A team of University of Washington scientists has uncovered the basis for the strong yet dynamic attachment of spindle fibers to kinetochores, a site on each chromosome that mechanically couples to spindle fibers. This discovery sheds light on how chromosomes are accurately and evenly divided during cell division.
Researchers found that cells' ability to sense glucose presence is key to lifespan extension. Decreasing glucose levels increased yeast cell lifespan, while eliminating glucose sensor significantly boosted it.
A new calculation eliminates obstacles in measuring kidney function in children, relying on various blood tests that can be performed in a clinical setting. The study's findings suggest an accurate estimate is crucial to properly treat children with acute and chronic kidney problems.
UAB researchers have developed a new method to produce and study HPV-18, which could lead to a better understanding of how the virus functions and causes diseases. The new approach allows for the reproduction of the entire infection cycle of HPV-18 in primary human skin cells, providing opportunities to understand its molecular mechani...
Researchers found that breast cancer cells can be made to express a transporter, allowing pyruvate to enter and induce cell death. The study aims to develop a new therapeutic target for fighting breast cancer.
Biochemist David Deamer explores the molecular self-assembly processes that led to the first protocells nearly 4 billion years ago. He proposes a combinatorial chemistry approach to understanding how life began, suggesting complex systems of molecules assembled on early Earth.
Paul Davies, a renowned cosmologist, questions the conventional notion that there's only one form of life on Earth. He suggests that life might exist in unexpected places, such as extreme environments, and could be undetected due to our limited detection methods.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that a mother's enriched environment during her youth can significantly impact her child's learning disorder severity. This effect, known as transgenerational inheritance, was observed even when the offspring were raised by non-enriched foster mothers.
UCLA researchers have created a non-invasive probe that enables real-time monitoring of chemotherapy drug activity in living bodies. This allows doctors to quickly pinpoint the most effective treatment and personalize it to each patient's unique biochemistry, reducing wasted time and toxic side effects.
Researchers have discovered phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea that build cell membranes without phospholipids, using substitute lipids instead. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cell biochemistry and could lead to rewriting fundamental principles.
Using metagenomics, Yale scientists linked environmental factors to molecular changes in marine micro-organisms, revealing adaptations to temperature and salinity.
A new family of antibacterial agents has been identified in the freshwater animal Hydra, which shows promise in combating drug-resistant bacteria. The protein hydramacin-1, found in Hydra, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered how E. coli bacteria can resist antibiotics by inducing a dormant state through the HipA protein kinase. By studying the molecular details of HipA's role in multidrug tolerance, the team has identified potential targets for new therapies.
A high-fat diet can affect circadian rhythms, leading to hormone imbalance, obesity, psychological disorders, and cancer. Fasting and a low-fat diet regulate adiponectin signaling pathways, while a high-fat diet disrupts these pathways, contributing to metabolic disorders.
A CSU team report highlights the potential of science faculty specializing in education to improve science teaching. The study found that 47% of 'science faculty with education specialties' (SFES) transitioned into the role from traditional positions, while 53% were hired specifically for the SFES role.
The University of California-Irvine has set a new record for the largest class of researchers named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science with 20 new honorees. The AAAS fellows represent the depth and breadth of research excellence at UCI.
A team of researchers has discovered how the N4 phage injects its own RNA polymerase into E. coli bacterial cells, enabling it to create new proteins without host help. The unique property allows for potential therapeutic applications in killing E. coli bacteria.
Ariel Anbar's research focuses on how changes in ocean element abundances influenced life, ecosystems, and evolution on Earth. He examines sedimentary rocks to infer past ocean compositions and investigates the role of essential nutrients like iron, sulfur, and copper.
Biochemists at North Carolina State University have developed a new understanding of how bacterial proteins make life-or-death decisions by controlling DNA binding. The findings could lead to new targets for drugs to disrupt bacterial decision-making processes and related diseases.
Researchers at USC have discovered a novel approach to suppressing prostate cancer development by inactivating a specific protein biomarker. By blocking the glucose-regulated protein GRP78, they found that prostate tumor progression can be halted in animal models.
