Researchers at UB's Toshiba Stroke Research Center have developed a new dual contrast injection method, enabling neurosurgeons to characterize and treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) more effectively. The technique allows for precise measurement of blood flow rate, facilitating the accurate administration of a glue-like substance ...
Researchers have discovered a novel function of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein essential for mRNA production in all cells. This finding links SMN deficiency to spinal muscular atrophy, a leading genetic cause of infant death, and paves the way for potential therapeutic interventions.
Scientists have identified a close evolutionary connection between the photosynthetic reaction centre of bacteria and that of higher plants. Photosystem II in plants is a multi-enzyme complex comprising over 25 different proteins, which work together to convert sunlight into biochemical energy.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown light-sensitive pigment in the eye, skin, and brain that regulates mammals' internal clocks. This discovery has significant implications for treating depression and reducing accidents during night work shifts, as it allows for better synchronization with daily cycles.
In a study on roundworms, UCSF researchers found that a gene controlling aging acts not within individual cells but rather coordinates the aging process of the whole organism. The discovery suggests a mechanism that causes all cells to reach a consensus on aging, potentially offering insight into human aging.
A recent study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that proteins fold through a series of pre-determined, intermediate arrangements. This process allows proteins to correct mistakes quickly and prevent aggregation, which is crucial in fighting diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers have discovered a gene called E2F1 that helps bring about tumor cell death yet is also necessary for their growth. The study found that without E2F1, tumors grew slower but cell death was reduced by 80 percent.
A team of researchers has determined the three-dimensional structure of an enzyme responsible for gentamicin resistance, presenting a possible target for designing drugs to inhibit its action. The enzyme's structure resembles a cupped right hand wrapped around a cylinder, with a cavity that could hold gentamicin in place.
The discovery represents the first known structure of JNK3, a MAP Kinase family enzyme implicated in neurological diseases like epilepsy. Vertex's interdisciplinary approach may lead to new drugs against innovative targets, building on their track record of applying structural information to genomic discoveries.
Researchers discovered that cooling papers to 10 degrees Celsius reduces decomposition rates by six-fold, making it an effective method for preserving documents. This technique could extend the shelf life of valuable books and papers by hundreds of years, potentially saving them from degradation.
The UT Southwestern pediatric laboratory now has a Time-of-Flight mass spectrometer, allowing for local analysis of chemotherapeutic drugs and other substances. This technology aids in identifying molecular minutiae, potentially resolving side effects such as fatigue and cognitive problems associated with chemotherapy.
The Lupus Foundation of America has awarded a summer internship to Yale student Su-jean Seo, who is conducting research on antigens targeted in autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus at the Wistar Institute. The fellowship will support her work under the supervision of Dr. Jan Erikson.
The crystal structure of gp120 in action provides valuable clues for vaccine design, revealing how the virus binds to T cells while maintaining changeability. Researchers can now use this information to create targeted compounds that interfere with the interaction between gp120 and CD4 receptors.
Researchers have discovered a new light-sensitive pigment called cryptochrome, which controls the circadian rhythm in mammals, regulating bodily functions such as body temperature and blood pressure. The discovery may lead to better treatment for depression and reduce accidents during late-night shifts.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a critical gene involved in yeast spore development that may also play a role in human sperm development. The study found that a gene called NDT80 stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for DNA division, and its malfunction can cause permanent arrest in sperm development.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) has awarded $2 million to support 20 grants from the first round of applications. The grants focus on high-impact, high-risk research studies in areas such as cell biology, biophysics, and pharmacology.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are studying how cells sense, respond, and adapt to physical forces. They aim to develop interventional drugs, gene-therapies, and blood-clot-dissolving enzymes for diseased vessels.
University of Maryland scientists have discovered a way to transform sodium channels into calcium channels, which could lead to the development of new treatments for heart failure and various neurological conditions. This breakthrough, reported in the journal Science, opens up novel targets for drug discovery and molecular medicine.
Scientists have determined the 3D molecular structure of HIV's nucleocapsid protein, which recognizes and binds to viral RNA. This discovery may lead to the development of highly specific anti-AIDS drugs that can prevent HIV spread and be safe for patients.
Researchers at Columbia University have linked a particular odor to the proteins in the human nose that detect it for the first time. They matched the smell of meat to a specific protein in rat nerve cells, shedding light on how the sense of smell works.
