James A. Wells, a UCSF professor and director of the small molecule discovery center, has made groundbreaking contributions to protein engineering and discovery. He integrates multiple disciplines to design molecules that selectively activate or inhibit cellular processes.
Researchers explored how changes in water content affect bone's structure and dynamics, revealing dynamical structural changes in collagen. The study's success enables future research into atomic-level behaviors of bone under different conditions.
Scientists are using various imaging techniques, including MRI and CT scans, to study chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and develop a better understanding of the disease. The research aims to categorize COPD patients into two major groups based on airway dysfunction and lung tissue damage.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have determined the atomic-level structure of a SEVI precursor and found it damages cell membranes to make them more vulnerable to HIV infection. The study provides insights into how SEVI interacts with cell membranes, which may help in developing new treatments for AIDS.
A new study published in Science has found that a specific gene associated with schizophrenia plays a critical role in adaptive plasticity, the brain's ability to compensate for disruptions. The discovery suggests that impaired adaptive plasticity may contribute to the development or progression of schizophrenia.
ASU professors Stuart Lindsay and Paul Westerhoff will lead two innovative projects to tackle challenges in rapid DNA sequencing and nanotechnology health risks. The projects aim to simplify DNA sequencing like the invention of the transistor simplified electronics.
Dr. Bergman's work developed a glucose 'disposition index' that quantifies the nature of interactions between insulin sensitivity and pancreatic secretion, predictive of type 2 diabetes development. The awards ceremony recognizes his contributions to understanding carbohydrate metabolism and identifying risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
A new imaging technique developed by a team of researchers could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-cancer drugs. The method uses mass spectrometry to analyze chemical communication between microorganisms.
Researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati have discovered a new set of essential telomere proteins in Arabidopsis, a plant found worldwide. The team identified human counterparts to these proteins, which could help understand human cancers and cellular aging.
Researchers from UNC Health Care have discovered a crucial link between the synthesis of histone messenger RNA and apoptosis, a normal biochemical response to cell damage. The study identifies FLASH protein as essential for producing histone proteins, which regulate gene expression.
Using electrophysiological recording techniques, researchers found neurons tuned to fundamental frequencies and harmonic sounds in awake monkeys. This discovery sheds light on the neural mechanisms of music processing and its potential therapeutic benefits for patients with severe neurological disorders.
The study found that students taught by participating teachers passed Regents science exams at a rate 10.1 percentage points higher than non-participating teachers' students. The program provides hands-on laboratory experience and funds for science supplies, encouraging teachers to implement more interactive exercises in their classrooms.
Researchers aim to understand the 'language' of the human genome by linking proteins to their genomic blueprints. The goal is to enhance efforts to solve pressing health issues like heart disease and cancer.
Researchers led by Jackie Shanks aim to develop a catalyst that allows plants to produce hydrocarbons, potentially creating second-generation biofuels. The project will investigate the conversion mechanisms and structures of biological hydrocarbons, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Researchers at Iowa State University have identified an enzyme that helps make tuberculosis resistant to a human's natural defense system. A new method to neutralize this enzyme may lead to a cure for the disease, which kills 1.5 to 2 million people worldwide annually.
UCI researchers developed a new approach using liposomes and peptides to precisely target cancer treatments to specific cells and organs. The study demonstrated effective delivery of doxorubicin to the liver with minimal uptake by other organs, offering a promising solution to reduce side effects.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a novel mechanism that stops cancer cells from growing and dividing. The 'on-off switch' mechanism involves a tiny bit of genetic material that regulates the function of tumor-suppressor proteins, preventing cancer cells from proliferating.
Recent findings published online first in Cancer Research show that obesity is associated with increased incidence and mortality of leukemia in children. The study reveals that fat cells can block chemotherapy drugs from reaching cancerous cells, leading to reduced treatment effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Iowa discovered a way to deliver therapeutic molecules directly into brain cells using the blood-brain barrier. They found that unique alterations in the blood vessels surrounding brain cells can target specific diseases, allowing for non-invasive treatment of lysosomal storage diseases.
