La automatrícula deja vacías las ventanillas de las facultades

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– La automatrícula deja vacías las ventanillas de las facultades.

Mañana se publican las listas definitivas de grupos y asignaturas. El 95% de los alumnos de Medicina eligen profesor en la Red.
Las secretarías de las facultades no paran durante estos días, pero, a diferencia de otros años, a las ventanillas sólo se acercan para hacer la matrícula los estudiantes de primer curso. El resto de los alumnos han elegido mayoritariamente escoger asignatura y profesor por Internet, algo que los novatos no pueden hacer.

El servicio de automatrícula ha tenido esta temporada una gran aceptación. «De los 47.000 posibles usuarios, 32.000 ya han pasado por el sistema, 4.000 más que el año anterior», afirma Marciano Almohalla, responsable del área.

«Casi todos los jóvenes –continúa– han optado por Internet, sólo nos quedan los típicos rezagados con asignaturas sueltas o que estudian una titulación minoritaria en la que hay pocos alumnos y por tanto poca competencia».

La Facultad de Medicina es la que se lleva la palma. En ella, el 95% de sus alumnos han elegido profesor y horario en la Red. La asignación se realiza siguiendo un baremo académico y los más brillantes son los primeros en hacerse con el mejor grupo.

Las listas definitivas de horarios saldrán el viernes y los estudiantes tienen hasta el lunes para confirmar matrícula.

Cambios tras la nota

Los problemas de modificaciones, además, se solucionarán este curso. «Los alumnos que han suspendido hacen la matrícula sin conocer las notas, por lo que en otoño –matiza Almohalla– hay jaleo en las ventanillas».

Así que, para evitar colas a partir de febrero, en el segundo cuatrimestre los cambios en las matrículas también se podrán hacer por Internet.

ADJUDICACIÓN DE CARRERA

Las listas definitivas de adjudicación de carrera para los alumnos que solicitaron plaza en junio en alguna de las titulaciones de la Universidad de Granada se harán públicas el lunes, 11 de septiembre. Desde esta fecha hasta el 18 de septiembre se abrirá el tercer y último plazo de matriculación. Los que no hayan sido admitidos en la carrera solicitada deberán hacer su reserva en otras carreras o probar suerte el próximo año. El curso académico comenzará el 1 de octubre.

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Paracetamol Hinders the Growth of the Bones

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– Paracetamol Hinders the Growth of the Bones.

‘In vitro’ studies prove that taking Paracetamol, one of the most used analgesics, can slow down the growth of the bones. It was also found that applying plasma rich in growth factors accelerates bone regeneration.

Department of Nursing of the University of Granada showed that Paracetamol, a widely used painkiller for a simple molar pain to pain caused by bone fractures slows down the process of bone regeneration.

The study was carried out by Olga Garcia Martinez, who conducted it on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regenerating processes), obtained via bone samples. Her analysis takes as a starting point several clinical processes in which accelerating bone growth is required.

“Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol – warns the researcher – should be cautiously taken, specially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration, such as after placement of a prosthesis or dental implant. Other anti-inflammatories, which have no effects on bone growth, should be used instead,” she said.

Results of her work cannot be confirmed in humans but ‘in vitro’ research shows without a question that paracetamol slows down bone regeneration.

Apart from the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in culture, Maritnez also studied the effect of plasma rich in growth factors (obtained from patients own blood and after a spinning process).

Application of this plasma gel on bones accelerates their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile. It is therefore an easy technique, which involves few risks for the patient, who will recover from bone defects more quickly.
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Paracetamol slows down bone regeneration

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– Paracetamol slows down bone regeneration

Washington, Sept 05: ‘In vitro’ studies prove that taking Paracetamol, one of the most used analgesics, can slow down the growth of the bones.

It was also found that applying plasma rich in growth factors accelerates bone regeneration.

Department of Nursing of the University of Granada showed that Paracetamol, a widely used painkiller for a simple molar pain to pain caused by bone fractures slows down the process of bone regeneration.

The study was carried out by Olga Garcia Martinez, who conducted it on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regenerating processes), obtained via bone samples.

Her analysis takes as a starting point several clinical processes in which accelerating bone growth is required.

“Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol – warns the researcher – should be cautiously taken, specially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration, such as after placement of a prosthesis or dental implant. Other anti-inflammatories, which have no effects on bone growth, should be used instead,” she said.

Results of her work cannot be confirmed in humans but ‘in vitro’ research shows without a question that paracetamol slows down bone regeneration.

Apart from the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in culture, Maritnez also studied the effect of plasma rich in growth factors (obtained from patients` own blood and after a spinning process).

Application of this plasma gel on bones accelerates their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile.

It is therefore an easy technique, which involves few risks for the patient, who will recover from bone defects more quickly.