A new Fetal Echocardiography website aims to improve detection of congenital heart disease using an expert system that guides physicians and technicians in interpreting fetal sonograms. The beta version of the program has been accessed over 7,000 times since its online launch in August 1996.
Researchers at UC Irvine have identified a gene associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness. The gene encodes a potassium ion channel protein that controls electrical activity in nerves, and its altered function may contribute to brain behavior changes.
Researchers discovered a molecule, ERAB, that causes early neuron damage in Alzheimer's disease. The finding may lead to therapies that inhibit the interaction of ERAB and amyloid-B peptide, protecting neurons from damage.
Scientists have discovered a crucial region on nerve cells that may be essential for the actions of inhaled anesthetics, potentially leading to safer, more potent pain medications. The finding also provides insight into the genetics of alcohol addiction and may help develop new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a novel biochemical mechanism for carbon monoxide poisoning that may lead to new clinical approaches. The study reveals that CO binds to heme proteins, usurping nitric oxide and leading to tissue-damaging oxidants and free radicals.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used advanced computer modeling to study the purple bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The team created a three-dimensional model depicting how the light-harvesting complexes aggregate in a ring around the photosynthetic reaction center, shedding light on efficient energy capture. This breakthro...
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has determined the molecular structure of Cre recombinase, an enzyme used in genetically engineering animal models. The detailed structural picture will aid in designing better research models and provide insights into the recombination reaction.
Researchers developed a molecular radar system to track signaling enzymes inside cells, allowing them to map the exact progress of intercellular messengers during embryonic development. This achievement has valuable implications for understanding how signals are transferred inside cells and how they go awry in diseases like cancer.
A Weizmann Institute study suggests that master-key antibodies interact with proline on proteins and protein fragments to escort them out of the body. This research provides scientific basis for theory that these antibodies may remove broad range of unneeded proteins without affecting beneficial ones.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding prion diseases by fully decoding the three-dimensional structure of the normal prion protein. This discovery may play a key role in the conversion of normal to disease-inducing prions, potentially leading to new treatments for BSE and Creutzfeld-Jacob disease.
Scientists pinpoint exact spot where snake venom latches onto receptor, paving way for synthetic antidote. The new treatment could be more effective and faster-acting than current method, eliminating risk of allergy.
Researchers at UNL have discovered a glycoprotein complex, p67, that correlates directly with cells' resistance to viruses. The team found that encouraging the growth of p67 could be a useful means of preventing viruses from taking over cells' reproductive machinery.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have determined the three-dimensional structure of Hck, a cancer-causing protein that plays a key role in regulating cell behavior. The study reveals that the protein's shape is controlled by the SH3 domain, which enables it to transform cells into cancerous ones.
Researchers have identified an inactive gene that contributes to cancer development when it fails to work in harmony with the tumor-suppressing p53 gene. The findings suggest that the bax gene can act as a tumor suppresser, and its dysfunction may lead to increased cancer cell death and tumor growth.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a key gene called NIK that plays a crucial role in triggering the immune response. By removing the 'brake' on the NF-kappaB protein, NIK activation sets off an immune response that could be harnessed to develop new medications for autoimmune diseases and HIV.
A team of researchers has found that most DNA mutations in yeast are caused by the activity of an enzyme called REV1. The enzyme helps cells evade quality control and can produce mutations when repairing damaged DNA, potentially leading to cancer.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a hormonal link between nutrition and reproduction, with leptin serving as a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. The study provides an explanation for how the body's energy stores determine reproductive readiness.
A new DNA polymerase, dubbed zeta, allows yeast cells to replicate damaged DNA, increasing their odds of survival but also the risk of mutations. This enzyme is a last-gasp option for cells when all attempts to fix damaged DNA have failed, and its discovery sheds light on how organisms cope with this constant problem.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have discovered an enzyme called MACH that triggers cellular self-destruction in autoimmune disorders like juvenile diabetes and multiple sclerosis. This finding may lead to treatments that selectively block abnormal cell death signals while allowing normal cell suicide processes to continue.
Scientists have long known that proteins like colicin Ia can punch holes in cell membranes to kill bacteria. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine mapped the structure of colicin Ia, revealing a massive chunk of protein must cross the membrane to form an open channel.