Category archives: Science

Habituation and autism

Habituation and autism

Neurobiology

By José Ramón Alonso

Some people with autism do not get used to certain stimuli as normotypical people seem to do without problem. This would fit in with what in neuroscience, particularly in learning and memory issues, is called habituation. Habituation is a process by which, when faced with a repeated stimulus, the response is less and less intense […]

Huisgenases, new protein catalysts which are not enzymes

Huisgenases, new protein catalysts which are not enzymes

ChemistryDIPC BiochemistryMaterials

By DIPC

Proteins can perform a huge number of biological functions with amazing efficiency. In order to achieve these different functions, proteins rely on the precise 3D arrangement of functional groups which are referred to as the protein fold. Some of these functions include acting as a catalyst in biochemical reactions; in these cases proteins are called […]

T cells could be key for early Alzheimer’s detection

T cells could be key for early Alzheimer’s detection

BiomedicineMedicineNeurobiology

By Rosa García-Verdugo

For a long time Alzheimer disease has been studied mostly as a neuronal disease. However, recently the role of the immune system is getting more attention and its involvement more clear. Recent research has shown that a subpopulation of T cells could be key to early Alzheimer’s detection. How were these T cells discovered? Firstly […]

Quantum atomic fluctuations stabilize the crystal responsible for superconductivity at 250 K

Quantum atomic fluctuations stabilize the crystal responsible for superconductivity at 250 K

Condensed matterMaterialsQuantum physics

By DIPC

Achieving room temperature superconductivity is among the most pursued but elusive goals of scientists. I n December 2014 researchers claimed to have observed superconductivity as high as 200 K in hydrogen sulfide at high pressure, breaking all the records thus far. This meant that cuprates could be knocked from their position as the highest temperature […]

Siblings and discapacity

Siblings and discapacity

NeurobiologyPsychology

By José Ramón Alonso

The relationship between siblings is, for most people, the longest they will ever enjoy. It is fundamental for many of us, but especially for children, who live together regularly with their brother or sister, and where the fraternal relationship is part of daily life, of play and leisure, of learning basic skills, of emotional development […]

A local quantum emitter can be used to sense the environment of a molecule with the minimal quantum of energy

A local quantum emitter can be used to sense the environment of a molecule with the minimal quantum of energy

Condensed matterMaterialsNanotechnologyQuantum physicsTheoretical physics

By DIPC

Plasmonic nanostructures confine light to dimensions far smaller than the free-space wavelength, as they mix optical fields with electronic excitations. It was not until the 1990s, with the appearance of accurate and reliable nanofabrication techniques, that plasmonics blossomed. It was found then that local fields around nanostructures could be directly measured by near-field scanning optical […]