News tagged with potassium
Gene discovery set to help with mysterious paralysis of childhood
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a very rare disorder that causes paralysis that freezes one side of the body and then the other in devastating bouts that arise at unpredictable intervals. Seizures, learning disabilities ...
Genetics
Jul 29, 2012 |
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Scientists identify protein that sends 'painful touch' signals
In two landmark papers in the journal Nature this week, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute report that they have identified a class of proteins that detect "painful touch."
Medical research
Feb 19, 2012 |
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Study offers new approach for spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy is a debilitating neuromuscular disease that in its most severe form is the leading genetic cause of infant death. By experimenting with an ALS drug in two very different animal models, researchers ...
Neuroscience
Apr 09, 2013 |
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Omega-3s from fish vs. fish oil pills better at maintaining blood pressure in mouse model
Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may have diverse health-promoting effects, potentially protecting the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.
Health
Mar 05, 2013 |
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Neuronal activity induces tau release from healthy neurons
Researchers from King's College London have discovered that neuronal activity can stimulate tau release from healthy neurons in the absence of cell death. The results published by Diane Hanger and her colleagues in EMBO re ...
Alzheimer's disease & dementia
Feb 15, 2013 |
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Lethal stings from the Australian box jellyfish could be treated with zinc
Box jellyfish of the Chironex species are among the most venomous animals in the world, capable of killing humans with their sting. Their venom, though, which kills by rapidly punching holes in human red bl ...
Medical research
Dec 12, 2012 |
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Smell the potassium: Surprising find in study of sex- and aggression-triggering vomeronasal organ
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is one of evolution's most direct enforcers. From its niche within the nose in most land-based vertebrates, it detects pheromones and triggers corresponding basic-instinct behaviors, ...
Neuroscience
Jul 29, 2012 |
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Sea anemones venom key to Multiple Sclerosis treatment
(Medical Xpress) -- Sea anemones use venomous stinging tentacles to stun their prey, but one component of that venom is being used by researchers to treat the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Immunology
Jul 23, 2012 |
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20-year quest ends as scientists pin down structure of elusive, heart-protective protein
It is a cellular component so scarce, some scientists even doubted its existence, and many others gave up searching for its molecular structure. Now a team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins has defined the protein structural ...
Cardiology
Jul 17, 2012 |
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Novel immune target identified in multiple sclerosis
(HealthDay) -- About half of a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis have autoantibodies to a potassium channel in the brain, according to a study published in the July 12 issue of the New England Jo ...
Immunology
Jul 12, 2012 |
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Study identifies key cellular mechanisms behind the onset of tinnitus
Researchers in the University of Leicester's Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology have identified a cellular mechanism that could underlie the development of tinnitus following exposure to loud noises. The discovery ...
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
May 10, 2012 |
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Raisins and soy may ward off high blood pressure
Eating raisins and soy appears to help ward off high blood pressure, a key risk factor in heart disease, according to two studies presented at a major US cardiology conference on Sunday.
Cardiology
Mar 26, 2012 |
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Where does my beer come from?
Researchers at the University of Seville (Spain) have developed a technique based on chemical patterns for identifying the country of origin of beer. The content of iron, potassium, phosphates and polyphenols ...
Other
Dec 01, 2011 |
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Study indicates brain plays role in regulating blood sugar in humans
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have demonstrated for the first time that the brain is a key player in regulating glucose (sugar) metabolism in humans. The findings, published today ...
Medical research
Nov 07, 2011 |
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Salt diet dangers may be influenced by potassium
The debate about the dangers of eating too much salt has gained a new wrinkle: A federal study suggests that the people most at risk are those who also get too little potassium.
Health
Jul 11, 2011 |
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Potassium
Potassium (pronounced /pɵˈtæsiəm/) is the chemical element with the symbol K (Latin: kalium, from Arabic: القَلْيَه al-qalyah “plant ashes”, cf. Alkali from the same root), atomic number 19, and atomic mass 39.0983. Potassium was first isolated from potash. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white metallic alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the evolved hydrogen.
Potassium in nature occurs only as ionic salt. As such, it is found dissolved in seawater, and as part of many minerals. Potassium ion is necessary for the function of all living cells, and is thus present in all plant and animal tissues. It is found in especially high concentrations in plant cells, and in a mixed diet, it is most highly concentrated in fruits.
In many respects, potassium and sodium are chemically similar, although they have very different functions in organisms in general, and in animal cells in particular.
For more information about Potassium, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
