USA Archives

Managing behavioural symptoms of dementia in Latinos

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Dr Diana Lynn Woods, Azusa Pacific University, has dedicated her research to the greater understanding of dementia and the methods used to treat behavioural symptoms of dementia. Her recent work has focused on Latinos with dementia who exhibit behavioural symptoms of dementia and ways to incorporate genetic and cultural factors into intervention strategies. Humans are living longer than ever. However, […]

Shaping the harvest: What determines crop shape?

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There is a huge amount of diversity in the shape of different crops, be it a fruit such as tomato or a vegetable such as carrot. Ultimately, the appearance of a plant organ is determined by different cellular control mechanisms. However, it is not known whether these mechanisms are similar across various species in the Plant Kingdom. Dr Esther van […]

The soybean trap: Challenges and risks for Brazilian producers

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The growth in the international soybean market has attracted thousands of new farmers as well as foreign capital investments. The highly connected and globalised food commodities market heats up this new agribusiness landscape making soybean producers vulnerable to financial risks whilst tying them into a cycle of investment and debt. Dr Ramon Bicudo and Professor Emilio F. Moran, both from […]

Inflammatory bowel disease and epithelial barrier function

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurs when the epithelial cells lining the gut become weakened, allowing gut microbes to activate immune cells. Gut barrier weakening can be caused by a loss of function of the PTPN2 gene. Professor Declan McCole of the University of California, Riverside and various collaborators have extensively researched the role of the epithelial barrier in IBD, the […]

Mosquito control: The INZECTO solution

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Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and Zika, which pose a threat to human health on a global scale. Mosquito control is therefore an urgent consideration for public health. Dr Philip Koehler and Dr Roberto M Pereira of the University of Florida have pioneered two innovative methods of mosquito control, INZECTO mosquito chips and INZECTO […]

How parent relationships could hold the key to managing type 1 diabetes

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Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that can have profound effects on quality of life. Managing it effectively with insulin is key to keeping healthy; however, adherence is often easier said than done, especially with young adults. Prof Cynthia Berg and clinical psychology doctoral student MaryJane Simms Campbell at the University of Utah are leading pioneering research revealing how […]

How binocular vision is shaped by early visual experience

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Dr Fitzpatrick and his collaborators use calcium imaging to visualise neuronal activity.

We look at the world with two eyes but we see only one picture. This is possible because the brain can bring together visual signals that originate from the left and right eyes to create a single image. How the brain knows how to do that is not well understood. Through a series of experiments, Drs David Fitzpatrick, Jeremy Chang […]

Novel mouse models shed light on role of omega-6/omega-3 imbalance in chronic disease

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Dr Kang's research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 and low in omega-6 helps prevent many chronic diseases.

The link between two classes of essential fatty acids – omega-3 and omega-6 – and health has, until now, been unclear. This is partly because it has been difficult for researchers to define exactly what each does in the body. To address this problem, Dr Jing X. Kang of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA, developed novel strains […]

Bacterial biofilms: A persisting public health challenge

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Bacterial biofilms are a notable public health challenge.

Foodborne and waterborne diseases are major global health threats, exacerbated by the ability of bacteria to gain new characteristics, constantly evolve towards increased fitness in their environment, and by developing resilience through biofilm formation. Utilising emerging technologies such as elevated hydrostatic pressure and application of novel bacteriocin and bactericidal compounds, Professor Aliyar Cyrus Fouladkhah and his team in the Public […]

Integrated pest management: Advances in sustainable food production and food security

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Integrated pest management (IPM) is an old concept that is based on environmentally safe pest management practices. This is set to change with the development of a revised model of integrated pest management. The new model aims to balance three important factors – economic viability, environmental safety, and social acceptability – in achieving sustainable food production and food security. It […]