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    Simple Drug Combination creates new Neurons from Neighboring cells

    February 10, 2019, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    A simple treatment using four small molecules converts human astrocytes – a common type of cells in the nervous system – into new neurons, which develop complex structures after 4 months, as pictured. Credit: Gong Chen Lab, Penn State
    A simple treatment using four small molecules converts human astrocytes – a common type of cells in the nervous system – into new neurons, which develop complex structures after 4 months, as pictured. Credit: Gong Chen Lab, Penn State

    A simple drug cocktail that converts cells neighboring damaged neurons into functional new neurons could potentially be used to treat stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain injuries. A team of researchers at Penn State identified a set of four, or even three, molecules that could convert glial cells – which normally provide support and insulation for neurons – into new neurons. A paper describing the approach appears online in the journal Stem Cell Reports on February 7, 2019.

    “The biggest problem for brain repair is that neurons don’t regenerate aft...

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    Scientists find a Cheaper way to Light up OLED screens

    February 10, 2019, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Physics, Technology/Electronics

    Chemist Mark E. Thompson holds new copper-based LEDs invented by him and a team of chemists that could be a cheaper option for TV and smartphone screens to produce the color — including blue — and light. Right now, the industry relies on iridium, an expensive precious metal, for LED light and color.
    Credit: Mark E. Thompson, USC Dornsife

    USC Dornsife chemists have found a cheaper way to light up smartphone and TV screens, which could save manufacturers and consumers money without affecting visual quality. Copper is the answer, according to their study, published Feb. 8 in the journal Science.

    “The current technology that is in every Samsung Galaxy phone, high-end Apple iPhone and LG TV relies on iridium compounds for the colors and light on OLED screens,” says Mark E...

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    Liberal Sprinkling of Salt discovered around a Young Star

    February 10, 2019, Categories  Astronomy/Space, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Artist impression of Orion Source I, a young, massive star about 1,500 light-years away. New ALMA observations detected a ring of salt — sodium chloride, ordinary table salt — surrounding the star. This is the first detection of salts of any kind associated with a young star. The blue region (about 1/3 the way out from the center of the disk) represents the region where ALMA detected the millimeter-wavelength “glow” from the salts.
    Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF; S. Dagnello

    A team of astronomers and chemists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has detected the chemical fingerprints of sodium chloride (NaCl) and other similar salty compounds emanating from the dusty disk surrounding Orion Source I, a massive, young star in a dusty cloud behind the Orion Nebula.

    “It’...

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    Developed Self-Controlling ‘Smart’ Fuel Cell Electrode Material

    February 10, 2019, Categories  Uncategorized

    A Highly Active and Redox-Stable SrGdNi0.2Mn0.8O4±δ Anode with in Situ Exsolution of Nanocatalysts

    A research team led by Professor Kang Taek Lee in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering developed electrode material for a new form of high-performance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Since SOFC, which generates electricity by reacting hydrogen (fuel) with oxygen in the air, emits only water after reaction, is ecofriendly, and has little restrictions in installation place, it is drawing limelight as a new and renewable energy technology that is appropriate for distributed generation . However, it has been difficult to obtain stable supply due to the rapid performance decline of electrode generating power amidst sudden stop and the suspension of fuel supply.

    Professor Lee’s team ...

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