Articles tagged with Human Biology
A team of scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified six chemical cocktails that can restore cellular aging and rejuvenate human cells. The study builds upon the discovery of Yamanaka factors, which can convert adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, raising hopes for treating age-related diseases and injuries. The im...
A new method reveals intricate behaviors of micron-sized particles in real, artificial tears, allowing for customization of eye drops. The study aims to alleviate dry eye syndrome by providing personalized solutions with tailored formulations and characteristics.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
Researchers found that highly conserved amino acids within MHC-II are crucial for bat influenza A virus infection. The study reveals a broad range of vertebrates, including humans, can be targeted by these viruses due to their ability to bind to MHC-II.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have solved the mystery of how the Hepatitis C virus evades the human immune system. The virus uses a molecule called FAD as a 'mask', cloaking itself in a form that is already present in cells, making it invisible to the immune system.
A new study from Aarhus University reveals that female athletes who consume too little energy through their diet in comparison to their training volume experience negatively impacted muscles' ability to respond to training. The study shows that insufficient energy intake can lead to changes in the hormonal system, including a decrease ...
A new study describes an engineered approach that makes protein aggregates amenable to spatial manipulations in both budding yeast and human cells. This system allows for the export of protein aggregates from cells, potentially protecting mother cells from toxicity and contributing to a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that restricting methionine intake via a low-methionine diet or oral administration of recombinant methioninase-producing E. coli reversed old-age-induced obesity in mice, leading to significant weight loss after just 14 days.
Researchers developed Precious1GPT, a multimodal transformer-based approach for aging clock development and feature importance analysis. The model utilizes methylation and transcriptomic data to predict biological age and identify disease-related genes, providing a pathway for therapeutic drug discovery.
Researchers at UNIGE have identified a new type of molecular sensor that enables the malaria parasite to infect human cells or mosquitoes at just the right moment. By understanding how this sensor works, scientists can potentially scramble its signals to disorientate the parasite and block its multiplication and transmission.
Research identified three genetic risk factors for Dupuytren's contracture, a condition affecting fingers, that originated from Neanderthal DNA. The study, based on 7,871 affected individuals and 645,880 healthy controls, provides evidence of the intermingling between Neanderthals and modern humans influencing disease prevalence.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science find that somatic mutations in six genes lead to intracranial aneurysms, which can be blocked with a drug. The study establishes the first non-surgical animal model of intracranial aneurysm and provides a potential new treatment option.
Researchers discovered that taurine levels decline with age and supplementation can increase lifespan in mice by up to 12% and extend healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice. Taurine also improved health parameters in mice, including weight gain suppression, increased energy expenditure, and enhanced immune function.
A new study reveals a previously unknown way the immune system detects certain viruses, including SARS-Cov-2, using the inflammasome protein CARD8. Researchers found that CARD8 functions differently among various species and even varies between individuals in the human population.
The Human Lung Cell Atlas provides insights into lung biology by combining data from nearly 40 studies, revealing rare cell types and cellular differences between healthy people. The study found common cell states between lung fibrosis, cancer, and COVID-19, offering new ways of understanding lung disease.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that the CARD8 inflammasome sensor is essential for detecting coronavirus infections, but may detect different viruses in different people. The researchers also discovered that genetic variation among humans and across species affects the sensor's ability to detect viral enzymes.
Researchers updated their protein localization prediction model, MULocDeep, to provide more targeted predictions for biological discoveries. The tool helps researchers design more effective experiments and advance scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases like epilepsy.
Research shows that bursts of electrical stimulation can modify activity in the subthalamic nucleus, influencing human behavior and potentially treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a new approach to restore healthy brain function in people with these conditions.
Researchers found that genetic predisposition to lipids, Alzheimer's, and heart disease in the MLXIPL gene locus is shaped by exogenous exposures. Minor alleles of certain variants associated with high triglyceride levels and lower HDL-C levels, which may provide protective effects against Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers tested zoledronic acid's effects on cellular senescence using multiple approaches. The study found that zoledronic acid killed senescent cells with minimal effects on non-senescent cells and reduced circulating SASP factors, including CCL7, IL-1β, TNFRSF1A, and TGFβ1.
