Many behavioral responses require the coordination of sensory inputs with motor outputs. Aging is associated with progressive declines in both motor function and muscle structure. However, the ...consequences of age-related motor deficits on behavior have not been clearly defined. Here, we examined the effects of aging on behavior in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. As animals aged, mild locomotory deficits appeared that were sufficient to impair behavioral responses to sensory cues. In contrast, sensory ability appeared well maintained during aging. Age-related behavioral declines were delayed in animals with mutations in the daf-2/insulin-like pathway governing longevity. A decline in muscle tissue integrity was correlated with the onset of age-related behavioral deficits, although significant muscle deterioration was not. Treatment with a muscarinic agonist significantly improved locomotory behavior in aged animals, indicating that improved neuromuscular signaling may be one strategy for reducing the severity of age-related behavioral impairments.
Background
The earthquake in January 2010 killed more than 250,000 Haitians and caused traumatic injury to tens of thousands of survivors. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Haitian civilians ...assisted in various medical roles. Many of the civilians requested training, and 8 months after the earthquake, a team of American clinicians, EMTs and health educators returned to Haiti to teach a course in basic lifesaving and emergency care.
Methods
Using a modified French-language EMS training curriculum, 60 community members with no previous medical experience were trained during an intense 2-month period. Trainings were held to teach basic lifesaving and stabilization skills. The Gwoup Ayisyen pou Ijans was formed and is preparing to take the French-language EMS exam. A follow-up study is being conducted to assess the capabilities of the students.
Discussion
Preliminary challenges included securing safe places for training and teaching in both French and Kreyol. Successes were the willingness of trainers to volunteer time and equipment, and the high motivation of the students, despite the inability of the government to promise consistent work for an EMT force.
The observation of the emission of a proton from the exotic neutron-rich nucleus 11-berylium (11Be) prompted speculations on the nature of this process. Researchers at Florida State University ...observed a narrow resonance in 11B which suggests that the proton emission of 11Be is a two-step process rather than a more exotic process needing physics beyond the standard model to explain. Here, the location of the resonance near the proton-threshold in 11B, as well as its decay properties, are a manifestation of quantum many-body physics in the nucleus.
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