Author Archives: karen
Bees get their ‘fix’ in virtual reality
How does a small insect, with its tiny eyes and brain, see the world it moves through? Obviously an insect can’t answer our question directly, so scientists have developed other means to uncover the answers. One approach
Are users satisfied with single sign-on technologies in ER?
In the past few years, many healthcare-related applications and computers devices have been installed in healthcare settings. The regulatory requirements have driven the expansion of the electronic health record (EHR) and electronic structured data reporting. Activities traditionally
Dragon fruit-like multifunctional probe for cancer precision theranostics
Along with the rapid rhythm of human lives, more and more fatal diseases have been surprisingly invading public health. Health is the greatest wealth, health is not equal to everything, but lose health will lose everything. Aside
Fighting (for iron) to survive: therapeutic avenues for aspergillus fumigatus infections
Aspergillus fumigatus (Af), a common fungus, frequently infects the lungs of patients with compromised immune systems. Despite progress in developing anti-fungal agents, Af infections still cause a significant number of deaths, making new treatment options necessary to
The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene radiosensitizes to PARP inhibition by blocking DNA repair
Radiotherapy, which is used widely in the clinic, produces DNA damage that leads to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The effectiveness of radiotherapy is augmented when the DNA repair is impaired. TMPRSS2-ERG is a unique fusion gene that
Sandwiches to better understand cells
The human body is formed by complex organ systems. These organ systems are moreover composed by cells of different types that have to co-operate in order to make the body work properly. This is the reason why
Mitochondrial ROS and cancer drug resistance
The repetitive and continuous circle of resistance to anti-cancer agents was a primary focus of the above-titled articles recently published in Pharmacological Research. Gaining a basic understanding of why so many (possibly all) drugs currently available against
The First Fe-based sodium-ion cathode with two distinct type of polyanions
The current lithium-ion battery technology finds wide applications, powering cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles. In 1991, Sony announced the first-generation of commercial Li-ion batteries, which composed of LiCoO2 cathode and graphite anode. Such cells have the
“Metal cats”: on the presence of chemical elements in feline reproductive system
Our cats may have their own ways but they still have a lot in common with humans. For example they suffer from similar diseases: diabetes mellitus, overactive thyroid or Alzheimers. However, most importantly, they often inhabit nearly
What, why, how? Everyday sunscreen protection
The electromagnetic radiation which reaches the Earth from the Sun has an extensive impact on life. Very high energy components of the solar spectrum, gamma rays and X-rays for example, are reflected by Earth’s upper atmosphere, protecting
Breast cancer cells change and adapt during disease progression
A diagnosis of breast cancer usually includes characterisation of the breast cancer cells: determining if the tumour cells have hormone receptors and other proteins which will help to decide the best treatment options for the patient. This
The “luminous” gold nanorod: direct observation of electron transfer
Photoluminescence (PL), in which photon is emitted after the absorption of another photon, has been important for many technologies. The first observation of visible PL of gold dates back to 1969, when Mooradian studied bulk gold and
A reproductive technology to reduce cancer risk
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) allowing individuals/ couples to choose which fertilized embryos, created through in vitro fertilization (IVF), are implanted into a woman’s uterus for further gestation. Since its
Scanning Microwave Microscopy: nanoscale imaging of material electrical properties using microwaves
In 1965 Gordon Moore estimated that the number of components on electronic chips would double every 2 years. This prediction has so far been respected. Today’s microprocessors included in our mobile phones and laptops use transistors on
A novel approach to characterizing the type of three-factorial combined toxicity
We carried out an experiment in which outbred white rats were subjected to repeated injections with water solutions of either one of the toxics (Mn, Ni or Cr salts) in doses isoeffective in respect to the lethal
Omega-3 fatty acids ameliorate age-related hearing loss
We have evaluated the effects of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids on age-related hearing loss using a mouse model. These mice present early hearing loss, the symptoms appearing normally at 4 to 6 months of
A key molecule for embryonic bone development is dysregulated in cancer
Bone is an endocrine organ with important biological functions. The skeleton produces hormones, such as FGF23 and osteocalcin, which regulate an extensive list of normal functions. Some of these functions include glucose metabolism, male fertility, blood cell
Does neuropathic pain restrict the cortical plasticity after spinal cord injury?
Many studies in animals and humans have shown that the brain reacts with some reorganization (called neuro-adaptive processes) to the amputation of limbs and following a spinal cord injury that leaves the patients with severe motor and
Fat content surrounding your heart may cause your arrhythmia to recur
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active fat depot surrounding the heart. It is located between the outer wall of myocardium and the visceral pericardium. Its proximity to cardiac structures (i.e. vessels, myocardium) and its shared
Cardiac arrests – a thing of the past?
Over the last 20 years rapid response systems (RRSs) have been introduced in the majority of hospitals around the world. Before they existed, many patients would slowly deteriorate and of those, many would either die or have