Even though her work has been carried out on osteoblasts, Garcia Martinez states that it could also be used on other kinds of cells such as fibroblasts, and can therefore be used not only on bones but also on soft tissue, which would help to heal wounds and ulcers.
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Turkey looks to the Spanish mirror

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– Turkey looks to the Spanish mirror (by ANTONI AVALOS, MARIEN DURAN*).

The advance of the general elections in Turkey arose into the arena of hot international political issues this spring. They should have been held in November, but were instead held in July of this year.

This advance was caused by the political crisis that Turkey is and has been experiencing since the very first moment of the election for the new president of the republic in April. This crisis began with the statement of Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Büyükanit, published on the Internet on April 27 and followed by the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Parliament’s vote. The main reason was the refusal to accept a member of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) as the holder of the highest position in the republic. This provoked demonstrations throughout the country supporting the republic’s laïcité and revealed one of the bigger divisions in the system. The chief of General Staff’s online statement introduced a new type of military intervention into politics that the media called an “e-coup.” All the demonstrations were prompted by this e-coup and proved to be important events in recent Turkish history. Thus, this mobilization of the people would not weaken nor erode the government’s party, as was noted in the results of the polls on July 22, with approximately 47 percent of support going toward the AK Party program.
After these poll results, Turkey approaching the shore of a lake, with possibilities including the successful landing on a democratic shore, or sinking due to dangers threatening the crossing. The boat was built by the progressive economic growth the country recently experienced, a drop in the level of corruption within the government, the improvement of local governance, the deepening of democratizing reforms and respect for human rights. Furthermore, an improvement in the negotiations with the European Union can be observed, a favorable wind in this crossing. The governmental and economic results were proved by the elections in July and this could be an opportunity to gather a new momentum for political change, if this government is able to take advantage of the positive situation. In the future, it is possible that these elections could be considered the “elections of change” in Turkey. The challenge of the election of the president of the republic that involved the reaction from the military is indeed a turning point, without which progress can not take place with whatever suggested reforms taking place in the regime. This situation obviously requires some kind of gentlemen’s agreement among all political actors, as well as societal support for the reforms. According to this, the election of former AK Party Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül as the new president was politically driven, as never before. The future of reforms needed in Turkey in order to achieve a stable democracy must follow a political profile. They must not only have a strong commitment to maintaining the constitutional foundations of the republic, but also must include a strong commitment to reforming the Constitution.

If we look for parallels in contemporary history, Spain’s transition to democracy gives us an original example and a model of change from an illegitimate, authoritarian regime and weakened by its own tenure. In 1982, “elections of change” were held in Spain. The Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) received more than 48 percent at the polls in a milestone victory that underpinned the new system’s legitimacy and the new democratic institutions. This was the primary factor that overcame the crisis that lead to a coup d’état attempt in February 1981. The result was the containment of the Spanish army in the barracks. The army had a decisive role in the political constitution and the support of the previous regime, Francoism — an authoritarian regime with an important amount of anti-modern elements — as it was the role of the Catholic Church legitimizing the regime. The army moved from a central position to become one of the State’s institutions and became controlled by the civil power. The army moved from a central position to become one of the state’s institutions and was subjugated to civil authority. The army gave up political power and became a modern army, responsible for its duties as a part of the state.

The paths following both countries display some outstanding resemblances and contrasts that deserve to be briefly analyzed. If we begin our analysis with the international environment, we see that Spain began negotiations for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1977, during the transition to democracy, and it gained accession in 1986 when the Cold War was in its second period, before fading because of the fall of the soviet regime from 1989 to 1991. In 1959, Turkey began early attempts to become an associated member of the EEC, when it was considered as democracy (Samuel P. Huntington, “The Third Wave: Democratization in the Late Twentieth Century”). After several ups and downs in contacts with the present European Union and domestic political events, last year’s situation was not the most favorable one: after Sept. 11, 2001 we cannot avoid the troubles that religion imposes over the creation of a global international society. On the other hand, the position that religion occupied in regard to Turkey’s domestic realm, taking into account that the secularizing regime caused the position, was absolutely contrary to the political arena, apart from the rule that the army tried to exert on the state to control religion.

Furthermore, the fall of the bipolar order in the international realm (established during the Cold War from 1949 to 1989/91), opened new windows. However, these windows are not necessarily good for Turkey and its EU candidacy. The criteria that the European Council in Copenhagen in December decided to consider from that date on in accepting new members were not in force when Spain became a member of the EEC. These requirements are: the rule of law, with all its features; human and minority rights; and economic criteria apart from the acquis communautaire. Spain had time to obtain it when it was already a member of the EEC due to the very different international environment and the concern to have no more dictatorships in Western Europe. One of the examples of this process in Spain is the design of a coexistence framework in which the minorities have their place, under debate even today. This framework (Estado de las Autonomías, State of the autonomous regions) has brought something new in the always difficult search for solutions to the problem of nationalities inside the modern State. Turkey has a multidimensional problem that directly affects minorities and their political coexistence in the same territory, a problem that has to be solved before becoming a member of the EU.

