Researchers have identified cyclic peptides from the butterfly pea plant as potential therapeutic solutions for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's. The peptides protected neurons against β-amyloid toxicity and oxidative stress in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans.
The research team identified vinculin as critical for maintaining the quiescent properties of hair follicle stem cells. Vinculin's loss leads to weak cell-cell junctions and dysregulated YAP1 pathway, causing increased cell proliferation and loss of quiescence.
Research on E. coli bacteria reveals that higher translation error rates lead to increased phenotypic variability at the single-cell level, affecting cell length and division time. However, population-level growth parameters show inconsistent correlations with mistranslation levels, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A recent study has shed new light on the evolutionary history and genomic variation of tigers, revealing population bottlenecks and recent divergence between subspecies. The research highlights the importance of local adaptation and genetic rescue efforts in tiger conservation.
Researchers found that despite diverse signals in the waggle dance among honey bee species, responder bees perceive messages similarly, using comparable vantage points. The team studied three Indian species, finding similar behavior and preference for optimal viewing spots, with some species having more followers.
A recent study by Vaishali Bhaumik and Dr Krushnamegh Kunte reveals contrasting effects of migration and dispersal on flight morphology in butterflies. Female butterfly populations that disperse over short distances have a higher egg load, but this declines rapidly as their thorax size increases, enabling stronger flight muscles.
A new study reveals that female Emigrant butterflies selectively burden themselves with eggs during long-distance flights, whereas males travel light. This disparity stems from differences in predictability of habitat patches and larval host plants between migrating and dispersing species.
A recent study found that air pollution in Bangalore City leads to lower flower visitation rates and altered physiological responses in Giant Asian honey bees. The research suggests widespread negative impacts on these critical pollinators, threatening India's food security and ecosystems.
Caterpillars of the Lycaenidae family have evolved to associate with ants, which protect them from predators in exchange for sugary secretions. These associations are driven by chemical signals and rewards, allowing caterpillars to minimize energetic costs while maximizing protection.
Scientists used virtual reality to simulate a naturalistic environment for insects, revealing their ability to use perspective and motion parallax to locate food sources. The study also showed that airflow cues play a crucial role in orienting flies, especially in the absence of visual cues.
Researchers identified a novel mutation in the S6K1 enzyme that affects protein synthesis and is associated with altered cognitive abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder. The study found that this mutation changes the course of normal neural development and memory forming capacity.
Researchers at NCBS found that mistakes in protein synthesis increase the production of a quality control molecule, triggering an early DNA repair response and enhancing mutational resistance. This general advantage of mistranslation persists due to its occasional benefits under stress.
Researchers at NCBS discovered that dopamine released by nerve cells activates faster motor neurons, allowing zebrafish to swim faster. This finding suggests motor neuron plasticity can be exploited for rehabilitation after spinal cord injury or stroke.
Researchers identified Merkel cell polyomavirus in 7 out of 18 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare skin cancer. The study suggests that most MCC cases in India are likely caused by UV-linked damages, while some may be virus-positive, offering new targets for therapy and diagnosis.
Researchers have found a way to stimulate skin cells to secrete naturally occurring antibiotics called Antimicrobial Peptides, which target and kill bacteria. By modulating caspase-8 levels in the skin, AMP release can be controlled to prevent infections in diabetics and patients with weakened immune systems.
Researchers identified Notch as a key molecule involved in cervical cancer progression, contrary to previous thought that Ras was the primary culprit. The review highlights the complex nature of cervical cancer progression, suggesting that local proliferation and metastasis occur through parallel routes.
Researchers found that herbivores like cutworm larvae can detect and respond to plant volatiles, triggering an immune response and protecting against parasitoid attacks. This unique ability allows the insects to 'smell' chemicals and counteract, revealing a new mechanism of communication between plants and their enemies.
Researchers discovered two proteins that act like a 'clutch' in cells to activate the immune response. These protein condensates guide the movement of contents inside cells, much like switching gears in a car. The study sheds light on control mechanisms for immune activation and could lead to designing T cells with specific functions.
The study found that Moringa leaves contain 30 times more iron and 100 times more calcium than spinach, making them a rich source of essential nutrients. The tree's roots and stem parts also exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, highlighting its potential as a superfood.
Scientists from JNCASR and inStem successfully created a synthetic mimic of cytoskeletal networks with structural and temporal programming. The system was developed through reaction-driven controlled growth, enabling precise control over one-dimensional growth and self-repairing features.
A metabolite from pomegranate diet, Urolithin A, and its synthetic analog mitigate IBD by increasing proteins that tighten epithelial cell junctions in the gut. These compounds reduce inflammation and restore gut barrier integrity.
A team of scientists has discovered how flies coordinate long flight bouts by releasing neuronal brakes, allowing them to conserve energy. The finding reveals that a specific circuit involving dopamine-producing neurons and GABA-producing output neurons regulates flight duration.
A recent study elucidates how methionine controls cell growth programs by setting into motion a metabolic program for cell proliferation. Methionine activates key nodes in metabolism that produce critical substrates and co-factors fueling the production of amino acids and nucleotides, critical for growth.
Cells utilize membrane tension to regulate endocytosis and maintain homeostasis. A protein called vinculin senses changes in force and regulates the CLIC/GEEC pathway to control endocytic processes.
Researchers at InStem have identified distinct markers to distinguish ribosomes that are specialized for producing specific sets of proteins. These findings suggest a novel role for the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein in modifying ribosomal RNA and regulating protein synthesis.
