Research Discoveries Give Reason for Optimism

Over the past few weeks several science and technology breakthroughs were announced. They give me significant reasons to be optimistic about our future. That is, of course, if we survive after the November U.S. Presidential election.

Here are two research discoveries which give me reason to be optimistic about our future:

1. Brain Diseases -  For the first time, researchers can see structures that allows brain cells to communicate. Thomas Blanpied, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM), and leader of the group that performed the work… “Now by using single-molecule imaging to map where many of the key proteins are, we have finally been able to reveal the core architectural structure of the synapse."

“… researchers turned to an innovative technology known as single-molecule imaging, which can locate and track the movement of individual protein molecules within the confines of a single synapse, even in living cells. Using this approach, the scientists identified an unexpected and precise pattern in the process of neurotransmission.”

“Understanding this architecture will help clarify how communication within the brain works, or, in the case of psychiatric or neurological disease, how it fails to work. Blanpied is also focusing on the activity of "adhesion molecules," which stretch from one cell to the other and may be important pieces of the "nano-column." He suspects that if adhesion molecules are not placed correctly at the synapse, synapse architecture will be disrupted, and neurotransmitters won't be able to do their jobs. Blanpied hypothesizes that in at least some disorders, the issue may be that even though the brain has the right amount of neurotransmitter, the synapses don't transmit these molecules efficiently.”

 “Blanpied says that this improved comprehension of synaptic architecture could lead to a better understanding of brain diseases such as depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, and perhaps suggest new ideas for treatments.”

For the first time, researchers see structure that allows brain cells to communicate, University of Maryland School of Medicine, medicalxpress.com, 27 July 2016.

2. Fresh Water - "A new system of bi-layered biofoam may provide the means to purify vast bodies of water simply by overlaying them with sheets of a new material." The researchers claim that the material is exceptionally light, cheap to make, and can easily be produced in vast quantities. And, unlike even exceptionally simple systems designed to do similar things, the graphene biofoam material is simply laid over a body of water and does not require systems of pipes or energy to run the water through for decontamination. 

"Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) have developed graphene-based biofoam sheets that can be laid on dirty or salty dams and ponds to produce clean drinking water, using the power of the sun. This new technique could be a cheap and simple way to help provide fresh water in countries where large areas of water are contaminated with suspended particles of dirt and other floating matter."

"The biofilm is created as a two-layered structure consisting of two nanocellulose layers produced by bacteria. The lower layer contains pristine cellulose, while the top layer also contains graphene oxide, which absorbs sunlight and produces heat. The system works by drawing up water from underneath like a sponge where it then evaporates in the topmost layer, leaving behind any suspended particulates or salts. Fresh water then condenses on the top, where it can be drawn off and used."

"The process is extremely simple," said Srikanth Singamaneni, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials at WUSTL. "The beauty is that the nanoscale cellulose fiber network produced by bacteria has excellent ability to move the water from the bulk to the evaporative surface while minimizing the heat coming down, and the entire thing is produced in one shot."

Graphene-based sheets make dirty water drinkable simply and cheaply, Colin Jeffrey, Gizmag, 27 July 2016.