science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Πέμπτη 25 Απριλίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Air pollution linked to hardening of the arteries
New Research Findings Open Door to Zinc-Oxide-based UV Lasers, LED Devices
New research findings on the brain’s guardian cells
Mild Blast Injury Causes Molecular Changes in Brain Akin to Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers Discover Link Between Inherited Endocrine Tumor Syndrome and Well Studied Cell Pathway

Air pollution linked to hardening of the arteries

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT

Long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to heart attacks and strokes by speeding up atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries," according to a University of Michigan public health researcher and colleagues from across the U.S.

New Research Findings Open Door to Zinc-Oxide-based UV Lasers, LED Devices

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 09:33 AM PDT

Researchers from North Carolina State University have solved a long-standing materials science problem, making it possible to create new semiconductor devices using zinc oxide (ZnO) – including efficient ultraviolet (UV) lasers and LED devices for use in sensors and drinking water treatment, as well as new ferromagnetic devices.

New research findings on the brain’s guardian cells

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:48 AM PDT

The central nervous system’s mop-up crew, microglia, play an important role in protecting the brain against disease and injury. A research group at Lund University in Sweden has now developed a method that makes it possible to follow the behaviour of these support cells at close quarters. Increased knowledge about the specific role of microglia could open the door to new research avenues on several different neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke.

Mild Blast Injury Causes Molecular Changes in Brain Akin to Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:40 AM PDT

A multicenter study led by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows that mild traumatic brain injury after blast exposure produces inflammation, oxidative stress and gene activation patterns akin to disorders of memory processing such as Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings were recently reported in the online version of the Journal of Neurotrauma.

Researchers Discover Link Between Inherited Endocrine Tumor Syndrome and Well Studied Cell Pathway

Posted: 24 Apr 2013 07:28 AM PDT

A mutation in a protein called menin causes a hereditary cancer syndrome called MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1). Individuals with MEN1 are at a substantially increased risk of developing neuroendocrine tumors, including cancer of the pancreatic islet cells that secrete insulin.