Lifeboat Foundation

MIT engineers have developed a microfluidic device that replicates the neuromuscular junction—the vital connection where nerve meets muscle. The device, about the size of a U.S. quarter, contains a single muscle strip and a small set of motor neurons. Researchers can influence and observe the interactions between the two, within a realistic, three-dimensional matrix.

The researchers genetically modified the neurons in the device to respond to light. By shining light directly on the neurons, they can precisely stimulate these cells, which in turn send signals to excite the muscle fiber. The researchers also measured the force the muscle exerts within the device as it twitches or contracts in response.

The team’s results, published online today in Science Advances, may help scientists understand and identify drugs to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well as other neuromuscular-related conditions.

Continue reading “New microfluidic chip replicates muscle-nerve connection” »

Society runs on software but software building tools are buckling under the demand. In this report, Nadia Eghbal addresses the challenges.

Princeton researchers are working smarter, not harder.

Keep an eye on these especially the paint-on coating for energy-efficient windows; I have seen this amazing paint by a friend at Duke.

From energy efficiency to carbon capture, Berkeley Lab scientists are on it.

Just amazing.

August 03, 2016 | By Liezel Labios Nanobowls Offer a Way to Magnetically Deliver Drugs in the Body.

Very BIG DEAL for battery life improvements.

A QUEENSLAND company working to improve lithium-ion batteries has secured agreements with two international manufacturing companies to test its technology.

Nano-Nouvelle has a tin-based material with a 3D nanostructure that could replace layered graphite-copper in the anode of Li-ion batteries, with the potential to improve energy storage capacity by 50 per cent.

Continue reading “Battery Innovator Secures International Testing Agreements” »

Very cool.

Scientific Method — Neurons position their parts for rapid communication Neurons that talk to each other have proteins that mirror each other.

Hmmm; ok, hmmm.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres has said that innovation is ingrained in the DNA of Australians as the nation has always found a way to ‘make things happen’.