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Michigan State University scientists now have early proof that an antidepressant drug that’s been around for more than 50 years could slow the progression of Parkinson’s. In a proof-of-concept study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease, the drug nortriptyline, which has been used to treat depression and nerve pain, stopped the growth of abnormal proteins that can build up in the brain and lead to the development of the disease.

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The Argonne Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) High School Research Program, is a mentorship program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne’s volunteer mentors work closely with African-American students to help them compete in the national ACT-SO competition, hone their research skills and even help to boost their confidence to strive for more.

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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, also known as Obamacare, aimed to achieve parity in coverage between mental health care and other forms of health care. A new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that ACA plans may still fall short of that goal. The Penn researchers found that provider networks in ACA Marketplace plans tend to offer far fewer choices for mental health care, compared to primary health care. ACA plan networks last year included, on average, only 11 percent of all mental health care providers in their coverage areas — compared, for example, to 24 percent for primary care providers. The study is published today in the September issue of Health Affairs.

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Researchers examining the flow of electricity through semiconductors have uncovered another reason these materials seem to lose their ability to carry a charge as they become more densely “doped.”

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It was dark as night during the recent total solar eclipse, yet people and objects were easier to see than on a typical moonless night. Scientists at The Ohio State University have discovered a possible biological explanation – the presence (or absence) of a protein in the retina known as a GABA receptor.

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Charles F. (Charlie) McMillan today informed employees of Los Alamos National Laboratory that he intends to step down as Laboratory Director at the end of this calendar year.

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Researchers at the Bluestone Center for Clinical Research at NYU Dentistry have identified a novel molecular mechanism which explains why dark-skinned and light-skinned people respond differently to heat and mechanical stimulation.

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When it comes to tackling climate change, the focus often falls on reducing the use of fossil fuels and developing sustainable energy sources. But a new Cornell University study shows that deforestation and subsequent use of lands for agriculture or pasture, especially in tropical regions, contribute more to climate change than previously thought.

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To understand metastasis, Yves DeClerck, MD, of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has studied the tumor microenvironment for his entire career. He has recently been awarded $2.2 million from the National Cancer Institute, to investigate the microenvironment from a relatively new context.

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Anesthetic gases selectively block consciousness, sparing non-conscious brain activities. Thus the specific mechanism of anesthetic action could reveal how the brain produces consciousness.

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A team of engineers at the University of California San Diego developed algorithms that would allow homes to use and share power from their renewable energy sources during outages by strategically disconnecting these devices, called solar inverters, from the grid. The algorithms work with existing technology and would improve systems’ reliability by 25 to 35 percent.

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Relatively little is known about the effects of extreme negative pressure on water molecules. Exploring a significant region of negative pressure through molecular dynamic simulations, researchers have now theoretically discovered a new family of ice phases. Called aeroices, these ices have the lowest density of all known ice crystals. The researchers report their findings this week in The Journal of Chemical Physics.

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It may seem counterintuitive, but Sacramento State Professor Jamie Kneitel is traveling to Israel this fall to learn more about seasonal wetlands in California, as well as those elsewhere in the world.

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Mercy Medical Center has achieved initial certification in Uterine and Ovarian Cancer Care from The Joint Commission, Disease-Specific Care Certification process. Mercy is the first hospital in Maryland to achieve Uterine and Ovarian Cancer care certification, and is only one of five institutions nationwide to be so honored.

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The upcoming panel will explore how virtual reality can be used as an education tool to boost visual and technology literacy as well as improve students’ attention and engagement. Panelists include educators and technologists who will discuss both the promise and peril of using virtual reality in the classroom.

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