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    Category Biology/Biotechnology

    Water-Repellent Nanotextures found to have Excellent Anti-Fogging abilities

    March 3, 2017, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Biology/Biotechnology, Physics

    The team's nanocones (scanning electron microscope image, (a)) were inspired by the nanotexture found on cicada wings (atomic force microscopy image, (b)). The middle plot (c) shows that the nanocones (red squares) are far less adhesive to warm water than the nanocylinders (blue circles). Because of the nanocone geometry, water droplets beneath a large drop can be reabsorbed (d) and small droplets condensing in cones can reconfigure at the top of the cones (e). Credit: Nature Materials

    The team’s nanocones (scanning electron microscope image, (a)) were inspired by the nanotexture found on cicada wings (atomic force microscopy image, (b)). The middle plot (c) shows that the nanocones (red squares) are far less adhesive to warm water than the nanocylinders (blue circles). Because of the nanocone geometry, water droplets beneath a large drop can be reabsorbed (d) and small droplets condensing in cones can reconfigure at the top of the cones (e). Credit: Nature Materials

    Nanotextures inspired by cone-shaped structures on cicada wings could inform new designs for materials prone to fogging, such as car and aircraft windshields. Several years ago, scientists at the U.S...

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    Shape-Shifting Molecular Robots respond to DNA Signals

    March 3, 2017, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Biology/Biotechnology

    Schematic diagram of the molecular robot. Molecular actuators work inside the robot, and the shape of the artificial cell membrane, which are bodies, are changed. When a DNA signal is input, the "molecular clutch," which transmits the force from the actuator, controls the shape-changing behavior. (B) Microscopy images of molecular robots. When the input DNA signal was "stop," the clutch was turned "OFF," and consequently, the shape-changing behavior was terminated (left side). The initiation of the shape-changing behavior when the DNA signal input was "start" was also confirmed (right side). Scale bar: 20 ?m. The white arrow indicates the molecular actuator part that transforms the membrane. Credit: Yusuke Sato

    Schematic diagram of the molecular robot. Molecular actuators work inside the robot, and the shape of the artificial cell membrane, which are bodies, are changed. When a DNA signal is input, the “molecular clutch,” which transmits the force from the actuator, controls the shape-changing behavior. (B) Microscopy images of molecular robots. When the input DNA signal was “stop,” the clutch was turned “OFF,” and consequently, the shape-changing behavior was terminated (left side). The initiation of the shape-changing behavior when the DNA signal input was “start” was also confirmed (right side). Scale bar: 20 ?m. The white arrow indicates the molecular actuator part that transforms the membrane.
    Credit: Yusuke Sato

    Tohoku University and Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology researc...

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    Study finds New Mechanism to Control Information Flow in the Brain

    March 2, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Different Sst interneurons, or type of nerve cell (colored red), in the outer shell, or cerebral cortex, of the mouse brain are shown. Credit: Courtesy of Science

    Different Sst interneurons, or type of nerve cell (colored red), in the outer shell, or cerebral cortex, of the mouse brain are shown. Credit: Courtesy of Science

    Specialized nerve cells, somatostatin-expressing (Sst) interneurons, in the cerebral cortex – play a key role in controlling how information flows in the brain when it is awake and alert. In experiments in mice, they found that the activity of Sst interneurons changes when the animal goes from not moving its whiskers (in a resting state) to moving them (in an active state), a process known as whisking. Specifically, the team discovered that the cortex contains a diverse set of Sst interneuron subtypes that reach into different layers of the cortex. Some of the subtypes turn on while others turn off during whisking...

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    Allergies? Probiotic combination may Curb your Symptoms, new study finds

    March 1, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Probiotics ( Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2) improve rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life in individuals with seasonal al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2017; 105 (3): 758 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.116.140012

    Probiotics ( Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2) improve rhinoconjunctivitis-specific quality of life in individuals with seasonal al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2017; 105 (3): 758 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.116.140012

    New University of Florida research shows a probiotic combination might help reduce hay fever symptoms, if it’s taken during allergy season. Many published studies have shown a probiotic’s ab

    ility to regulate the body’s immune response to allergies, but not all of the probiotics show a benefit. Scientists already know that the probiotic combination of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, sold as Kyo-Dophilus in stores, helps maintain digestive health and parts of the immune system...

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