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Researchers fabricate artificial device mimicking blood-brain barrier

Researchers at IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia fabricated an artificial device reproducing a 1:1 scale model of the blood-brain barrier, the anatomical and functional structure that protects the central nervous system from external substances, such as contaminants, but also drugs when they are injected intravenously into the body.

8 Feb 2018

IU scientists take important step to fight against hepatitis B with 'virus-cracking' molecules

Indiana University researchers have made an important step forward in the design of drugs that fight the hepatitis B virus, which can cause liver failure and liver cancer.

7 Feb 2018

Microscope technology reveals full-length serotonin receptor structure for first time

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have used Nobel prize-winning microscope technology to see full-length serotonin receptors for the first time.

6 Feb 2018

Super-resolution microscopy provides insights into cells' amazing flexibility

One of today's sharpest imaging tools, super-resolution microscopy, produces sparkling images of what until now has been the blurry interior of cells, detailing not only the cell's internal organs and skeleton, but also providing insights into cells' amazing flexibility.

31 Jan 2018

Long-term intake of sunflower, fish oils affects the liver

An international group of scientists led by the University of Granada (UGR) has demonstrated that the long-term intake of sunflower or fish oils damages the liver and can cause a series of alterations in it, giving rise to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

31 Jan 2018

Scientists discover direct physical contact between two key cellular structures

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that two key cellular structures, called mitochondria and lysosomes, come into direct contact with each other in the cell to regulate their respective functions.

27 Jan 2018

Repurposed drug effectively protects against Zika virus in mouse models

In both cell cultures and mouse models, a drug used to treat Hepatitis C effectively protected and rescued neural cells infected by the Zika virus -- and blocked transmission of the virus to mouse fetuses.

25 Jan 2018

BIST researchers develop new retinal prosthesis to address visual degeneration

A healthy retina contains photoreceptor cells that convert light changes into nerve impulses, which are then carried along the optic nerve to the brain, where they are decoded into images. Diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa cause the photoreceptor cells to stop functioning, while the rest of the eye remains healthy.

24 Jan 2018

UCLA researchers describe herpes virus structure associated with Kaposi's sarcoma

UCLA researchers have provided the first description of the structure of the herpes virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer.

19 Jan 2018

Study identifies how excess fat disrupts heart cells' ability to produce energy

A University of Iowa study has identified how excess fat in the heart, a common feature in diabetes and obesity, can harm the cells' essential ability to produce energy.

5 Jan 2018

Newly solved glucagon receptor structure provides most accurate template for drug design

Class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) exert essential action in hormonal homeostasis and are important therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases including metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.

4 Jan 2018

Researchers use Nobel prize-winning technology to zoom in and see vital kidney protein

Researchers have applied Nobel prize-winning microscope technology to uncover an ion channel structure that could lead to new treatments for kidney stones.

3 Jan 2018

$Common drugs to prevent osteoporotic fractures lead to mineralization of bone cells$

Common drugs to prevent osteoporotic fractures lead to mineralization of bone cells

A study at Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden, has found that one of the most common medications to prevent osteoporitic fractures gives rise to previously unknown mineralization of bone cells. The discovery may be important for understanding the effect of medication on bone quality.

2 Jan 2018

Scientists unravel structure of protein behind sense of touch

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the mystery of the structure of Piezo1, a member of a family of proteins that convert physical stimuli such as touch or blood flow into chemical signals.

21 Dec 2017

Belgian researchers create transplantable artificial ovary prototype

Belgian researchers have taken important steps towards creating transplantable artificial ovaries. Once successful, these could be of value to women struggling with infertility or cancer patients who cannot conceive after undergoing radiation or chemotherapy.

13 Dec 2017

Protein structure could pave way for effective drugs to treat cystic fibrosis

Biochemists at the University of Zurich have used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the detailed architecture of the chloride channel TMEM16A. This protein is a promising target for the development of effective drugs to treat cystic fibrosis.

13 Dec 2017

Scientists develop new method for more effective photothermal treatment of tumors

Nanorods made of bismuth sulfide kill tumor cells with heat when they are irradiated with near-infrared light. Chinese scientists are now making these weapons more powerful by remodeling the defect state of the nanorod crystal lattice by adding gold nanodots.

12 Dec 2017

MIT researchers discover new way to make bacteria vulnerable to existing antibiotics

MIT researchers have discovered a way to make bacteria more vulnerable to a class of antibiotics known as quinolones, which include ciprofloxacin and are often used to treat infections such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

8 Dec 2017

Malaria parasite employs active strategy to deceive the immune system

Global efforts to eradicate malaria are crucially dependent on scientists' ability to outsmart the malaria parasite. And Plasmodium falciparum is notoriously clever: It is quick to develop resistance against medications and has such a complex life cycle that blocking it effectively with a vaccine has thus far proved elusive.

7 Dec 2017

Computer simulations provide insights into plasmonic nanovesicles for drug delivery

Imagine a microscopic gold pill that could travel to a specific location in your body and deliver a drug just where it is needed. This is the promise of plasmonic nanovesicles.

1 Dec 2017