Cells use concentration gradients as a compass
Biophysicists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munch have developed a new theory, which accounts for the observation that cells can perceive their own shapes, and use this information to direct the distribution of proteins inside the cell......»»
Researchers uncover battery-like functions of mitochondria using super-resolution microscopes
Using new super-resolution microscopes, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the University of Pennsylvania have for the first time observed electrical charge and discharge functions inside mitochondria isolated from cells......»»
Study show extracellular vesicles can also deliver messages from non-human cells
Messenger bubbles produced by human cells can pick up bacterial products and deliver them to other cells, University of Connecticut researchers report in the Nov. 16 issue of Nature Cell Biology. The discovery may explain a key mechanism by which ba.....»»
Researchers hijack solar cell technology to develop a simple spray test for lead
AMOLF researchers have used the special properties of perovskite semiconductors to develop a simple spray test to demonstrate the presence of lead. Perovskite is a material suitable for use in LEDs and solar cells, for example. A lead-containing surf.....»»
Enhancing the immunosuppressive properties of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential for the treatment of various immune diseases due to their unique immunomodulatory properties. However, MSCs exposed to the harsh inflammatory environment of damaged tissue after intravenous transplan.....»»
Scientists discover a new stress response pathway for repairing RNA-protein crosslinks caused by toxic aldehydes
The research team of Professor Petra Beli and their collaborators have discovered that aldehydes, a type of toxic chemical produced by the body after drinking alcohol, damage cells by creating chemical crosslinks between RNA and proteins, thereby int.....»»
Testing the limits of AlphaFold2"s accuracy in predicting protein structure
Proteins, the workhorses of biology, are encoded by DNA sequences and are responsible for vital functions within cells. Since the first experimental measurement of a protein structure was made by John Kendrew in the 1950s, protein's ability to fold i.....»»
Nano-sized probes reveal how cellular structure responds to pressure
By giving living cells a "nano-poke" and monitoring the resulting changes in the intracellular environment, researchers have gotten their first glimpse of how whole cells respond to external mechanical pressure......»»
Does rainfall in southern China contribute to air pollution in the North China Plain?
The North China Plain (NCP) is a region with some of the worst air pollution conditions on a global scale. Air pollution (known as haze) dominated by higher PM2.5 concentration, is well-documented for its adverse impacts on both human health and soci.....»»
Small-batch EVs and plenty of robots—Hyundai’s new innovation center
The Korean automaker's latest facility is a test bed for new ideas. Enlarge / Hyundai's latest factory eschews the production line for cells. (credit: Hyundai) Hyundai provided flights and accommodation from San Francisc.....»»
Caught in living cells: How bacteria regulate their genes to defend themselves
For the first time, it was shown in living cells how the bacterium E. coli regulates genes that help it survive in a new environment. Biochemist Fatema Zahra Rashid managed to do this using a technique she fine-tuned. Her research into changes in 3-d.....»»
An effective approach for preparing supramolecular polymers at high concentration
Supramolecular polymers (SPs) are molecular assemblies composed of non-covalently bonded small molecules. They show high recyclability originating from their dynamic nature of monomer binding, which is different from covalent polymers with non-biodeg.....»»
Microautophagy is essential for preventing aging, finds lysosomes study
To age or not to age? How does aging affect organisms on a cellular level? What mechanisms help cells survive self-inflicted or external harm? It is known that lysosomes—critically important cellular structures—are crucial for digesting damaged c.....»»
Korean researchers develop nanomaterial to enable eco-friendly removal of fine dust precursors
Over the past decade, fine dust conditions in Korea have worsened, as perceived by the general public, with an increase in the number of days per year featuring high-concentration fine dust. Additionally, the previous maximum fine-dust concentration.....»»
New computer code for mechanics of tissues and cells in three dimensions
Biological materials are made of individual components, including tiny motors that convert fuel into motion. This creates patterns of movement, and the material shapes itself with coherent flows by constant consumption of energy. Such continuously dr.....»»
Study looks at RNA"s solo act on the ever-changing stage of cellular dynamics
RNA has been in the limelight for its starring role in cutting-edge vaccine technology, but RNA molecules are also key players in the inner workings of cells......»»
Researchers develop new method to help with analysis of single cell data
CITE-seq (cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes) is an RNA sequencing-based method that simultaneously quantifies cell surface protein and transcriptomic data within a single cell readout. The ability to study cells concurrently offers unp.....»»
3D folding of the genome: Theoretical model helps explain how cell identity is preserved when cells divide
Every cell in the human body contains the same genetic instructions, encoded in its DNA. However, out of about 30,000 genes, each cell expresses only those genes that it needs to become a nerve cell, immune cell, or any of the other hundreds of cell.....»»
Research reveals molecular mechanism of asymmetric calcium-sensitive receptor activation
Calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs), widely distributed in tissues and organs such as parathyroid glands, intestines, bones and kidneys, sense the concentration of calcium ions in the blood and maintain the calcium balance in the human body. CaSR is so.....»»
Research quantifies how millions of cells in zebrafish embryos are affected by key gene alterations
Seattle researchers have developed a technique to quantify the changes in gene activity that occur throughout zebrafish embryos in response to specific edits to key genes. The approach makes it possible to quantify gene activity and the effect of gen.....»»
How bacteria recognize viral invasion and activate immune defenses
There's no organism on Earth that lives free of threat—including bacteria. Predatory viruses known as phages are among their most dire foes, infiltrating their cells to replicate and take over. Bacteria have evolved an array of strategies to counte.....»»