Articles
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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License to share: How the Creative Commons licensing system encourages the remixing and reuse of published materials
In a world where news, data and images are increasingly shared freely online, whether correctly or not, Creative Commons (CC) has stepped up to make allowing others to reuse and remix your research easy. By creating, maintaining and promoting all of the available CC licences, the organisation hopes to help an international community of scientists, educators and activists realise the […]
Lymph nodes targeted in novel cancer therapy
90% of global deaths caused by cancer are the result of its metastasis. Cancer can spread throughout the body through the blood system or the lymphatic system. With funding from JSPS KAKENHI, Professor Tetsuya Kodama at Tohoku University in Japan and his collaborators established a novel mouse model to study cancer metastasis through the lymphatic system. With this model, they identified lymph node metastasis as […]
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Careers in Science: Summer Training in Environmental and Pharmacological Sciences (STEPS)
The future of scientific research depends on a talented, diverse and inclusive workforce with high scientific proficiency. Undergraduate research experiences have been shown to play a key role in encouraging students, especially those from historically underrepresented groups, to pursue careers in science and healthcare professions. In response to these needs, Professor Hollie Swanson, from the University of Kentucky has developed […]
Creating a better oscillator: Dissipative solitons and travelling-wave field‑effect transistors
The key to improving the performance of high-speed electronic circuits is the generation of short electrical pulses with reduced phase noise. Dr Koichi Narahara of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Kanagawa Institute of Technology studies electric pulses generated by travelling-wave field-effect transistors. He found that the devices possess unique properties that could provide increased operating frequencies and decreased phase […]
Clinical relevance aims to uncover novel regulators of human coronary artery function
Charting new territories in vascular disease research, The Human Vascular Research Group (HVRG) at the Medical College of Wisconsin uses fresh human tissues to address important questions in vascular biology. Focusing on the microcirculation, the smallest of blood vessels inside our bodies, their aim is to better understand coronary artery disease (CAD) and other clinical problems associated with microvascular defects. […]
Alcohol overuse: cutting to the bone
Building on several decades of research, Dr Martin Ronis, a Professor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans explores the effects of alcohol on bone turnover. His current research aims to better understand the molecular basis for the toxic effects of alcohol, particularly in women, with a view to uncovering vital therapeutic targets to prevent bone loss. As […]
Designing catalysts bit by bit
Catalysis, using reagents to speed up chemical reactions, is big business. From synthesising new chemicals to cleaning up the exhaust fumes from cars and sustainable energy devices such as hydrogen fuel cells, catalysts play a huge role in our daily lives. Prof Roy L. Johnston and Dr Francesca Baletto at the University of Birmingham and King’s College London respectively are using novel computational approaches […]
Cleaner pathways to chemical synthesis via new generation catalysts
The synthesis and manufacture of chemicals, and chemical products, has typically relied on petroleum-based feedstocks. Even hydrogen, often hailed as a ‘clean fuel’ and an important component in many chemical reactions, is sourced from such feedstocks. However, Professor Mark Keane’s research at Heriot-Watt University is developing methods for clean chemical production from alternative, renewable feedstocks. To achieve this, he is designing and developing new […]
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