Moreover, regarding domestic issues, not only nationalities, but economy, terrorism, the role of religion, military interventions and the role of the head of the state in both countries are also susceptible to comparison. We could consider the comparative framework in two periods: in Spain from 1977 to 1982 and in Turkey from 1983-2007. In 1983, the situation in Turkey after the coup d’état of 1980 was similar to the situation during the early transition period in Spain in 1976-77. The military intervention in Turkey in 1997 correlates to the attempted coup d’état in 1981 in Spain. In regard to the Spanish case, the stabilization of the democracy started in 1982 when the PSOE won the general elections. In Turkey the elections of July 22 may bring forward a stabilization process.

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*Antonio Ávalos is researcher in the Group of Studies on History and Theory of International Relations and honorary professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Autonomous University of Madrid. Marién Durán is assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Granada.
06.09.2007

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Could a good night’s sleep help fight Alzheimer’s?

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– Could a good nights sleep help fight Alzheimers?

Melatonin is known as the hormone that is vital for sleep, but it may also cut your risk of cancer, help prevent Alzheimers and Parkinsons, and reduce the sagging skin and thinning hair that accompany ageing.

Melatonin works by helping to break down the bodys active and energetic hormones, slowing brain activity and allowing us to rest.

But researchers now believe the hormone – found in walnuts, grapes and porridge – could protect against the potentially harmful magnetic fields created by power cables, reduce cholesterol, boost the immune system and help children suffering from autism.

You dont hear much about melatonins bid for super hormone status in Britain because, unlike in the U.S., where it can be bought over the counter in supplement form, here, the drugs watchdog, the MHRA, has ruled it should be prescription only.

However, from this month, you will be able to buy a weaker melatonin herbal supplement.

But you may not need supplements: keeping artificial light to a minimum in the bedroom could do the trick. The hormone, made by the pineal gland in the brain, can be produced only in darkness.

Female night shift workers have low levels of melatonin and a significantly raised risk of breast cancer. So do airline stewardesses, whose rhythms of sleeping and waking are disturbed.

On the other hand, blind women, who cant see light, are 50 per cent less likely to have breast cancer.

Melatonins anti-cancer effect may be down to the fact it is a powerful antioxidant – five times more potent than vitamin C – that mops up free radicals linked to cancer.

Experts have found there is something in the blood of women who have had a good nights sleep that can slow tumour growth dramatically.

And theres mounting evidence to suggest disruption of the melatonin rhythm may also lead to chronic fatigue and depression.

Also, people who suffer from autism have half as much melatonin in their blood as the rest of the population. This may be exacerbated by their irregular sleep patterns, which prevent their bodies from making the hormone efficiently.

In most people, melatonin production peaks at 1am – being exposed to bright light after that halts its production.

People who live in towns should have heavy bedroom curtains to keep out street lights, says Professor David Henshaw, an expert on the effects of radiation on humans at the University of Bristol.

Once you pass 65, your body will be able to make only about 10 per cent of the melatonin you did when you were 30. So could this hormone help to roll back the years?

Support for the idea came earlier this year with a study at the University of Granada in Spain, which found daily melatonin supplements kept mice young.

The reason for the benefit could again be the hormones antioxidant abilities, which is why it may help reduce the severity of Alzheimers and Parkinsons – both conditions involve inflammation and free radical damage in the brain.

Until melatonin supplements are legalised in Britain, people should try to increase melatonin consumption through food and drink such as red wine, fruit, vegetables and cereals, says the lead researcher Professor Dario Acuna Castroviejo. It has recently been discovered that melatonin is present in many plants, perhaps to defend against UV light.

And it may not be a coincidence that those with the highest concentrations, such as St Johns Wort, sage and feverfew, have been used for centuries in herbal medicine.

The latest research suggests melatonin is not just active in the brain but in the gut, cornea of the eyes and immune system, where its made by white blood cells when they are dividing, and is thought to strengthen the immune response.

Melatonins role in putting you to sleep is just the start of its job, says electromagnetism expert Professor Roger Coghill, of the Coghill Research Laboratories in Wales.

As we sleep, our body is carrying out repairs on half a billion cells and to do that it needs energy. But just as power stations cause pollution, so energy production in the body pumps out damaging free radicals. Melatonin helps to mop them up.

If hes right, then not having a normal amount could cause a wide range of problems. It was his belief in the importance of melatonin that led him to develop the melatonin herbal supplement Asphalia.

