Research Advances: New Metal Detector to Study Human Disease; Salinized Fresh Water?; Fuel Cell Enzyme

摘要

Zinc may be a familiar dietary supplement to millions of health-conscious people, but it remains a mystery metal to scientists who study zinc’s role in Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and other health problems. While zinc is the second most abundant trace element in humans, just 2–3 grams of zinc are present in the entire human body. The metal is a key building block in enzymes and other substances involved in functioning of the nervous system, the immune response, and the reproductive system. Scientists are just beginning to fathom how the body keeps levels of zinc under the precise control that spells the difference between health and disease.