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    New design of Neutron Spectrometer being tested for Manned Spaceflight

    November 30, 2016, Categories  Physics, Astronomy/Space

    The Fast Neutron Spectrometer with a cover removed to show the circuitry inside. Credit: Image courtesy of University of Alabama Huntsville

    The Fast Neutron Spectrometer with a cover removed to show the circuitry inside. Credit: Image courtesy of University of Alabama Huntsville

    The Fast Neutron Spectrometer (FNS) is now aboard the International Space Station. Neutrons contribute to crew radiation exposure and must be measured to assess exposure levels. The FNS, developed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Johnson Space Center (JSC), uses a new instrument design that can significantly improve the reliability of identifying neutrons in the mixed radiation field found in deep space. The MSFC principle investigator and team lead is Mark Christl. The NASA JSC project manager is Catherine Mcleod and the technical lead is Eddie Semones at NASA JSC.

    “Our technique improves upon the well-establish ‘capture-gated’ method...

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    First Signs of Weird Quantum Property of Empty Space?

    November 30, 2016, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    This artist's view shows how the light coming from the surface of a strongly magnetic neutron star (left) becomes linearly polarised as it travels through the vacuum of space close to the star on its way to the observer on Earth (right). The polarisation of the observed light in the extremely strong magnetic field suggests that the empty space around the neutron star is subject to a quantum effect known as vacuum birefringence, a prediction of quantum electrodynamics (QED). The magnetic and electric field directions of the light rays are shown by the red and blue lines. Model simulations by Roberto Taverna (University of Padua, Italy) and Denis Gonzalez Caniulef (UCL/MSSL, UK) show how these align along a preferred direction as the light passes through the region around the neutron star. As they become aligned the light becomes polarised, and this polarisation can be detected by sensitive instruments on Earth. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

    This artist’s view shows how the light coming from the surface of a strongly magnetic neutron star (left) becomes linearly polarised as it travels through the vacuum of space close to the star on its way to the observer on Earth (right). The polarisation of the observed light in the extremely strong magnetic field suggests that the empty space around the neutron star is subject to a quantum effect known as vacuum birefringence, a prediction of quantum electrodynamics (QED). The magnetic and electric field directions of the light rays are shown by the red and blue lines. Model simulations by Roberto Taverna (University of Padua, Italy) and Denis Gonzalez Caniulef (UCL/MSSL, UK) show how these align along a preferred direction as the light passes through the region around the neutron star...

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    Platypus Venom could hold key to Diabetes Treatment

    November 29, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    A platypus. The same hormone produced in the gut of the platypus to regulate blood glucose is also produced in their venom, researchers have found – and that hormone could be used in possible type 2 diabetes treatments.

    Image1: A platypus. The same hormone produced in the gut of the platypus to regulate blood glucose is also produced in their venom, researchers have found – and that hormone could be used in possible type 2 diabetes treatments. Image2: An echidna. The same hormone produced in the gut of the echidna to regulate blood glucose is also produced in their venom, researchers have found – and that hormone could be used in possible type 2 diabetes treatments.

    Australian researchers have discovered remarkable evolutionary changes to insulin regulation in two of the nation’s most iconic native animal species – the platypus and echidna – which could pave the way for new treatments for type 2 diabetes in humans...

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    Bad timing is Depressing: Disrupting the Brain’s Internal Clock causes Depressive and anxiety-like behavior in mice

    November 29, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Bmal1/Clock complex activates transcription of genes containing E-box sequences in their promoters. Among these are Per1/2 and Cry1/2, which following dimerization can inhibit the activity of the Bmal1/Clock complex. Rev-Erb and Ror provide an additional stabilizing loop to fine-tune the expression of Bmal1. In addition to E-boxes, other clock regulatory elements (such as ROREs and D-boxes) are commonly found in the promoters of CCGs.

    Bmal1/Clock complex activates transcription of genes containing E-box sequences in their promoters. Among these are Per1/2 and Cry1/2, which following dimerization can inhibit the activity of the Bmal1/Clock complex. Rev-Erb and Ror provide an additional stabilizing loop to fine-tune the expression of Bmal1. In addition to E-boxes, other clock regulatory elements (such as ROREs and D-boxes) are commonly found in the promoters of CCGs.

    Disruptions of daily rhythms of the body’s master internal clock provide insight into the role of the brain’s internal time keeping system in the development of mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder MDD, which have been associated with disturbed daily (circadian) rhythms...

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