A Queen's University study has shed new light on the control of a cell enzyme implicated in tissue damage after heart attacks and strokes. The research team discovered a way to block the enzyme's activity, which could lead to new drug treatments for stroke and heart disease.
A new research study at Cardiff University aims to understand and regulate a patient's immune response to infections, which is crucial for treating end-stage kidney disease. The three-year grant will enable the multidisciplinary team to investigate the consequences of bacterial infection on patients with peritoneal dialysis.
Researchers found that fetuses of obese mother rats developed obesity in adulthood due to altered energy homeostasis and hormone levels. The study suggests that women maintaining optimal conditions during pregnancy may be crucial in preventing adult-onset obesity.
Research by Anthony Norman identifies vitamin D's potential contributions to good health in immune systems, insulin regulation, heart and blood pressure, muscle strength, brain activity, and reducing cancer risk. Adequate intake is essential for 36 organs, including bone marrow, prostate, and breast tissues.
Researchers found a novel gene, bZIP28, regulating heat stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana. This discovery may lead to creating crops more resilient to warmer climates.
The Arizona State University team will focus on characterizing life's elemental requirements, moving beyond water and energy as criteria for the search. This approach aims to identify more habitable worlds within our solar system and beyond.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a mechanism that allows plants to bypass the negative effects of aluminum toxicity, enabling them to grow normally in soils with high levels of toxic aluminum. By manipulating a DNA surveillance system called AtATR, scientists can enhance aluminum tolerance and increase crop productivity.
Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin have developed a new synthetic form of the CXCL12 protein, which shows promise in inhibiting cancer cell migration and potentially stopping its spread. The discovery was made using a proprietary method to improve the detection of metastatic cancers.
Rice University professors Ka-Yiu San and George Bennett have developed an eco-friendly bacterial process to speed up pharmaceutical production and reduce costs. The new method uses metabolically engineered E. coli cells to continually replenish the supply of NADPH, a critical cofactor in forming chiral compounds.
A UC Riverside researcher has developed a new method to culture human embryonic stem cells using no animal-derived materials, which could improve the safety and efficiency of stem cell therapies. The method uses a chemically synthesized ECM and results in stem cells with uncompromised pluripotency.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has selected eight scientists for its annual awards competition, recognizing their contributions to science. The award winners include David Davies, John Kuriyan, Sarah Spiegel, Susan Lindquist, Douglas Rees, Phillip Zamore, Sandra Schmid, and Rochelle Schwartz-Bloom.
Eco1 and its human homologue maintain sister chromatid cohesion by affecting Smc3, a key component of the cohesion protein complex. This process is critical for genome stability and cell survival.
Researchers at UGA's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences have identified a mechanism that explains how telomerase enzymes are recruited to chromosome ends in cancer cells. The study highlights the potential for targeting telomerase as a means to stop cancers from spreading, providing new avenues for investigation into cancer growth.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered a compound called silvestrol that can re-sensitize tumors to chemotherapy, making them susceptible to anticancer drugs. Silvestrol, derived from Malaysian folk medicine, has been shown to effectively reduce resistance to chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer.
A Virginia Tech research group has isolated proteins responsible for iron-sulfur cluster assembly and witnessed their interactions within a cell. This breakthrough provides insight into the sequential steps of the process, helping to explain how molecules are synthesized and distributed in cells.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that Smad proteins control the processing of a subset of microRNA, including miR-21. This discovery reveals a new role of Smad proteins in regulating microRNA processing, which is a contributing factor in cardiovascular disorders and cancer.
Four Stanford researchers Mark Schnitzer, Kang Shen, Seung K. Kim, and Julie Theriot have been awarded the prestigious title of HHMI investigators for their groundbreaking work in biomedical science. They will now have the freedom to tackle ambitious and risky research projects without restriction.
Researchers found that a common asthma medication can improve smell function in individuals with biochemistry-based hyposmia. The study used 369 participants and showed significant improvements in over 70% of patients, with no correlation between blood levels and treatment efficacy.
Scott A. Strobel has made seminal contributions to the understanding of RNA structure and function, revealing its catalytic role through various disciplines. He will give the award lecture at the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting.