It comes from the grass Festuca arundinacea, which has the highest melatonin content of any plant. So far there has been only one small controlled study, which showed it improved sleep.

But Coghill believes it could be used to protect against the effects of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) given off by power cables and possibly household electrical goods.

A government report earlier this year by the SAGE group of experts warned that EMF could cause various cancers, including childhood leukaemia, and advised against new buildings near power lines.

Theres evidence EMF can disrupt melatonin production at the same time as increasing free radical damage, says Professor Henshaw of SAGE.

Its a double whammy. You have more free radicals and less antioxidant to mop them up.

However, the National Radiological Protection Board says laboratory evidence that magnetic fields could block melatonin was inconsistent and most of the evidence from human studies argues against it.

No trials have shown that taking a supplement would make a difference to electromagnetic radiation. And the same is true for the other claims about the benefits of melatonin on cancer, ageing and brain disorders.

CancerResearch UK is sceptical about the role of melatonin, suggesting the raised risk of breast cancer in air hostesses could be due to risk factors such as having no children or having them later in life.

However, there is some evidence melatonin may be beneficial as part of a treatment regime for cancer. Researchers analysed the results of ten controlled trials involving 600 patients with cancers of the brain, breast, lung and kidneys, who had been treated with large doses of melatonin.

Overall, the risk of dying at one year was reduced by 34 per cent. But while questions remain over just how beneficial melatonin might be, there is also a dispute about its potential side-effects.

Experts such as Coghill claim it is incredibly safe, but U.S. researchers discovered recently that melatonin is involved in switching on a sex hormone in the brain that causes ovaries and testes to shrink in birds.

This shows melatonin is as powerful as any steroid, says Assistant Professor George Bentley of the University of California, Berkeley.

We just dont know what effect it has on other brain chemicals. People should be very careful when taking it as a supplement.

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LA TERMINOLOGÍA DE LAS ZONAS COSTERAS EN UN CLICK

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– LA TERMINOLOGÍA DE LAS ZONAS COSTERAS EN UN CLICK.

Investigadores de la Universidad de Granada están inmersos en la elaboración de un diccionario electrónico multilingüe de las zonas costeras. El proyecto calificado de excelencia por la Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa se ha incentivado con 160.536,30€.

La Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras es una disciplina relativamente nueva, que en los últimos años ha experimentado una notable evolución científica. Existe una acuciante necesidad de revisar y actualizar la terminología de este dominio, al tiempo que se organiza en torno a un sistema de representación conceptual que facilite la comunicación entre expertos en diferentes países, la comprensión de los principales conceptos de este campo del saber, y la divulgación del conocimiento mediante las nuevas tecnologías de la información. De todo esto se encargará un grupo de investigadores de la Universidad de Granada dirigidos por Pamela Faber Benítez en el proyecto de excelencia denominado “Marcos de conocimiento multilingües en la Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras (MarcoCosta)”.

En el proyecto MarcoCosta, se sigue la perspectiva de la Semántica de Marcos, de acuerdo con la cual un marco es un sistema de conceptos relacionados de tal manera que la utilización de uno de ellos activa todo el sistema conceptual.

La necesidad de mejorar la comunicación entre científicos, tecnólogos y usuarios finales ha llevado a este grupo de investigadores a fijarse entre sus objetivos el incremento el conocimiento sobre la dinámica de la zona costera y de sus ecosistemas gracias a productos multimedia que facilitarán información sobre el litoral andaluz para diferentes tipos de usuario (p. ej. CDs de audiodescripción multilingüe de la costa para turistas con discapacidad visual).

Entre los objetivos, también se contempla generar recursos terminológicos que faciliten la transferencia tecnológica mediante la organización conceptual subyacente en cualquier recurso de conocimiento. Todo ello se materializará en un tesauro visual de conceptos costeros organizados en marcos dinámicos de conocimiento especializado. Y a facilitar el intercambio de conocimientos especializados por medio de la creación de un diccionario electrónico multilingüe inglés-español-alemán del dominio de la Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras con múltiples modos de consulta que dependerá del perfil de usuario y que organizará su conocimiento en marcos multilingües.

El primer paso es la compilación de corpus en inglés, alemán y español de textos especializados en Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras siguiendo los criterios de fiabilidad, actualidad, género y relevancia geográfica. A partir de esta colección de textos se procederá al vaciado y extracción de información terminológica, así como a la revisión y ampliación del inventario de conceptos básicos, especificando sus interrelaciones y delimitando su carácter multidimensional.

En segundo lugar, se procederá a la creación de una lista de términos especializados a partir de la cual se pretende construir una arquitectura conceptual que permita representar los marcos de conocimiento que servirán como base para el desarrollo tanto del tesauro como del diccionario.

