Author Archives: Nick Lavars

Protein derived from corn boosts memory in mice with Alzheimer’s

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Scientists have used a protein derived from corn as the basis for a potential vaccine for Alzheimer's

Among the many ways scientists hope to be able to tackle Alzheimer’s is by preventing it from taking hold in the first place, or at least averting its worst effects. This idea of a vaccine for Alzheimer’s is gaining traction as scientists continue to devise new ways of clearing the brain of toxic proteins hypothesized to be key drivers of the condition. A newly published study has hinted at further possibilities in this area, with a protein derived from corn used to induce an immune response and improve memory in mice with the disease.

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Category: Medical, Science

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Rocket Lab uses a helicopter to catch a rocket falling from space

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Rocket Lab has taken an important step forward in its efforts to recover its boosters for re-flight, today capturing its Electron first stage with a helicopter as it hurtled back toward Earth. The attempt didn’t go entirely to plan with the booster pro… Continue reading Rocket Lab uses a helicopter to catch a rocket falling from space→

“Reset button” for cells in the brain hints at new treatments for concussion

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The way the brain responds to traumatic injuries is a matter of intense interest to medical scientists investigating concussion and its significant health impacts. Through experiments on mice in which a key set of immune cells were essentially reset af… Continue reading “Reset button” for cells in the brain hints at new treatments for concussion→

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completely aligned and fully focused

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Scientists working on NASA’s James Webb Telescope have reached an important milestone, completely aligning the space observatory’s massive mirrors. The achievement means the team can now move ahead with configuring the onboard instruments and prepare t… Continue reading NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope completely aligned and fully focused→

Straight coils for twisty reactors give new shape to nuclear fusion

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Scientists are pursuing the proposition of clean and inexhaustible power from nuclear fusion through a variety of experimental reactor designs, and one of the more interesting examples is a roughly circular device known as a stellarator. While these ha… Continue reading Straight coils for twisty reactors give new shape to nuclear fusion→

“Extremely fast-charging” battery hits 60 percent in under 6 minutes

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By rethinking a key battery component, scientists in China have come up with what’s described as “extremely fast charging” technology that sees a lithium-ion battery hit 60 percent capacity in under six minutes. The breakthrough is billed as a signific… Continue reading “Extremely fast-charging” battery hits 60 percent in under 6 minutes→

Study finds seven hours of sleep to be optimal from middle-age onwards

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A new study suggests that seven hours of sleep per night is best for brain health in middle and old age

We know sleep to be an essential ingredient for a healthy brain, but scientists continue to explore what a good night’s rest looks like at different stages of life, and how it can impact on our vulnerability to cognitive decline. A wide-ranging new study involving almost half a million subjects has provided compelling new insights, suggesting seven hours of sleep per night to be best for brain health during middle and old age.

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Category: Health & Wellbeing, Lifestyle

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Genetics study upends stereotypes around modern dog breeds and behavior

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The way we associate certain behavioral traits with certain breeds can be a huge factor in our relationships with dogs, from parents with toddlers and family-friendly labradors to couch potatoes and their sleepy greyhound sidekicks. A fascinating new s… Continue reading Genetics study upends stereotypes around modern dog breeds and behavior→

Star-shaped silicon chips cause mechanical failure inside cancer cells

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The field of nanomedicine is progressing rapidly and in recent years has opened up all kinds of exciting possibilities, with scientists showing how tiny particles could be deployed to deliver drugs, fight inflammation and prevent heart attacks. A new s… Continue reading Star-shaped silicon chips cause mechanical failure inside cancer cells→

Fast-acting enzyme breaks down plastics in as little as 24 hours

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The idea of deploying enzymes to break down plastic waste is gaining momentum through a string of breakthroughs demonstrating how they can do so with increasing efficiency, and even reduce the material to simple molecules. A new study marks yet another… Continue reading Fast-acting enzyme breaks down plastics in as little as 24 hours→