Culture
The intestinal epithelium is the inner layer of the intestinal wall, which separates host tissue from the intestinal microbiota. This layer of cells plays a crucial role in water, electrolyte and nutrient absorption, while limiting the entry of bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins and antigens into host tissue to ensure intestinal homeostasis. The diverse functions carried out by the intestinal epithelium are supported by multiple specialised intestinal epithelial cells, which are replaced every three to five days from a pool of intestinal stem cells.
Researchers from Russia, Germany, Finland and the U.S. have studied more than 300 quasars -- spinning black holes that produce beams of plasma. The team has found that the shape of these so-called astrophysical jets changes from parabolic to conical at some distance from the black hole, reminiscent of the iconic flared jeans of the '70s. By effectively measuring these "cosmic pants," the researchers aim to interpret the workings of the central engine that accelerates matter to nearly the speed of light at the centers of remote active galaxies.
One of the key objectives for contemporary chemistry is to improve thermomechanical properties of polymers, in particular, thermostability of bioplastics.
In this paper, the team concentrated on researching oligomer and polymer materials with macrocyclic compounds characterized by enhanced thermostability. "Such products have lower vitrification temperatures, which makes them more malleable in comparison with commercial polylactic acid," says co-author, Research Associate Pavel Padnya.
In October 2015, a spectacular rockfall occurred in the Swiss Alps: in the late morning hours, a large, snow-covered block with a volume of more than 1500 cubic meters suddenly detached from the summit of Mel de la Niva. It fell apart on its way downslope, but a number of boulders continued their journey into the valley. One of the large boulders came to a halt at the foot of the summit next to a mountain hut, after travelling more than 1.4 kilometers and cutting through woods and meadows.
Mount Sinai researchers have found that myocardial injury (heart damage) is prevalent among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and is associated with higher risk of mortality. More specifically, a serious myocardial injury can triple the risk of death. The results were published in the June 5 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all become aware of how a global crisis can affect our access to food. But imagine the food security impacts of an even worse scenario -- an all-out nuclear war, a large asteroid strike or a supervolcano eruption. Such catastrophes could block out sunlight, alter rainfall patterns and contaminate water supplies, which could drastically affect our food systems.
SARS-CoV-2-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the more frequently encountered organ involvements in COVID-19 - in as many as 80% of critically ill patients, according to a recent study [2]. The virus infects the cells of the renal tubule system (proximal tubule cells), inter alia, because tubular cells express the ACE2 cell surface receptor that SARS-CoV-2 uses to invade host cells.
A new study reveals that switching from aluminum to zinc alloys in the production of automotive parts could greatly enhance their longevity and sustainability.
The study, conducted by Cranfield University's Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Centre, compared three different alloys (Aluminium-A380, Magnesium-AZ91D and Zinc-ZA8). Over recent years aluminum alloys have been favoured by the automotive manufacturing industry for their lightweight properties and lower cost.
SARS-CoV-2-associated acute kidney injury is not uncommon. Many hospitalized COVID-19 patients - as many as 80% of critically ill COVID-19 patients, according to a current study [2] - develop acute kidney injury, but without requiring dialysis in most cases. Proteinuria and hematuria are present in about half the cases. Examinations of renal tissue from deceased patients show injury to the renal corpuscles (glomeruli) or filter membrane (podocytes), and to the renal tubules (tubular cells).
Small business owners who complain about excessive regulation may be overlooking the business benefits it brings, according to a new study from the University of Bath.
Often perceived as a costly burden that hinders success, the reputation of regulation may have suffered from research that has failed to give businesses the chance to reflect on the positive effects that exist alongside the costs.
HOUSTON -- (June 8, 2020) -- Rice University neuroengineers have created a tiny surgical implant that can electrically stimulate the brain and nervous system without using a battery or wired power supply.
The neural stimulator draws its power from magnetic energy and is about the size of a grain of rice. It is the first magnetically powered neural stimulator that produces the same kind of high-frequency signals as clinically approved, battery-powered implants that are used to treat epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain and other conditions.
CLEVELAND--A team led by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researchers has made two major discoveries involving psoriasis, a chronic and debilitating skin disease with no known cure.
The researchers found that an overabundance of a protein known as KLK6 can produce and worsen the skin inflammation characteristic of psoriasis, and--even more significant--that KLK6 can play a key role in damaging the joints and bones of people with the disorder.
June 8, 2020 - Sexual violence is a serious problem with potentially severe and lasting negative effects on the physical, psychological, and social well-being of victims - including athletes. A new American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Position Statement on sexual violence in sport was published simultaneously in four leading sports medicine journals, including
A study on children suffering from severe inflammatory symptoms shows the condition is new and distinct from Kawasaki disease.
In April, researchers in the UK and several European countries with high numbers of COVID-19 cases recognised a new inflammatory syndrome in children that was similar to Kawasaki disease, a rare syndrome known to affect young children.
Researchers have identified key ingredients for producing high-value chemical compounds in an environmentally friendly fashion: repurposed enzymes, curiosity, and a little bit of light.