En tercer lugar, se propone avanzar en la configuración de una plataforma informática versátil que permita acceder a la información almacenada en la base de datos desde distintas vías, mostrando la información de una manera más visual y menos lineal. Se optará por la utilización de tecnologías de visualización de información que faciliten el acceso a un banco de imágenes integrado en el diccionario electrónico multilingüe, e indexado según una tipología de información gráfica que relacione ilustraciones y textos científico-técnicos según criterios lingüístico-cognitivos.

Esta forma de representación contribuirá a avanzar en la elaboración de productos multimedia que combinen imágenes y datos que facilitarán información sobre el litoral andaluz para diferentes tipos de usuario, por ejemplo vehículos de audiodescripción multilingüe de la costa para usuarios con discapacidad visual.

La idea final de este grupo de investigadores consiste en la elaboración de un diccionario electrónico multilingüe con múltiples modos de consulta, que dependerá del perfil de usuario.

Importancia social y científica

Por una parte, los productos derivados del proyecto contribuirán al enriquecimiento de los recursos terminológicos en el campo de la Gestión del Litoral en lengua española, inglesa y alemana, elaborados conforme a las normas internacionales ISO y las normas nacionales UNE aplicadas a la terminología, aumentando la eficiencia en el trabajo de los profesionales del ámbito y de los profesionales de la comunicación (traductores, intérpretes, terminólogos, editoriales).

Por otra, beneficiará la relación coste-eficacia en la consulta de textos por especialistas, usuarios y profesionales de la comunicación, pues la facilidad de acceso hace que la comprensión de información terminológica trilingüe específica sea mucho más asequible para un amplio abanico de usuarios.

Asimismo, cabe destacar la importancia de este proyecto en un marco socioeconómico que necesita seguir generando conocimientos científicos y técnicos destinados a mejorar la eficiencia y competitividad internacional de la investigación e industria española en el ámbito de la Ingeniería de puertos y costas. “La labor terminográfica que nos proponemos supone una importante aportación a cualquier investigación encaminada a desarrollar estudios sobre el medio costero, los recursos marinos y las tecnologías marinas, siguiendo los enfoques más actuales en Lingüística Computacional, Terminografía y Traducción” según afirma la responsable del proyecto.

Más información:

Pamela Blanchard Faber Benítez
Departamento de Traducción e Interpretación de la Universidad de Granada
Tlf.: 696947461
E-mail: pfaber@ugr.es
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Un puente electrónico hacia el autismo

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– Un puente electrónico hacia el autismo.

Se llama Scut y nació con el fin de poder tender puentes a las personas con problemas de comunicación y autonomía. Este programa aplicado a las agendas electrónicas PDA ha sido concebido por un grupo de informáticos, psicopedagogos, psicólogos y logopedas para atender inicialmente las necesidades de niños con trastorno autista.

El proyecto, que ahora puede aplicarse a personas con discapacidad de otros tipos, como los que sufren parálisis cerebral, ya ha recibido varias distinciones.

La PDA es un formato de ordenador que gana terreno día a día. Su uso en la hostelería está muy extendido, y recientemente hasta se ha producido un simbólico relevo de los blocs de multas de la Guardia Civil por este artilugio de bolsillo.

Los creadores de la PDA adaptada a niños autistas han optado por este formato porque es relativamente económico y por la facilidad de llevarlo encima, pero el software que han diseñado se puede utilizar también en una PC o una PC Tablet (con una pantalla táctil de grandes dimensiones).

En el año 2000, el psicopedagogo Manuel González decidió buscar una herramienta de mayor utilidad para los niños autistas con los que trabajaba en Granada.

“Los instrumentos que utilizábamos por aquella época eran muy caros, y nunca se sabía de antemano si podían servir para todos los pequeños, así que decidí ponerme en contacto con la facultad de Informática de la Universidad de Granada para que me ayudaran a construir una herramienta más versátil y más asequible. Al final, di con especialistas que vieron lo que necesitaba”.

Así nació este programa que puede adaptarse al perfil de cada niño con trastorno autista. Gracias a toda una serie de pictogramas y sonidos, el pequeño puede señalar con un dedo en la PDA distintos pictogramas, expresar así lo que quiere y llevar un recuento de sus actividades diarias, mientras su padre o educador le pueden transmitir, por ejemplo, cuál es la próxima tarea por realizar.

“Creamos plantillas para los distintos escenarios por los que transita el niño: el colegio, la casa, la pista donde monta a caballo… Las casillas referidas a estas situaciones siempre comparten sitio con otras fijas como la de ir al baño o comer, o las dedicadas al estado de ánimo”, explica María José Rodríguez Fortiz, una de las promotoras del proyecto.

