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It is easy to think that the idea of an "aura" that surrounds us belongs strictly to the plane of esotericism.
A quick search on the Internet offers dozens of tips for "cleaning the aura" and "moving away negative energies". . And this may be the only context in which you have seen the word, usually badociated with emotions and how they can affect your physical and mental well-being.
But, aside from esotericism, science has demonstrated the existence of a "living aura" : she calls herself an "exponent" human and has nothing to do with spiritual energies.
The term describes This personal cloud of microorganisms, chemical elements and other compounds accompanies us in all our movements.
The exposome is at the center of a study that developed for five years a group of geneticists from Stanford University (California, USA).
And although science already has notions about this concept, the research, published in the scientific journal Cell in mid-October, showed that it is possible to measure "at the individual level" the elements [19659007] 103889838gettyimages896857954-db70e39eed44d79b9afda8136bd02793.jpg ” clbad=”img img-responsive image-large”/>
Michael Snyder, whose original idea was that of the study, told BBC Mu "What is most relevant" is that these measures can make a big difference in the way of which studies and prevents diseases such as asthma and allergies ", which makes an important contribution to the field of health.
Experience
For their experience , the researchers fabricated a small air monitoring device and connected it to the arm of 15 volunteers exposed at different locations while the device was absorbing samples from their personal orbits . as well as the environment around them.
The elements collected by the device (bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc.) gave DNA and RNA sequences forming a unique chemical profile for each volunteer.
At the end of the study – The researchers were able to accumulate a large amount of data on the components of their own exposome.
Snyder himself, who used one of the devices during the study, found that his device was present compounds such as eucalyptus pollen probably at the origin of an allergy suffered in the past.
Individual Cloud
What we knew from human exposure before Snyder and his team make known the results of their research, is that individuals are certainly exposed to a series of problems. elements present in the environment.
However, the measures in this regard have been developed on a large scale and not at the individual level.
"This is why we are focusing mainly on PM2.5 particles in the atmosphere, which are the result of contamination and are eventually absorbed into the lungs," explains Chao Jiang, another of the authors of the study.
Up to now, the exposome had also been badyzed only in fixed locations of the city where a device was taking a sample
"We can now track the elements to which anyone is exposed, wherever it is," says Snyder.
Volunteers moved to different areas of San Francisco Bay and it was shown that even when they were in the same place, their exhibits were different.
This confirms that each individual is surrounded by his own microbial cloud, which continually collects and expels around him.
The authors of the study agree that this new information will bring the greatest contribution to the field of human health, which is not only determined by genetic factors, but also by environmental factors .
Available to all
"Many genetic factors have been studied, but little is known about the effects of environmental exposure on people's health," said Jiang.
The scientist thinks that this new deepening in knowledge of the human exposome will be key to understanding and even preventing diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies and some diseases heart and respiratory. One of the most relevant findings of the comprehensive survey is that insect repellent particles were found in all samples collected.
"People may be taking this compound – which we do not know how toxic it is to health – as well as diethylene glycol which is highly carcinogenic and that everywhere, "says Snyder.
He, Jiang and his other companions have not finished studying the "living aura" that surrounds us.
And to answer the BBC's question about the next possible steps in research, geneticists make a plan.
"We want to make a cheaper device so that everyone can get an idea of their individual exposure to the environment," Jiang said.
"Conditions such as asthma and allergies will be much better controlled if we are able to understand the reaction of these patients," he says.
In the medium term, the team also plans to implement this technology in places where people are more vulnerable to contagion from the environment, such as hospitals and daycares.
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