Neuroscientist David Anderson explains how studying model organisms like mice and fruit flies can improve understanding of the neural basis of emotion. He also discusses the limitations of human brain studies and the potential of new technologies to experimentally manipulate brain circuitry.
Researchers have developed a new tool to understand how cancers grow and identify novel cancer drugs. By analyzing human prostate tissue and engineering specific genetic changes, scientists can create cancer cells from stem cells, providing precise targets for treatment.
US government's lifting of restrictions on federally-funded stem cell research has helped scientists focus on science, but limitations remain. George Daley will discuss the current climate and potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) in treating devastating diseases.
A bold new approach to premedical and medical education proposes interactive, interdisciplinary learning, outlining specific scientific topics that students should know before entering medical school. The report recommends eight competencies for undergraduate and graduate students, aiming to create integrated science courses.
Researchers discovered that distinct cancer-causing mutations in neighboring cells can cooperate to promote tumorigenesis. The study found that the genetic cooperation occurs through a signaling pathway that activates cellular proliferation and stress response pathways.
A team of researchers has identified a human protein called IFITM3 that blocks the replication of H1N1 influenza virus and other viruses. The discovery could lead to the development of more effective antiviral drugs, including prophylactic drugs to slow influenza transmission.
Scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell in the skin that acts like embryonic stem cells, generating various cell types and aiding in hair growth and wound healing. The dermal stem cells may hold the key to treating baldness and other neurological disorders.
Atoh1, a transcription factor critical for fetal development, is necessary for the development of many forms of medulloblastoma. Shutting down Atoh1 in susceptible brain cells prevented medulloblastoma from developing in mice, suggesting it as a potential target for new drug treatments.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the DNA of approximately one species per genus of living mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This will help reconstruct the genetic changes that gave rise to diverse life forms on Earth, with potential benefits for human and animal health, as well as conservation efforts.
Early-stage ovarian tumors can remain undetectable for years due to their small size, posing a significant challenge in early detection. The study suggests that detecting these microscopic tumors within a four-year window could enable surgeons to remove them before they spread.
Researchers have mapped the structure of an antiviral antibody clamped onto rotavirus protein VP7, revealing intimate details about how it interferes with virus infection. The discovery may lead to the development of a new generation of rotavirus vaccines that are easier to store and administer.
Researchers have identified a host of genes that cancer cells depend on for survival, including serine/threonine kinase 33 and polo-like kinase 1. Targeting these kinases could potentially lead to effective treatments for various types of cancer.
Researchers have designed tiny RNA molecules that can reduce production of the damaging Huntingtin protein in nearly half of people with the disease. An additional set of four small interfering RNAs may benefit an additional 25 percent of patients.
Researchers have developed two new drugs, RD162 and MDV3100, that prevent male hormones from stimulating growth of prostate cancer cells. These compounds appear to work well even in prostate cells with heightened sensitivity to hormones, which makes them effective against drug-resistant prostate cancer.
Researchers discover that large genomes make it easier to find regions of DNA controlling gene activity. The study used the genomes of flies and other insects to identify regulatory sequences previously difficult to detect in human genomes.
Gene duplication in our ancestral species may be responsible for uniquely human characteristics, and also contribute to diseases like autism and schizophrenia. Research estimates that these duplications slowed down after humans diverged from chimpanzees.
Researchers have identified a new biological marker, sarcosine, that indicates prostate cancer progression and spreading. Sarcosine levels increase in tumor cells and urine samples as the disease develops.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technology that produces the best three-dimensional resolution ever seen with an optical microscope, allowing them to pinpoint fluorescent labels in all three dimensions. This breakthrough will help reveal how biomolecules organize themselves into cellular structures and signaling complexes.
Researchers have discovered a compound that targets four crucial metabolic pathways of the tuberculosis bacterium, weakening and destroying it. This approach could lead to the development of safer, single-drug treatments that eliminate the need for lengthy medication regimens.
Researchers discovered a molecule called NAPE that signals the brain when the stomach is full, reducing hunger. In studies with mice and rats, NAPE treatment led to significant weight loss and reduced appetite, suggesting potential for new obesity treatments.
Researchers used a new technique to study gene expression in stored liver tissue samples, identifying a tell-tale genetic profile that indicates likelihood of recurrence. The analysis revealed a characteristic gene expression signature in 186 genes that reliably correlated with high tumor recurrence rates.
Mice conditioned for safety display reduced anxiety in stressful situations, comparable to antidepressant medications. The study reveals learned safety influences brain development, including increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine neurotransmitters.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have created a non-invasive blood test that accurately detects Down syndrome and two other serious chromosomal defects. The test is more accurate than previous methods and can provide results within a few days, reducing the wait time for anxious parents.
Researchers have created disease-specific stem cell lines for ten genetic disorders, including muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease. These lines will enable scientists to model human diseases in a laboratory setting, making it possible to study the development of various tissues relevant to these conditions.
Two drugs, GW1516 and AICAR, have been identified by researchers to enhance exercise endurance by increasing fat burning in muscle fibers. In laboratory experiments, mice treated with the drugs ran longer distances on treadmill tests than untreated animals, with one compound increasing endurance by 44 percent.