El equipo interdisciplinario apostó por demostrar que la tecnología puede facilitar el aprendizaje de los alumnos autistas. A fin de contribuir al desarrollo del lenguaje, organizaron los pictogramas de tal forma que correspondieran a estructuras gramaticales.

Para expresar una acción, el usuario puede apretar en la pantalla la casilla “yo”, seguida de “quiero”; entonces puede escoger en un nuevo menú y señalar “merendar”, y se le desplegarán toda una serie de posibilidades (bocadillo, bollo, leche) entre las que podrá escoger nuevamente, señalan los responsables de Scut.

Además de favorecer la interacción entre el niño y la familia y educadores, la PDA funciona como una agenda, algo primordial para las personas con este tipo de enfermedades, que necesitan saber qué tareas realizarán a lo largo de todo el día. Una vez ejecutada, el pequeño la tacha y puede comprobar cuál será la siguiente actividad.

“De esta forma, puedes evitar una pataleta – aclara González- porque el niño siente hambre y necesita imperiosamente conocer qué va a comer, aunque sea después de la clase de pintura”.

Aunque aún no cuentan con estudios en profundidad sobre la aplicación de la herramienta, sus promotores aseguran que han constatado que a los niños que usan la PDA se les comprende más y mejor, hablan o construyen frases con estructuras más complejas y disminuyen las conductas disruptivas.

Buena parte de los contenidos elaborados por este equipo interdisciplinario puede consultarse en internet (http://scaut.ugr.es). En este portal ofrecen asesoramiento a los padres y profesionales que estén interesados en usar el software. Scut se aplica desde el curso 2005-06 en varios centros de Granada y Jaén, aunque entre los objetivos a corto plazo está implantarlo en centros de toda Andalucía.

Su posible aplicación a una videoconsola portátil -la Nintendo DS, de dos pantallas-, mucho más resistente que una PDA, los ha llevado a ganar la última edición del Imagine Cup, la competición de tecnología para estudiantes universitarios creada por Microsoft.

Así, un desarrollo de Scut acaba de representar a España en la final internacional celebrada en Corea del Sur. Este mismo año, el proyecto Scut ha recibido también el premio RiviSre, que concede la Asociación Española de Profesionales del Autismo (Aetapi) en colaboración con la Obra Social de Caja Madrid.

En cuanto a la línea de investigación en la que concentran sus esfuerzos, Manuel González explica que, “además de funcionar como una agenda y un comunicador”, están perfeccionado el diseñador de plantillas para que los interesados puedan por sí solos adaptar aún más los contenidos al perfil de cada niño y que este proceso sea lo más fácil posible”.

Mientras, buscan más financiación para que la iniciativa siga creciendo. “Contamos con apoyos de la Junta de Andalucía, pero necesitamos ayuda de otros organismos. Uno de los últimos en colaborar ha sido la Fundació la Caixa”.

La necesaria detección precoz

Los premios Ángel Riviére también reconocieron este año el trabajo de los investigadores que han comprobado en la población española la validez del M-CHAT, un test reconocido internacionalmente para la detección precoz del autismo.

Precisamente estos trastornos del desarrollo continúan siendo muy difíciles de diagnosticar con prontitud.

El trabajo fue realizado por la Universidad de Salamanca y el Instituto de Salud Carlos III, y aplicado en los hospitales de Salamanca y Zamora.

Los testimonios

La lucha sin cuartel de una familia por los derechos de su hijo con transtorno autista, Mariola no debe de saber cuántas veces al día dice “Dani”.

“Dani, no cojas eso”, “Dani, come”, “Dani, la cuchara”, “Dani, traga”… Así son las 24 horas para los padres que han de cuidar a un niño como Dani, de ocho años, al que le diagnosticaron autismo hace seis. Aunque atender a un pequeño que necesita vigilancia intensiva solo consume parte de sus fuerzas. El resto se lo lleva la batalla por conjurar la invisibilidad que rodea a los niños con discapacidad.

Junto con su marido, Daniel Moreno, mantiene una lucha por defender los derechos de su hijo, que amenaza con acabar en los tribunales. “Hemos contratado un abogado, porque queremos que la terapia corra a cargo del sistema sanitario y acudiremos a los juzgados si hace falta”.

Como otras familias en su situación, se quejan de la falta de ayudas. “Un niño como Dani necesita recibir terapia durante toda la vida – para la psicomotricidad, la modificación de conducta, la logopedia-, ya que de lo contrario adopta conductas disruptivas nuevas que lo llevan por ejemplo a autolesionarse”.

Se consideran afortunados porque con esfuerzo pueden hacer frente a los pagos mensuales que cuestan las distintas terapias, pero también tienen en cuenta a “los pequeños que no pueden desarrollar sus capacidades al no disponer de medios”.

