Yearly Archives: 2015
Getting time to decide about dying
Cells experience numerous challenges that jeopardize normal functions; many are routine physiologic fluctuations that require minor adaptations. However, some assaults disrupt cell metabolism so significantly that cell survival is at risk if major adjustments are not made
Tests for biochemical detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
Multidrug resistance (MDR) to antibiotic in bacteria is becoming now a major issue worldwide. Its development worldwide may comprise the efficacy of the modern medicine such as transplantation, heavy surgery or hospitalization in intensive care units. Therefore,
Connecting neural and communication processes during teamwork
Teamwork is fundamental to accomplishing a variety of human tasks and occurs in a variety of contexts such as medical, sports, and military settings, because when people work as a team, they can accomplish more than when
Yeasts have a toolbox for modification of hyaluronan
Hyaluronan, or hyaluronic acid, is a high molecular weight polysaccharide, which is abundant in the extracellular matrix of soft connective tissues, and is an important constituent of humans’ body. Molecules of hyaluronan play many biological roles. Enzymes,
Mixed effects of electronic health records on low income adults with diabetes
Since the passage of major acts by Congress, the federal government has offered large financial incentives for healthcare providers practicing in office clinics to increase their use of electronic health records (EHR) when caring for patients. Although
The potential in your pond
First described over 300 years ago, Euglena gracilis, is a single celled algae found in puddles and ponds around the world. This little organism is finding uses from foods to fuels and is even scheduled to be
Increased microbial butanol tolerance
One exciting frontier in biofuel research is boosting production yields. Biofuels are produced using biological processes, usually from agricultural raw materials such as sugar, starch or oil. Currently the biofuel industry is dominated by ethanol production, but
Smart tumor suppression via intracellularly delivered drug
With the rapid metabolism of tumor cells, the microenvironments of tumor tissue and cells present acidity, while the pH maintains at about 7.4 in normal extracellular matrices and blood. In detail, the extracellular pH in tumor tissue
Selectively killing T-cells in multiple sclerosis: A brainy approach
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that often afflicts young people. The nerve fibres in the brain, which transmit the electrical impulses that control many of the common functions of the
Simulation in marine and medical training: Less medical error – and more lives saved.
When a medical emergency strikes in a remote location, or on a ship or oil rig, the doctor on board might end up performing a life-or-death procedure that they haven’t performed in years – or ever. As
Granules of a bone substitute biomaterial have a 3D arrangement mimicking bone microarchitecture
Bone is a naturally rigid and porous tissue of the body. The pores allow the circulation of blood vessels and the creeping of bone-forming cells at the surface of the tissue. Bone loss can occur systemically, for
Serendipitous detection of rare hemoglobin variants
The centralization of laboratory activities optimizes the resources and improves the expertise of the staff that can observe with a higher probability rare and exceptional cases. In the recent months, the Area Vasta Romagna’s laboratory, which provides
Pathogenicity of Brucella microti in chicken embryos
Brucellosis is one of the major bacterial zoonosis spread worldwide. The disease has different names: Infectious abortion, contagious abortion, enzootic abortion in animals; and Crimean fever, Mediterranean fever, Rock fever, Undulant fever or Malta fever in humans.
“Rein in the runoff”
Increasing amounts of natural land in the United States are being converted to impervious (hardened) surfaces, such as roads, rooftops, sidewalks, and parking lots. Water that once largely percolated through the soil to recharge groundwater supplies is
Yeasts make your life sweet!
Recently was found that the low-calorie sweetener Erythritol might be produced from waste by special species of yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica. Erythritol is natural, tastes almost exactly like table sugar, but it does not cause obesity. Erythritol belongs
Investigating the neural mechanisms of speech: an electrophysiological study
Speech is a vital component of how humans communicate to one another, yet how the brain processes this action is not fully understood. In order to properly diagnose and treat speech disorders, it is important to first
The gestural origins of language
How language evolved is one of the big mysteries of science. Other species communicate, but none can create anything like the variety and complexity of human language. There seems no limit to the number of things we
Electronic health record alerts lead to quicker treatments for patients
In the Emergency Department (ED), patients are initially assessed in a process called “triage.” The patient’s chief complaint is documented along with his or her vital signs, including: heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen
Micromaterials with tunnels for lighter and smaller batteries
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are important devices for mobile energy storage. Customers care about how long battery-powered devices, including laptops, cellphones, digital cameras, can last and how far the electric vehicles can run. A lot of research is
A novel protein called nischarin
Nischarin is a large protein that is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. So far, diseases associated with the NISCH gene include hypertension, dry mouth, morphine dependence, depression, anxiety, thick heart walls, congestive heart failure,
