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Stem cell treatment allows paraplegic rats to walk and regain sensory perception

Engineered tissue containing human stem cells has allowed paraplegic rats to walk independently and regain sensory perception.

16 Nov 2017

New research shows how a gene can fuel obesity in mice

Obesity is often attributed to a simple equation: People are eating too much and exercising too little. But evidence is growing that at least some of the weight gain that plagues modern humans is predetermined.

16 Nov 2017

Study identifies molecular pathway critical to development of fibrosis

A study led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital and University Health Network in Toronto has identified a molecular pathway that appears to be critical to the development of fibrosis - scarring and excessive tissue deposition that result from abnormal healing responses and can compromise the function of vital organs.

15 Nov 2017

Using AFM to study cancer cells

An interview with Prof. Hermann Schillers, Universität Münster conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab).

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 14 Nov 2017

Scientists characterize infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus

Rift Valley fever virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, is responsible for outbreaks in livestock in Africa and can also be fatal in humans. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the CNRS, working with the University of Göttingen, have characterized the mechanism used by the virus to insert one of its envelope proteins into the host cell membrane, thereby enabling it to infect the cell.

9 Nov 2017

Popular Alzheimer's drug shows promise in clinical trials for treating patients with sickle cell disease

A popular drug commonly used to treat Alzheimer's disease has shown promise in laboratory and clinical trials for treating patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

7 Nov 2017

Researchers identify mechanisms through which H. pylori bacteria cause gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the five most fatal types of cancer. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, about 750,000 patients die each year after developing the disease. The main cause is thought to be the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

7 Nov 2017

New optical microscopy technique reveals dimerization of ‘toll-like receptors’

The surface of every cell contains receptors that react to external signals similar to a "gate". In this way, the cells of the innate immune system can differentiate between friend and foe partly through their "toll-like receptors" (TLRs).

3 Nov 2017

CSIC researchers make breakthrough in battle against superbugs

A team led by researchers from the Spanish National Research Council has made an important breakthrough in the battle against superbugs and their resistance to multiple drugs.

2 Nov 2017

Researchers discover mechanism that controls release of molecules involved in inflammatory diseases

In a recent study published in Cell Reports, a research team led by Colin Adrain, from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, discovered the mechanism that controls the release of important molecules that trigger the inflammatory response during the clearance of infections.

2 Nov 2017

Natural-shaped plastic nanoparticles could improve delivery of toxic drugs to tumors

UNSW Sydney scientists have developed a way to control the shape of polymer molecules so they self-assemble into non-spherical nanoparticles - an advance that could improve the delivery of toxic drugs to tumors.

1 Nov 2017

Researchers identify link between circadian rhythm disturbance and brain dysfunction

Researchers at Okayama University describe in the Journal of Neuroscience that a certain protein known to play a major role in circadian rhythmicity — humans’ intrinsic 24-hour biological cycle — is also key to proper brain functioning.

31 Oct 2017

Artificial beta cells could be first step to new treatment for diabetes

Treating type 1 diabetes and some cases of type 2 diabetes has long required painful and frequent insulin injections or a mechanical insulin pump for insulin infusion.

30 Oct 2017

Inner workings of cells probed by new Kleindiek nanomanipulator at UNSW

The mechanism of how cells work is key to understanding how tumours metastasize as well as tissue regeneration and other bodily functions. The process of mechanotransduction, or how a cell converts a physical stimuli into an electrical response is fundamental to these understandings.

From AXT Pty Ltd 30 Oct 2017

Type of needle used in anesthesia not linked to post-dural puncture headache, study shows

The type of needle used in certain kinds of anesthesia is not linked to post-dural puncture headache (PDPH), a serious and potentially life-threatening complication, according to a recent study.

28 Oct 2017

Researchers uncover new molecular binding site that can influence electrical impulses in nerves

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have discovered a previously unknown molecular binding site that can influence electrical impulses in nerves.

27 Oct 2017

Scientists define molecular mechanism that triggers pump-induced disease

Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center investigated a pump-induced disease and defined the molecular mechanism that triggers it. The study, "On the effect of hyperaldosteronism-inducing mutations in Na/K pumps," was published in the October issue of the Journal of General Physiology.

26 Oct 2017

Study reveals why Alzheimer's drugs fail in clinical trials

A tremendous amount of Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) (a peptide of ～40 amino acids) accumulates in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. γ-Secretase inhibitors were designed to inhibit the enzymatic activity that produces Aβ. By reducing Aβ production, γ-secretase inhibitors were considered able to treat Alzheimer's disease (Aβ hypothesis).

25 Oct 2017

CRISPRy bacon ! Genetically modified leaner low-fat pigs

Genetically modified leaner pigs are on the cards soon. Researchers in china used the gene-editing technology, CRISPR, to create pigs that are less fatty and leaner with more muscle. This could mean genetically modified bacon on the plates.

24 Oct 2017

Study discovers new genetic risk loci linked to children's food allergies

What role do genes play in egg, milk, and nut allergies? A study published in Nature Communications, led by the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, has found five genetic risk loci that point to the importance of skin and mucous membrane barriers and the immune system in the development of food allergies.