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Scientists determine structure of key protein in neuronal communication

Neurons talk to each other using chemical signals called neurotransmitters. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have drawn on structural biology expertise to determine structures of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), a key component of neuronal communication.

2 Nov 2023

New "clickable" pseudoviruses could revolutionize virus research

Pseudoviruses resemble impostors: although harmless, they are designed in such a way that they can hardly be distinguished from their dangerous relatives. This makes them an invaluable tool in virus research.

2 Nov 2023

Gut bacteria promote social behavior and wound healing through oxytocin signaling

The gut microbiome, a community of trillions of microbes living in the human intestines, has an increasing reputation for affecting not only gut health but also the health of organs distant from the gut.

2 Nov 2023

UH researcher awarded $1.2 million grant to unravel mystery of Z-RNA

University of Houston Assistant Professor of Biology and Biochemistry Quentin Vicens has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to unravel the mystery of Z-RNA – an enigmatic RNA structure within our cells that plays a critical role in immune response.

2 Nov 2023

Researchers develop new OCT method to directly image cilia dynamics in living organisms

Researchers have developed a new optical coherence tomography (OCT) approach that can directly image coordination of tiny hair-like structures known as motile cilia in their natural environment.

2 Nov 2023

How to optimize nuclei extraction & counting for single cell sequencing

In this interview, News Medical talks to DeNovix about the best way to prepare nuclei samples before single cell sequencing workflows and optimize nuclei extraction.

From DeNovix Inc. 1 Nov 2023

Metabolic increase in the hippocampus is early sign of Alzheimer's disease, study finds

An early phase in the process of developing Alzheimer's disease is a metabolic increase in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, report researchers from Karolinska Institutet in a study published in Molecular Psychiatry.

31 Oct 2023

UTA bioengineer receives NIH grant to develop high-resolution imaging system to quantify cell tracking

The ability to dynamically track the movement of cells is essential for modeling cellular interactions as they form organs such as the heart. But current microscope technology isn't up to the task of capturing those movements.

30 Oct 2023

AI-designed drug candidate shows promise for gastric acid inhibition

Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan created and improved artificial intelligence (AI) designs to synthesize a candidate compound for a new gastric acid inhibitor with a better binding affinity than existing drugs.

26 Oct 2023

Fighting invisible foes: How cryptic fungal pathogens threaten human health and food security

The research paper in PLOS Pathogens delves into the challenges of diagnosing and treating cryptic fungal pathogens, which are difficult to distinguish from common fungi but equally dangerous. The study calls for more accurate diagnostic methods and a better understanding of how these fungi interact with the human immune system and microbiome for effective treatment and prevention.

25 Oct 2023

Scientists develop new method to control brain activity with light

Studying the brain remains one of the most challenging endeavors in neuroscience. Researchers have explored various methods for live imaging and stimulation of deep brain activity.

25 Oct 2023

Kids with Omicron non-infectious after three days, vaccination status irrelevant

Study found that the median duration of infectivity for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in children is three days, regardless of vaccination status. The findings suggest that current 5-day isolation policies are supported, but vaccination or booster status need not be considered in return-to-school guidelines.

24 Oct 2023

Warm-ups may improve muscle performance by exploiting temperature sensitivity

Everybody knows the importance of warming up your muscles before a workout. But what is actually going on when we warm our muscles up, and are all muscles the same? You might be surprised to find out that the science behind this routine activity hasn't always been clear.

24 Oct 2023

Apoptotic cells play key role in hair follicle regression

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on October 19, 2023, entitled, "Apoptotic cells may drive cell death in hair follicles during their regression cycle."

24 Oct 2023

How chromatin compartmentalization affects DNA damage response

Researchers uncover novel insights into how chromatin compartmentalization influences the DNA damage response (DDR) after double-stranded breaks (DSBs), shedding light on the mechanisms behind genomic integrity maintenance and the risk of translocations. Their findings reveal the importance of chromosomal design in DNA repair and the potential implications for genome stability and cancer translocations.

22 Oct 2023

Blue light technology to combat surface contamination by foodborne pathogens

How effectively antimicrobial blue light (aBL) inactivated dried cells and biofilms.

19 Oct 2023

Wearable device generates power from finger bending and stores memories

Researchers have invented an experimental wearable device that generates power from a user's bending finger and can create and store memories, in a promising step towards health monitoring and other technologies.

18 Oct 2023

Researchers study how cells adapt to stressful and complex environments

Imagine the life of a yeast cell, floating around the kitchen in a spore that eventually lands on a bowl of grapes. Life is good: food for days, at least until someone notices the rotting fruit and throws them out.

16 Oct 2023

Fluorescence lifetime imaging shows promise for improved tumor detection

Removing a patient's tumor while sparing healthy tissue requires exquisite precision, but often surgeons must rely on their eyes and hands to determine where to cut.

16 Oct 2023

Save the environment and protect your skin while doing it – the 'cherry on top'

Researchers discover a sustainable way to repurpose tart cherry waste, harnessing its bioactive compounds for skin care applications. The study reveals that these extracts significantly protect human skin cells from oxidative stress, offering an eco-friendly solution to both food waste and skin health.

16 Oct 2023