Aducanumab, a human monoclonal antibody, selectively binds to brain amyloid plaques, allowing microglial cells to remove them. After one-year treatment, almost complete clearance of brain amyloid plaques was observed in patients.
Researchers used environmental DNA to determine biodiversity in a river, finding thousands of species from aquatic insects to mammals. The method can be automated and may provide unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution for assessing biodiversity.
When sick, animals alter behavior to reduce social contact and minimize disease transmission, a key finding of the study. By removing themselves from groups, sick animals may protect healthy relatives from infection.
Researchers found that ancient turtles' shells evolved from broadened ribs for burrowing, not protection, in a study published in Current Biology. The discovery sheds light on the earliest beginnings of the turtle shell's unique structure.
Scientists have identified how prion proteins dock onto Schwann cells to maintain nerve integrity. The discovery resolves a 30-year-old question and holds promise for future treatments of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease and peripheral neuropathy.
A new ecotoxicological field test was successfully conducted to verify the toxicity of livestock medications, finding that earthworms can compensate for the loss of other organisms. The study provides important insights into minimizing the risks of drug residues in nature.
A study by University of Zurich researchers found that individuals posting hate speech who used their full name were more common than anonymous trolls. Online anonymity is not a deterrent for hate speech, as it can actually increase credibility and popularity among trolls.
Researchers developed an electrically switchable nanomesh that alters the contact angle of a drop of liquid, enabling precise control over adhesion and stiction. This breakthrough has potential applications in biology and technology, including controlling cell movement and flow resistance in capillary pumps.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect mycobacterial pathogens directly from patient samples using genetic analysis, reducing detection time to 1-2 days. The new method was found to be equally accurate as traditional culture-based techniques and can also detect resistance to standard medicines.
Researchers found that trauma-related behavioral alterations are reversible in mice and that epigenetic dysregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene can be corrected by low-stress environments. This finding has implications for the transmission of characteristics caused by the environment, such as metabolic disorders.
Researchers have discovered a new protein compound that binds to two HER2 receptors simultaneously, preventing growth signals and killing cancer cells. This innovative solution shows great promise in treating invasive breast cancer more effectively.
Researchers found that larger males with more sperm are favored by females, driving the evolution of longer sperm. This study provides the first explanation for the development of giant sperm in fruit flies.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a new way to kill off resistant leukemia cells via necroptosis, a cell death program that can bypass traditional apoptosis. SMAC mimetics, which activate necroptosis, showed promise in killing leukemia cells in 33% of patient samples tested.
Researchers found that female pelves widen with puberty, reaching full width by age 25-30, but then narrow again after menopause. Hormone levels drive this process, suggesting the body can modulate pelvic dimensions to ensure optimal childbirth.
Researchers found that psilocybin decreases the brain's reaction to social exclusion and pain, which can help improve therapy for social problems in psychiatric disorders. The study used fMRI and MRS to investigate the effects of psilocybin on the brain's processing of social conflicts.
In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that plants deliberately choose which fungal partners to provide with more nutrients, effectively forcing the less cooperative partner to supply more phosphates. This market-based process allows for optimal resource allocation and increased plant productivity.
Researchers from the University of Zurich found that the diversity of megalodon's prey decreased, leading to its extinction. The team analyzed 200 records and reconstructed the species' range over time, concluding that competition with new predators was a key factor in its demise.
Researchers at the University of Zurich developed a revised Sense of Coherence Scale to improve mental resilience assessments. The new questionnaire yields more accurate and objective results, revealing that individuals with greater resilience suffer less from depression and bereavement pain.
Researchers discovered Japanese great tits have developed syntactic rules, combining calls like 'ABC' and 'D' to convey specific meanings. These birds use these rules to deter predators and attract partners, demonstrating a complex form of communication.
Researchers identified that brain region communication varies depending on the motive driving a specific behavioral choice, allowing them to uncover underlying motives. Motives could not be detected by observing choices or brain activity during decision-making.
Researchers have developed a targeted substance that blocks the pathogenic function of an Alzheimer's enzyme in cells, reducing toxic β amyloid peptide production. This selective inhibition may lead to effective treatment without severe side effects, offering hope for Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers developed AI software to teach a quadrocopter to autonomously recognize and follow forest trails. The drone was able to find the correct direction in 85% of cases, outperforming humans who guessed correctly 82% of the time. This breakthrough enables drones to complement rescue teams and accelerate searches for missing people.
A new method called 'ADPr-ChAP' allows researchers to identify chromatin sites modified by ADP-ribosylation in response to cell stress, enabling a better understanding of the cellular stress reaction. This breakthrough could lead to new ways of intervening in disease-making processes such as chronic inflammation and cancer.
Scientists have successfully reproduced hybrid plants using natural cloning methods, allowing them to retain increased efficiency across multiple generations. This breakthrough could provide more affordable and productive crop options for small-scale farmers in developing countries.
A recent study found Aβ plaques in brains of recipients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, sparking concerns over transmissible Alzheimer's disease. The discovery highlights the potential risks of transplantation medicine and calls for heightened attention to this issue.
A recent study reveals that a fungus has developed a way to infect triticale by combining DNA from wheat and rye mildew variants, compromising its natural resistance. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding evolutionary mechanisms in plant diseases.
