Certainly! Here’s a human-like rewrite of the article:
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We all indulge in the occasional nose-picking, but could this seemingly harmless habit be linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? Recent research from Western Sydney University suggests there might be a connection.
Published in the journal Biomolecules last year, the study delves into the mechanisms behind neurological diseases, proposing a potential association between chronic nose-picking, or rhinotillexomania, and the onset of Alzheimer’s. The researchers suggest that the inflammation seen in Alzheimer’s may be triggered by pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi entering the brain through the nose and olfactory system during nose-picking.
Alzheimer’s, affecting over 6 million people, primarily those aged 65 and older, is characterized by the accumulation of the protein tau in the brain, associated with the body’s immune response. The report supports the idea that an overgrowth of germs introduced through nose-picking could lead to chronic, mild brain infections, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases.
Common pathogens, including pneumonia-causing bacteria, the herpes virus, the coronavirus, and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, have been found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. To mitigate the potential risk associated with nose-picking, researchers advocate for regular hand-washing, emphasizing the importance of incorporating routine hygienic procedures for those who engage in this habit.
