The smart light modulators of the scarab beetle Chrysina gloriosa
Many insects own a tessellated carapace with bumps, pits or indentations. Little is known on the physical properties of these geometric variations, and biological functions are unknown or still debated. Beetles from the genus Chrysina show vivid
Scientists don’t have to travel alone; solutions can come from the crowd
Science is sometimes perceived as a lonely affair where a lone genius strives to break the code that will unlock hidden knowledge deep inside the data. Without question the contributions of great scientists are of value, but
Cuba responds to Ebola
The first known case of Ebola virus disease appeared in the West African country of Guinea In December 2013. By September of 2014, over 1900 deaths from Ebola had been reported in the region. The United Nations
Arabinoxylan rice bran (Biobran) for the treatment of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has infected approximately 150 million people world-wide (about 3% of the world population) and causes approximately 700,000 deaths each year. It has been shown to be a causal factor of liver cirrhosis, scarring
Cases of trephination in ancient Armenia skulls
Trepanation of the cranial vault, one of the most intriguing paleoneurosurgical techniques. Trepanation has garnered intense interest, because it represents an early form of cranial surgery practiced well before the advent of modern medicine. Trepanning seems to
Are there genetically modified animals in the supermarket?
Animal breeders have used selective breeding, a form of directed evolution, since animals were first domesticated. Using this approach, individual animals are chosen to be parents of the next generation because they exhibit a desirable trait or
Fabrication of magnetic activated carbon as a new adsorbent for ultrasonic assisted magnetic solid phase dispersive extraction of bisphenol A from milk
Bisphenol A (BPA), is an organic chemical compound that has been widely used as a monomer in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, in thermal paper production and as an additive in the formation of
Can vitamin E protect cells from persistent organochlorine contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls?
Many toxic substances, mostly man-made, are present and widespread in our environment. Eventually they become a part of the food chain — e.g. pesticide residues, veterinary drugs and pharmaceuticals, contaminating substances originating from industrial processes – heavy
How its great therapeutic potential can finally be realized
Fibrinolysis refers to the body’s natural defense system against blood clots, which are made principally of a protein called fibrin. “Lysis” is the Greek word for dissolving, therefore, dissolving fibrin clots. Fibrinolysis is needed because clots are
A stone during pregnancy – more painful than childbirth
Kidney or ureter stones in pregnancy are a major health concern and are one of the most common causes for abdominal pain in pregnant women. Stones may lead to a blocked kidney, kidney infection which may spread
Could accelerated physical therapy after hip and knee replacement get patients home sooner?
The joint replacement procedures total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are among the most effective surgical procedures in modern medicine. In the United States the number of THA procedures is projected to increase 174%
Occupational causation of sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an uncommon disorder of unknown cause characterized by widespread granulomas, a distinctive tissue response resembling that caused by tuberculosis. A number of articles have appeared within the past few years inferring occupational causation based on
Why are skeletal muscles not depleted of energy during intense exercise?
ATP is a universal carrier of energy in a form easily accessible for different reactions in the cell. Its hydrolysis to ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate) drives processes that cannot occur spontaneously and require energy, for instance
Time to switch? Switching from innovator rituximab to biosimilar CT-P10 is safe and efficacious
Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 protein that is found mainly on immune cells called B lymphocytes. By removing CD20-positive B lymphocytes from the peripheral blood and bone marrow, rituximab provides effective treatment for
Non-canonical Wnt signaling and aortic valve stenosis
Even with the countless drugs we have to treat cardiovascular diseases, the majority of these diseases remain without a cure. Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is one of these diseases, characterized by the narrowing of the aortic valve
p38α MAP kinase inhibition in atherosclerosis – a new therapeutic tool?
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Selective recruitment of monocytes into the arterial intima and their transformation into macrophage-derived foam cells is one of the earliest events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Foam
