Anti-bacterial efficiency close to 100% under 10-min sunlight and promising results in deactivation of coronaviruses CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IMAGE: DR YE’S TEAM USES THE CO2 INFRARED LASER SYSTEM TO GENERATE GRAPHENE. EXPERIMENT RESULTS SHOW THAT THE GRAPHENE THEY PRODUCED EXHIBIT A MUCH BETTER ANTI-BACTERIAL EFFICIENCY THAN ACTIVATED CARBON FIBRE. CREDIT: CITY UNIVERSITY OF...
Month: <span>September 2020</span>
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The web of death
New method to fight cancer with molecular fibers MAX PLANCK INSTITUTE FOR POLYMER RESEARCH IMAGE: THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURES OF CANCER CELLS ARE DISRUPTED BY A WEB FORMING INSIDE OF THE CELLS – WHICH ACTIVATES THEIR SELF DESTRUCTION MECHANISM. CREDIT: MPI-P Cancer is a disease in which cells multiply uncontrollably, which could lead to tumor growth....
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Sleep apnea linked with higher spine fracture risk among women
WILEY Emerging evidence suggests that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may negatively affect bone health. Results from a new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research now indicate that women with history of OSA may face a higher risk of spine, or vertebral, fractures. Using information from the Nurses’ Health Study, investigators examined data pertaining...
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Stem cell function may explain higher colon cancer rate in males
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH IMAGE: A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF COLORECTAL CANCER HAS BEEN SEEN IN MALES. IN THIS ISSUE OF STEM CELL REPORTS, YU ET AL. DISCOVERED THE ROLE OF ANDROGEN IN PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION. CREDIT: YU ET AL Colon cancers have a higher incidence in males, which is in part related to...
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Laser-Controlled Microrobots Small Enough for Injections
Microrobotics researchers have been working for decades, in a seemingly futile attempt, to keep up with the miniaturization that has been achieved in the field of microelectronics. Although rudimentary microscopic robots have been developed, they have failed to take full advantage of conventional silicon electronics and so are limited in their functionality. Specifically, no one...
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Return of the cytonaut
“Cells live in a watery world, even when the organisms of which they are part do not,” wrote Christian de Duve in his 1984 book, A guided tour of the living cell. Most human cells, for instance, are immersed in fluids that render their vast inner space jelly-like. Floating within this cytoplasmic soup are mitochondria, ribosomes,...
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New fusion protein treatment holds promise for ‘royal’ blood clotting disorder
Fusing a small protein to a natural blood clotting factor made the factor last significantly longer in the human body, according to a new clinical study that has raised hopes for a vastly improved treatment for hemophilia. Currently, people with severe forms of hemophilia—a condition in which blood fails to clot properly—often infuse themselves at home...
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Brain circuit linking stress, insomnia and the immune system discovered
By Rich Haridy September 09, 2020 An animal study has revealed a part of the brain activated by stress can suppress immune system activity and heighten insomnia A new study, led by neuroscientists from Stanford University, has homed in on the specific brain circuit responsible for stress-induced insomnia. The research suggests this same circuit is...
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Mutation leading to biological changes may play role in cancer
by Marie Moucarry, McGill University Killer T cells surround a cancer cell. Credit: NIH A new study from McGill University’s Goodman Cancer Research Center (GCRC) has revealed significant biological changes in mice expressing an activated, mutant form of the Estrogen Receptor alpha (ER alpha), shedding new light on the role of this important gene in development...
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Stem cell research delivers new points of attack against Parkinson’s disease
by University of Luxembourg Microscopy pictures of neurons derived from skin cells. Credit: University of Luxembourg In a seven-year research effort, an international team of scientists has clarified the cause for certain genetic forms of Parkinson’s disease, and has identified potential pharmacological treatments. The interdisciplinary research team, led by Prof. Rejko Krüger, of the Luxembourg Centre...