Articles tagged with Human Biology
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 study published in Aging-US reveals changes in gene expression associated with age-related muscle loss and frailty. Researchers identified unique cellular subpopulations in aged and sarcopenic skeletal muscle, which may facilitate the development of new treatments for age-related frailty.
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.
A WVU study found that children from non-traditional family structures, such as single-parent households and multi-generational families, face difficulties accessing healthcare. The research highlights the need for providers to be aware of the unique challenges faced by these families and to adapt their services accordingly.
Conservation efforts in Madagascar require balancing human development with protection of its rich biodiversity, which is threatened by extinction due to local species' uniqueness. Reforestation and community engagement are recommended strategies for addressing these challenges.
Researchers found that glutaminase inhibitor BPTES selectively eliminates senescent dermal fibroblasts, improving skin aging phenotype by increasing collagen density and cell proliferation. The study suggests BPTES as a potential therapeutic agent for skin aging, offering new treatment options.
Researchers found that substantial exercise, sleeping longer and later, and eating a low sugar, high carb breakfast can increase alertness. A high carbohydrate breakfast was linked to individuals revving up their alertness quickly in the morning.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a protocol to reprogram human heart cells into specialized cells that conduct electricity, enabling rhythmic heartbeat and repair diseased hearts. The discovery could lead to improved cardiac function and new pharmacological therapies for heart diseases.
Researchers found variable voltages in breast cancer cell membranes, which may indicate an electrical communication network between cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments by disrupting this network, potentially making cancer cells easier to treat.
Researchers have identified a new gene, NUCL-1, in the transparent roundworm C. elegans, which is linked to human neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer's. The discovery challenges recent theories on the role of nuclear structures in these disorders.
A study published in Current Biology found that undetectable very low frequency sound increases dancing at a live concert, with participants moving 12% more when the speakers were on. The researchers speculate that this is due to physical processes affecting the motor system and brain mechanisms involved.
Researchers found that rapamycin treatment during developmental growth phase decelerates aging rate and extends lifespan in animals. A transient late-life treatment is not effective, but a transient early-life treatment can reprogram aging.
A new study reveals that urolithin A from pomegranates can rejuvenate T cells by recycling and renewing mitochondria, enhancing their ability to fight tumors. The researchers plan to investigate the application of urolithin A in clinical trials for colorectal cancer.
The Beckman Institute has established a new national collaborative Biomedical Technology Research Resource to develop label-free optical imaging technologies. The center aims to create optical and computational imaging technologies that can serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers.
Researchers discovered a molecular link between disrupted circadian rhythms and lung tumor growth, implicating a cancer-signature gene known as HSF1. Disrupted clocks may trigger lung tumors in individuals with irregular sleep patterns or night shifts.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have found that a stress response in cells, when 'switched on' at a post-reproductive age, could be the key to slowing down aging. The study showed that this stress response extended the lifespan of roundworms fed a high-glucose diet.
A team of scientists has identified over 200 direct protein-protein contacts between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human cells, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19. The study reveals chains of connections between viral proteins and infection-relevant human genes, with implications for disease severity and treatment.
Researchers found that endogenous retrovirus RNA is present in all non-diseased tissue types, including cerebellum and thyroid tissues. This discovery has important clinical implications for the use of HML-2 expression as a cancer biomarker or therapeutic target.
A new AI model called CODE-AE can accurately predict the efficacy of novel drug compounds in humans, addressing a major challenge in drug discovery. The technique has been shown to improve accuracy and robustness over state-of-the-art methods, with potential applications in personalized medicine.
The study found that genetic variants associated with height are concentrated in regions covering just over 20% of the genome. The variants identified explain 40% of the variation in height for people of European ancestry, and around 10-20% for those of non-European ancestry.
Scientists from NTU Singapore have discovered that telomeres are stacked in columns like a spring, leaving DNA exposed to damage. This finding could improve understanding of how humans age and develop cancer, with potential treatments for diseases caused by dysfunctional telomeres.
Climate variability in eastern Africa influenced hominin evolution, leading to anatomically distinct groups and modern human separation. Researchers analyzed lake sediment cores, revealing stable humid conditions, abrupt arid pulses, and extreme environmental shifts.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism that controls MR1, a protein responsible for alerting white blood cells to bacterial infections or cancer. By regulating MR1's activation, the immune response can be stimulated or inhibited, offering new potential for harnessing and controlling immunity.
