Fusion molecule found to cure rheumatoid arthritis in mice

A new fusion molecule, when combined with an anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to cure rheumatoid arthritis in mice (Photo: Shutterstock)

While advances have been made in treating rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease causing inflammation of joints in the body, scientists are yet to develop a cure for the disease. But researchers from ETH Zurich, Switzerland have developed a new therapy that has shown to fully cure the condition in mice, leaving the team hopeful of commencing human trials as early as 2015.

The researchers developed a new type of molecule where an antibody is fused with the body's own immune messenger interleukin (IL-4). When injected, the antibody is drawn to a certain type of protein that only exists in inflamed tissue, taking the IL-4 component along for the ride. Previous studies have established that IL-4 is effective in preventing cartilage and bone damage in mice with rheumatoid arthritis, so merging the two meant that the researchers could target the disease with a new level of precision.

“As a result of combination with the antibody, IL-4 reaches the site of the disease when the fusion molecule is injected into the body,” says Teresa Hemmerle, pharmacist at ETH and lead author of the study. “It allows us to concentrate the active substance at the site of the disease. The concentration in the rest of the body is minimal, which reduces side-effects."

In testing the new molecule in mice with rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers observed its effects when combined with dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory drug already used to treat the disease in humans. When administered on their own, both the fusion molecule and dexamethasone worked to slow the progress of the disease. However, when administered at the same time, symptoms such as swollen toes and paws disappeared within a few days.

“In our mouse model, this combined treatment creates a long-term cure,” says Hemmerle.

The scientists also observed the concentrations of various immune messengers in blood and inflamed tissue, which returned to normal levels following treatment with the fusion molecule. They are now preparing to test the drug in human trials, which they hope will begin within the next year.

The team's findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Top temperature measuring tool for Windows PCs

Summer means the computer is always in a state from warm to hot. Usually when up to 90-120 degrees C system will automatically shut down to avoid fire. If your computer wondering how much current levels, consult top temperature display tool for Windows below.

 

If your computer exceeds the allowed temperature, the system will automatically shut down or crashes unexpectedly. Usually problems occur due to the video card or CPU cause. If you solve the problem of cooling for 2 parts on, you almost never have to worry about this problem anymore.

In fact, there are many ways to solve this problem. But a simpler way is to monitor both the temperature of the machine. By knowing the temperature threshold current, you will have to approach the cooling system.

Refer to the tool list below.

HWMonitor

This tool exists in the form of portable, you can download without having to install. After launch, HWMonitor will display all information about the hardware of the device, and of course including engine temperature again.

The above information including HWMonitor CPU, video card, motherboard, and hardware sensors attached computer

Temperatures are displayed as degrees C and degrees F, you can easily customize depending on their interests alone.

HWMonitor also included under the highest temperature and the lowest of the hardware used in the process.However, it does not function displays the temperature of the Windows taskbar. Every time temperature monitoring you have to open up the tool window, pretty annoying.

SpeedFan

SpeedFan is a temperature monitoring tool popular on Windows. Besides the ability to directly monitor the temperature, users can add functionality to change the fan speed again. Quite useful.

After launch, the tool will read the information on your computer hardware including GPU, CPU, and HDD.SpeedFan also functions displayed on the taskbar temperature, from which the user can easily view the current temperature on is how much.

By default, the HDD temperature will be displayed on the taskbar.

Speccy

This tool is developed by Piriform, the company produces popular software CCleaner. Speccy including portable version and the normal version installed.

When booting, Speccy will display information about all the hardware and software of the computer. Basically, it is similar to application tracking information, similar to the old Everest so. If you need to check a computer's configuration overview, you should manually pre Speccy his side.

However, the display of the CPU temperature for Speccy is not accurate. With AMD A10 APU I'm using now, Speccy reported 126 degrees C, the temperature is not ideal when operating the computer.

Maybe the only problem encountered with AMD only, the other as HDD temperature, GPU, motherboard, Speccy also give quite similar results with SpeedFan.

Core Temp

Core Temp is also quite long-standing tool for monitoring the temperature of your computer. After installation is complete, the tool displays all the system information, the information is divided into areas in some detail, it tells you what was the highest temperature and the lowest of each department.

Core Temp with beautiful graphics and easily customize almost became a tool to measure the temperature of most users today. It also has the temperature display on the taskbar helps users easily observed.

But worse than Speccy, Core Temp does not show any information about the temperature of the laptop, as well as Hardware AMD CPU. Previously I have used Core Temp to many different computers but have never encountered this phenomenon. Maybe this problem only occurs on newer AMD machines only. Core Temp is because the current version is still 1.0.6, it seems the developers have stopped updating a while ago.

CPU Thermometer

CPU Thermometer is only limited information tool for CPU only. It is almost a stripped down version of Core Temp but nothing special.

It also requires you to install Microsoft. NET Framework to run.

Some other temperature measuring tool you can refer

These are the tools used numerous users. However, if you are not satisfied you can refer to the following last names: HWiNFO, OCCT, Open Hardware Monitor, or RealTemp.

Wish you success!

 

Zootopia seeks to break down barriers between humans and animals

Zootopia is a newly designed zoo that aims to provide the animals with an open habitat without visible barriers between them and the visitors (Image: Big Architects)

Zoos traditionally hold animals in distinct enclosures into which visitors can peer. Newly unveiled designs for Givskud Zoo in Denmark, however, look to shake up this model. Zootopia will feature open landscapes for the animals into which visitor viewing points and routes will be built in a way that minimizes conspicuous barriers.

The Zootopia concept was conceived about five years ago in a workshop amongst Givskud Zoo staff, with help from design and conceptual agencies. Architectural work begun about two years ago and has been carried out by Big Architects.

