Articles
New 3D technology to help in the battle against brain tumours
Dr. Darin T. Okuda is a clinician-scientist and professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Okuda strives to transform healthcare by developing new diagnostic tools that challenge current clinical practices. His research group recently designed a novel method to visualise brain tumours in three-dimension (3D). This latest research aims to revolutionise […]
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Carcinogenesis: When transmission of epigenetic information goes awry
Genes are blueprints that code for proteins and in turn, proteins drive most activities within our cells. But between genes and their protein products is the layer of epigenetics – genes may be expressed differently depending on the heritable, epigenetic features that switch them on and off. Charting new territories in carcinogenesis, Professor Patrick Riley at University College London explores […]
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Reduced PSA Prostate Cancer Screening: Life-threatening consequences?
In 2012, the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued a grade D recommendation against PSA-based prostate cancer screening. This is because early diagnosis of low-grade cancers can lead to unnecessary overtreatment and patient suffering. However, many epidemiologists are concerned that this could lead to severe unintended consequences. Dr Thomas E. Ahlering, from the University of California, has further explored these concerns […]
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Local drug delivery to prosthetic vascular grafts: Preventing failure of prosthetic grafts in haemodialysis patients
Dr Ronald J. Shebuski, President and CEO of Cylerus, Inc., wants to revolutionise the way vascular grafts work. His company, Cylerus, has an innovative way to deliver an antiproliferative drug, sirolimus, in a consistent and controlled manner. This method of drug delivery, via a porous graft material called ePTFE, has the potential to reduce failure of arterio-venous access grafts crucial for […]
Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) provides positive outcomes for those in lower socioeconomic environments
The western world today demands a great deal from its inhabitants, both physically and mentally. The prevalence of mental health problems is high, and none more so than those in low socioeconomic status, with financial hardship recognised as a root cause for life stress and anxiety. Although trained in both eastern and western based mindfulness techniques, Karma Jiga applies the […]
Technological leapfrogging the global energy crisis: How can changing the role of science in developing countries help with an oncoming climate catastrophe?
In 1975, the Brazilian government launched the National Alcohol Program (NAP) with the sole aim of relieving the country’s crushing dependence on fossil fuels with a move to cleaner ethyl-alcohol based fuels – and, thanks to researchers like Professor José Goldemberg, of the University of São Paulo, the program was an overwhelming success. Combining the country’s own natural resources with technological leapfrogging – […]
Pathogenic microorganisms targeted by complex cellular communications
When the human body is challenged by infection, the defences of the immune system are called into action. Dr Malini Sen of the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology is leading research into the role of a protein called Wnt5a in defending against invading pathogenic microorganisms. Wnt5a is found in macrophages, large white blood cells that form one of the first lines of defence […]
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Better and stronger potatoes using hybrid breeding
Potato is a hugely important crop worldwide, being eaten across the world and across cultures. Increased crop productivity and strength will help cater for the increasing global population, and also serve to reduce famine in challenging and impoverished environments. The potato breeding company Solynta in The Netherlands has successfully produced a hybrid breeding program for potatoes which will allow the rapid selection and […]
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Guinea pig as a model to study the carotid body-mediated chronic intermittent hypoxia effects
The ability to sense and respond to changes in oxygen is essential for survival. Dr Ángela Gómez-Niño and Dr Asuncion Rocher along with their research team at Valladolid University aim to better understand the physiology and pathophysiology of oxygen sensitivity. In particular, the team employ the use of the guinea pig as a model to explore the mechanisms that mediate […]
Opinion dynamics and consensus in social networks
Denis Fedyanin and Alexander Chkhartishvili are researchers at the V.A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. They use statistical modelling of social network structures to simulate opinion dynamics and decision making. Their recent work focuses on a consensus analysis of complex social network structures. The development of online social networks together with their influence on […]
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