A study from Dartmouth College found that athletes' physique is adapted to shedding or retaining heat in certain climates, affecting their performance in Ironman events. Taller, leaner runners excel in warm climates, while stockier builds fare better in colder climates.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have revealed the dynamics of a new, young chromosome in fruit flies similar to those found in humans associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility. The B chromosomes are maintained by meiotic drive, enabling them to persist in a genome.
A new study presents a chronic wound murine model that characterizes the role of persistent senescent cell accumulation in delayed wound closure. The molecular profiles of senescent cells demonstrate the adverse influence of SASP factors, highlighting a potential root-cause-driven therapeutic strategy.
Researchers have developed a 'vein-on-a-chip' device that mimics the human vein, eliminating the need for animal models in some studies. The device, which includes structures called valves and endothelial cells, allows scientists to study mechanisms of blood clot formation in a realistic manner.
Researchers have engineered a synthetic gene oscillator device that slows down the aging process in yeast cells by cycling deterioration between two detrimental states. This approach resulted in an 82% increase in lifespan compared to control cells, setting a new record for life extension through genetic and chemical interventions.
Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that a portable breath test can detect changes in metabolism in response to diet. The study used the Lumen device to monitor metabolic fuel use at home and showed that it could detect acute changes in carbohydrate use, but was not sensitive on a day-to-day basis.
This study examined the effects of deferoxamine and ferrostatin-1 on salivary gland dysfunction in ovariectomized rats. The researchers found that these compounds reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and improved salivary gland function, suggesting potential treatments for postmenopausal xerostomia.
Researchers have made an important human discovery by analyzing the genome of a 3,000-year-old individual found in a cave in Southeast Alaska. The study confirms that some modern Alaska Natives still live almost exactly where their ancestors did over 3,000 years ago.
Researchers have identified a new human RNA ligase protein that plays a protective role against cellular stress and oxidative damage. The enzyme, C12orf29, links the ends of RNA strands in three characteristic steps and protects cells from menadione-induced oxidative stress.
Researchers found that enhancing NMDAR function via increased serine racemase expression improved attention and cognitive flexibility in middle-aged rats. Upregulating serine racemase in the medial prefrontal cortex also increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, including NMDAR activity.
Researchers developed a biologically inspired 'vaping robot' to mimic human breathing patterns and tested commercially available e-liquids containing menthol. The study found that menthol vapers took shallower breaths and had poorer lung function compared to non-menthol smokers, regardless of age or smoking history.
Researchers found that infected mosquito saliva contains molecules called sfRNAs that can blunt the body's immune response. These molecules are injected during the mosquito bite, making it more likely for people to become infected with dengue virus.
Researchers examine how chronological and biological age impact vaccine effectiveness, finding that both factors influence immune system capacity to mount responses. The study highlights the need for further research into 'immune aging' risk and departures from healthy aging.
A team of researchers from POSTECH and Georgia Tech developed a biohybrid 3D printed heart model with integrated sensors to monitor drug-induced cardiotoxicity. The platform enables real-time, continuous monitoring of heart contractions, facilitating the testing of acute and chronic pharmacological effects.
The study found that oral transmission has profound effects on music evolution, shaping vocal music towards structures that are easier to learn and transmit. Human transmission biases also play a significant role in evolving musical systems.
ISB researchers constructed a biological body mass index that offers a more accurate representation of metabolic health. The team found that even with no weight loss, individuals can be getting healthier biologically through positive lifestyle changes.
Researchers found that senescence-associated exosomes (SA-EXOs) from MSCs induce fibrosis and activate invasive characteristics in neighboring cells via the TGF-β pathway. SA-EXOs play a large role in cancer-related fibrosis, and their unique miRNA content influences myofibroblast phenotypes.
A new University of Alberta study found that untreated moderate fever helped fish clear their bodies of infection rapidly and repaired damaged tissue. The research suggests that waiting before reaching for medications may be beneficial for humans.
Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found that consuming a hydroxytyrosol-rich, olive-derived phytocomplex improved respiratory parameters, oxygen consumption, and running economy during aerobic exercise. The study also showed reduced perceived exertion and enhanced acute recovery.
A new study found that neutral maternal behavior at 12 months correlates with an epigenetic change in children related to stress response. The researchers analyzed data from a cohort of mother-infant pairs and found a small increase in methylation on the NR3C1 gene, which regulates the body's response to stress.
