A new Salk study found that neurons selectively respond to particular combinations of color and shape, rather than extracting them separately. This breakthrough challenges the long-held notion that color and shape are processed in the early stages of vision.
Researchers found that mouse brain, liver, and pancreas contain populations of young and old cells, with some as old as neurons. This discovery, known as age mosaicism, suggests complex aging processes in organs beyond the brain.
Researchers discover GUN1 plays a crucial role in regulating chloroplast-to-nucleus communication, enabling plants to respond to stress. This finding may help breed plants that can better withstand environmental stressors and maintain food production.
Researchers at Salk Institute uncover role of signaling protein LIF in pancreatic cancer development and progression, suggesting it may be a useful biomarker for earlier diagnosis and more effective therapies. Elevated LIF levels were significantly correlated with tumor cell status and response to chemotherapy.
Salk scientists discovered a new mechanism of action for the CDK12 protein, revealing its role in regulating gene expression and cell division. This finding suggests that targeting CDK12 could be an effective way to kill cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a gene mutation that causes motor axon misrouting, leading to improper connection with muscles. The study reveals how p190 acts as a blinder to guide axons outside of the spinal cord, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms of cell signaling and development.
Salk Institute researchers found altered neuron growth patterns and low levels of key genes in SSRI non-responders, leading to abnormal neuronal communication. This discovery provides new insights into the complex neural circuitry underlying depression.
Researchers found that a blood-clotting protein called thrombin can degrade nerves, but nerve-supporting glial cells like Schwann cells block its effects. This discovery could have implications for diseases such as ALS, MS, and Alzheimer's.
A new study led by Salk Institute scientists suggests that high-fat diets contribute to colorectal cancer growth by disrupting the balance of bile acids in the intestine. The findings could explain why younger people are developing colorectal cancer at an alarming rate.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover sterubin, a potent neuroprotective compound in Yerba santa, which may help counteract aging's effects on the brain. The study suggests that sterubin could be a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
A new gene therapy using CRISPR/Cas9 targets the accumulation of toxic proteins in progeria syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The therapy improves health and life span in mice, providing insight into molecular pathways involved in accelerated aging.
Researchers found that neurons from patients with depression who don't respond to SSRIs are hyperactive in the presence of serotonin, a key player in neurotransmission. Targeting specific serotonin receptors may offer an alternative treatment for these patients.
A study by Salk researchers found that autophagy, a process thought to be a survival mechanism, actually promotes cell death and prevents cancer initiation. This discovery reveals autophagy as a novel tumor-suppressing pathway and challenges the conventional understanding of cancer development.
Researchers at Salk Institute mapped the genomes and epigenomes of genetically modified plant lines with high resolution, revealing molecular-level changes when foreign DNA is inserted. This study provides new methods for minimizing potential off-target effects in transgenic plants.
Researchers have developed a new model to study the health effects of metabolic protein AMPK, revealing its potential as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and other diseases. By activating AMPK in mice with fatty liver disease, scientists found that it lowered liver fat and protected against weight gain and obesity.
A study by Salk researchers reveals measurable differences in the patterns and speed of development in stem cells from individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The findings could lead to diagnostic methods to detect ASD at an early stage, potentially allowing for preventive interventions.
A new study led by Salk Institute researchers challenges the long-held view that individual brain cells operate as filters. The study found that the same neurons can prefer coarse or fine details depending on the context, and teaming up endows networks of neurons with flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.
Researchers analyzed skin cells from over 100 individuals to identify molecular signatures of aging, predicting a person's age with less than eight years error on average. The study's findings provide a foundation for quantitatively addressing unresolved questions in human aging.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered a complex gene regulation network that helps plants cope with DNA damage. The research identified approximately 2,400 genes responding to DNA damage, with only 200 directly activated by SOG1, revealing its 'hands-off' overseer role.
Scientists from the Salk Institute discovered a new protein complex that keeps embryonic stem cells at their fullest potential, allowing them to maintain their indefinite potential. This discovery could provide a future target for regenerative therapies.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a framework that mimics how fruit flies detect novel odors, using a Bloom filter-like data structure. This new approach improved accuracy for detecting duplicates or anomalies in large datasets.
Salk scientists discovered that melanopsin cells, responsible for regulating consciousness and sleep, respond to prolonged illumination, but can become desensitized. The study may lead to new treatments for migraines, insomnia, jet lag and circadian rhythm disorders.
A new subclass of compounds, dubbed geroneuroprotectors (GNPs), has been identified as potential AD drug candidates and slow the aging process in mice. The study suggests that these compounds could provide therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease and other diseases associated with aging.
A multidisciplinary team at Salk Institute will investigate mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and aging-related cognitive decline using cutting-edge methods and machine-learning algorithms. The goal is to identify new targets for therapeutic research and biomarkers of early stage cognitive decline.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that late-stage cancers trigger AMPK's cellular recycling signal to cannibalize cell pieces, supplying large lung tumors with nutrients. Blocking AMPK in some conditions may stop advanced tumor growth.
