Monthly Archives: January 2016
Repositioning chemistry for the 21st century
A mature science developed over more than 200 years, chemistry provides understanding of the properties of atoms and molecules and practical methods for creating new molecular structures that may find useful applications. Chemistry is also an enabling
Iron can help improving symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome
Despite many treatment options for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) the therapy is still not satisfactory. Even treated patients suffer from insomnia and pain. The decreasing effectiveness of treatment over the years associated with a deterioration of RLS-symptoms
Burn injuries, avoid hem and treat them
Burns are a very common type of injury. They occur frequently to people of all age groups, social and economic classes, and geographic locations. Burns range in severity from minor to life-threatening. Minor burns are those which
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oil supplementation during pregnancy
The pregnancy is a time of increased risk for omega-3 deficiency as they are used for the baby’s brain and eye development both before and after birth. Data derived from observational studies have found that low intake
Structure function relationship of gap junctions, the structure that permits heart cells to contract synchronously
The heart is constituted by cells that contract synchronously thereby allowing pumping of the blood to all the organs around the body of animals that possess a circulatory system. The trigger that initiates this contraction is an
What happens when (plant) sex fails?
Many plant species reproduce using sexual and asexual methods – and this can vary depending on environmental and genetic conditions. A large amount of energy goes into producing flowers and seeds for sexual reproduction, while vegetative growth
Trend acrylamide levels in fries type “chips” for the period 2004-2014
Acrylamide is a chemical contaminant naturally formed during thermal processing and cooking food as a consequence of the Maillard reaction, derived from the reaction between the free amino acid asparagine with reducing sugars or other carbonyl compounds.
Chlamydia-like parasites are comprised of two main groups
The genus Chlamydia is best known for the species Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae, which are causative agents, respectively, of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection and community-acquired pneumoniae, bronchitis, and sinusitis. The genus Chlamydia and other
Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder report sexual problems
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a distressing and disabling condition that can develop after experiencing a life threatening or horrifying experience such as an accident, disaster, or combat. Recent research shows that problems with sexual functioning may
Development of cheap, eco-friendly and sustainable amendments to improve plant growth
Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for the growth and development of plants. Its limited availability due to the low solubility, often limits crop production. Therefore, soluble phosphate fertilizers are commonly applied to achieve maximum crop productivity.
Post electric shock cardiac arrest, does it differ?
Sudden cardiac arrest (CA) is a medical emergency that immediately causes circulatory failure with loss of consciousness; absence of breathing; low blood pressure with no pulses; and no heart sounds. The most common causes of CA are electrical
A new technique for measuring mandibular guide flange angulation
When a mandibulectomy causes discontinuity, the patient will need a rehabilitative prosthesis to achieve proper occlusal relationship. In mandibular-based guidance prosthesis, the guide flange is attached to a mandibular removable partial denture (RPD) on the nonresected side
How reducing cell signalling protects neurons against synapse degeneration
Dementia is a clinical manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and is seen in a high proportion of late stage Parkinson’s disease patients. The symptoms are associated with degeneration of synapses, the structures by which
Expanding hookworm control strategies to target adults
The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of parasitic, bacterial, and viral infectious diseases, which affect over 1.5 billion of the world’s most impoverished people. The most common NTDs are the soil-transmitted helminths (STH), such as
An amorphous carbon nitride composite: a better choice for Na-ion batteries
As lithium ion batteries continue being used worldwide from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, the reserves of lithium resources keep declining. Sodium-ion batteries represent a potential candidate to power the next generation of portable electronics and store
Finding new drug targets to prevent heart attacks and strokes
Heart attacks and strokes are responsible for more deaths than any other disease in the world. The underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes is a disease of the blood vessels called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis involves accumulation
How can we evaluate new advances to see more clearly after cataract surgery?
Cataract, the clouding of the eye’s lens, is a condition that affects a majority of the population 65 years and older, and is one of the most common surgeries performed in the Medicare population. To replace the
A new DNA methylation regulator
CGGBP1 (CGG triplet repeat-binding protein 1) was first identified as a protein that binds unmethylated CGG repeats. It acts as a transcription regulator with target sites at CpG-rich sequences such as CGG repeats and Alu-SINEs (short interspersed
Using small unmanned aircraft to assess harmful algal blooms in ponds and lakes
Water quality in ponds and lakes is of the utmost importance, it affects drinking water quality, recreational use of lakes, and agricultural production. Excess nutrients entering ponds and lakes, from agricultural, urban and industrial activities, may cause
Breast cancer in elderly – does guideline adherent treatment really matter?
It is well known that breast cancer is currently the most common female cancer. Advances in diagnostics and treatment continuosly improve the long term outcome. To establish a new agent or therapy a randomised study with inclusion
