science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Κυριακή 27 Μαΐου 2012

Science News SciGuru.com

No new neurons in the human olfactory bulb
Hopes of a new strategy for inhibiting tumour cell growth
Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy on brain biochemistry
Skp2 activates cancer-promoting, glucose-processing Akt
High-Speed Method to Aid Search for Solar Energy Storage Catalysts
Like curry? New role identified for compound used in ancient medicine

No new neurons in the human olfactory bulb

Posted: 26 May 2012 05:07 PM PDT

Research from Karolinska Institutet shows that the human olfactory bulb - a structure in the brain that processes sensory input from the nose - differs from that of other mammals in that no new neurons are formed in this area after birth. The discovery, which is published in the scientific journal Neuron, is based on the age-determination of the cells using the carbon-14 method, and might explain why the human sense of smell is normally much worse than that of other animals.

Hopes of a new strategy for inhibiting tumour cell growth

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:57 PM PDT

A team of scientists from Karolinska Institutet in and Harvard Medical School, US, have created a map of the metabolism of cancer cells. This has led to new discoveries about the amino acid glycine, suggesting new approaches to developing cancer treatments.

Effects of cognitive behavioural therapy on brain biochemistry

Posted: 26 May 2012 04:51 PM PDT

Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), researchers at Karolinska Institutet have shown an association between symptom reduction after psychotherapy and change in dopamine receptor levels, in patients with social anxiety disorder. The study provides new evidence on the interplay between psychological and biological factors in psychiatric disease.

Skp2 activates cancer-promoting, glucose-processing Akt

Posted: 26 May 2012 10:11 AM PDT

HER2 and its epidermal growth factor receptor cousins mobilize a specialized protein to activate a major player in cancer development and sugar metabolism, scientists report in the May 25 issue of Cell.

This chain of events, the scientists found, promotes Herceptin resistance in breast cancer and activation of glucose metabolism (glycolysis), which cancer cells primarily rely on to fuel their growth and survive.

High-Speed Method to Aid Search for Solar Energy Storage Catalysts

Posted: 26 May 2012 09:50 AM PDT

Eons ago, nature solved the problem of converting solar energy to fuels by inventing the process of photosynthesis.

Plants convert sunlight to chemical energy in the form of biomass, while releasing oxygen as an environmentally benign byproduct. Devising a similar process by which solar energy could be captured and stored for use in vehicles or at night is a major focus of modern solar energy research.

Like curry? New role identified for compound used in ancient medicine

Posted: 26 May 2012 09:42 AM PDT

Oregon State University scientists just identified a new reason why some curry dishes, made with spices humans have used for thousands of years, might be good for you.

New research has discovered that curcumin, a compound found in the cooking spice turmeric, can cause a modest but measurable increase in levels of a protein that’s known to be important in the “innate” immune system, helping to prevent infection in humans and other animals.