Importance of first five years of brain development
The brain is the only organ in the body that takes a long time to grow and develop, undergoing amazing anatomical and functional changes from the prenatal stage to early adulthood.
After birth, a baby's daily experiences play an important role in the development of his or her brain. The number of new synapses increases exponentially in the postnatal period, especially in the first two weeks of life. At this stage of development, the production of new neurons (neurogenesis) and the connection between them (synaptogenesis) increases the possibility of modification of brain function (brain plasticity), which depends mainly on early experiences. This means that if the baby is exposed to affective deprivation at this stage, phenomena of neuronal death (apoptosis) will occur at the cerebral level, resulting in a greater vulnerability to stress and a decrease in the infant's immune response.
For this reason, parental attention during early childhood is crucial for brain maturation, especially for the structures responsible for affectivity and memory.
Humans need a significant postnatal experience to adapt to the new environment and to learn a form of communication that allows them to survive in it. In this sense, lullabies, the mother's conversations with her baby, her tone and timbre of voice from the first moments of life will help the baby to produce and decode the speech sounds that will form the basis of language, since daily experiences modify the neural circuits during the so-called critical periods for learning spoken language.
Early childhood is the launching pad for our sensory and perceptual universe, which will not only allow us to stay alive (when approaching or moving away from a stimulus) but will also be the vehicle for the conduction of cognitive, motor, and emotional information. The first years of life are critical for human development, as early experiences shape the architecture of the brain and shape future behavior. During this period, the brain undergoes phenomenal changes: it grows, develops, and goes through sensitive periods for some learning, so it needs an environment with meaningful experiences, multisensory stimuli, adequate physical resources; but above all, it needs an environment enriched by the care, responsibility, and affection of a committed adult.
That is why experts advise, and never forget: Read, sing, and talk to your young son or daughter because they need it.
A groundbreaking TED Talk by 7-year-old Molly Wright, a second-grader from Queensland, Australia, who is now one of the youngest TED speakers in history, is set to change the way parents and caregivers around the world view early childhood brain development and the way adults interact with children, and aims to show that there are simple but transformative things we can all do to help children thrive.
MOLLY’S TED TALK Project aims to raise awareness around the world about the critical importance of brain development in the first five years of a child's life and the impact it has on their future.
Backed by the latest research on child development and presented as a TED Talk, the short film aims to empower and motivate parents, caregivers, and community members to engage more meaningfully and frequently with children.
The talk highlights the tangible benefits of positive, reciprocal "serve and give back" interactions and the impact this has on a child's lifelong learning, health, and well-being. It also includes key messages about the importance of play, the prenatal period, and children's mental health.
Building on the five key tips of connect, talk, play, healthy home and community, the talk explains the simple and fun things we can do to make a big difference to a child's brain development and well-being, and the role we can all play.
So, can a game of hide-and-seek change the world?
The effects of blue screen light on our skin
More and more people are becoming aware of the damage that UVA and UVB rays can cause to the skin and are taking effective steps to protect themselves from them.
Now, experts are warning us about the risk posed by unprotected exposure to another type of radiation, known as visible light. This has also been shown to be detrimental to skin health. Visible light is nothing more than the small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can detect. It is usually associated with sunlight, whose harmful effects on the skin are well known. However, it is not as well known that household light bulbs or the screens of electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, or tablets also produce visible light. Forty percent of the visible light emitted by these devices is blue light.
Blue light can penetrate the skin and cause damage to the deepest layers of the skin. Given the number of hours that most people spend in front of computer screens, it is important to be aware of the effects of blue light and its impact on skin health.
The screens are emitting blue light in a more intense way and the exposures are getting longer and longer. A warning to consider in the current pandemic situation we're living in, where exposure to cell phones, computers and tablets has skyrocketed due to telecommuting, online meetings, and classes... Everything is much more virtual.
Although the light we receive from mobile devices is much less energetic and does not affect us in the same way, it all adds up. Its rays are able to penetrate the skin deeper than UV rays and can damage epithelial cells, causing the following effects:
Dehydration: Blue light can cause a decrease in aquaporins, molecules responsible for maintaining skin hydration. This reduces the skin's ability to retain water, accelerating premature aging.
Wrinkles in the skin: The effects of blue light promote the uncontrolled and disorganization of enzymes known as metalloproteinases, thus destroying the extracellular matrix. This results in the degradation of collagen and elastin, causing a loss of firmness and elasticity and favoring the appearance of wrinkles in the skin.
Skin spots: Exposure to blue light for many hours stimulates the activation of melanocytes. This increases the amount of melanin in the skin, promoting hyperpigmentation.
