南大发射卫星投入教学
南大卫星研究所人员在地面控制室与卫星通讯。左起为研究所所长卢家顺副教授、研究员陈诗彤、四年级学生沙惹凡南及博士生孙敬钧。（南大提供）
南洋理工大学4年来发射的其中3颗人造卫星已完成研究任务，如今负起新的“教学使命”。南大卫星研究计划的本科生，也能利用真正的卫星进行培训，学习掌握卫星的实时地面操作及通信技术。
这3颗由南大建造及发射的卫星，依次为X-SAT、VELOX-PII及VELOX-I。
南大是在2011年发射我国第一颗卫星X-SAT，昨天是X-SAT在太空航行4周年。重达106公的X-SAT由南大与新加坡国防科技研究院合作研发，过去4年来，它航行了9亿3000万公里，并从800多公里高空，拍摄超过9000张地球表面的图像。
VELOX-PII和VELOX-I分别在前年和去年发射。目前，南大共有4颗卫星在太空运行。
每年约有50名工程学本科生获选参加南大的本科生卫星研究计划。自去年8月起，卫星研究所开始利用这3颗卫星为本科生提供培训。
过去，只有硕士和博士研究生，及研究员有机会操控真正的卫星，本科生一般得使用模拟器进行训练。
卫星航行时速达2万6000公里，每次飞过我国上空，南大地面控制室只有短短10分钟与它“沟通”，控制室人员须事先精确地计算出卫星运行轨道。
与卫星通信的目的包括了解其硬件运作是否正常、下载相关数据进行分析、更新卫星操作软件等。卫星每天飞过我国上空4次，早晚时段各2次。
南大卫星研究所所长卢家顺副教授说，操作真正的卫星为学生提供了宝贵的学习经验，训练他们随机应变的能力。
~我报~
NTU scientists discover new way to treat dementia by sending electrical pulses to the brain
Dr Lee Wei Lim (left) and Assistant Professor Ajai Vyas are part of the team of researchers who have found that "minute" amounts of electricity are all that is needed to stimulate the front of the brain, which is involved in memory retention, to produce neurons.
Sending electrical pulses to the front of the brain could enhance the growth of new brain cells.
This improves short and long-term memory, and reduces the effects of dementia related conditions such as as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
"Minute" amounts of electricity are all that is needed to stimulate the front of the brain, which is involved in memory retention, to produce neurons.
This therapeutic procedure was discovered by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) scientists on March 13. Their finding was published in eLife, a peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal published by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Max Planck Society and the Wellcome Trust.
A recent study on nearly 5,000 seniors in Singapore found that one in 10 people aged 60 and above has dementia.
For decades, scientists have been finding ways to generate brain cells to boost memory and learning, treat brain trauma and injury, and age-related diseases such as dementia.
The NTU team's research was conducted using middle-aged rats, in which electrodes which send out minute micro-electrical impulses were implanted in the brains.
The rats underwent a few memory tests before and after stimulation. They displayed positive results in memory retention, even after 24 hours.
Assistant Professor Ajai Vyas from NTU's School of Biological Sciences said the electrodes were harmless to the rats, and that they went on to live normally and fulfil their adult lifespan of around 22 months.
As part of a natural cycle, brain cells constantly die and get replaced by new ones. The area of the brain responsible for generating new brain cells is known as the hippocampus, which is also involved in memory forming, organising and retention.
This is the first time that the hippocampus was successfully stimulated to produce neurons by sending electrical pulses through the prefrontal cortex.
The scientists said that deep brain stimulation has multiple benefits.
The increase in brain cells reduces anxiety and depression, promotes improved learning, and boosts overall memory formation and retention.
Dr Lim Wei Lee, an associate professor at Sunway University, Malaysia, who worked on the research project while he was a Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellow at NTU, said that studies have shown that there are no negative effects to prefrontal cortex stimulation.
Known as deep brain stimulation, the procedure itself is in use in some parts of the world to treat various neurological conditions such as tremors or dystonia, which is characterised by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms.
"This breakthrough could pave the way towards improved treatments for patients," Dr Lim said.
The research was funded by the Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellowship which supports and promotes young and outstanding researchers in their respective areas of specialisation.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
