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Why males are at higher risk of autism

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New York: Female infants have larger volumes of grey matter around the temporal-parietal junction of the brain than males at the time of birth, a new study has found.

The temporal-parietal junction, or TP, which is found under the temporal bones near the ears, integrates the processing of social information as expressed in others’ faces and voices, a function that is impaired in those with autism spectrum disorders.

Sex differences in this area of the brain may be a clue as to why males are at higher risk for certain forms of autism spectrum disorders, researchers said.

Many early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, are more common in males than females.

Rebecca Knickmeyer and colleagues at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have been characterizing sex differences in brain development in a group of over 800 normal newborns, who are assessed until they are two years old.

Another main finding in Knickmeyer’s work is that by the age of two, myelination of long fibre tracks in the brain is more developed in males than in females.

Myelination is the development of an insulating myelin sheath around nerves so that they are able to transmit information more quickly.

Knickmeyer has also shown that a genetic disorder that only occurs in females – Turner Syndrome – also involves a significant decrease in brain volume in inferior parietal lobes.

This suggests that inferior parietal lobe volume can be influenced, at least in females, by sex chromosomes.

The findings were presented recently at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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