Premature skin aging: Blue light stimulates the formation of free radicals. These radicals damage the extracellular matrix. The result is a loss of skin firmness and the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, blue light can alter the structure of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are responsible for stimulating the collagen that keeps skin firm and radiant. The stress caused by blue light on cells can last up to 48 hours after exposure.
Fatigue: Prolonged use of devices causes insomnia due to the overstimulation of the brain from light throughout the day. Lack of rest leads to dehydration and decreased collagen synthesis, resulting in loss of luminosity and firmness.
Screens are necessary for work, communication, information, and entertainment. However, it is advisable to protect oneself from the blue light that they emit and to reduce the exposure to this type of radiation as much as possible. It is important to use products that protect your skin, just as it is advisable to use a filter on your screen to limit the blue light emitted by your computer or mobile phone.
You can control your exposure to blue light in the following ways:
- Move the LED light source away from your face:
- Use a hands-free mobile phone.
- Move your computer screen as far away from your face as possible.
- Use the night mode of the mobile screen, which emits less light than the normal mode.
- Use sunscreen with visible light filters, even indoors, if you cannot reduce exposure to blue light. We have a very strong sense that we need to protect our skin when we are going to be exposed to the sun. But we don't have the same attitude when we're in front of a computer.
- Moisturizing products with formulas rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, ferulic acid or vitamin E, which can fight free radicals, should be part of your daily skin care routine.
2021 World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week, which aims to promote breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world, is celebrated in more than 170 countries from 1 to 7 August.
World Breastfeeding Week was officially proclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF in 1992 to coincide with the anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration, formulated by senior officials of these two organizations in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
However, in Europe, including Spain, because August is a holiday period, Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in October.
Breast milk is the first vaccine for the newborn, colostrum, the first milk, thick and yellowish, produced in the first hours and days after birth, is the best food for the newborn, there is no supplement that can replace it. This milk is very nutritious and gives the baby great protection against infections and other diseases.
Delayed breastfeeding increases the risk of neonatal mortality by up to 80%.
According to UNICEF, about 77 million newborns - or 1 in 2 - are not breastfed in the first hour after birth, depriving them of the nutrients, antibodies and contact with their mother's skin that are essential to protect them from illness and death.
Benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers
Exclusive breastfeeding is the best nutrition a newborn can receive until 6 months of age, when complementary feeding begins. The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. After that, it is recommended to continue breastfeeding until at least 2 years of age, with appropriate supplementation with other foods.
It protects the baby against infections such as gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infections, otitis, urinary tract infections and others, especially immune infections. It has also been shown to protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
But it also has beneficial effects on the mother's body. It speeds recovery after childbirth and has even been shown to reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Every mother is capable of breastfeeding her baby, and although it may seem difficult at first, with good advice and a lot of patience and practice, this stage can be overcome. That is why it is important that the mother's environment supports her in achieving good breastfeeding. And that the hospitals and professionals who attend labor and delivery provide the right environment to succeed in establishing breastfeeding, which is key in the first hours and days.
Tips for successful breastfeeding
It is important to facilitate breastfeeding for mothers from the moment of birth, and this directly involves health professionals, midwives, doctors, and nurses. Hospitals are also involved.
Breastfeeding support groups often recommend the following practices:
- If the baby and mother are healthy, regardless of the mode of delivery, the newborn should be placed at the mother's breast until the first feeding. The first 2 hours are crucial because the newborn has a very strong sucking reflex.
- Offer the breast on demand. A newborn can have between 8 and 12 feedings a day, but it can be more.
- The composition of the milk varies during feeding, with more fat at the end, so it is recommended that the baby empties one breast completely before offering the other, otherwise he/she may not feed well and may become gassy.
- Check that latching and sucking are correct to avoid cracked nipples.
- Avoid using a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established. Pacifiers and nipples should not be offered for at least the first 4 to 6 weeks.
- Continuous use of nipple shields is not recommended.
- If help is needed, seek advice from a breastfeeding support group.
- There is no need to worry about whether the baby is feeding properly as long as he/she is gaining weight, has at least 5 wet diapers in 24 hours and is having a bowel movement (bowel movements are highly variable and 1 every 48 hours or 6 or 7 per day may be normal).
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2021 is "Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility" and will focus on the importance of preventing discrimination against breastfeeding mothers in all settings, providing family and community support, and implementing equitable policies and evidence-based health and social programmes.
The Essence of Effective Medical-Scientific Communication
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought into greater focus the significance of clinical research, as well as the importance of biomedical companies in terms of the research and development of new drugs. The pandemic has also highlighted the value of proper medical-scientific communication.
In an era of social networks and multiple channels of information, together with the Covid-19 situation, we have experienced how the communication model has been altered by the use of digitalization as a tool for disseminating scientific information.