No hay datos exactos sobre la población con este tipo de discapacidad. Según el Instituto de Salud Carlos III de Madrid, los estudios epidemiológicos más recientes indican que uno de cada 250 niños en edad escolar presenta algún trastorno de espectro autista.

Los premios Ángel Riviére también reconocieron este año el trabajo de los investigadores que han comprobado en la población española la validez del M-CHAT, un test reconocido internacionalmente para la detección precoz del autismo.

Precisamente estos trastornos del desarrollo continúan siendo muy difíciles de diagnosticar con prontitud.

El trabajo fue realizado por la Universidad de Salamanca y el Instituto de Salud Carlos III, y aplicado en los hospitales de Salamanca y Zamora.

Los testimonios

La lucha sin cuartel de una familia por los derechos de su hijo con transtorno autista, Mariola no debe de saber cuántas veces al día dice “Dani”.

“Dani, no cojas eso”, “Dani, come”, “Dani, la cuchara”, “Dani, traga”… Así son las 24 horas para los padres que han de cuidar a un niño como Dani, de ocho años, al que le diagnosticaron autismo hace seis. Aunque atender a un pequeño que necesita vigilancia intensiva solo consume parte de sus fuerzas. El resto se lo lleva la batalla por conjurar la invisibilidad que rodea a los niños con discapacidad.

Junto con su marido, Daniel Moreno, mantiene una lucha por defender los derechos de su hijo, que amenaza con acabar en los tribunales. “Hemos contratado un abogado, porque queremos que la terapia corra a cargo del sistema sanitario y acudiremos a los juzgados si hace falta”.

Como otras familias en su situación, se quejan de la falta de ayudas. “Un niño como Dani necesita recibir terapia durante toda la vida – para la psicomotricidad, la modificación de conducta, la logopedia-, ya que de lo contrario adopta conductas disruptivas nuevas que lo llevan por ejemplo a autolesionarse”.

Se consideran afortunados porque con esfuerzo pueden hacer frente a los pagos mensuales que cuestan las distintas terapias, pero también tienen en cuenta a “los pequeños que no pueden desarrollar sus capacidades al no disponer de medios”.

No hay datos exactos sobre la población con este tipo de discapacidad. Según el Instituto de Salud Carlos III de Madrid, los estudios epidemiológicos más recientes indican que uno de cada 250 niños en edad escolar presenta algún trastorno de espectro autista.
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Des chercheurs mettent au point un cerveau électronique

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– Des chercheurs mettent au point un cerveau électronique.

Des chercheurs de luniversité de Grenade en Espagne ont reconstitué électroniquement un cervelet humain, la partie du cerveau qui coordonne les mouvements en leur donnant précision et fluidité.

Matérialisé sous forme de puces électroniques incorporant un système neuronal complet, ce e-cervelet devrait permettre une bien meilleure interaction entre les robots et leur environnement et des mouvements beaucoup plus naturels. Lobjectif principal est dintégrer le cervelet au robot développé par le centre aérospatial allemand dici 2009.

Ces travaux ont été réalisés dans le cadre du projet Sensopac (SENSOrimotor structuring of perception and action for emerging cognition – structure sensorimotrice de la perception et de laction pour la cognition émergent). Financé par lUnion Européenne, il regroupe de scientifiques issus des meilleures universités européennes ainsi que des ingénieurs de Sony et de lagence aérospatiale allemande.

Des applications médicales sont aussi envisagées. Le e-cervelet pourrait être utilisé dans la recherche et la lutte contre les maladies dAlzheimer et de Parkinson. Cela permettrait également de créer des robots plus aptes à aider des personnes handicapées à leur domicile.

La prochaine étape du projet, qui sétend sur 4 ans, sera de créer une peau artificielle incorporant un système sensitif. Cela permettra aux robots davoir un aspect plus humain tout en leur permettant de collecter des informations sur leur environnement et mieux intéragir avec celui-ci.

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Paracetamol could slow down bone growth

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– Paracetamol could slow down bone growth.

In Medicine, paracetamol is used to soothe every kind of pain, from simple molar pain to pain produced by bone fractures.

This medicine is one of the most used nowadays. However, research carried out at the Department of Nursing of the University of Granada showed that taking paracetamol slows down bone growth, as has been proved by ‘in vitro’ studies.

Author of this work is Olga García Martínez, and her analysis takes as a starting point several clinical processes in which accelerating bone growth is required. “Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol – warns the researcher – should be cautiously taken, specially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration, such as after placement of a prosthesis or dental implant. Other anti-inflammatories which have no effects on bone growth should be used instead. ”Results of her work can not be confirmed in humans but ‘in vitro’ research shows without a question that paracetamol slows down bone regeneration.

