|  Alcoholism could be linked to a hyper-active brain dopamine system  | Research suggests that people who are vulnerable to developing alcoholism exhibit a distinctive brain response when drinking alcohol, according to a new study. Compared to people at low risk for alcohol-use problems, those at high risk showed a greater dopamine response in a brain pathway that increases desire for rewards. These findings could help shed light on why some people are more at risk of suffering from alcoholism and could mark an important step toward the development of treatment options. | Read More » New findings could help improve development of drugs for addiction  | Scientists have described findings that could enable the development of more effective drugs for addiction with fewer side effects. The study showed in a combination of cell and animal studies that one active compound maintains a strong bias towards a single biological pathway, providing insight into what future drugs could look like. | Read More » Decoding material fluxes in the tropical ocean: Turbulent processes provide important contribution to oxygen supply  | How is vital oxygen supplied to the tropical ocean? New research by oceanographers in Germany shows that about one third of the oxygen supply in these areas is provided by turbulent processes, such as eddies or internal waves. | Read More » Pollutants from incense smoke cause human lung-cell inflammation  | Burning incense, a popular cultural practice in many parts of the world, generates indoor air pollutants that may cause inflammation in human lung cells, say researchers. | Read More » Bio-inspired design may lead to more energy efficient windows  | Scientists are turning to nature to find a way to make windows more energy efficient. In a recent article, researchers describe a novel process to cut down on heat loss during the winter and keep buildings cool during the summer. Their "bio-inspired approach to thermal control for cooling (or heating) building window surfaces" calls for attaching optically clear, flexible elastomer sheets, bonded to regular glass window panes. | Read More » Necrostatin-1 counteracts aluminum's neurotoxic effects  | Researchers have linked aluminum accumulation in the brain as a possible contributing factor to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. A new study sheds light on the mechanism underlying aluminum-induced neuronal cell death and identifies necrostatin-1 as a substance which counteracts several of aluminum's neurotoxic effects. | Read More » Simple ultrasound treatment may help protect the kidneys  | Ultrasound treatments may prevent acute kidney injury that commonly arises after major surgery, according to a new study. The findings suggest that this simple and noninvasive therapy may be an effective precaution for patients at risk. | Read More » | |
