Hubble Homes in on Galaxy’s Star Formation - UNIVERSE

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features the asymmetric spiral galaxy Messier 96.

ESA/Hubble & NASA, F. Belfiore, D. Calzetti

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image features a galaxy whose asymmetric appearance may be the result of a galactic tug of war. Located 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo, the spiral galaxy Messier 96 is the brightest of the galaxies in its group. The gravitational pull of its galactic neighbors may be responsible for Messier 96’s uneven distribution of gas and dust, asymmetric spiral arms, and off-center galactic core.

This asymmetric appearance is on full display in the new Hubble image that incorporates data from observations made in ultraviolet, near infrared, and visible/optical light. Earlier Hubble images of Messier 96 were released in 2015 and 2018. Each successive image added new data, building up a beautiful and scientifically valuable view of the galaxy.

The 2015 image combined two wavelengths of optical light with one near infrared wavelength. The optical light revealed the galaxy’s uneven form of dust and gas spread asymmetrically throughout its weak spiral arms and its off-center core, while the infrared light revealed the heat of stars forming in clouds shaded pink in the image.

The 2018 image added two more optical wavelengths of light along with one wavelength of ultraviolet light that pinpointed areas where high-energy, young stars are forming.

This latest version offers us a new perspective on Messier 96’s star formation. It includes the addition of light that reveals regions of ionized hydrogen (H-alpha) and nitrogen (NII). This data helps astronomers determine the environment within the galaxy and the conditions in which stars are forming. The ionized hydrogen traces ongoing star formation, revealing regions where hot, young stars are ionizing the gas. The ionized nitrogen helps astronomers determine the rate of star formation and the properties of gas between stars, while the combination of the two ionized gasses helps researchers determine if the galaxy is a starburst galaxy or one with an active galactic nucleus.

The bubbles of pink gas in this image surround hot, young, massive stars, illuminating a ring of star formation in the galaxy's outskirts. These young stars are still embedded within the clouds of gas from which they were born. Astronomers will use the new data in this image to study how stars are form within giant dusty gas clouds, how dust filters starlight, and how stars affect their environments. 

Source: Hubble Homes in on Galaxy’s Star Formation - NASA Science   

Childhood trauma linked to mental health problems and chronic pain in later life - Psychology & Psychiatry - Pediatrics

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

New research from the University of Aberdeen challenges the current view that trauma in childhood increases the risk of all health conditions. The study found instead that some conditions are more affected than others and women are more affected than men.

A team of scientists from the University of Aberdeen analyzed data from over 16,000 people born in the UK in 1958 and followed them into adult life to understand how difficult childhood experiences can affect health at 50 years old. They looked at 14 types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, family conflict, bullying, financial hardship, and family illness.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) refer to potentially traumatic events or circumstances during childhood. As well as affecting childhood well-being, ACEs have been associated with long-term adverse health and social outcomes.

Most studies report associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and a single health outcome. This is the first study to look at a broad range of health outcomes and offers insight into more targeted interventions.

They found, for the first time, that mental health problems and severe pain showed the strongest connections to childhood trauma. Adults who experienced childhood adversity were significantly more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and chronic pain at 50 years old.

The team also found that the more trauma experienced, the greater the impact on health at 50. Specifically, people who experienced four or more types of childhood adversity had the highest risk of developing health problems as adults.

In both sexes, severe pain and poor mental health displayed the largest associations, while in women, gastrointestinal problems and asthma and bronchitis were also associated with childhood trauma, as measured by ACE scores.

The full paper is published today in JAMA Network Open.

The team used data from the National Child Development Study, also known as the 1958 Birth Cohort Study, which follows approximately 17,000 people born during one week in 1958 in England, Scotland, and Wales. Once they reached 50 years old, they were interviewed about their current health, using a comprehensive list of 16 conditions.

The team investigated health outcomes which have not typically been examined by previous studies, such as pain, which is among the leading causes worldwide of years of disability.

Professor Gary Macfarlane, Chair in Epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen, who led the study, explains their findings, "Our study provides evidence of the multifaceted potential health consequences of ACEs but shows the greatest excess risks in relation to mental ill-health and severe pain.

"This emphasizes the role of childhood adversity as a key driver of health inequalities, and a public health priority.

"Our findings highlight the importance of considering prevention strategies to mitigate the potential long-term health consequences of ACEs.

"Going forward, screening for ACEs in primary care settings, and targeted interventions for at-risk individuals, may help reduce the burden of chronic pain, mental ill-health, and other poor health outcomes. There may also be a need for tailored approaches accounting for sex differences in ACE-related vulnerabilities, while specific ACEs were shown to have the most wide-ranging associations.

"While 'broad spectrum' interventions remain important to ameliorate the impact of ACEs, a targeted approach, considering types of ACE, could address specific vulnerabilities—particularly mental ill-health and severe pain.

"The findings also highlight the importance of preventing childhood trauma and providing early support to at-risk families."

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, added, "This important research highlights the strong relationship between early childhood adversity and severe pain in adulthood. Findings suggest that our earliest experiences may be driving the health inequalities we know exist for people living with chronic pain.

"We must confront inequalities in musculoskeletal health. That requires bold investment in local, personalized, evidence-based care and addressing the wider social and economic factors that shape health. That is why we are proud to have invested in this research as part of the Advanced Pain Discovery Platform.

"Tackling childhood adversity is vital if our governments are serious about reducing the burden of chronic pain for the next generation." 

by University of Aberdeen

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin  

Source: Childhood trauma linked to mental health problems and chronic pain in later life