Diet-induced obesity reduces the responsiveness of the peripheral taste receptor cells.

Introduction: Obesity is a growing epidemic that causes many serious health related complications. While the causes of obesity are complex, there is conclusive evidence that overconsumption coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is the primary cause of this medical condition. Dietary consumption is controlled by appetite which is in turn regulated by multiple neuronal systems, including the taste system.

Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes for pressure, tactile and vibration sensing.

We report a simple method for the micro-nano integration of flexible, vertically aligned multiwalled CNT arrays sandwiched between a top and bottom carbon layer via a porous alumina (Al(2)O(3)) template approach. The electromechanical properties of the flexible CNT arrays have been investigated under mechanical stress conditions. First experiments show highly sensitive piezoresistive sensors with a resistance decrease of up to ∼35% and a spatial resolution of <1 mm.

Pupil dilatation does affect some aspects of daytime driving performance.

Aims: To examine the effects of pupil dilatation on driving performance and determine whether this was related to changes in standard measures of visual function.

Methods: The driving and vision performance of 16 young, visually normal participants was measured with both normal and dilated pupils. Pupils were dilated with 1% tropicamide.