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ePaper created 2012-09-28, 09:46:25 | version 1.24.0
Research in Jülich 2|2012 Diagnosing Schizophrenia Earlier S cientists from Jülich, Düsseldorf and Detroit have found out that even in healthy offspring of pa- tients with schizophrenia, communica- tion between brain regions is disturbed. The researchers investigated the brain activity of test subjects and then used mathematical models to gain informa- tion on the interaction between differ- ent regions of the brain. Using functional magnetic reso- nance imaging (fMRI), the researchers discovered that many interaction pat- terns in the brains of children whose parents suffer from schizophrenia are different from those of a control group with no family history of the disease, and similar to those found in individuals with schizophrenia. The mechanisms for processing emotions were weaker overall in the children whose parents had schizophrenia and their balance was different. The part of the brain where feelings of anxiety originate is- sues warning signals almost constantly without being calmed by other regions of the brain. The scientists hope to use these findings to develop a test for early diag- nosis. If schizophrenia is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the chances of recovery are much better. Schizo- phrenia is a serious psychiatric disor- der. It affects around one percent of the population, with relatives of those suf- fering from the disorder being at great- er risk. :: world to achieve the equivalent of an op- erating time of five years, which is re- quired for the cost-effective deployment of fuel cells in stationary applications. Due to good efficiency and high operat- ing temperatures, development of this type of fuel cell is targeting stationary applications in particular, such as decentralized systems for private households. The Jülich test stack is run on hydrogen, which is converted into electric current in the cell with Fuel Cell Achieves 40,000-Hour Breakthrough A planar solid oxide fuel cell from Jülich has clocked up more than 40,000 oper- ating hours. This makes it the first in the an efficiency of 64 percent. Other fuels such as natural gas can also be convert- ed, with higher efficiencies in some cases, as has been demonstrated in other tests. The test system is made of ma- terials that could also be used to manu- facture a commercial product. Before this stage, however, manufacturing costs must be reduced further and the system must prove itself under everyday condi- tions and not just in the test stand. ::