Drowsy worms offer new insights into the neuroscience of sleep
Reading Time: 3 minutesA GOOD night of sleep entails about eight hours of blissful immobility–a state of near paralysis that, though welcome at night, would be inconvenient during the day. In a recent paper published in Cell Reports, Rockefeller scientists shed new light on the transitions between a wakeful, active state and the stillness of sleep. Through a […]
Scratching the surface: why mandatory GMO feeding studies do not make sense
Reading Time: 4 minutesIt’s time to scratch the surface, and recognise that advanced plant breeding methods, including GM crops, can really make a positive impact, writes Julian Little. BY JULIAN LITTLE ANIMAL testing of cosmetics in Europe isn’t fashionable, certainly not when it comes to consumer products like lipstick and eye shadow or face cream. It doesn’t fit […]
What is the chemistry behind the differences between introverts and extroverts?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBY SCIENCE BRIDGE ACADEMY EVER wonder why some of us love hanging out with people while some of us get bored easily and would prefer staying in? Yes, introversion and extroversion. But how do their brains differ? There are three main chemicals namely dopamine, adrenaline, and acetylcholine which control these traits. Dopamine rewards us with […]
Focus on brain-eating amoeba
Reading Time: 2 minutesSUNWAY University Master in Science in Life Sciences student Shobana Gabriel Jabanathan (pix) is determined to raise awareness on the prevalence of brain-eating amoebae in Malaysian water sources. “My research aims to develop molecular methods for rapid detection and to determine the occurrence of brain-eating amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri) in public […]
New hope for treating diabetic wounds
Reading Time: < 1 minuteONE of the most frustrating and debilitating complications of diabetes is the development of wounds on the foot or lower leg. Once they form, they can persist for months, leading to painful and dangerous infections. New research uncovers the role of a particular protein in maintaining these wounds and suggests that reversing its effects could […]
‘Molecular scissors’ could be key to cutting off diseases
Reading Time: 2 minutes ONE WAY to fight diseases including HIV infection and autoimmune disorders could involve changing how a naturally occurring enzyme called SAMHD1 works to influence the immune system, new research suggests. The study, led by researchers from The Ohio State University, details how the enzyme influences proteins that stimulate the immune response. SAMHD1 isn’t […]
How do people become allergic to things?
Reading Time: < 1 minute AN allergy is a condition that is caused by the hypersensitivity of an individual’s immune system to something that’s present in their environment. People can become allergic to things in two ways. They can either be allergic to something from birth due to their genes, or they can become allergic as they grow up. […]
Medical grade 3D print allows doctors simulate patients’ surgery
Reading Time: 2 minutesBY AZMAN ZAKARIA SERDANG: A group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has succeeded in developing an innovative 3D Medical Grade Print (MeG3rD) or ‘Method’ that is able to replicate a 3D anatomic printing of patients’ actual defect organ (pathology) at a 1:1 ratio. The texture quality is also realistic and reflects the uniqueness […]
Dining out danger!
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDining out more at restaurants, cafeterias and fast-food outlets may boost total levels of potentially health-harming chemicals called phthalates in the body, according to a study out today. Phthalates, a group of chemicals used in food packaging and processing materials, are known to disrupt hormones in humans and are linked to a long list of […]
Snails schooling scientists about memories and brain disorders
Reading Time: 2 minutesScientists are taking lessons about quick thinking, reversing brain trauma, and slowing down brain degeneration from an unexpected neurological wonder. Snails are efficient in thinking and a lot smarter than you think. Despite the snail’s ultra-simplified brain structure, this tiny creature uses only two brain cells to compute two scenarios: when the creature is hungry […]