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Omicron analysis shows no clear evidence for increased virulence or lethality

Researchers conducted a genomic sequencing and epidemiological correlation analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

29 Dec 2021

Exploring the importance of selenium in COVID-19 patients

In a new study, researchers reviewed research on the role that selenium could play in protecting individuals against coronavirus disease 2019.

29 Dec 2021

Researchers suggest hybrid convalescent plasma therapy neutralizes the omicron variant

New research suggests convalescent plasma from unvaccinated donors is not effective against the Omicron variant, however, “hybrid” convalescent plasma from donors who recovered from COVID-19 infection and are vaccinated provides considerable antibody protection.

29 Dec 2021

New strategy to create a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test based on isothermal amplification

Russian researchers have developed a strategy to create a cheap and rapid COVID-19 test based on isothermal amplification. According to their publication in Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology, use of this strategy will make it possible to create universal test systems for any of the COVID-19 variants.

29 Dec 2021

Human iPSC-derived fallopian tube organoids reveal the origins of common ovarian cancer

Stem cell scientists have revealed the origins of a common ovarian cancer by modeling fallopian tube tissues, allowing them to characterize how a genetic mutation puts women at high risk for this cancer.

29 Dec 2021

New techniques enable visualization of DNA repair machinery in detail

Each one of the trillions of cells that make up the human body suffers more than 10,000 DNA lesions every day. These injuries would be catastrophic if cells were unable to repair them, but a very delicate machinery that detects and repair genetic damage is at work to prevent DNA mutations and diseases such as cancer.

29 Dec 2021

New study targets the methylation profile of microglia from human brain

In the central nervous system, microglial cells play critical roles in development, aging, brain homeostasis, and pathology. Recent studies have shown variation in the gene-expression profile and phenotype of microglia across brain regions and between different age and disease states.

29 Dec 2021

New biodegradable smart food packaging material helps kill harmful microbes

A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a 'smart' food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.

29 Dec 2021

New optogenetic tool uses focused light to reduce actin and myosin-based contractile force

Cell generated force plays essential roles in a wide range of biological processes, such as cell motility, cytokinesis, and tissue morphogenesis. In a study published in Nature Communications, a research team led by the Division of Quantitative Biology at the National Institute for Basic Biology in Japan has successfully developed "OptoMYPT"：an optogenetic tool that utilizes focused light to reduce actin and myosin-based contractile force.

29 Dec 2021

Study suggests spike mutation makes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron milder

The Omicron spike is relatively poorly cleaved and impaired in mediating cell-cell fusion and syncytia formation, contrary to predictions.

28 Dec 2021

LJI researchers discover how loss of TET enzymes can lead to B cell lymphoma

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered how loss of TET enzymes can lead to B cell lymphoma. Their research, published in Nature Immunology, could potentially open opportunities for designing drug treatment strategies to target malignant cells in many cancers.

24 Dec 2021

Scientists detect COVID-19 infection in white-tailed deer in 6 Ohio locations

Scientists have detected infection by at least three variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in free-ranging white-tailed deer in six northeast Ohio locations, the research team has reported.

24 Dec 2021

Introducing deuterium makes drugs to have a longer effect

Hydrogen (abbreviated "H") is the lightest of all elements. It usually consists only of a positively charged proton and a negatively charged electron and is also called protium in this form. But there are also two heavier hydrogen isotopes, deuterium and tritium.

24 Dec 2021

SARS-CoV-2 spreads through cell-to-cell transmission, study finds

The virus that causes COVID-19 has adopted some stealth moves to stay alive and kicking, and one secret to its success is hiding from the immune system by spreading through cell-to-cell transmission, a new study has found.

23 Dec 2021

Researchers unravel how our organs know when to stop growing

The smallest fish in the world, the Paedocypris, measures only 7 millimeters. This is nothing compared to the 9 meters of the whale shark.

23 Dec 2021

New models needed to radically shift the food system

According to the paper titled Enacting theories of change for food systems transformation under climate change, published in Global Food Security, food systems are responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions from human activity, and agricultural yields are at risk due to climate change impacts.

23 Dec 2021

Peto's paradox offers new insights into cancer risk across mammals

The cells in the body can be thought of as tiny archery targets, each vulnerable to the deadly arrow of cancer.

23 Dec 2021

Flexibility may maximize the potency of peptides used to treat Type 2 diabetes

A little wiggle room might be just what the doctor ordered. New research suggests that the peptides -; short chunks of protein -; used to treat Type 2 diabetes may be more effective if they're able to flexibly move back and forth between different shapes.

23 Dec 2021

Recently evolved region of the ‘dark genome’ provides clues to treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Scientists investigating the DNA outside our genes - the 'dark genome' - have discovered recently evolved regions that code for proteins associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

23 Dec 2021

X-ray imaging of cardiac tissue reveals the impact of Covid-19 on the heart

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Göttingen and Hannover Medical School (MHH) has detected significant changes in the heart muscle tissue of people who died from Covid-19.

23 Dec 2021