Yearly Archives: 2016
New account of wetting phenomena at the nanoscale
Can you think of any very smooth surface in nature or in the man-made objects surrounding you? How about a glass window? Glass is smooth, right? very smooth? Well in reality standard glass substrates, and any other
Genes on or off! How regulatory DNA variations disrupt the balance of P53 and cMYC binding
Identification of causative DNA variants in common complex diseases is very important to screen individuals with high-risk for diseases and for developing therapies to target the genetic cause of diseases, in particular cancer. DNA variations that lie
New advances in the classification of diabetes beyond type 1 and 2: monogenic diabetes
The classification of diabetes has become increasingly complex in recent years, particularly in young patients, and now goes beyond the traditional forms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, which is linked to the
The German Health Insurance System: How can we prepare for the future?
Currently, there is a lot of discussion in Germany on the increasing role economic factors play in health care. What are the consequences, for example, of health insurance funds that have to work cost effective, of hospitals
Fluorescence color changes from purple to blue via orange during the solvent evaporative crystallization
The process of crystal formation from solutions is an important subject in fundamental science and also the fabrication of pharmaceuticals, food, polymers and organic solid materials, but remains controversial. In solution crystallization, the formation of crystal nuclei
A causality analysis between carbon dioxide emissions, GDP, energy use and population growth
Access to energy is one of the many ways of achieving higher levels of economic productivity in every technological and advancing country. Energy demand and economic development is increasing due to the requirement to meet basic human
Tumor risk from low-dose radiation exposures with the example of dental diagnostic X-ray
It was reported that exposure to dental diagnostic X-rays in oral, dental and maxillofacial care increases the risk of benign tumors (meningioma), but not of malignant brain tumors (glioma). Malignant gliomas grow more rapidly. Meningioma, a benign
Atmospheric CO2 capture by algae: negative carbon dioxide emission path
Carbon dioxide is one of the most important greenhouse gas, which concentration increase in the atmosphere is associated to climate change and global warming. Besides CO2 capture in large emission point sources, the capture of this pollutant
Is wood nanocellulose a good option for biomedical use?
The tiny wood cellulose nanofibrils (Fig. 1) have been suggested for a series of different applications, including biomedical use. However, is the material adequate for such a demanding application that would require direct contact with the human
Transpersonal experiences during catastrophic events
During World War I, Will Bird’s brother, Steve, had been killed. After his death, Steve visited Will, also a soldier, on numerous occasions looking out for him, warning him of dangers. In today’s research environment, this type
Gorham disease
Gorham disease is a rare condition affecting bones of skeletal system with unknown cause. To our knowledge the number of identified cases worldwide ranges around 300. Gorham and Stout were the first to define this disease back
The reality of latent tuberculosis bacillus?
Tuberculosis is caused by the infectious agent known Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) (Fig. 1). This rod-shaped bacterium, also called Koch’s bacillus, was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882. When a person breathes in Mtb-contaminated air, the inhaled TB bacteria
Are Ecdysteroids insect hormones?
The polyhydroxylated derivatives of 7-dehydro, 6-ketocholesterol (Ecdysone, Ecdysteroids, Ecd) were accidentally discovered in the search for an insect moulting hormone in 1965. The first Ecd compound, named ecdysone (“ecdysis” = shedding off the cuticle), was isolated from
Stress hormone level shoots up during abiotic stress to sustains the stress in S. quadricauda
Energy is an inevitable part and makes life possible. Globally, over 90 percent of transportation energy requirement is met by fossil fuels. International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that, if we continue to use the fossil fuel at
Measurement of skin strain patterns caused by fingertip shearing
Humans have the ability to dexterously manipulate objects of different shape, weight, texture and softness with their hands. While such capabilities appear straightforward and easy, it actually reveals our ability to precisely adjust the grip force (GF)
MicroRNAs fighting muscle wasting during ageing
Have you ever wondered why we age? With time, our joints, bones and muscles become weaker; wrinkles appear and we lose hair and sense of hearing and sight. However, not only our body experiences external changes; inside,
Seeing the signs: Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a rare disorder typically caused by a growth hormone (GH)-producing tumor in a small gland at the base of the brain: the pituitary. This organ is a “master gland”, controlling the production and release of
Diversity and function of bacteria living inside a plant relevant for soil remediation of metals
Salt marshes are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth and are sometimes subjected to pollution. The vegetation in this type of environment is, as a consequence, highly specialized to endure its surroundings. For over four decades,
Pathological role of oxidative stress and related with schizophrenia in T. gondii infection
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Oxidative stress (OS) occurs when there is an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors and is induced by reactive nitrogen species
Prairie dogs kill ground squirrels to improve reproductive success
Individuals of different species commonly compete with each other. African lions and spotted hyenas compete for the same prey, for example, and brown anoles and Carolina anoles frequently fight with each other to secure the best territories.