Paleontologists discovered a spiral valve similar to sharks and rays in a Triassic bony fish fossil, providing insights into the evolution of vertebrates' gastrointestinal tracts. The gut contents reveal a straight stomach and high energy requirements for an energetic lifestyle.
Researchers found that the Greenland ice sheet's firn layer, which stores meltwater, is acting like a sponge but can be overwhelmed. This leads to increased release of meltwater into oceans, threatening sea levels.
Researchers at the University of Zurich found that a handful of positive experiences with strangers can increase empathy by triggering a learning effect in the brain. This leads to stronger empathic brain responses towards out-group members, driving more compassionate behavior.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have made a groundbreaking discovery that the nucleus acts as a passive filter to regulate gene activity, reducing random noise. By visualizing subtle physiological details with microscopic dyes, they were able to detect and predict the activity of individual genes in human cells.
A recent study identified 20 previously unknown host molecules that enable influenza A viruses to replicate and spread. Blocking these host proteins can inhibit viral growth and slow disease progression in mice. The researchers developed a public web portal to facilitate drug development and analysis of host-protein interactions.
A new theoretical model suggests that investing too much in backup plans can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals are more likely to use well-developed backup plans and less likely to invest in their primary goal. This can lead to reduced success and motivation.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have confirmed the existence of a concentration gradient of lactate between astrocytes and neurons in the intact mouse brain. The study provides new evidence for an exchange of lactate between different brain cells, supporting a 20-year-old hypothesis on brain energy metabolism.
Researchers found that kangaroos emit around the same amount of methane as horses or ostriches per body size, but higher when food intake is increased. The study suggests that differences in methane production are more related to bacterial exposure conditions than specific bacteria types.
Researchers discovered that Siberian jays can identify fine-scale differences in kinship to other individuals, even those who are unfamiliar before settling into a group. This ability is linked to their cooperative behavior, particularly when sharing food at carcasses of large herbivores.
A team of researchers found that sialic acid reduces antibody-induced cell killing, offering potential treatment for autoimmune diseases. Antibodies with this sugar structure are detectable more frequently in healthy individuals than those with autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich develop new treatment methods for rare brain disease PML. A vaccine against the disease could be developed using specific antibodies that recognize the most important mutants of the JC virus.
A study of female genital cutting practices in Sudan found tremendous heterogeneity between and within communities, with attitudes and cutting habits varying widely. The research challenges the assumption that cutting is a social norm-based decision, instead suggesting that private values play a significant role.
Scientists at the University of Zurich discovered a novel mechanism that helps neural stem cells resist aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier in the endoplasmic reticulum regulates the sorting of damaged proteins, allowing for rejuvenation and longer lifespan.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that an overproduction of E. coli bacteria is triggered by the availability of sialic acid, leading to intestinal inflammation. A sialidase inhibitor can prevent excessive E. coli formation and alleviate disease symptoms.
A new study by neuroeconomists from the University of Zurich found that the precision and stability of preference decisions depend on the intensity of communication between two areas of the brain. The researchers used transcranial alternating current stimulation to test subjects' ability to make preference-based or sensory decisions.
Scientists at the University of Zurich successfully controlled colloidal nanoparticles' motion, harnessing electric and optical forces to manipulate their behavior. The technique enables rapid displacement, low energy consumption, and large storage capacity, making it suitable for new data storage applications or high-resolution displays.
Researchers at University of Zurich predict up to 30% less precipitation in the Central Andes by 2100, exacerbating seasonal water shortages. The study suggests stronger westerly winds will lead to greater aridity, impacting the region's climate.
Researchers analyzed case systems in over 600 languages, finding that complex constructions tax the brain more than simple ones. The brain activity is stronger for simple cases, leading to simplifications and changes in grammatical structures.
The study reveals that glaciers worldwide are melting at an unprecedented rate, losing half a meter to one meter of ice thickness every year. This is two to three times more than the average for the 20th century, with some glaciers in Norway having retreated by several kilometers from their maximum extents.
A study of over 5,700 young Swiss men found that stricter alcohol laws, such as minimum legal drinking age and advertising restrictions, lead to lower rates of hazardous drinking. However, these measures had limited impact on individuals with a high risk of substance abuse due to their personality or antisocial behavior.
Scientists have decoded the genome and transcriptome of an incurable subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, revealing a novel program associated with leukemic cells. The study identifies key genes that trigger a reprogramming of the leukemia cells, leading to promising drug tests, including Venetoclax.
Researchers found that adenoviruses use ceramide lipids to trigger an infection by creating small pores in the cell membrane. The virus then multiplies in the nucleus and infects other cells. This discovery could lead to new anti-viral agents for gene therapy and vaccination.
Researchers have developed a new method to display the spatial structure of nuclear pores in high resolution. This has led to a better understanding of how certain molecules are transported into or out of the nucleus. The discovery sheds light on various diseases, including cancer, that involve defective transport through nuclear pores.
Invasive species can spread rapidly due to rapid evolution, contradicting previous predictions. This accelerated invasion rate is crucial for understanding ecological and socio-economic impacts of invasive species.