A team of researchers at inStem has developed a nucleophilic polymer-based topical gel that can deactivates pesticides on the skin through nucleophilic-mediated hydrolysis, preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality. The gel shows broad-spectrum activity against commonly used pesticides in India.
A recent study from Prof. Gaiti Hasan's lab has identified the FMRFa receptor as a crucial molecule in sustaining flight in fruit flies for long periods of time. The receptor is part of a class of proteins known as GPCRs, which help convert extracellular messages into cellular responses.
A team from NCBS has identified a set of three proteins - PI4KIIIα, Efr3, and TTC7 - crucial for maintaining PIP2 levels on the surface membranes of cells. This helps maintain the signaling system going by rapidly resynthesizing essential molecules.
Dr. Raj Ladher of NCBS receives grant to study protein protocadherin-15 and its role in hearing loss. The funds will aid in understanding how modified protocadherin-15 affects hair cell response to sound, which could lead to treatment development for hearing loss.
Researchers from NCBS developed a protocol to analyze odor samples from dung piles of male blackbuck. They found that males with high mating success have richer odors in meta-cresol. This discovery has implications for understanding chemical communication in this species and potentially informing conservation efforts.
Researchers have identified a novel form of calcium signaling called store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) as the key to expressing specific proteins on individual neurons. This discovery has implications for understanding brain development, behavior, and disease, including neurodegenerative disorders such as spinocerebellar ataxia 15.
Researchers discovered the intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of Ataxin-2 facilitates its association with other pathogenic proteins, contributing to ALS and SCA2 progression. It also plays a vital role in long-term memory formation and rewiring the nervous system.
A new study reveals that the regeneration of phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) in the fly eye is not as straightforward as previously thought. The researchers found that PIP2 cycle may be an 'open cycle' where breakdown products are siphoned away to other biochemical pathways.
A recent study by National Centre for Biological Sciences reveals that high traffic roads and densely populated urban areas hinder tiger movement in Central India. Simulations show that protected corridors delimited by the NTCA can mitigate this impact, highlighting the need for informed development plans that consider biodiversity and...
Researchers found that hoverflies use a combination of visual, olfactory, and tactile cues to recognize flowers in different environments. The study's results suggest that pollinator preferences for flowers can vary significantly depending on the location and environmental conditions.
Researchers found that migratory female butterflies make distinct physiological changes to invest in flight over reproduction during migration. They remain reproductively inactive and carry a lighter abdomen to optimize energy use. This strategy allows them to breed at the end of the migration, producing large numbers of eggs.
A recent study by Radhika Joshi at NCBS Bangalore has shown that environmental factors can modulate the sedative side effects of antipsychotics. Mice without the 5-HT2A receptor were less affected when given Clozapine in novel cages or with new objects, suggesting a potential strategy for managing these side effects.
Scientists discover that a minuscule change in brain connections between detecting hawthorn and apple odours may be the cause for the split amongst these fruit flies. This finding suggests that even small changes in nervous system can have significant effects on species, particularly in response to introduced foreign species.
A new study by Indian scientists has gained insights into the effects of a single stressful event on brain architecture. Research found increased electrical activity in the amygdala region of the brain, leading to changes in emotional reactions, memory, and decision-making.
Researchers found that Phospholipase D (PLD) plays a central role in coupling endocytosis with membrane recycling in light-sensitive cells. Without PLD activity, the retina gradually degenerates and mutant flies go blind.
Researchers found that messenger molecules in flatworms have alternate forms with varying tail lengths, affecting gene expression. The study provides insights into stem cell regulation and tissue regeneration.
Scientists have identified a brain circuit in fruit flies that enables them to ignore protein deficiencies and transition into the pupal stage despite nutritional stress. This discovery has implications for understanding developmental regulation in insects and potential applications to mammalian physiology.
Research reveals that a brief period of stress can cause the hippocampus to start shrinking, which precedes the onset of memory loss. The study found that stressed rats performed poorly in memory tests compared to unstressed rats, with individual differences in brain shrinkage predicting worse performance.
Researchers found that bees hold their antennae forward in response to increasing air speeds, but also maintain a fixed position when both visual cues and airflow are present. This suggests that bees may be using airflow to calibrate their internal speedometer, helping them estimate distances during flight.
Researchers at NCBS discovered Septin 7 as a 'molecular brake' regulating Orai proteins and maintaining dopamine levels. This discovery could lead to therapies for neurodegenerative disorders and immune system dysregulations.
Tropical forests store vast amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, but the impact of large animals on seed dispersal affects this process. A study found that tree species dependent on large animals for seed dispersal have higher carbon storage potential than those with smaller seeds.
Scientists from NCBS and NIH have elucidated the pattern of DNA supercoiling across the genome of E. coli, finding that it varies locally across genes. The study reveals that bacterial cells regulate gene expression by altering the structure of their genomes in response to environmental changes.
Researchers reconstruct cell surface from scratch using a mixture of fats and proteins to test theories on cell surface dynamics. The 'active composite model' predicts the behavior of cell surface molecules, which were confirmed through microscopic techniques.
Researchers discovered that synonymous mutations in genes can significantly impact an organism's fitness and survival. In a study on the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens, scientists found that highly beneficial synonymous mutations enabled bacteria to quickly evolve and adapt to their environment under strong selection conditions.