Researchers at UCSF have identified microRNA collections that affect distinct processes critical for cancer progression. By analyzing these 'signatures', the team found a link between deregulated microRNAs and processes like hyperproliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Researchers have discovered that applying capsaicin to specific skin locations can trigger signals in the nervous system, activating cellular pathways that protect the heart. This technique has shown promise in reducing cardiac cell death by up to 85%.
The Biophysical Society has named eight award recipients for their groundbreaking work in biophysics. The winners include Tom Rapoport, James Hamilton, and S. Walter Englander, who will receive prestigious awards for their contributions to fields such as protein transport, lipid biology, and single molecule biology.
The Biophysical Society has recognized ten new fellows for their exceptional contributions to the field of biophysics. These researchers have made significant advances in understanding the structure and function of biological macromolecules, membrane proteins, and biomembranes through innovative approaches and pioneering techniques.
The study reveals that fish and some amphibians use a unique sensory system to detect vibrations in water, allowing them to navigate and locate prey. Mathematical models developed by researchers demonstrate surprising accuracy in predicting nerve signals, enabling potential applications in robotics.
Scientists found that primary cilia can either suppress or promote basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. Removing primary cilia from skin cancer cells blocks tumor growth, while boosting cilia function boosts tumor growth.
Researchers identified two core structures, a negative feedback loop and feed-forward loop, that enable cells to adapt to changing environments. These findings have potential applications in targeted drug development for complex diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Researchers at UBC have created a method to extract high-quality DNA from diluted or contaminated samples using electric fields. This breakthrough has significant implications for forensic investigations and basic life-science research.
Climbing plants have evolved remarkable adaptations to ascend walls and trellises, with various modes of attachment, including twining, leaf-climbing, tendril-bearers, root-climbers, and hook-climbers. These structures enable flexibility and withstand mechanical stresses, allowing vines to efficiently transport water and nutrients.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients lack the protein dystrophin, which protects muscle cells by connecting to filament types. The new study reveals microtubules become disorganized when dystrophin is missing, contributing to devastating symptoms.
Researchers found that acute stress enhances learning and memory by increasing glutamate transmission in the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that moderate stress may be beneficial for cognitive function, contradicting the common perception of chronic stress as detrimental.
A new study identifies alpha dystroglycan as a key protein that binds muscle membranes to the basal lamina, reinforcing membrane integrity. Injecting functional dystroglycan into muscle tissue restored membrane integrity and protected muscles from damage.
Rice University has received $11.1 million in federal stimulus funding to construct the Brockman Hall for Physics, a new research facility supporting fundamental and applied physics research. The building will enable Rice to remain on the cutting edge of physical science research with state-of-the-art facilities.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered how a protein molecule named Srs2 removes Rad51 from DNA, preventing unwanted exchanges of DNA sequences. This finding could lead to ways of enhancing chemotherapy drugs that destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
Researchers at Yale University detail the molecular mechanisms governing selenium metabolism in the human body. The study reveals a highly specialized tRNA molecule responsible for selenocysteine production, which is crucial for recycling protective antioxidants.
Researchers advocate for systems biology in cancer treatment, promising improved diagnostic tools and new drug targets. The approach integrates mathematical modeling, simulations, and experiments to understand complex cancer processes.
New research reveals that cells employ similar molecules for importing and exporting cargo, blurring the line between endocytosis and exocytosis. This challenges traditional biological assumptions about dedicated molecules for specific processes.
Synaptic plasticity plays a crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis, ensuring an effective response to challenges followed by recovery. The study provides the first set of synaptic rules for resetting homeostatic setpoints in vivo.
Researchers at UAB have created a 3D computer protein map of the acid-sensing ion channel-1 protein, which can help identify new drug targets and test compounds to slow brain-cell death, halt brain cancer, and improve pain control.
Researchers have finally proven the link between Merkel cells and light touch sensation, a discovery that resolves a 100-year-old mystery in neuroscience. The study found that Merkel cells, typically associated with texture and shape perception, play a crucial role in detecting light touch.
Researchers found that an overactive enzyme plays a role in atrial fibrillation, but does not act alone. The study revealed a synergy between the enzyme and a specific calcium channel mutation, which is necessary for arrhythmia development.