Faced with this new paradigm, a challenge lies ahead for medical-scientific communication: science must be communicated in a clear, accurate and rigorous way, but at the same time in an innovative manner, adapting to the new digital channels. Effective medical-scientific communication is a combination of innovation, technology, creativity, and scientific rigor.
Healthcare professionals demand information and a constant update of knowledge. Given this new changing and versatile scenario, the medical department needs to adapt its strategies by exploring new formats and channels to solve their problems and needs, without losing the essence of what is being communicated.
Would you like to know how we work at Global's scientific department?
How long after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 do we become immune?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named as such because when seen under an electron microscope, their appearance is rounded, and they are surrounded by a crown formed by spikes or small spicules at the end of which there is a glycoprotein called S. These are used for the virus to attach itself and enter the cells of the infected person, just like a key that fits into a lock, the lock being a protein present in the body's own cells, ACE2, to which the infecting virus attaches itself to make its way through.
The vaccines currently used to immunize against SARS-CoV-2 target the virus by exposing the immune system to the S protein of the virus.
Since the immune system possesses memory, it can then use the vaccine to analyze and store information about the S protein and draw upon this information to protect you if exposed to the actual virus in the future.
However, immunity doesn't occur immediately after vaccination. In fact, it usually takes approximately 2 weeks for your body to develop immunity. So, you can still get sick during this time.
It takes approximately 10 days after the first dose of the vaccine for antibodies to start producing a response that can recognize the SARS-CoV-2 protein S.
Similarly, it takes a week or longer for the T-cells to start responding to the vaccine.
The 2nd vaccine dose activates the immune system much more rapidly. Therefore, two weeks after the second dose, your antibody levels increase more than ten-fold, providing a much stronger and longer-lasting protection against infection.
The importance of the 2nd vaccine dose
Most vaccines for immunization against SARS-CoV-2 are designed to be administered in two doses, the first dose jump-starts the immune system response, but the second dose is essential to ensure that immunity is strong, consistent person-to-person and longer lasting.
When are you fully vaccinated?
- 2 weeks after the second shot in 2-dose format vaccines.
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
You are not fully vaccinated if:
- It has been less than 2 weeks since your single-dose vaccine.
- It has been less than 2 weeks since your second shot of a 2-dose format vaccine.
- You still need to get your second dose of a 2-dose vaccine.
NEUROSCIENCE: TAKING A STEP BEYOND THE BRAIN
World Brain Week is celebrated during the month of March to raise awareness among the world's population about the importance of brain health and to highlight neuroscience as a fundamental pillar for understanding how to prevent and treat disorders and diseases of the nervous system, which is essential for maintaining the overall health of all people.
The brain is a complex organ that centralizes the activity of the nervous system, which is made up of millions of neurons that allow the regulation of all brain, body, and mind functions:
- It controls vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and body temperature.
- Controls higher cognitive functions such as memory, perception, and learning.
- Executes the ability to think, feel, and reason.
- Receives and processes information from the senses.
- Controls body movements.
- Controls our behavior and emotions.
The nervous system works not only to produce thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, but also to control important bodily functions, such as breathing. There are more than 1,000 disorders of the brain and nervous system:
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.
- Behavioral disorders, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Learning and reading disabilities.
- Mental health problems, such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and addiction.
- Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Niemann-Pick disease.
- Musculoskeletal disorders, such as muscular dystrophy and stroke.
- Structural defects, such as neural tube defects, including spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and myelomeningocele.
- Injuries, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, and the body's processing of pain.
- Cancer, including brain tumors such as paragangliomas.
- Immune system disorders, including HIV/AIDS.
- Epilepsy, seizures, and stroke.
Studying the nervous system leads to advances in understanding our basic biology and how the body works. Neuroscience can help researchers find ways to prevent or treat problems that affect the brain, nervous system, and body. In addition to studying the normal development and activity of the nervous system, neuroscience studies diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect parts of the nervous system, how it develops, and how it functions.
Experts envision several scenarios for the future development of neuroscience:
- Developments in neuroimaging techniques will provide more information about the different types of cells in the brain and their connections. This will allow a deeper understanding of various diseases and the functioning of mental processes such as memory and sleep.
- We will soon see the development of technological tools to predict diseases, which will make it easier to better manage them and individualize treatments for each patient.
- Cure incurable diseases: Experts predict that by 2026, the major causes of Alzheimer's disease will be identified, and treatments will be available to the general public, and that a cure for Alzheimer's will be found just a few years later.
- The field of mental health will be one of the most advanced in the medium and long term. Specifically, they predict that less invasive treatments for central nervous system disorders will be developed. Experts predict a better understanding of the neural basis of mental illness.
