature aging, wrinkles and ultimately can contribute to skin cancer as well.' (Jones did note, however, that 'some of the older windows block out about 50% of UVA rays' and 'some of the newer models are more effective at even blocking out UVA.') Again, this goes beyond airplanes: Holman said most glass windows, including your car windows and the windows at your local coffee shop, also don't offer UVA protection. In general, 'most glass does not filter out UVA,' she noted. Wearing sunscreen on a plane can protect you from these harmful rays, which Holman said penetrate 'more deeply into the skin' and put you 'at risk for different types of skin cancer, including the most deadly form of skin cancer, melanoma.' So, who needs sunscreen on an airplane? The short answer: everyone. Sunscreen is important for folks to wear daily, whether or not you're taking a flight. 'As a dermatologist, of course, I'm encouraging all of my patients to wear their sunscreen as a daily habit every day, just for the exposures that we face and the free radicals that are out in the world from UV radiation,' Holman said. While it is important for everyone to wear sunscreen on a plane, Jones said certain people should take particular caution. 'Who should consider wearing sunscreen on a plane?' she said. 'Certainly, someone with a personal or family history of skin cancer may want to get that added protection by using a sunscreen.' Folks with fair skin who are more sensitive to the sun should consider that added protection, too. The same goes for people with medical conditions that make them susceptible to sun damage, and people who are on medication that increases sun sensitivity, Jones noted. Holman said that when shopping for sunscreen, you should find one that's labeled 'broad-spectrum,' meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. This is always necessary, including on a plane when you aren't protected from that UVA light. Beyond sunscreen, Holman stressed that other protections are also helpful. 'The importance of physical protection, too ― wearing hats, sun protective clothing, sunglasses ― all those things continue to be important as we're protecting ourselves from ultraviolet exposure,' she said. This article originally appeared in HuffPost.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Humans Are Evolving Right in Front of Our Eyes on The Tibetan Plateau
Humans are not yet done cooking. We're continuing to evolve and adjust to the world around us, the records of our adaptations written in our bodies. We know that there are some environments that can make us unwell. Mountain climbers often succumb to altitude sickness – the body's reaction to a significant drop in atmospheric pressure, which means less oxygen is taken in with each breath. And yet, in high altitudes on the Tibetan Plateau, where oxygen levels in the air people breathe are notably lower than lower altitudes, human communities thrive. In the more than 10,000 years the region has been settled, the bodies of those living there have changed in ways that allow the inhabitants to make the most of an atmosphere that for most humans would result in not enough oxygen being delivered via blood cells to the body's tissues, a condition known as hypoxia. "Adaptation to high-altitude hypoxia is fascinating because the stress is severe, experienced equally by everyone at a given altitude, and quantifiable," anthropologist Cynthia Beall of Case Western Reserve University in the US told ScienceAlert. "It is a beautiful example of how and why our species has so much biological variation." Beall has been studying the human response to hypoxic living conditions for years. In research published in October 2024, she and her team unveiled some of the specific adaptations in Tibetan communities: traits that help the blood deliver oxygen. To unlock this discovery, the researchers delved into one of the markers of what we call evolutionary fitness: reproductive success. Women who deliver live babies are those who pass on their traits to the next generation. The traits that maximize an individual's success in a given environment are most likely to be found in women who are able to survive the stresses of pregnancy and childbirth. These women are more likely to give birth to more babies; and those babies, having inherited survivability traits from their mothers, are also more likely to survive to adulthood, and pass the traits on to the next generation. That's natural selection at work, and it can be a bit strange and counterintuitive; in places where malaria is common, for example, the incidence of sickle cell anemia is high, because it involves a gene that protects against malaria. Beall and her team made a study of 417 women between the ages of 46 and 86 years who have lived all their lives in Nepal above altitudes of around 3,500 meters (11,480 feet). The researchers recorded the number of live births, ranging between 0 and 14 per woman for an average of 5.2, as well as health and physical information and measurements. Among the things they measured were levels of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for delivering oxygen to tissues. They also measured how much oxygen was being carried by the hemoglobin. Interestingly, the women who demonstrated the highest rate of live births had hemoglobin levels that were neither high nor low, but average for the testing group. But the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin was high. Together, the results suggest that the adaptations are able to maximize oxygen delivery to cells and tissues without thickening the blood – a result that would place more stress on the heart as it struggles to pump a higher viscosity fluid more resistant to flow. "Previously we knew that lower hemoglobin was beneficial, now we understand that an intermediate value has the highest benefit. We knew that higher oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was beneficial, now we understand that the higher the saturation the more beneficial. The number of live births quantifies the benefits," Beall said. "It was unexpected to find that women can have many live births with low values of some oxygen transport traits if they have favorable values of other oxygen transport traits." The women with the highest reproductive success rate also had a high rate of blood flow into the lungs, and their hearts had wider than average left ventricles, the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping oxygenated blood into the body. Taken all together, these traits increase the rate of oxygen transport and delivery, enabling the human body to make the most of the low oxygen in the air respired. It's important to note that cultural factors can play a role, too. Women who start reproducing young and have long marriages seem to have a longer exposure to the possibility of pregnancy, which also increases the number of live births, the researchers found. Even taking that into account, however, the physical traits played a role. Nepalese women with physiologies most similar to women in unstressed, low altitude environments tended to have the highest rate of reproductive success. "This is a case of ongoing natural selection," Beall said. "Understanding how populations like these adapt gives us a better grasp of the processes of human evolution." The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. An earlier version of this article was published in October 2024. Nanoplastics Stick to Toxic Bacteria, Forming a Deadly Combination Expert Explains FDA's New COVID Vaccine Rules in The US Your Perfume Could Be Messing With Your Chemical Force Shield
