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New lab-on-a-chip system quickly identifies health aspects of a person's immune system

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a lab-on-a-chip system that can identify the health aspects of a person's immune system from a drop of their blood, within minutes.

25 Sep 2019

The ear's sensitivity to sound is controlled by outer hair cells

The human inner ear has a type of cell called the outer hair cell. These were thought to amplify sounds from the environment. However, a new study based on hearing in gerbils shows these cells are probably involved in regulating the sensitivity of the ear to sound. This could help find ways to preserve good hearing by protecting these cells from destruction.

25 Sep 2019

Mummies show atherosclerosis was prevalent in ancient times

A new study published in the American Heart Journal used spectroscopic imaging techniques to ‘see’ fatty plaques in the arteries of ancient mummies. This shows that the people of ancient times also had a high incidence of clogged arteries, showing that heart disease is of very old lineage.

24 Sep 2019

Using 'Trojan horse' strategy to kill deadly antibiotic-resistant pathogens

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous bacterium that causes infections in hospital settings and in people with weakened immune systems.

24 Sep 2019

Newly synthesized anticancer compound can block cancer signaling mechanism

Of the various different functions that proteins perform in a cell, a crucial one is the recognition and transmission of certain "signals," collectively referred to as signal transduction.

24 Sep 2019

New study identifies potential enzyme target for diabetic retinopathy

A new study shows that diabetic retinopathy (DR), or retinal disease caused by the high blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus, is due to the death of retinal cells because of the high levels of a pro-enzyme called lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP). This could help researchers develop specific treatments by targeting this molecule.

22 Sep 2019

RNA hitches lysosome rides to make proteins far away from the nucleus

Proteins inside a cell are often made at the site where they are used, rather than being shipped long distances. This is so with nerve cells which have long cell extensions in the form of axons and dendrites, up to four feet long in some case

22 Sep 2019

Researchers find way to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous bacterium that causes infections in hospital settings and in people with weakened immune systems. It can cause blood infections and pneumonia, while severe infections can be deadly.

20 Sep 2019

Researchers discover potential approach to treating diabetic retinopathy

Boston University researchers have identified an enzymatic precursor that is toxic to retinal cells and could be used in new treatments for diabetic retinopathy.

20 Sep 2019

Researchers develop new technology to study cell nanomechanics

Researchers at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology and MIT's Laser Biomedical Research Center have developed a new way to study cells, paving the way for a better understanding of how cancers spread and become killers.

20 Sep 2019

Stem cells with 'dual identity' associated with loss of smell from inflammation in chronic sinusitis

In experiments with mice and human tissue samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report evidence that neuronal stem cells in the part of the nose responsible for the sense of smell transform themselves to perpetuate the long-term inflammation in chronic sinusitis.

19 Sep 2019

New protein could offer a fresh target for cancer treatment

A study has revealed a drug target called the mitoNEET cell protein, which determines how materials are transported from the mitochondria to the rest of the cell.

19 Sep 2019

Researchers identify new mechanism for dysfunctional insulin release

In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University have identified a previously unknown mechanism that regulates release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels, from the β-cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. This mechanism is disrupted in type 2 diabetes.

19 Sep 2019

Promising new target regulating mitochondria during stress identified

Like an emergency response team that is called into action to save lives, stress response proteins in the heart are activated during a heart attack to help prevent cell death.

19 Sep 2019

NUS chemists develop new anti-cancer drug with less renal toxicity

A team of pharmacists and chemists from the National University of Singapore has developed a new anti-cancer drug that has less toxic effects to the kidneys.

18 Sep 2019

Researchers develop new way to measure how mechanical fatigue affects biological cells

Human red blood cells are extremely resilient and have the capacity to undergo cellular deformation as they navigate across various micro-vessels and capillaries.

17 Sep 2019

Mutated ciliary genes tied to heart valve birth defect

The heart pumps blood throughout the body to provide the needed oxygen and nutrients. In the heart, blood flows to get oxygen from the lungs to deliver to the cells. Some of the most important structures in the heart are the valves, because they prevent the backflow of blood, avoiding the mixture of oxygenated blood with the ones that still need to be oxygenated.

17 Sep 2019

Biologists observe how microtubules branch in new directions in animal cells

Cell biologist Thomas Maresca and senior research fellow Vikash Verma at the University of Massachusetts Amherst say they have, for the first time, directly observed and recorded in animal cells a pathway called branching microtubule nucleation, a mechanism in cell division that had been imaged in cellular extracts and plant cells but not directly observed in animal cells.

16 Sep 2019

Scientists attempt to cure HIV using CRISPR, with varying results

Scientists have used the gene-editing technology CRISPR in an attempt to cure a person infected with HIV, with some success.

12 Sep 2019

Scientists identify molecule that plays key role in determining fate of cells under stress

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a molecule that plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of cells under stress, much like a Roman emperor deciding the fate of gladiators in the coliseum.

12 Sep 2019