Articles
Moving toward climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture
Forage crops like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) comprise a fundamental component of the agricultural industry. The consumption of forage species by livestock is far from energy-efficient, resulting in implications for livestock health and the health of the environment through the release of greenhouse gases. Additionally, the prevalent force of climate change challenges crop resilience and sustainability. Research scientist Dr Stacy […]
Read More… from Moving toward climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture
Engineering virus nanoparticles to modulate coagulation
Using chemistry, Dr Andrew K. Udit, Occidental College, Los Angeles, is exploring novel ways that bacteria-infecting viruses (bacteriophage) may be able to reverse the anti-clotting effects of heparin. By specifically engineering a bacteriophage nanoparticle known as Q-beta, he has identified several candidates and now focuses on optimising and understanding what makes these nanoparticles so effective, as well as further studying […]
Read More… from Engineering virus nanoparticles to modulate coagulation
Income segregation and incomplete integration of Islam in the Paris metropolitan area
By law in France no data about ethnicity or religion is recorded in official statistics. The homegrown, pseudo-religious Islamically-inspired terror attacks of the 21st Century have, in part, been seen as a result of a lack of geographical and economic integration among Muslim populations. The research of Lucas G. Drouhot, research fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study […]
Direct cardiac reprogramming to regenerate the heart
Infarction causes the loss of a consequent number of cardiac muscle cells. Unable to self-regenerate, these cells are replaced by fibroblasts. This can lead to heart failure. Priyadharshni Muniyandi, doctoral researcher and Dr M. Sheikh Mohamed, Associate Professor at the Bio-Nano Electronics Research Centre, Toyo University, work on direct cardiac reprogramming. Their technique uses microRNA encapsulated in a non-viral nanocarrier: […]
Read More… from Direct cardiac reprogramming to regenerate the heart
Searching for axions: Revealing the dark matter particle
Dark matter is one of the central mysteries of modern cosmology. Even after many years of investigation into the true nature of this enigmatic component of our Universe, every search for its cause has so far come up short. Dr David J. E. Marsh at the University of Göttingen believes that the solution lies with a fundamental particle which was […]
Read More… from Searching for axions: Revealing the dark matter particle
Oral anticancer therapy: Improving safety, empowering patients
The ability of patients to administer potentially toxic oral anticancer medications by themselves in the comfort of their homes allows freedom and control of their treatment away from a hospital setting but does come with some risks. Audrey Chouinard and team from Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal assessed the success of group education sessions to educate and empower patients […]
Read More… from Oral anticancer therapy: Improving safety, empowering patients
Free blood donation vs. the plasma market
Blood products are vital both for transfusion purposes and the production of blood-derived medicines. Currently, the two ways of obtaining blood products are via free blood donations or via the international plasma market, an industry reliant on paid blood donations. Professor Jean Mercier Ythier of the University of Paris Panthéon-Assas explores the economics and ethics of the plasma market and […]
Breath hold techniques during volumetric modulated arc therapy in breast cancer patients
The research of Dr Vishruta Dumane, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, focuses on developing approaches to radiotherapy that will minimise risk to neighbouring organs and tissues, whilst maximising the impact of treatment to the tumour. Her recent work adds further support for the use of deep inspiration breath holds during radiotherapy (VMAT) to reduce exposure of […]
Antlers: The long and short of it
Antlers play a central role in deer mating behaviour as both a weapon for competition between rivals, and a visual signal of mate quality. However, antler growth is energetically costly and the allocation of resources must be balanced against survival. Research led by Dr Bronson Strickland and Dr Steve Demarais, co-directors of the Deer Ecology and Management Research Laboratory at […]
Building waveguides for everyday photonic circuits
From mobile phones to computers, the devices we use every day are almost universal in their use of electricity for transmitting information through their circuits. However, Dr Richard Hildner at the University of Groningen believes that the capabilities of many modern technologies could improve if they were combined with circuits which operate using light. His team’s work has now brought […]
Read More… from Building waveguides for everyday photonic circuits