Astrocytes play an unexpected role in brain plasticity by secreting the protein Chrdl1, which enables the brain's maturation and regulates its flexibility. This discovery could lead to ways to restore lost connections due to aging or trauma.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered the molecular structure of CRISPR-Cas13d, a promising enzyme for emerging RNA-editing technology. This breakthrough enables scientists to visualize how the enzyme guides and targets RNA, paving the way for new strategies to treat RNA-based diseases.
Scientists from the Salk Institute and UC San Diego use reinforcement learning to train gliders to navigate atmospheric thermals, reaching heights of 700 meters. The research highlights the role of vertical wind accelerations and roll-wise torques as navigational cues for soaring birds.
Salk researchers discover that manipulating nuclear pores can increase their numbers in healthy cells, mimicking those found in cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to a new way to fight cancer by targeting nuclear pores.
Researchers developed a new framework combining three methods to find large DNA mutations in cancer cells. The approach reveals how these mutations contribute to cancer development and can help predict effective treatment plans.
Researchers at the Salk Institute and University of Florida used cryo-electron microscopy to image an AAV2 virus with improved resolution. The study reveals key changes in the viral portal that enable it to be less infectious, potentially informing gene therapy applications for various diseases.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a technique to directly convert cells in an open wound into new skin cells, promoting healing and countering the effects of aging. The approach, which relies on reprogramming cells to a stem-cell-like state, shows promising results in treating large ulcers and skin damage.
A team at the Salk Institute has identified a genetic master switch, Sox10, that controls the growth and invasion of aggressive triple-negative breast cancers. This discovery may lead to new avenues for diagnosing and treating intractable cancers by targeting specific genes.
Salk Institute researchers found that restricting food intake to a 10-hour window can protect against obesity and metabolic diseases. By controlling the animals' feeding and fasting cycles, they can override their genetically programmed sickness.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Arizona State University develop mathematical model to organize odor molecules by frequency of co-occurrence in nature, mapping pleasant directions. This breakthrough enables construction of artificial pleasant odor mixtures, with potential implications for understanding diseases like Parkinson's.
Scientists at Salk Institute and Purdue University discovered a key to mass-producing beneficial plant compounds, including terpenoids used in fragrances, flavorings, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. They found that plants have an
Research led by Salk Institute scientist Gerald Shadel found that short-term stress can trigger sustained production of antioxidants and increase mitochondria efficiency, potentially extending lifespan. Cells exposed to brief stress showed higher antioxidant levels, more mitochondria, and less superoxide buildup than unstressed cells.
Researchers find that giving mice dietary iron supplements enables them to survive a normally lethal bacterial infection and results in later generations of bacteria being less virulent. The approach promotes the health of the host, taming the behavior of the bacteria.
Researchers at Salk Institute identify genetic features of human basal-like breast cancers that share similarities with embryonic mammary stem cells, which may be targeted therapeutically. The study provides insights into how cancer cells gain plasticity and become resistant to therapies.
Research reveals that the randomness of the piriform cortex is critical to distinguishing between similar odors, with each neuron connected to nearly every single odor receptor. This system encodes complex information and makes it robust to noise.
A Salk Institute study found that depleting a mouse's microbiome with antibiotics reduces glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity. The research suggests the microbiome plays a role in glucose regulation and may offer insights into treating type 2 diabetes.
A recent study published in Science Signaling reveals that the ATM protein plays a dual role in sensing cellular threats and repairing damage. It forms dimers when exposed to ROS, triggering an increase in cellular antioxidant capacity through the pentose phosphate pathway.
Researchers found that hSATa satellite RNA directly interferes with DNA copying and damage repair in cells, leading to breast cancer. This discovery suggests targeting satellite RNAs could provide another approach for treating various cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a hierarchical system in the brain that organizes learned behavior, offering new insight into neurological diseases. The study found three levels of control in neuronal activity, providing potential therapeutic targets for disorders like Parkinson's disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Researchers discovered a small molecule that destroys HIV protein Tat, which is responsible for revving up the virus. The molecule reveals proteins in host cells that can potentially target Tat and halt its replication process. This finding offers new insights into the biology of HIV and potential targets for therapy.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered that cells from older individuals had impaired mitochondria, leading to reduced energy production. This finding could reveal more about the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and age-related brain diseases.
Researchers at Salk Institute report a potential new approach for treating diabetes by protecting beta cells with vitamin D. The study identified a compound that enhances the activation of the vitamin D receptor, leading to improved survival of beta cells and normal glucose levels in mice.
Researchers at Salk Institute identify a small family of proteins controlling DNA methylation marks, crucial for gene regulation. This discovery sheds light on epigenetic mechanisms in plants and animals, potentially leading to new strategies for correcting genetic defects associated with diseases like cancer.
Salk scientists develop a new way to study brain cell connections, revealing how communication is altered in people with schizophrenia. By creating multiple types of neurons from stem cells and observing their interactions, the team showed that CA3 pyramidal neurons form physical connections both to other CA3 neurons and to DG neurons.
Hemophilia B can be treated for life with a single injection containing disease-free liver cells that produce the missing clotting factor. The finding uses stem-cell strategies and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to repair mutations in the patient's FIX gene, allowing normal blood clotting.