Rather a Formidable Weapon

Giuseppe Moruzzi: a tribute to a "formidable" scientist and a "formidable" man.

Giuseppe Moruzzi was born one century ago; he was an outstanding Italian neurophysiologist, who was particularly famous for his contributions to the study of the mechanisms underlying the control of the sleep-waking cycle in mammals. In 1990, Rita Levi-Montalcini, Moruzzi's great friend and admirer, used the occasion of an invitation by the University of Parma, where Moruzzi graduated in medici...

HIV cure research: a formidable challenge

The ultimate goal of HIV cure research is to allow HIV-infected individuals to be free of disease in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. We discuss current directions and future opportunities aimed at achieving sustained virological remission, and possibly eradication. A multidisciplinary approach to HIV cure research will be important, and ethical, social and behavioural research should be ...

A mighty weapon: steam sterilization.

The stomatopod dactyl club: a formidable damage-tolerant biological hammer.

Nature has evolved efficient strategies to synthesize complex mineralized structures that exhibit exceptional damage tolerance. One such example is found in the hypermineralized hammer-like dactyl clubs of the stomatopods, a group of highly aggressive marine crustaceans. The dactyl clubs from one species, Odontodactylus scyllarus, exhibit an impressive set of characteristics adapted for survivi...

Formidable Challenges to Teaching Advanced Laparoscopic Skills

Despite the acceptance of laparoscopy for performing routine operations, a need still exists for experienced surgeons and surgical residents to maintain and refine essential surgical skills. Unless used on a frequent basis, laparoscopic skills are not easily maintained. In addition, when new laparoscopic instruments are introduced, surgeons need a way to practice using them that does not involv...