Kenya has a blood deficit and it’s especially urgent in places like the northwestern region of Turkana, where malaria, anaemia and violence are rife, driving up the demand for blood transfusions. The Ministry of Health is now planning to roll out technology to modernise blood transfusion services, extending the shelf life of blood and being able to automate the entire process.

The most detailed computer model of the brain ever built

The most detailed computer simulation of the human brain to date has been created. The model illustrates how the brain uses and stores energy. So far they’ve found that diet, exercise, and supplements may help mitigate the effects of aging on our brains. While the connection between physical health and brain health is not a novel concept, the depth of analysis regarding brain cell interactions, blood circulation, and blood chemistry provided by this model is unparalleled. This research has been published in Frontiers in Science, the leading open-access journal from Frontiers. The principal investigator, Dr. Polina Shichkova, tells Gareth more about the project.

GPS jamming on the up…again!

If you are a regular subscriber you might recall our show from last October discussing GPS jamming and spoofing. Recently, countries have been reporting an increase in the number of attempted disruptions to the radio signals used – these can impact aircraft operations, shipping, logistics, power grids, and any other sectors that depend on location or timing signals from satellites. Now the International Telecommunication Union has issued a joint statement urging countries to improve the security of these systems.

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz.

More on this week's stories:

Kenya’s Blood Automation Plan

Modelling metabolism in the aging brain

Can we keep the brain energized as it ages?

To hear more from the authors, register for the complimentary virtual seminar: 

https://events.frontiersin.org/aging-brain/fsci

Protect satellite navigation from interference, UN agencies urge

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

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