The new Biohub in Chicago will focus on engineering technologies to study and measure human biology using embedded sensors. Scientists will aim to understand inflammation and develop treatments for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
A new research agenda aims to apply evolutionary principles to modern diseases, emphasizing the role of environmental factors. By studying natural world adaptations, scientists hope to find new ways to prevent and treat disease, such as adopting antimicrobial approaches inspired by hyenas' ability to thrive on carrion.
A study by researchers at TUM found that gut bacteria play a crucial role in liver regeneration. The microbiome produces short-chain fatty acids, which are essential for liver cell growth and division. In mice treated with antibiotics, liver regeneration was delayed or not possible, but a
Researchers created a network of interacting proteins to understand the function of genes and link specific biological processes to diseases. They identified groups of proteins interacting with genes linked to over 1,000 human traits, providing insights into new targets for drug discovery and potential repurposing opportunities.
A recent study by the University at Buffalo has discovered that genetic variations affecting immunity and metabolism have been preserved in humans for millions of years. This finding supports the theory of balancing selection, which suggests that certain genetic traits can be beneficial or harmful depending on environmental conditions.
A study analyzed gene expression data from 46 different human tissues to understand the impact of circadian and circannual cycles on human health. The research revealed that certain genes have strong diurnal or seasonal preferences, which could inform effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Assistant Professor Tracy Hookway at Binghamton University has received a five-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study the interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons on heart cells. Her research could lead to better understanding of cardiac health, including heart transplants, neurodegenerative d...
The team developed a technology to globally assess Fe-S cluster binding in an entire proteome without laborious protein purification or radioisotopes. The study found differential sensitivity of iron-sulfur clusters to iron limitation and pathway impairment, prioritizing iron-sulfur cluster delivery in E. coli.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
A team of leading experts in reproductive biology, microbiome science, and immunology found that the concept of a foetal microbiome is inaccurate. The detection of microbiomes in foetal tissues was attributed to contamination during vaginal delivery, clinical procedures, or laboratory analysis.
Researchers have discovered an anti-ageing gene that can rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years, offering a potential target for patients with heart failure. The study found that administering the healthy mutant gene to elderly patients with severe heart problems improved their cardiac function and rejuvenated their immune system.
A study found that people can recall the location of over 100 objects on a grid with high accuracy, even after removing all images. Additionally, participants localized 60-80% of old items to within +/-10% of their correct time.
Researchers at Aston University have created the world's first computer reconstruction of a virus, including its complete native genome. This breakthrough could lead to the development of targeted treatments to kill bacteria that are dangerous to humans, reducing the threat of antibiotic resistance.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found common risk factors for primary dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, including physical characteristics, menstrual characteristics, and lifestyle factors. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining regular sleep patterns, a healthy BMI, and stress management may help alleviate symptoms.
A research team at Carnegie Mellon University has developed a machine learning method called SPICEMIX to analyze spatial transcriptomics data. The tool helps identify and understand gene expression patterns in cells, revealing new insights into brain cell types.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from ten individuals up to 7,500 years old in Siberia, revealing a previously unknown hunter-gatherer population that contributed to many contemporaneous and subsequent populations across North Asia. The genetic data show a mix of paleo-Siberian and Ancient North Eurasian people, with links to hunte...
Researchers have identified a new genetic pathway involved in regulating sleep from fruit flies to humans. The Pig-Q gene is associated with sleep regulation in both humans and animals, providing a novel insight into the genetics of insomnia.
Researchers at Indiana University found that the average age of human conception is around 26.9 years, with fathers averaging 30.7 years and mothers averaging 23.2 years over the past 250,000 years. The study also suggests that the age gap between fathers and mothers has narrowed in recent times.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown component of brain anatomy, dubbed SLYM, which acts as a protective barrier and immune monitoring platform. The discovery is expected to shed light on the glymphatic system's mechanisms and its potential role in brain diseases like Alzheimer's.
A new study published in Evolutionary Psychology examines the relationship between parental income and the sexual behavior of their adult children. The research found that children from low-income families had higher frequencies of same-sex attraction, while those from high-income families had lower frequencies.