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Researchers identify 'social cells' in the brain linked to social behavior

A research team led by Professor TAKUMI Toru of Kobe University's Graduate School of Medicine (also a Senior Visiting Scientist at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research) have identified 'social cells' in the brain that are related to social behavior. The cells were identified via Ca imaging conducted using a microendoscope .

1 Oct 2020

Discovery of high affinity binders for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

An exciting, 'tour-de-force' paper by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology describes de novo discovery of high-affinity peptide binders for SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, which opens the door for the development of rapid viral identification or conjugates for virus-directed delivery of therapeutics.

30 Sep 2020

Newly developed fusion protein could improve COVID-19 research

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland have developed a high-quality recombinant virus protein that could be applied in the development of vaccines against the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and in the detection of novel viruses or antibodies.

30 Sep 2020

Vitamin D deficiency during early development can influence metabolic health

Using a zebrafish model, researchers from North Carolina State University have found that vitamin D deficiency during early development can disrupt the metabolic balance between growth and fat accumulation.

29 Sep 2020

Cardiac arrhythmias linked to functional and structural consequences of gene mutations

Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias can be linked to the functional and structural consequences of gene mutations. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Bioelectricity.

29 Sep 2020

Ultra-low-cost hearing aid could help millions of older people worldwide

Using a device that could be built with a dollar's worth of open-source parts and a 3D-printed case, researchers want to help the hundreds of millions of older people worldwide who can't afford existing hearing aids to address their age-related hearing loss.

23 Sep 2020

Spider venom peptide could help stop pain in irritable bowel syndrome

Their study titled, "A spider-venom peptide with multi-target activity on sodium and calcium channels alleviates chronic visceral pain in a model of irritable bowel syndrome," is published in the latest issue of the journal Pain.

22 Sep 2020

Researchers discover a hormone that might help tackle malabsorption

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's used human intestinal organoids grown from stem cells to discover how our bodies control the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat.

22 Sep 2020

Australian stinging tree could pave way for novel painkillers

Australia is well known for having many of the world's most venomous creatures, ranging from snakes, spiders, jellyfish, centipedes, fish, ticks, bees, and ants. 21 of the 25 most venomous snakes in the world are all from Australia. The country is also home to dangerous plants, like the Australian stinging tree.

17 Sep 2020

New drug candidate suppresses SARS-CoV-2 replication

Researchers at Stanford University and Utah State University have developed a novel inhibitor of the coronavirus main protease (Mpro) that effectively suppresses the viral replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

17 Sep 2020

Bacterial movement is powered by tiny protein motor

The ability to move is key for bacteria like some strains of salmonella and E. coli to efficiently spread infections. They can propel themselves forward using threads, known as flagella, powered by the flagellar rotary motor.

15 Sep 2020

Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 30 seconds with cheap and sensitive nanotubes

In a fascinating new medRxiv preprint paper, researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno demonstrate the power of cobalt-functionalized titanium dioxide nanotubes by selectively detecting the spike glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in less than 30 seconds.

10 Sep 2020

Exploring the Relationship Between Mass Spectrometry and Informatics

Mass spectrometry has always had a powerful synergy with computers. Computers have pushed mass spectrometry forward at key junctures in it’s history from data collection to instrument operation to data analysis.

From Bruker Daltonics 9 Sep 2020

Computer model can replicate the unique firing-rate dependent behavior of Purkinje neurons

Research conducted by the Computational Neuroscience Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University has shown for the first time that a computer model can replicate and explain a unique property displayed by a crucial brain cell.

8 Sep 2020

Metrion Biosciences strengthens global business development team

Metrion Biosciences today announced it has enhanced its business development capabilities, committed to supporting regions in the USA, Europe, and Japan.

From Metrion Biosciences Limited 8 Sep 2020

Antibody-mediated platelet death linked to COVID-19 severity

A new study by University of Tuebingen researchers shows the strong association between platelet apoptosis and the thrombotic manifestations that may underlie critical COVID-19 illness.

7 Sep 2020

Study may provide the basis for better diagnostic, therapeutic approaches to blood diseases

The hemoglobin in the red blood cells ensures that our body cells receive sufficient oxygen. When the blood pigment is broken down, "heme" is produced, which in turn can influence the protein cocktail in the blood.

5 Sep 2020

Study shows how general anesthetic drugs act on the brain receptors

As you drift into unconsciousness before a surgery, general anesthetic drugs flowing through your blood are putting you to sleep by binding mainly to a protein in the brain called the ɣ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor.

3 Sep 2020

New insights into why people suffer from nickel allergy

The cause of the allergic reaction are T lymphocytes (T cells). These cells are part of the body's defences and normally react to viruses or bacteria in the skin.

31 Aug 2020

Study may help develop new types of non-addictive pain therapies

A team of scientists from ASU's School of Molecular Sciences and the Biodesign Institute have recently published a study in Nature Communications that helps clarify the contributions to an ion channel's temperature - dependent activation. This in turn should aid in the development of new types of non-addictive pain therapies.

27 Aug 2020