Researchers found that C-peptide protein repaired damaged blood vessels and nerves in diabetic rats, suggesting a new approach to preventing cardiovascular disease in both types of diabetes. The protein's unique mechanism of action may be key to understanding its effects on cell function.
Researchers successfully infect chimpanzees with a defined HCV sequence, identifying essential elements for infection and paving the way for the development of better treatments. The availability of this infectious sequence will enable precise studies of HCV replication and inform the creation of effective vaccines or immunotherapies.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine researchers found that a surprising 22 percent of men with prostate cancer had PSA levels between 2.6 and 4, highlighting the need for yearly PSA tests for men over 50. The study suggests that doctors may be missing cancers in this range due to outdated guidelines.
A new vaccine targeting the E. coli adhesin protein has shown promise in preventing urinary tract infections and bladder infections in mice. The vaccine works by blocking attachment of bacteria to bladder cells, preventing infection and reducing bacterial load.
Neurotrophin-4 triggers abnormalities in early brain development in unborn rats, mimicking human conditions such as epilepsy and mental retardation. The study suggests that neurotrophin-4 can cause too many cells to migrate to a specific layer of the cerebral cortex.
The new map reveals hot spots for genes and a large region where DNA remains intact across generations. It also identifies variations in chemical composition along the chromosome, shedding light on X's genetic code
A computer model developed by researchers at WashU Medicine suggests that one-time carotid artery screening is beneficial for asymptomatic men with high-risk factors, preventing strokes at a relatively low cost. However, annual screening would be prohibitively expensive and may even increase stroke risk in low-risk individuals.
A team of researchers has solved a centuries-old puzzle in eye development by discovering that the embryo has a single eye field that normally separates into two. The study found that an inhibitory signal shuts off gene expression in the middle of the eye field, leading to cyclopia if this fails to happen.
David Van Essen suggests that mechanical tension from axon connections creates brain folds. His hypothesis explains why human cortex is convoluted while others are smooth, and supports observations from transgenic mice studies. The theory could also account for individual differences in brain shapes.
Researchers found that muscle fibers strengthen their relationship with one nerve and ignore the rest, a finding that could help explain how memories are soldered into the brain. The study suggests that synapse elimination may be a step-wise process where the muscle fiber decides which healthy axon to keep.
A team of researchers has identified a gene responsible for hair growth, tooth development, and sweat gland function. The gene, located on the X chromosome, is associated with a rare genetic disorder called anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED), which affects approximately 125,000 Americans.
A new study found that surfactant therapy significantly reduced the death rate of premature white infants, but failed to have a similar impact on black infants. The study, which analyzed 1,563 premature births, showed that while the overall mortality rate dropped 16%, the death rate for premature black infants remained unchanged.