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Malaria vaccines may improve with new information on naturally acquired immunity
Scientists all over the world are trying to understand malaria parasite infections to combat them. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have taken an important step because they discovered an important difference between naturally acquired immunity and immunity after vaccination. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications.
“The antibodies produced by the body when infected with malaria look different from the antibodies produced by the body when vaccinated. This may mean that when we are naturally infected, our immune system has a more effective response to malaria vaccine than when we are naturally infected,” Said Lars Hviid, a professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology.
The immune system can trigger various mechanisms to protect the body. The usual defenses against parasites, viruses and bacterial infections consist of so-called macrophages. “When we are attacked from the outside, the immune system produces antibodies that attach to foreign objects that need to be resisted. They are then recognized by small cells called macrophages, which are attracted by antibodies and eat bacteria or viruses. This is basically how immunity to most infectious diseases works,” Lars Hviid explained.
However, now, researchers have found that immunity to malaria seems to be different. Here, the body’s immune system uses some other types of cells to fight against malaria parasite infections. “We found that antibodies look different, depending on whether you have been vaccinated or infected. This means that the body activates some other defense mechanism because it uses what we call natural killer cells,” Lars Hviid said. Researchers generally believe that natural killer cells are one of the body’s best weapons against cancer cells.
However, it now appears that the defense against malaria and the immune system against cancer have common characteristics. “In layman’s terms, you can say that the immune system’s defenses against malaria are more targeted than other typical infections. Maybe we evolved in this way because it is a contagious and deadly disease-it’s hard to guess. ,” Lars Hevid said.
The researchers made this finding by comparing blood samples from Ghanaians infected with malaria with blood samples from people participating in a phase 1 clinical trial of an experimental malaria vaccine. He explained that the new knowledge can be used to develop new and improved malaria vaccines.
“Our research points to new strategies for developing better malaria vaccines in the future. Because, now, we know how the body uses natural killer cells to mobilize defenses, and we can use vaccines to imitate them,” he said.
News Source : Hindustan Times
health and remedies
Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine
Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.
When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.
While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )
Why recovery is key for muscle growth
According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage, preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.
Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to respond more quickly and effectively to future training, promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.
Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.
Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks
Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals. Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.
Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.
Fitness influencers recommend incorporating deload weeks into training schedules every 4–8 weeks, aligning closely with the expert advice of 4–6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and schedule deload weeks as needed. If your performance plateaus or worsens, it may signal time for a deload. Training plans should be flexible enough to allow rest when required. Deload weeks not only enhance performance but also support overall health.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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