Stiffness and viscosity of cells found to differ in cancer and other diseases
During illness, the stiffness or viscosity of cells can change. Tom Evers demonstrated this by measuring such properties of human immune cells for the first time. "The stiffness of certain cells could be a way to make a diagnosis," Evers said......»»
Can going to a haunted house boost the immune system?
Study found marked decrease in inflammatory markers and white blood cells after visiting a haunted house. Spooky season has come and gone, but those Halloween revelers who took in.....»»
By exerting "crowd control" over mouse cells, scientists make progress towards engineering tissues
Genes aren't the sole driver instructing cells to build multicellular structures, tissues, and organs. In a paper published in Nature Communications, USC Stem Cell scientist Leonardo Morsut and Caltech computational biologist Matt Thomson characteriz.....»»
Latest edition of book offers guidance on monitoring and managing ranaviruses in amphibians, reptiles and fish
Researchers are providing new information and guidance on monitoring and managing viruses that cause life-threatening diseases in amphibians, reptiles and fish, as detailed in the second edition of Ranaviruses: Emerging Pathogens of Ectothermic Verte.....»»
Human brain organelles study shows dopamine neurons must work a lot harder than those in primate relatives
A team of neurologists, bioengineers and radiologists has found that two neurons in the human brain that code for dopamine production have to work harder than similar cells in primate relatives. The group has posted a paper describing their work on t.....»»
Viscosity of materials key to cell differentiation: New insights could improve design of biomaterials
An IBEC-led study has revealed how mesenchymal stem cells respond to the viscosity of their environment, a key aspect in their differentiation process......»»
How marine worms regenerate lost body parts: Return of cells to stem cell-like state could be key
Many living organisms are able to regenerate damaged or lost tissue, but why some are particularly good at this and others are not is not fully understood. Molecular biologists Alexander Stockinger, Leonie Adelmann and Florian Raible from the Max Per.....»»
Selenoproteins open new strategies for treating certain cancers in children
Selenoproteins are crucial for several biological functions, including the breakdown of harmful substances, immune system support, and regulating metabolic processes. However, in specific contexts, these proteins can be misused and shield cancer cell.....»»
Award-winning dataset aids in earthquake liquefaction research
No one knows exactly when or where an earthquake will strike. But computer simulations are helping scientists and engineers improve predictions for liquefaction—a sometimes deadly earthquake effect where the soil loses its stiffness, thus toppling.....»»
Hormone receptor structure reveals how it functions in heart disease
Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have determined the full-length structure of a blood pressure-regulating hormone receptor for the first time, uncovering how it functions, which may enable better drug targeting of the receptor for diseases such as.....»»
Genes of ancient animal relatives used to grow a mouse: Study reveals hidden history of stem cells
An international team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented milestone: the creation of mouse stem cells capable of generating a fully developed mouse using genetic tools from a unicellular organism, with which we share a common ancestor that p.....»»
Study uncovers role of tissue viscoelasticity in cell response
To the casual eye, a memory foam mattress would appear to have no relationship to the behavior of cells and tissues. But an innovative study carried out at the Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid shows that viscoelasticity—t.....»»
Age on the molecular level: Research analyzes quantitative changes in a wide range of proteins
With the worldwide population aging at an unprecedented rate, the prevention of age-related diseases has become a prominent issue. It is important to comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the changes that aging causes at the molecular level in.....»»
Rainforest protection reduces the number of respiratory diseases, research suggests
Rainforest protection is not only good for biodiversity and the climate—it also noticeably improves the health of humans who live in the corresponding regions. This is the conclusion drawn by a current study by the University of Bonn and the Univer.....»»
Using genetic code expansion to study membrane proteins
Over the years, chemical biology methods have made an important contribution to the study of integral membrane proteins. A key modern approach is genetic code expansion (GCE), which makes it possible to modify proteins directly in living cells to giv.....»»
Scientists engineer stable protein complexes for targeted cancer therapies
Researchers from Auburn University, partnering with the University of Basel in Switzerland, have discovered a new way to make a cancer-targeting protein complex more stable, opening doors to better cancer treatments. Led by Dr. Rafael Bernardi from A.....»»
Bone Marrow Donors Can Be Hard to Find. One Company Is Turning to Cadavers
San Francisco–based Ossium Health has carried out three transplants for cancer patients using stem cells from deceased donors’ bone marrow in recent months......»»
Researchers Give Animal Cells the Ability to Photosynthesize for the First Time
A Japanese team has developed a technique to insert chloroplasts isolated from algae into animal cells, a feat that could revolutionize sustainable energy and how artificial meat and organs are created......»»
Pakistan employs new measures to deal with nearly 70,000 people affected daily by hazardous smog
Pakistani authorities introduced mobile clinics and added more beds in hospitals to treat the nearly 70,000 patients received daily with respiratory-related diseases as hazardous smog continued to shroud the country's east, officials said Wednesday......»»
Squishy microgels in granular biomaterials confine and direct cell behavior
A simple biomaterial-based strategy that can influence the behavior of cells could pave the way for more effective medical treatments such as wound healing, cancer therapy and even organ regeneration, according to a research team at Penn State......»»
Simple model system can break down fibrils to investigate drugs for neurodegenerative diseases
The origin of many diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's can be found at the molecular level in our body, in other words, in proteins. In a healthy system, these proteins are responsible for numerous physiological functions......»»