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Sunday, July 6, 2014

ScienceDaily: Top News

ScienceDaily: Top News


Drug shows promise for effectively treating metabolic syndrome

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 11:24 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that an enzyme involved in intracellular signaling plays a crucial role in developing metabolic syndrome, a finding that has a spinoff company developing a drug to potentially treat the condition.

'Switch' in Alzheimer's and stroke patient brains prevents generation and survival of neurons

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 09:52 AM PDT

A new study finds a modification to the transcriptional protein MEF2 that inhibits the growth of new brain cells and survival of existing cells. The findings show promise for therapeutic intervention for a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

Protein's structural shift offers clues to tumor suppression and other key cell functions

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 07:25 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered how one segment of an important regulatory protein changes shape so it can fulfill multiple roles in the life of cells, including tumor suppression. These findings could aid cancer drug development. The research focused on the protein nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), which plays a critical part not only in tumor suppression but in cell division, protein production and other cell processes. Until now, however, how NPM1 fulfilled its varied responsibilities was unknown.

Flamingo die-offs: Flexible, standardized post-mortem examinations important in preventing future flamingo die-offs

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 06:16 AM PDT

The lakes of Kenya's Rift Valley boast spectacular pink aggregations of lesser and greater flamingos. Over the last 20 years these populations have suffered a series of unexplained mass mortality events, during which hundreds of thousands of birds die over a period of just a few months.

One third of adults with dyslexia report they were physically abused during their childhood

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 06:12 AM PDT

Adults who have dyslexia are much more likely to report they were physically abused before they turned 18 than their peers without dyslexia, according to a new study. Thirty-five per cent of adults with dyslexia report they were physically abused before they turned 18. In contrast, seven per cent of those without dyslexia reported that they had experienced childhood physical abuse.

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


New optogenetic tool for controlling neuronal signalling by blue light

Posted: 05 Jul 2014 11:00 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new technology in the field of optogenetics that can remotely control specific receptors by light. They have named this new technology "OptoTrk" and it has succeeded with neuronal differentiation inducement.

How beryllium causes deadly lung disease

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 09:55 AM PDT

Using exquisitely detailed maps of molecular shapes and the electrical charges surrounding them, researchers have discovered how the metal beryllium triggers a deadly immune response in the lungs. They show how a genetic susceptibility to the disease creates a molecular pocket, which captures beryllium ions and triggers an inflammatory response in the lungs.

Artificial cilia: Scientists develop nano-structured transportation system

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 07:26 AM PDT

Cilia, or ciliated epithelia, cover our respiratory tract like a lawn. In our pharynx and nasal mucosa they are responsible for continuously transporting mucus and particles embedded therein towards our throat. (except for heavy smokers, whose cilia where destroyed by nicotine and tar.) Scientists have now come one step closer to their aim of artificially reproducing this biological transport system with switchable molecules.

Consider water use in climate change policies: Energy efficient technologies can also save water at the same time

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 07:26 AM PDT

There's more to trying to slow down climate change than just cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Technology, policies or plans that aim to do so should also take environmental factors such as water usage into account. A more integrated approach might make some options considerably more attractive than others, especially when implemented in arid countries such as Australia.

Using computers to model the human brain

Posted: 03 Jul 2014 06:16 AM PDT

The human brain is the most complex computer in existence.  Understanding how it works has been a scientific endeavor for centuries.  However, technology has only recently advanced to the point where we can really understand brain function down to the molecular level.  By combining the newest advances in computer programming with biochemistry, scientists are helping to create the tools that will advance our understanding of the brain.  

Rapid surgical innovation puts patients at risk for medical errors

Posted: 02 Jul 2014 01:59 PM PDT

Researchers have found that the risk of patient harm increased two-fold in 2006 -- the peak year that teaching hospitals nationwide embraced the pursuit of minimally invasive robotic surgery for prostate cancer.

Computer-automated, time-lapse embryo photography may increase success of in-vitro fertilization

Posted: 02 Jul 2014 11:06 AM PDT

Using computer-automated, time-lapse photography of embryos in the laboratory during in-vitro fertilization may improve embryo selection, potentially increasing the chances of pregnancy among women undergoing the procedure, according to new research.