High levels of brain energy are necessary for maintaining consciousness, according to Yale researchers. The study proposes that a conscious person requires a high level of brain energy, which supports human behavior and should be considered when interpreting fMRI signals.
Exposure to low-dose BPA and estrogen increases arrhythmias in female rats and mice, a new study found. The results suggest a possible risk for female heart health due to increased levels of estrogens in the body and exposure to environmental estrogen BPA.
Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure may be associated with abnormal activity in female rat and mouse hearts, potentially leading to improper heartbeat control. Researchers found estrogen receptors play a key role in this effect, which could have significant implications for women's heart health.
Researchers from USC's Keck School of Medicine have developed a Mobile Body Area Network that monitors obesity indicators in minority youth. The KNOWME device uses wearable wireless sensors to measure physical activity, stress, and body fat, providing immediate feedback for interventionists and health professionals.
The study reveals that each bacterial strain presents a unique outer surface protein, rendering current vaccines less effective against new strains. Researchers believe a tip protein-based vaccine strategy could provide better protection.
Scientists have confirmed a unified theory about how the brain processes speech and language, suggesting that two parallel pathways process complex auditory signals. The findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, provide insight into disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, and may lead to better treatment options.
Researchers have discovered a new therapy that substitutes the missing protein dystrophin to repair weakened muscle tissue in mouse models with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The TAT-utrophin-based protein approach addresses the cause of the disease without gene replacement or stem cell issues, offering a potential treatment option.
Dr. Michael Holick's work revolutionized the understanding of vitamin D and its role in disease prevention, redefining vitamin D deficiency as a national epidemic.
Dr. Michael Holick, a leading vitamin D expert, has been awarded the $50,000 Linus Pauling Institute Prize for his pioneering work in disease prevention and public health. His research has shown a significant link between vitamin D deficiency and various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that antibody interference can hinder vaccine effectiveness, proposing a new approach to design more powerful vaccines. They suggest intentionally developing a vaccine strain that differs from the anticipated infectious virus at specific sites.
Researchers at UNC identified the p18 gene as a potential cause of luminal-type breast cancers, which account for 70-80% of all cases. The study found that defects in this gene lead to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.
Researchers found that brain cells in the lateral intraparietal cortex predict direction choice and uncertainty, revealing a link between decision making and certainty. The study suggests a simple mechanism underlying both, bringing certainty under the same rubric as choice and reaction time.
The March of Dimes has awarded a $250,000 prize to Kevin P. Campbell and Louis M. Kunkel for their pioneering work identifying the genes and proteins that cause muscular dystrophy. Their research has led to better diagnostic tools and potential treatments, improving the lives of over 250,000 Americans affected by the disorder.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a form of synaptic memory in the olfactory bulb, which could explain how we store information about specific smells. This finding provides a new perspective on the brain's processing of sensory information and has implications for understanding human memory.
A Iowa State University researcher has figured out a mechanism involved in marking where DNA instructions are located in cells. The Gcn5 protein plays a crucial role in recognizing chemically modified histones, facilitating efficient gene reading and shedding light on diseases like cancer.
A new JGP study advances conclusions about the essential features of the Shaker K+ channel. Researchers propose that if three of four voltage sensors are in an activated conformation, the fourth can open and close the channel by itself.
Researchers have discovered a way to trigger an improved immune response to cancer using a combination of interleukin-7 and a viral vaccine. The new approach shows promise in treating cancer, potentially sparing patients from toxic therapies.
Researchers found that HIV antibodies face obstacles in blocking infection, with a narrow window of opportunity for effective binding due to the virus's low spike density. This finding highlights potential challenges for developing an effective vaccine against HIV.
Researchers have identified a genetic mechanism in bacteria that could lead to the development of new antibiotics. The preQ1 riboswitch regulates gene expression by controlling the availability of queuosine, a molecule essential for bacterial survival and human disease.
Researchers found that thermosensory neurons in C. elegans help regulate response to increasing heat by changing steroid signaling pathways, which affect longevity. This system allows worms to reduce the effect of warm temperature on aging processes, similar to how warm-blooded animals control their body temperature.