The zoo has three areas representing Asia, Africa and America set within 120 ha (1.2 sq km) of land. Its design seeks to minimize the number of conspicuous barriers between animals and visitors. Visitors to Zootopia will be able to move between the three different zones using a network of walking and cycling trails.

More traditional safari-style tours will be used when viewing wild animals such as lions, with guests able to step out into safe-zones to view the animals up close. In the same way that viewing areas for visitors will be built into the landscape, so too will accommodation for the animals.

"The most special feature is the we want to eradicate all experience of fences and buildings, making Zootopia the universe of animals." director of Givskud Zoo Richard Østerballe told Gizmag. "Hopefully [it will be] a unique experience where people meet the animals in their universe and not in the traditional zoo experience."

A central circular building will contain amenities such as a restaurant, a shop, a ticket office and toilets. From this central point, visitors will be able to either go out and explore the park or climb on top of the building and look across the park from a high vantage point.

The entrance into each of the continent zones is through three different gates from the central building. In addition to following the trails, visitors will be able to travel by boat through the African zone and by cable car through the American zone.

Østerballe says it will take an estimated 20 years to complete Zootopia, assuming funding can be secured. A partial opening is planned for 2019 during the 50th anniversary year of Givskud Zoo.

PowerTrekk 2.0 portable fuel cell charger packs 3x the power of the original

The PowerTrekk 2.0 is designed to charge more power-hungry gadgets such as tablets

After introducing its PowerTrekk portable fuel cell charger several years ago, Swedish company myFC is readying the 2.0 version. The new model is close to three times more powerful than the original, offering enough juice to charge tablets, along with smaller devices like smartphones and GPS units.

The PowerTrekk 2.0 gets its extra capacity from a more potent, efficient fuel cell, upgraded electronics and a larger 3,800 mAh lithium-ion battery (up from 1,500 mAh) that can be recharged via the fuel cell or grid. The new charger delivers 6.5 W of power and is able to charge gadgets up to tablet-size via its 5-volt USB output, unlike the original PowerTrekk, which isn't designed for tablets.

In addition to everyday electronics, it can be useful in keeping USB-equipped, outdoor-specific gadgets like GPS handhelds, action cameras and headlamps powered up when adventuring off the grid.

"The feedback we have received from customers using PowerTrekk 1.0 gave us the insight that we needed to develop a product for all kind of devices,” says myFC CEO Björn Westerholm. "People want to charge not only their smartphones, but also tablets, action cameras and so on. Today, we can offer the most advanced charging device on the market, and it offers environmentally friendly charging leaving only water vapor as a byproduct."

The recyclable aluminum fuel puck offers 1,400 mAh of electrical output, up from the 1,200 mAh of the original PowerTrekk's fuel puck. To use the charger, you simply add water to the bowl, pop the fuel puck in and use the energy to charge a connected device or the internal battery. There's no need to wait for the right weather conditions, as with portable solar and wind chargers.

The PowerTrekk 2.0 is slightly larger than the original, weighing in at 270 g (9.5 oz) vs the original's 240 g (8.5 oz) and measuring 5 x 2.6 x 1.9 in (128 x 66 x 47 mm). The fuel puck has the same weight and dimensions as its predecessor.

MyFC will launch the PowerTrekk 2.0 in October. Pricing details are yet to be revealed, but the original PowerTrekk is still available for US$150.

"This step was only a facelift," Westerholm teases. "You can expect much more from this very exciting technology."

The Timex Ironman One GPS+ is a fitness smartwatch that lets you leave your smartphone at home

The Ironman One GPS+ is a standalone, fitness-focused smartwatch

Timex has unveiled the latest timepiece in its long-running Ironman range in the form of a standalone, 3G-packing smartwatch. The device features the same Mirasol display technology we saw on the Qualcomm Toq, and provides some useful, fitness-focused functionality without the need to be paired with a smartphone.

As you might expect from a timepiece in the Ironman range, the One GPS+ is capable of tracking speed, distance and pace in real time, and is water resistant up to 50 meters (164 ft).

Unlike the Android Wear-toting Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch, the Timex device doesn’t need to pair with a smartphone, but focuses on standalone functionality. Thanks to Timex’s partnership with AT&T, the device will feature 3G connectivity, giving it the ability to receive messages via email, communicate user location to friends and family, and upload fitness stats to the user’s chosen platform.

The device packs a “Find Me” safety feature, wherein the user can send an emergency alert containing their exact location – a great addition for hikers or climbers. There’s also 4 GB storage on board, allowing users to locally store music that can then be played via a bluetooth headset. Unfortunately, the GPS and 3D functionality does come at a price, with battery life dropping from 72 hours to just eight when the features are switched on.

Aside from its standalone credentials, the One GPS+ is similar in both design and technology to the Qualcomm Toq, offering the same 1.5-inch always-on Mirasol display and an unspecified chipset. In addition to its touchscreen display, the wearable also features four physical buttons around its edges.

Though the One GPS+ does have a lot going for it in terms of standalone use, it falls short when it comes to software. While the company plans to open up the platform to developers, it’s unlikely to have anything close to the level of app support at launch as competing platforms, most notably Android Wear.

The Timex Ironman One GPS+ is available for pre-order now, and is expected to ship in the Fall (Northern Hemisphere). The wearable is available in black and green, and will retail for US$400.

The price includes a year of free 3G connectivity, but is otherwise a little steep for a smartwatch, with competing Android Wear devices retailing for as little as $200. That said, given the Ironman’s focused target audience, it’s more than likely to win fans among fitness buffs.