Telomeres are repeated sections of DNA found at the end of our chromosomes. In humans, the DNA-base sequence TTAGGG is repeated many times to make up each telomere. These telomeres are very important sections of our DNA – not only do they prevent our chromosomes from sticking to each other, but they protect important sections …
Addiction has classically been defined as the excessive use of a harmful drug despite its consequences, along with the inability to stop at will. This occurs when an individual’s desire for the short-term positive effects of the drug outweighs the consequences of its long-term negative effects [1]. Prolonged use of many drugs causes dependence – …
Critical periods exist extensively across the animal kingdom. ‘Imprinting’, for example, is a phenomenon whereby newly-hatched birds must interact with their mothers within a short ‘critical period’ in order to successfully identify them as their parent [1]. A critical period for ocular development has also been identified in multiple species, including humans [2]. One of …
Why do adult brains struggle to learn a new language? Read More »
The key to effective communication is engagement; the key to effective engagement is emotion; and the best way to evoke emotion is by employing character. Think of all the most memorable television advertisements you can think of – perhaps the Cadbury’s drum-playing gorilla, ‘Compare the meerkat’, or any of the John Lewis Christmas ads. What do they …
The insulin hormone is secreted into the bloodstream by the pancreas and acts to reduce blood sugar levels when they become too high – after a meal, for example. In people with diabetes however, this process is disrupted due to either insufficient insulin secretion, or bodily insulin resistance. Today, insulin itself is used as a …
Here at Get Animated! Medical, one of our specialities is game-based learning – an effective way of making science education more engaging and memorable. However, you may not know that this isn’t the first time science and video games have been blended together. Located on chromosome 7 of every human genome is the sonic hedgehog …
How a genuine human gene got named after Sonic the Hedgehog Read More »
Yes, you read that title correctly. Well, more specifically, it’s the saliva of Heloderma suspectum, better known as the Gila Monster – a two-foot long, desert-dwelling lizard native to North America (pictured). This is the story of how a once-completely-unknown molecule in lizard spit has become one of the most promising treatments for the 415 …
Here at Get Animated Medical, we love animation (obviously…). We believe that animation is one of the most engaging and emotive methods of storytelling – and when it’s done well, it is one of the most beautiful forms of communication. This is why we do what we do – and to show our love for …
One of the main issues for modern pharmacology is the inability to control a drug’s activity in space or time after administration, leading to deficient efficacy and the presence of off-target side effects. This is something that the pharmaceutical industry seems to have completely forgotten about – perhaps because a huge proportion of the drug-development …
Photopharmacology – Lighting the Path for Endless Possibilities Read More »
Methods to speed up wound healing have been a hot topic over the years and scientists are continuously looking for ways to fast track the body’s ability to migrate and replenish cells [1]. One unique method that has been proven to be extraordinarily effective is the use of frog skin. This idea originated from the …