A study by researchers at Linköping University and the Oregon Health and Science University has discovered that many cells in the inner ear react simultaneously to low-frequency sound, making it easier to experience these sounds. This new understanding may lead to improved cochlear implants for people with severe hearing impairments.
Sensory neurons in human skin have been found to regulate melanocytes, influencing pigmentation and cell survival. The study identified a protein called RGMB as a key factor promoting melanocyte survival and darkness.
A new study has found associations between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men, including those with higher MMSE scores and slower rates of cognitive decline. These findings suggest that extracellular microRNAs may play a role in the early stages of cognitive decline.
The Regional Transition Navigator program aims to connect youth and young adults aged 14-25 with needed resources, emphasizing those at risk of homelessness, human trafficking or substance use disorders. The program's long-term goal is to teach problem-solving skills and provide support for a healthier transition into adulthood.
Researchers found that combining BCL-2 inhibitors can selectively eliminate senescent cells, improving efficacy and reducing toxicity by targeting high-MCL-1 expressing subpopulation of cells. This synergistic approach enables lower doses of drugs to be used, overcoming resistance to monotherapy.
A population-based retrospective cohort study found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age at birth, or stillbirth. The study concluded that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can inform evidence-based decision-making about its safety.
Researchers identified 15 instances of mucinization, where new mucins emerged from non-mucin proteins by adding repeating sequences. This process transformed the proteins into mucins with gooey consistency, contributing to their various biological functions.
Research found that sleep deprivation dampens activity in social cognition brain network and is associated with reduced altruism. A 10% drop in donation amounts was observed after losing an hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed biomaterial inks that mimic native characteristics of highly conductive human tissue. These inks are essential for 3D printing and enable the creation of complex electronic devices, such as stretchable sensors with integrated microelectronic components.
The research team will analyze the remaining two enzymes necessary for riboflavin production and build a 'riboflavinator' in a test tube. This understanding could lead to improved methods for treating diseases and improving public health.
A new study published in Current Biology found that humans' ability to interpret babies' cries isn't innate but learned from experience. Parents of young babies are able to identify a baby's pain cries even if they have never heard this baby before, whereas inexperienced individuals are typically unable to do so.
A preclinical study found that antibiotics have sex-specific effects on the gut microbiome of lab rats, resulting in significant changes in diversity. The findings could have implications for using antibiotics to treat or prevent bacterial infections in humans.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has launched a two-week training course for biologics development and manufacturing, targeting low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to enhance local production of vaccines and biologics in LMICs to address vaccine inequity and global pandemic preparedness.
Researchers found associations between perceived discrimination and epigenetic aging in US middle-aged and older adults. Depressive symptoms were identified as a potential mediator in these relationships, particularly among women and White adults.
A new PSU study found that vaping cannabinoid acetates leads to the formation of ketene, a toxic gas known to cause vaping-induced lung injury. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to ketene could be particularly hazardous, as it is virtually untraceable in the human body.
A team of researchers has successfully created complex artificial tissue models, including a full-scale human heart model, using focused rotary jet spinning. This method enables the creation of intricate details and spatially varying alignment, rivaling biological tissues in mechanical behavior.
A team from UNIGE has identified a molecular mechanism that causes degeneration of photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease leading to blindness. The discovery could lead to therapeutic treatments targeting this mechanism.
Researchers found that tendons, not muscles, are the key site where increased mechanosensitivity translates to better running and jumping capabilities. High expression of the calcium-ion channel mechanoreceptor coincided with wider tendons composed of larger collagen fibrils.
A collaborative initiative aims to establish common protocols for assessing and comparing diffuse optics systems used in medical diagnosis. The study presents the results of a multi-laboratory comparison of 12 institutions and 28 systems, proposing simple numeric values for easy comparison across instruments.
A recent study found that older adults in later-born generations are more likely to have multiple chronic health conditions than prior generations. This trend may lead to increased strain on the well-being of older adults and medical insurance systems, particularly as the US population ages. The researchers suggest that sociodemographi...
A new study published in Nature reveals that a small population of neurons near the base of the brain can induce symptoms of sickness, including fever, appetite loss, and warm seeking behavior. The researchers found these neurons have receptors capable of directly detecting molecular signals from the immune system.