AL | Science News


People living in nonindustrialized societies have an average intake of fiber that is much higher than that of Western societies. Te researchers advocate a concerted effort by scientists, food producers, policymakers and regulatory groups to address the fiber gap, emphasizing that clinical assessments of different fiber types and fiber-enriched foods on microbiome outcomes are needed.


Plant-Derived Drug Can Halt Multiple Sclerosis


A major breakthrough in the treatment of MS is a drug derived from Oldenlandia affinis, a traditional medicinal plant. Treatment with the new drug, called T20K, stopped progression in the normal clinical symptoms of MS in the animal model studied. Patent applications for the drug have been filed in several countries.


Te new treatment arose from a synthesized plant peptide, a class of drugs known as cyclotides. “Cyclotides are present in a range of common plants, and they show significant potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases,” said Dr. Christian Gruber of the University of Queensland. “Te T20K peptides exhibit extraordinary stability and chemical features that are ideally what you want in an oral drug candidate.”


Biocompatible Gel Regenerates Brain Tissue, Could Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases


A new nanogel promotes neuron growth and could potentially be used during NMR or CT scans to improve brain visibility. It also holds promise as a treatment for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. When injected into the brain and through external excitation, the biocompatible gel allows the spontaneous growth of neurons. Te material is in the experimental stage.


Dr. Victor Castaño, Centre of Applied Physics and Advanced Technology (CFATA) of the National University of Mexico, explained, “We


wanted to improve and advance the generation of biomaterials for regenerating brain tissue. During the [animal] experiments we crossed the electroencephalic barrier that keeps the brain isolated from the body; by crossing it, we were allowed to introduce the nanogel and for it to act without harming the body. We watched how, within the gel, neurons began to grow.”


Device Transmits Ultrasound Waves Through the Hand Using “Time-Reversal” Processing


Researchers from the University of Sussex have developed a device that allows users to experience tactile sensations when interacting with displays projected on their hand. Te technology is based on haptics—the science of applying touch sensation and control to interact with computers and technology.


SkinHaptics sends sensations to the palm from the other side of the hand, leaving the palm free to display the screen. Ultrasound waves are transmitted through the hand via “time-reversal” processing. Te technique is like ripples in water but in reverse; the waves become more targeted as they travel through the hand, ending at a precise point on the palm.


According to Professor Sriram Subramanian, who leads the research team, technologies will inevitably need to engage other senses, such as touch, as we enter what designers are calling an “eye-free” age of technology. “…as we wear technology more, it gets smaller and we look at it less, and therefore multisensory capabilities become much more important. … What we offer people is the ability to feel their actions when they are interacting with the hand.”


Low-Power, Graphene- Based Sensor Detects Home Air Pollution


Air pollution in the home can be detected using a novel graphene-based sensor that consumes less than three volts of power. Te sensor detects individual CO2


AMERICAN LABORATORY


molecules and volatile organic 9


MAY 2016


compound (VOC) gas molecules found in building and interior materials, furniture and even household goods. Harmful VOCs have low concentrations of parts per billion (ppb) levels and are difficult to detect using current sensors, which detect concentrations of only parts per million (ppm).


Te sensor was developed by Professor Hiroshi Mizuta, who holds a joint appointment at the University of Southampton and Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), and Dr. Jian Sun and Assistant Professor Manoharan Muruganathan of JAIST to identify individual CO2


molecules adsorbed onto the suspended


graphene one by one by applying an electric field across the structure. By monitoring the electrical resistance of the graphene beam, the adsorption and desorption processes of individual CO2 molecules onto the graphene were detected as quantized changes in resistance (stepwise increase or decrease in resistance). In the study, a small volume of CO2


gas (equivalent to a concentration


of approximately 30 ppb) was released and detection time was just a few minutes.


Health Sensor Monitors Lung Function Over Landlines and Smartphones


SpiroCall is a new health-sensing tool that accurately measures lung function from anywhere in the world via smartphones as well as older mobile phones and landlines. “With SpiroCall, you can call a 1-800 number, blow into the phone and use the telephone network to test your lung function,” explained Shwetak Patel, University of Washington. Te phone’s microphone senses sound and pressure from the exhalation and sends the data to a central server, which uses machine-learning algorithms to convert the data into standard measurements of lung function.


Over the last four years, the researchers collected data from more than 4000 patients who visited clinics in Seattle and Tacoma and in India and Bangladesh, where clinicians have measured lung function using both SpiroSmart and a commercial spirometer. Comparative data improved the performance of the machine- learning algorithms and laid the groundwork


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