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Recent Breakthrough (recent + breakthrough)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Life Sciences60%

Selected Abstracts

A comparison of dual-band spur-line printed antennas for handheld terminals

MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 3 2001
Antonio Martínez-González
Abstract Recent breakthroughs in mobile phone technology are focusing on new techniques that allow the compact integration of dual-band printed antennas into handsets with an increase in their inherent narrow bandwidth. In this letter, novel rectangular, circular, triangular, hexagonal, and bow-tie-shaped spur-line dual-band printed structures have been designed, measured, and compared. Although a second resonant frequency is obtained, it has been clearly made evident that spur-line filter techniques are unable to obtain broad-bandwidth elements, unless they can be combined with other methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 205,207, 2001. [source]

Protein phosphatase 2A on track for nutrient-induced signalling in yeast

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002
Piotr Zabrocki
Summary Early studies identified two bona fide protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-encoding genes in Saccharo-myces cerevisiae, designated PPH21 and PPH22. In addition, three PP2A-related phosphatases, encoded by PPH3, SIT4 and PPG1, have been identified. All share as much as 86% sequence similarity at the amino acid level. This review will focus primarily on Pph21 and Pph22, but some aspects of Sit4 regulation will also be discussed. Whereas a role for PP2A in yeast morphology and cell cycle has been readily recognized, uncovering its function in yeast signal transduction is a more recent breakthrough. Via their interaction with phosphorylated Tap42, PP2A and Sit4 play a pivotal role in target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling. PPH22 overexpression mimics overactive cAMP,PKA (protein kinase A) signalling and PP2A and Sit4 might represent ceramide signalling targets. The methylation of its catalytic subunit stabilizes the heterotrimeric form of PP2A and might counteract TOR signalling. We will show how these new elements could lead us to understand the role and regulation of PP2A in nutrient-induced signalling in baker's yeast. [source]

A New, Yet Familiar, Lamellar Zeolite

CHEMCATCHEM, Issue 3 2010
Michael Tsapatsis Prof.
Compulsive layers: Lamellar zeolites are crystalline layered materials with porosity within the layers. A recent breakthrough regarding the synthesis of a new lamellar zeolite with the well-known ZSM-5 structure is highlighted in light of previous work on lamellar zeolites and the emerging applications of hierarchical zeolites and zeolitic layers, which include heterogeneous catalysis and zeolite membranes. [source]

Neural stem cells for the treatment of disorders of the enteric nervous system: Strategies and challenges

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2007
Maria-Adelaide Micci
Abstract The main goal of this review is to summarize the status of the research in the field of stem cells transplantation, as it is applicable to the treatment of gastrointestinal motility. This field of research has advanced tremendously in the past 10 years, and recent data produced in our laboratories as well as others is contributing to the excitement on the use of neural stem cells (NSC) as a valuable therapeutic approach for disorders of the enteric nervous system characterized by a loss of critical neuronal subpopulations. There are several sources of NSC, and here we describe therapeutic strategies for NSC transplantation in the gut. These include using NSC as a relatively nonspecific cellular replacement strategy in conditions where large populations of neurons or their subsets are missing or destroyed. As with many other recent "breakthroughs" stem cell therapy may eventually prove to be overrated. However, at the present time, it does appear to provide the hope for a true cure for many currently intractable diseases of both the central and the peripheral nervous system. Certainly more extensive research is needed in this field. We hope that our review will encourage new investigators in entering this field of research ad contribute to our knowledge of the potentials of NSC and other cells for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility. Developmental Dynamics 236:33,43, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Synthesis, regulation and utilization of lignocellulosic biomass

PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2010
Darby Harris
Summary Increasing the range of fuels and bioproducts that are derived from lignocellulosic biomass and the efficiency at which they are produced hinges on a detailed understanding of the cell wall biosynthetic process. Herein, we review the structure and biosynthesis of lignocellulosic biomass and also highlight recent breakthroughs that demonstrate a complex regulatory system of transcription factors, small interfering RNAs and phosphorylation that ultimately dictate the development of the polyalaminate cell wall. Finally, we provide an update on cases where plant biotechnology has been used to improve lignocellulosic biomass utilization as a second-generation biofuel source. [source]