Unraveling the interactions of individual sugar molecules with cells
Sugars interact with the cell surface through sugar-binding proteins called lectins. These interactions play a fundamental role in many of the cell's biological processes. One important function is the modulation of the immune response towards an out.....»»
Live-cell imaging under centrifugation: New method measure the forces that keep the nuclei of living cells centered
Using two specialized microscopes invented at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), a team of researchers from Japan and the MBL have developed a new method to measure the forces that keep the nucleus centered within a living cell. The experiments.....»»
New technology illustrates bacterial "hibernation states"
Like hibernating bears, certain bacterial cells have the ability to shift into a "low-power" metabolic state in which they can stably survive without growing. This state is often seen in the context of antibiotic-resistant infections as bacteria form.....»»
An elegant switch regulates production of protein variants during cell division
Our cells contain thousands of proteins that have gone largely undetected and unstudied until recent years: these are variants of known proteins, which cells can make when their protein-building machinery interacts differently with the same stretch o.....»»
Family as wealth factor: Study reveals how generational change and family events are associated with a person"s wealth
A new study conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), the University of Cologne, GESIS and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health explores how an individual's financial wealth changes in relation to generational transi.....»»
Newly developed methodology breaks molecular symmetry to back one theory about life"s origin
The vast majority of organic molecules (based on a carbon structure) are not flat, but have a three-dimensional geometry. Various results can be obtained depending on the way the atoms are arranged inside each molecule. In some cases, a molecule and.....»»
Through the looking glass: A cross-chiral reaction challenges our definition of life
Just like your left and right hand exist as mirror images of each other, many biological molecules have their own form of left- and right-handedness, called chirality. Our DNA, for example, is made of right-handed chiral molecules which combine to fo.....»»
Meet the winners of Nikon’s 2024 photomicrography contest
Nikon Small World photomicrography contest is an annual reminder that science can be beautiful as well as informative. A stunning image of differentiated mouse brain tumor cells h.....»»
The "Club Med" lesson: How service organizations can improve employee well-being and enhance the work experience
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University and EM Lyon have published a new Journal of Marketing study that describes how, under certain conditions, customer interactions can rejuvenate service employees......»»
Nanoparticle technology demonstrates selective destruction of leukemia cancer cells
A research team, affiliated with UNIST has developed nanoparticles that effectively treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), offering the potential to reduce side effects while enhancing therapeutic efficacy by selectively targeting and eliminating leukem.....»»
Discovery of new bacterial toxins could be key to fighting infections
Researchers have discovered a new group of bacterial toxins that can kill harmful bacteria and fungi, opening the door to potential new treatments for infections. These toxins, found in over 100,000 microbial genomes, can destroy the cells of bacteri.....»»
Creating a simplified form of life: Scientists build modules for a synthetic cell
It is one of the most fundamental questions in science: how can lifeless molecules come together to form a living cell? Bert Poolman, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Groningen, has been working on this problem for over 20 years. He aim.....»»
How Cells Resist the Pressure of the Deep Sea
Cell membranes from comb jellies reveal a new kind of adaptation to the deep sea: curvy lipids that conform to an ideal shape under pressure......»»
Deciphering the language of cells: How they sense and respond to mechanical forces
Cells, the fundamental building blocks of life, are constantly subjected to a variety of mechanical forces within our bodies. These forces, which can arise from both internal and external sources, play crucial roles in regulating cellular processes s.....»»
Team achieves successful reproduction of hematopoietic stem cell developmental process in an in vitro culture system
Researchers at Kumamoto University have achieved a notable advancement in stem cell biology by reproducing the developmental process of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro. This culture system not only enhances our understanding of how HSCs deve.....»»
Team develops promising new form of antibiotic that makes bacterial cells self-destruct
To address the global threat of antibiotic resistance, scientists are on the hunt for new ways to sneak past a bacterial cell's defense system. Taking what they learned from a previous study on cancer, researchers from the University of Toronto (U of.....»»
Uncovering new regulatory mechanisms in embryo implantation
Implantation is the initial step in pregnancy, where the embryo attaches to and enters the endometrium, the inner tissue layer of the uterus. During this process, the cells of the endometrium change to build the right conditions for the fertilized eg.....»»
Research provides molecular insights into sexual dimorphism of chicken feathers
Birds possess unique skin appendages called feathers that are derived from the outermost layer of skin cells. Feathers are important for several functions, such as flight, temperature regulation, protection from external stimuli, and mating behavior......»»
Fast super-resolved microscopy enables structured illumination and extended depth detection
Fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool in biology, allowing researchers to visualize the intricate world of cells and tissues at a molecular level. While this technique has revolutionized our understanding of biological processes, imaging large a.....»»
A method to switch between optical pulling and pushing forces by altering the shape of Fermi arcs in Weyl systems
Optical forces, which act like an invisible "hand," are capable of precisely controlling tiny particles. Optical tweezers, a well-known tool, use this force to capture and manipulate small objects such as cells, bacteria, and viruses. This effect is.....»»
New benchmark helps solve the hardest quantum problems
From subatomic particles to complex molecules, quantum systems hold the key to understanding how the universe works. But there's a catch: when you try to model these systems, that complexity quickly spirals out of control—just imagine trying to pre.....»»