Gene Interactions to Cause Disease

A UCLA study indicates how human gene interactions increase disease risk with their surrounding environment, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. In short, having more than one factor that contribute to the cause of the same disease will exceed the damage of independent factors. The interactions are important when considering genetic research

Reference: Science Daily

fMRIS Reveal how the Brain Handles Low-priority Ideas

When human beings process low-priority ideas, it moves to the area of the brain called "the default-mode network" where it will retain the information. The default-mode network relate to interpersonal interactions and social decision making, the brain's back burner. Recent research indicates that genetics plays a role in the back-burner setup. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are used to map eight anatomically distinct regions within the network. A longer term goal is to evaluate whether other intrinsically connected networks are also under genetic control.

Reference: Science Daily

Electrical Current to Nanoscale System

Material scientists have demonstrated the transduction of optical radiation to electrical current in a molecular circuit. The system with an array of nano-sized molecules respond to electromagnetic waves. Therefore, it simplifies to a higher efficiency in energy harvesting nano-sized circuit. A potential application of photovoltaic circuits include data storage where the data corresponding to wavelengths of light. A new series of devices in which plasmon-controlled electrical properties of a single molecule can be designed with diverse applications such as plasmonic circuits and energy harvesting devices.

Reference: Science Daily