Researchers identify collagenase-2 as a key player in multiple sclerosis development, providing a potential new therapeutic target. The enzyme's role in degrading tissue and allowing unwanted cells to invade the brain may be effectively blocked by pharmaceutical intervention.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a sensor capable of detecting trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide in homemade explosives. The penny-sized electronic sensor is comparable to current instruments but cheaper and more portable.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discover that lymphotactin, a key immune response protein, rapidly shifts between two unrelated structures up to ten times a second. This finding may lead to new insights into misfolded proteins like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered how TB bacteria becomes resistant to isoniazid, a key treatment for the disease. The study reveals that mutations in bacterial enzymes protect it from the treatment, highlighting the importance of understanding drug resistance.
Scientists have determined the three-dimensional structure of human kynurenine aminotransferase II, an enzyme regulating glutamate activity. The discovery provides insight into biochemical regulation and may lead to treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
The January issues of Biophysical Journal feature studies on the ultra-fast biological motion of Vorticella, which contracts like a spring, and sequence-dependent variations in nucleosome stability. Researchers also explore the biomechanical perspective of vesicle transport regulation in cells.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a complex metabolic pathway in mosquito species, which they aim to disrupt with a harmless molecule. This could lead to an insecticide that kills both mosquitoes and their eggs, slowing the spread of diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
A new study published in Molecular Systems Biology reveals that probiotics can significantly alter the biochemistry of gut microbes and affect metabolism. Researchers found that different probiotic strains triggered distinct biochemical changes, including modifications to bile acid metabolism, which could influence fat absorption.
Researchers found Celecoxib reduces heart rate and increases irregularities, but not through COX-2 inhibition. Drosophila model reveals a direct effect on potassium channels generating heartbeat.
Researchers at Arizona State University develop a gene detection platform using self-assembled DNA nanostructures, enabling label-free detection of RNA genes in single cells. The technology has potential applications for disease diagnosis and could revolutionize the way gene expression is analyzed.
Blocking the enzyme SCD1 reduces fat accumulation, improves insulin sensitivity and weight loss in FH-mice affected by metabolic syndrome. This finding highlights SCD1 as a potential drug target for individuals with familial hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers developed a mutated anthrax toxin that targets melanoma cells, with 100% of mice tolerated lethal doses. The toxin was more specific and effective than natural toxin, inhibiting angiogenesis and killing other tumors like colon and lung.
Researchers found that a specific protein-protein interaction, involving the rogue Ras protein and its binding partner Raf, blocks the switch from being turned off, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. The study resolves a paradox in the behavior of Ras mutants in cells versus solution.
Researchers found that high sugar consumption led to obesity, insulin resistance, and cognitive decline in mice. The study highlights the potential link between sugary drinks and Alzheimer's disease, a finding that could have significant implications for human health.
A study of adolescent offenders found a new upper limit for ALT that is more sensitive for diagnosing liver disease. The findings suggest targeted interventions for at-risk youths, who are high-risk for HCV infection and obesity-related liver disease.
Altered levels of an enzyme controlling brain hormone production linked to social isolation-induced anxiety and aggression in mice. The study suggests a potential mechanism for the psychological effects of social isolation, which could lead to the development of new treatments.
Researchers at UCLA will use a new super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope to investigate molecular assemblies and biological processes, including chromatin structure and cell signaling. The instrument will also enable the development of new family of STED probes based on semiconductor nanocrystals.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Chlamydomonas, a tiny green alga with approximately 15,000 genes. The study provides new insights into human diseases associated with cilia dysfunction, as well as photosynthesis and metabolic processes.
Biochemistry and biophysics expert Dr. James Shorter has been awarded a $1.5 million NIH New Innovator Award to develop biochemical methods for combating nerve degeneration diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a potential new therapy for uveitis, an inflammatory eye condition causing 5-15% of all cases of total blindness in the US. The treatment uses an aldose reductase inhibitor to reduce inflammation and is currently being tested in clinical trials.
Dr. Michael Bruce Zwick is honored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) for his groundbreaking work in developing an HIV vaccine. He has published numerous papers and received several prestigious awards, including the ICAAC Young Investigator Awards.