Stop that cytokine!

Cytokines are proteins and peptides that are used to send signals in the body. One of these cytokines is known as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). Typically TNF regulates the neural impulses of the brain. This new study hypothesized that excess TNF was causing problems in Alzheimer patients.

The study shows that the application of TNF-blocking etanercept can provide marked improvement in cognitive abilities of Alzheimer's patients within a few minutes. Treatment consists of injection of etanercept into the spine. The etanercept then disables excess TNF.

Science Daily

More efficient ethanol

Burn grass, not corn.

This is the summary of a new theory about yields from a type of grass called "switchgrass." The authors claim the theoretical yield would deliver 540% of the energy used to produce it.

Sci Am article

HD DVD dying

Within 7 days the HD DVD and Blu-Ray format war has gone from stalemate to eventual winner. Warner Bros. announced that it would no longer support HD DVD, soon after 2 other major studies decided to update their plans to allow for Blu-Ray usage.

It might be time for a PS3...

Top 5 YouTube videos: January 2008

Awesome theme for January...

#5: Improve your bowling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfhKZWS8Sys
#4: Video Games: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ0c0DRmO94
#3: Swedish Twins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVGwhj9avIU
#2: Room Service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDFklEqdxmo
#1: Best Baby! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17tNCL5sg44

New Evidence For Evolution

Scientists have discovered new evidence of how one of the earliest stages of evolution, from simple self-replicating molecules to the use of complex proteins, occurred. Read the details here