Monthly Archives: March 2016
The European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association (EHBEA)
London, UK, from 5-8 April The European Human Behaviour and Evolution Association (EHBEA) is an interdisciplinary society that supports the activities of European researchers with an interest in evolutionary accounts of human cognition, behaviour and society. EHBEA
Ribose hydroxyl group summary
We usually think of enzymes – the molecules that drive all the reactions in our cells – as being proteins, but many scientists believe that the earliest enzymes may have been made of RNA. RNA, which is
Making a good drug against a bad virus better
Recent advances in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have led to a number of treatment options using only pills taken once-a-day that can lead to the elimination of the virus – a cure. Using
Human brains do not belong to two distinct types: ‘female brains’ and ‘male brains’
Sex categories – whether one has female or male genitalia – are fundamental for reproduction. They are also one of the most important categories that shape the social world. No surprise then that scientists and the general
Metal–organic framework for “NO” sensing!
Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical which is found to prevail as a colourless gas. It has a very short life-time (of few seconds) and yet regulates several biological processes in living systems. For its participation
Genes regulating Wolbachia cell division
Bacterial infection underlies many devastating diseases, yet bacteria also play a central role in the maintenance of human health and well-being. From aiding in host food digestion and limiting unfavorable bacterial growth to causing paralysis or even
Detecting nerve gases VX and Tabun with a handheld device
Threats from nerve gases, or more accurately termed chemical warfare agents, constitute a serious security issue of increasing global concern because of surging terrorist activities. A big problem with nerve gases are that they are very challenging
Prognostic value of trans-thoracic echocardiography in patients with acute stroke and atrial fibrillation
Currently, ischemic stroke (which occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating, can be successfully prevented with
The use of multisite ultrasound in cardiac arrest – the SESAME-protocol
Cardiac arrest is the most critical emergency. The sudden interruption of oxygen supply damages the brain after some minutes. Finding a cause for efficiently fixing the problem is the main target of the frontline physician. Ultrasound is
C-H bond activation by metal carbene
C-H bonds, alongside with C-C bonds, are the most common chemical bonds that constitute organic molecules. C-H bonds are ubiquitous and they are also very stable. The replacement of the hydrogen atom of the C-H bond with
Sequence of the plant beneficial biocontrol agent Pseudomonas fluorescens DSM 8569
Pseudomonas represents an abundant bacterial group that can live in the soil. In this habitat many organisms like fungi, bacteria, plants or insects live together, often intensively interacting in close communities. The composition of these communities is
Are children, adults and elderly women in Greece meeting dietary intake recommendations?
Ensuring adequate nutrient intakes is vital not just for preventing deficiencies, but also for optimizing health and wellbeing in all life stages. Despite the high prevalence of overweight and obesity and the overconsumption of calories, still inadequate
A paradigm shift in self-cleaning materials
In order to keep touchscreens, windows and walls free of dirt and fingerprints they need to be coated with anti-smudge materials. For practical applications, anti-smudge materials must be water- and oil-repellent, wear-resistant, optically clear and readily applicable
Human exposures to Bisphenol A alternatives and derivatives with equal or more harmful effects
Recent years have witnessed an exponential interest in the use and research on bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is one of the chemicals ranked very high in the chemicals’ list with the highest production volume estimates worldwide. BPA
Fishing highly explosive and toxic TNP
Water pollution by anthropogenic sources such as industrial effluents, mining activities, use of fertilizers and pesticides, dumping grounds is increasing in alarming rate. Picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol, TNP) is highly explosive molecule used in armour piercing shells, bombs,
Osteopontin is a novel player and potential biomarker in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni
Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a tropical disease caused by worms of the genus Schistosoma. Over 440 million people from 76 countries and territories are infected (Fig. 1). This water-based disease is considered the second most important parasitic
Ionic liquid solubilities in water: a janus phenomenon
Ionic liquids are a new class of solvents often claimed as « green » because they are non-flammable and non-volatile. In the search for better environmental industrial processes, they are thus an appealing choice to replace toxic, flammable and
Radiotherapy in palliative treatment of metastatic NSCLC: not all one and the same
The role of an editorial is to incorporate the results of a new relevant study in the scientific scenario, shedding light on some particular results of the trial which can change the clinical practice. The starting point
How preparation to touch or grasp alters visual size perception
This paper, recently published by my colleagues and I, summarizes a series of studies on how engaging in particular actions affects how our brain processes incoming visual information. Specifically, illusions that exert a strong effect on our
A cost-effective approach to new drug discovery and chemical safety
Modern lifestyle is highly dependent on the use of thousands of chemicals in the form of life-saving drugs as well as specialty substances like pesticides, herbicides, cosmetics, solvents, etc. Today the discovery of a new drug costs