Plasma rich in growth factors
Research of García Martínez was carried out on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regenerating processes), obtained via bone samples. Apart from the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in culture, the author also studied the effect of plasma rich in growth factors (obtained from patients own blood and after a spinning process). Application of this plasma gel on bones accelerates their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile.

It is therefore an easy technique which involves few risks for the patient, who will recover from bone defects more quickly.

Even though her work has been carried out on osteoblasts, García Martínez states that it could also be used on other kinds of cells such as fibroblasts, and can therefore be used not only on bones but also on soft tissue, which would help to heal wounds and ulcers.

Results of this research have been published in the prestigious scientific journals “Bioscience Reports”, “Oral Diseases” and “Physiology and Biochemistry”, among others.-Universidad de Granada.

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Taking paracetamol slows down bone growth

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– Taking paracetamol slows down bone growth.

In Medicine, paracetamol is used to soothe every kind of pain, from simple molar pain to pain produced by bone fractures.
This medicine is one of the most used nowadays. However, research carried out at the Department of Nursing of the University of Granada showed that taking paracetamol slows down bone growth, as has been proved by in vitro studies.

Author of this work is Olga Garc?Mart?z, and her analysis takes as a starting point several clinical processes in which accelerating bone growth is required. Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol – warns the researcher – should be cautiously taken, specially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration, such as after placement of a prosthesis or dental implant. Other anti-inflammatories which have no effects on bone growth should be used instead. Results of her work can not be confirmed in humans but in vitro research shows without a question that paracetamol slows down bone regeneration.

Research of Garc?Mart?z was carried out on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regenerating processes), obtained via bone samples. Apart from the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in culture, the author also studied the effect of plasma rich in growth factors (obtained from patients own blood and after a spinning process). Application of this plasma gel on bones accelerates their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile.

It is therefore an easy technique which involves few risks for the patient, who will recover from bone defects more quickly.

Even though her work has been carried out on osteoblasts, Garc?Mart?z states that it could also be used on other kinds of cells such as fibroblasts, and can therefore be used not only on bones but also on soft tissue, which would help to heal wounds and ulcers.

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Paracetamol could slow bone growth

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– Paracetamol could slow bone growth

One of the most common pain relieving medications could be contribute to slow bone growth.

Research conducted by the Department of Nursing at the University of Granada, Spain, showed that paracetamol could be stunting skeletal healing, as explored by ‘in vitro’ (test tube) studies.

Author of the study, Olga García Martínez, analysed several of the clinical processes in which speeding up bone growth is important, such as after the placement of a prosthesis or dental implant.

García Martínez warned: “Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol should be cautiously taken, especially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration.

“Other anti-inflammatories which have no effects on bone growth should be used instead.”

Her in vitro work was carried out on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regeneration) obtained by taking bone samples.

The author tested the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in a culture, as well as testing the application of a plasma gel on bones, which accelerated their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile.

By using a plasma gel, the technique is uncomplicated involving fewer risks for the patient who will recover from bone defects more quickly.

García Martínez states that the treatment could also be used on other kinds of cells such as fibroblasts (collagen producing skin cells), and can therefore be used not only on bones but also on soft tissue, which would help to heal wounds and ulcers.

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Paracetamol, one of most used analgesics, could slow down bone growth

Escrito por

– Paracetamol, one of most used analgesics, could slow down bone growth

In Medicine, paracetamol is used to soothe every kind of pain, from simple molar pain to pain produced by bone fractures. This medicine is one of the most used nowadays. However, research carried out at the Department of Nursing of the University of Granada showed that taking paracetamol slows down bone growth, as has been proved by ‘in vitro’ studies.
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Author of this work is Olga García Martínez, and her analysis takes as a starting point several clinical processes in which accelerating bone growth is required.

“Certain anti-inflammatories such as paracetamol – warns the researcher – should be cautiously taken, specially in situations which require a rapid bone tissue regeneration, such as after placement of a prosthesis or dental implant. Other anti-inflammatories which have no effects on bone growth should be used instead. ”Results of her work can not be confirmed in humans but ‘in vitro’ research shows without a question that paracetamol slows down bone regeneration.

Plasma rich in growth factors

Research of García Martínez was carried out on osteoblasts (cells involved in bone regenerating processes), obtained via bone samples. Apart from the effects of paracetamol on bone cells in culture, the author also studied the effect of plasma rich in growth factors (obtained from patients own blood and after a spinning process). Application of this plasma gel on bones accelerates their growth, without affecting other cell parameters such as the cell cycle or the antigenic profile.

It is therefore an easy technique which involves few risks for the patient, who will recover from bone defects more quickly.

Even though her work has been carried out on osteoblasts, García Martínez states that it could also be used on other kinds of cells such as fibroblasts, and can therefore be used not only on bones but also on soft tissue, which would help to heal wounds and ulcers.
Descargar