Paper Of The Week Archives for Research

Paper of the week: Stress alters sensory circuits in the spinal cord and brainstem

4th May 2012 - This paper shows that the link between psychological stress and hyperalgesia is partly mediated by overactive spinomedullary processing pathways.

Paper of the week: Reprogramming heart cells to treat heart disease

27th April 2012 - This study used retroviral delivery of transcription factors to convert cardiac fibroblasts into cardiac myocytes, in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.

Paper of the week: Artificial tongue to replace taste testers?

19th April 2012 - The goal of this research was to test the viability of a novel artificial mouth and tongue device, which may have potential applications in the food and flavor industry.

Paper of the week: Crayfish weaponry - bigger isn't always better, or is it?

5th April 2012 - This study investigated the relationship between the size of crayfish weaponry and pincer grip force.

Paper of the week: Cardiovascular system adapts to microgravity environment during space flight

15th March 2012 - This study investigated the occurrence of cardiovascular deconditioning among astronauts during long-duration space flight (up to 180 days).

Paper of the week: Key blood vessel relaxation factor identified

9th March 2012 - This study sought to identify the elusive 'factor' in ‘endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor’ which is involved in blood vessel relaxation, and therefore blood pressure regulation.

Paper of the week: Understanding pain hypersensitivity

3rd March 2012 - This study investigated whether early life exposure to physically painful sensations would result in hypersensitivity to pain later in life.

Paper of the week: Keeping a cool head helps keep the brain under control

24th February 2012 - This study investigated the beneficial effects of cooling the brain in order to reduce seizure activity in rats. Findings indicate an optimal therapeutic cooling effect between 15-20 degrees Celsius.

Paper of the week: Focussing on the importance of APP in the retina

17th February 2012 - The goal of this study was to determine the functional importance of APP in retinal signal processing and visual acuity.

Paper of the week: Zinc oxide nanoparticles reverse symptoms of depression

10th February 2012 - This study investigated neural and behavioral effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in rats that had been experimentally rendered 'depressed'. Findings indicated synaptic enhancement and a reversal of depressive symptoms.