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Common plasticizer leads to fertility problems in roundworms

A new study published 9th January in PLOS Genetics by Mónica Colaiácovo of Harvard Medical School and colleagues reports that the most commonly used plasticizer, diethylhexyl phthalate, leads to fertility problems by causing an excess number of breaks in the DNA during egg production, and then interfering with the repair systems that fixes the breaks.

2 Jan 2020

Advancement in reconstitution of the blood system from human pluripotent stem cells

The reconstitution of the blood system in humans holds great therapeutic potential to treat many disorders, like blood cancers, sickle-cell anemia and others.

31 Dec 2019

Research reveals how the brain balances pleasure and pain

As our brains take in information about the world and use it to steer our actions, two key principles guide our choices: seek pleasure and avoid pain.

31 Dec 2019

Crab study advocates a more 'multimodal' approach to defining cell identity

A longstanding goal in neuroscience is to classify the brain's many cells into discrete categories according to their function.

31 Dec 2019

Scientists identify molecules capable of inhibiting DNA methylation, effectively killing malaria parasites

Parasites in the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria, are transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes.

31 Dec 2019

Grizzly bears' strategy could help prevent muscle atrophy in humans

Grizzly bears spend many months in hibernation, but their muscles do not suffer from the lack of movement. In the journal "Scientific Reports", a team led by Michael Gotthardt reports on how they manage to do this.

30 Dec 2019

Study provides better understanding of mechanisms that limit cilia number in cells

One of the wonders of cell biology is its symmetry. Mammalian cells have one nucleus and one cell membrane, and most humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.

30 Dec 2019

A HSC surface marker plays key role in ontogeny of hematopoiesis

A group of researchers at Osaka University revealed that ESAM (Endothelial cell-selective adhesion molecule), a surface marker for hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and vascular endothelial cells (ECs), played an important role in the ontogeny of hematopoiesis in mice, particularly in the development of adult-type erythropoiesis.

26 Dec 2019

Researchers develop new approach for studying experience-driven activity of transcription factors

Our brains have a remarkable knack for adaptability. Each and every day the neuronal connections within are constantly changing, molded by what we experience in our daily lives.

26 Dec 2019

Inputs to the motor cortex can guide dexterous movements in mice

In a sleepy haze, reaching out and grabbing the coffee cup in front of you seems to happen on autopilot. But your caffeine-deprived brain is working hard.

26 Dec 2019

Chemical reprogramming of granulosa cells to form functional oocytes

By introducing a chemical cocktail to granulosa cells, researchers in China induced the cells to transform into functional oocytes in mice.

26 Dec 2019

Inserting end-modified DNA fragments with CRISPR-Cas9 yields highest efficiency

University of Illinois researchers achieved the highest reported rates of inserting genes into human cells with the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, a necessary step for harnessing CRISPR for clinical gene-therapy applications.

23 Dec 2019

Ancestral-sequence reconstruction of FMO genes unveils structure of important enzyme

To disarm toxic substances, many organisms - including humans - possess enzymes called flavin-containing monooxygenases. Despite their importance, the structure of the enzymes has not been resolved, as the protein is too unstable to study in detail.

23 Dec 2019

New technique provides real-time images of biomolecules in living cells

Metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity are ever more common globally. In addition to genetic disposition, lifestyle contributes strongly to the prevalence of these metabolic diseases.

23 Dec 2019

New, faster and cheaper method to uncover genetic variants in single cells

Researchers led by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg and the Center for Bioinformatics at Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany, have developed a cheaper and faster method to check for genetic differences in individual cells, which outperforms existing techniques with respect to the information received.

23 Dec 2019