Researchers identified six genes associated with autism by analyzing large Middle Eastern families where both parents shared a recent ancestor. The study suggests that these genes affect learning and memory, and may be treatable through gene therapy or enriched learning environments.
Scientists have identified over 100 host cell genes that the influenza virus depends on for infection, offering hope for developing new antiviral drugs. The study used fruit fly cells and RNA interference to screen for these targets, which could potentially be used to prevent viral replication and resistance.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute identified functional mutations in three genes that contribute to blood pressure variation in the general population. These mutations, present in approximately 2% of the population, are associated with a 60% reduction in the risk of hypertension.
Researchers identified a protein, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), that regulates melanocytes' decision to ward off cancer by entering a programmed hibernation or committing suicide. This discovery offers new hope for treating deadly melanoma by harnessing the body's natural defense pathway.
Immune cells can detect prostate cancer using a specific receptor on T cells, which recognizes the cancerous tumor. The molecular signpost is histone H4, a protein found in all cells but displayed only on the surface of tumor cells.
Researchers identified three microRNA molecules that suppress the spread of breast cancer. Restoring these molecules reduces the ability of cancer cells to proliferate and migrate. The study adds to the growing list of cellular targets for drugs designed to prevent breast cancer metastasis.
Researchers found that a common genetic mechanism, involving the Kitlg gene, is responsible for the evolution of skin pigmentation in both fish and humans. This discovery reveals a surprising parallel between the evolutionary history of stickleback fish and human populations.
Advanced imaging techniques reveal that normal aging degrades bundles of axons in the central nervous system, disrupting communication between different brain regions. This decline contributes to cognitive decline and affects processing speed, executive function, and memory.
A team of scientists has discovered that the antidepressant drug mianserin can extend the lifespan of adult roundworms, Caenorhabditis elegans, by about 30 percent. The drug may act by mimicking the effects of caloric restriction, which has been shown to retard the effects of aging in various animals.
Researchers developed a small molecule that turns the survival signal for cancer cells into a death signal, inducing apoptosis. The treatment may be less toxic to healthy cells than current cancer chemotherapy methods.
Researchers at HHMI used a new computational method to predict protein structure with remarkable accuracy. The method, called Rosetta@home, uses distributed computing and targeted rebuilding to overcome challenges in predicting protein structures.
Scientists have successfully reprogrammed adult stem cells from male mice' testes into functional blood vessels and cardiac tissue. These multipotent adult spermatogonial-derived stem cells may offer an alternative to embryonic stem cells without ethical concerns.
Scientists engineered mice with a single mutation in the neuroligin-3 gene to study autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), finding improved spatial learning and memory while impairing social interactions. The mouse model may help understand how specific defects in neural development lead to ASDs.
Two NIH-approved embryonic stem cell lines were found to generate distinct types of neurons, differing in synapse formation and neurotransmitter usage. The discovery highlights the influence of culture conditions on human ES cells' developmental properties.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute disabled a sensory organ in female mice, prompting them to exhibit male-like behaviors during courtship. The findings suggest that the neural circuits governing gender-specific behaviors are similar in both sexes.
A genetically altered strain of tuberculosis has been developed that elicits a stronger immune response than the current vaccine, improving survival of infected animals. The new vaccine may help replace BCG, which is largely ineffective, and could lead to significant reductions in TB-related mortality.
A new microfluidics device has enabled researchers to analyze a rare bacteria found in the human mouth and sequence over 1,000 genes from an unstudied group of bacteria, known as TM7. This breakthrough technology holds promise for advancing microbial ecology and discovering new species.
A study published in Science found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise can extend lifespan by reducing insulin-like signaling in the brain. The researchers discovered that mice with reduced insulin receptor substrates lived 18% longer, while also showing improved metabolic health.
Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle leads to altered energy storage, promoting metabolic syndrome.
Researchers tracked microbial ecosystems in 14 healthy infants using DNA microarray technology, finding wide variation in gut flora composition and dynamics. The study reveals that Bifidobacteria are scarce in breast-fed babies until several months after birth, contradicting previous studies.
A recent study found that treating hepatitis B patients with the drug entecavir can cause those co-infected with HIV to become resistant to two key anti-HIV drugs. Researchers identified a mutant strain of HIV that developed in one patient, rendering it resistant to lamivudine and emtricitabine.
A new database developed by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides a detailed portrait of the army of over 700 proteins that helps maintain DNA's integrity. The study reveals that two critical enzymes, ATM and ATR, act as sensors to detect trouble and initiate repair pathways.
A major new effort uncovers medium- and large-scale genetic differences between humans, including structural variations in DNA sequences that amount to 5-10% of the genome. These changes can influence disease susceptibility and normal functioning.
Researchers found that enriched environments improved learning and memory in mice with neurodegeneration due to p25 activation. The animals showed significant gains on memory tests and recovered long-term memories weeks after training. However, no evidence of new neuron growth was observed.
A genetic 'gang of 4' drives the spread of breast cancer to the lungs by promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Researchers discovered that silencing these genes can effectively reduce cancer growth and metastasis in mice.