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Scientists identify endogenous activator of sigma-1 receptors in human cells

Cells communicate through complex mechanisms that typically involve receptors and ligands that bind to them. Endogenous ligands, produced by the body, have been identified for the vast majority of cellular receptors, helping explain receptor existence and function. But in the case of sigma-1 receptors, which interact with a diverse array of psychoactive drugs, an endogenous ligand has remained elusive.

14 Jan 2019

Researchers identify multiple new subtypes of most common childhood cancer

Like cartographers completing a map, investigators have identified multiple new subtypes of the most common childhood cancer--research that will likely improve the diagnosis and treatment of high-risk patients.

14 Jan 2019

Molecular hallmarks of tumor hypoxia across 19 cancer types discovered

Unlike healthy tissues, tumors thrive in low-oxygen environments, often acquiring the ability to resist treatment and spread to other sites in the body. Despite being a well-known cause of therapy resistance and metastasis, the impact of low oxygen, known as hypoxia, on tumor cells is poorly understood.

14 Jan 2019

Gut microbiome may help prevent development of cow's milk allergy

New research suggests that the gut microbiome may help prevent the development of cow's milk allergy. Scientists at the University of Chicago found that gut microbes from healthy human infant donors transplanted into mice protected animals exposed to milk from experiencing allergic reactions, while gut microbes transplanted from infants allergic to milk did not.

14 Jan 2019

UCR researchers uncover how plants sense temperature

When it gets hot outside, humans and animals have the luxury of seeking shelter in the shade or cool, air-conditioned buildings. But plants are stuck.

14 Jan 2019

Vitamin D supplements are of no gain to those over 70, study shows

There is little benefit for those over 70 taking higher dose vitamin D supplements to improve their bone strength and reduce the risk of falls, new research has revealed.

14 Jan 2019

DNA origami can accurately measure how antibodies interact with several antigens

Using DNA origami - DNA-based design of precise nanostructures - scientists at Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with researchers at University of Oslo, have been able to demonstrate the most accurate distance between densely packed antigens in order to get the strongest bond to antibodies in the immune system.

14 Jan 2019

Turning breast cancer cells into fat cells prevents the formation of metastases

An innovative combination therapy can force malignant breast cancer cells to turn into fat cells. This can be used to prevent the formation of metastases in mice, as researchers at the University of Basel's Department of Biomedicine recently reported in the journal Cancer Cell.

14 Jan 2019

Identifying genetic factors that lead to squamous cell carcinoma

Skin cancer is on the rise in the United States. Squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of cancer in the U.S., has the highest mortality rate of all non-melanoma skin cancers. In roughly two to five percent of patients, the disease will metastasize and spread throughout the body, making it difficult to treat.

14 Jan 2019

Genetic variants linked with risk tolerance and risky behaviors

As part of an international research project, a group of scientists from the University of Zurich found genetic variants associated with risk tolerance and risky behaviors. It is one of the first studies to link genetic variants with behavioral outcomes, which are relevant to social science research.

14 Jan 2019

Scientists discover mutational signatures of tumor hypoxia

Researchers have discovered mutational signatures of tumor hypoxia in 19 cancer types that could be used to identify patients who need higher treatment doses.

14 Jan 2019

The human brain works in reverse order to retrieve memories

When we remember a past event, the human brain reconstructs that experience in reverse order, according to a new study at the University of Birmingham.

14 Jan 2019

Cancer patients are four times more likely to commit suicide

People with cancer are more than four times more likely to commit suicide than people without cancer, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

14 Jan 2019

King's researchers receive £1.25 million to investigate fatal eating disorder

A multidisciplinary team, led by Dr Marietta Stadler from the School of Life Course Sciences, has been awarded £1.25 million by the National Institute for Health Research to investigate an eating disorder where people with type 1 diabetes deliberately take too little insulin to try and control their weight.

14 Jan 2019

New discovery casts doubt on plasma membrane models

Like planets, the body's cell surfaces look smooth from a distance but hilly closer up. An article published in Communications Biology describes implications, unknown to date, of the way data from cell surfaces are normally interpreted; i.e. as if they lacked topographic features.

14 Jan 2019

Meth’s resurgence spotlights lack of meds to combat the addiction

In 2016, news reports warned the public of an opioid epidemic gripping the nation. But Madeline Vaughn, then a lead clinical intake coordinator at the Houston-based addiction treatment organization Council on Recovery, sensed something different was going on with the patients she checked in from the street.

14 Jan 2019