Articles tagged with Human Biology
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 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.
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.
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 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.
A new program, IVAN, developed at Penn State uses virtual reality to teach nutrition concepts and improve users' skills. The program scored highly across 14 domains, indicating it was received positively by experts.
A new study reveals that humans can hear as well as seals under water, with an average hearing threshold of 71 dB at 500 Hz. However, human hearing is not adapted to work well under water and has a reduced ability to determine sound direction.
Researchers found obese and thin individuals misreport food intake by the same amount, contrary to official guidelines. The study suggests a reevaluation of public health recommendations, focusing on dietary risk factors rather than energy expenditure.
Researchers characterized human plastins behavior as workaholics and found that they promote disease when disrupting cellular environment. Plastin's two main segments strongly bond together but can disengage to bundle actins, leading to aggressive bundling even when not needed.
The article proposes a new framework for understanding the hallmarks of cancer and aging, highlighting their shared underlying principles. Dr. Blagosklonny's hyperfunction theory arranges these hallmarks in a hierarchical structure, revealing common signaling pathways involved in both aging and cancer.
Researchers and Indigenous activists urge a more collaborative and inclusive approach to microbiome research, addressing logistical and ethical challenges. The authors propose transparent dialogue with communities and development of inclusive research infrastructure.
Researchers developed PASTE, a method to analyze spatial transcriptomics data in three dimensions, enabling biologists to better understand cell environments and identify rare cell types. The technique can integrate information from multiple tissue slices, providing a more complete picture of gene expression within tissues.
The Tabula Sapiens Consortium has unveiled a massive digital atlas that maps gene expression in nearly 500,000 cells from 24 human tissues and organs. The atlas provides unprecedented insights into human health and disease, offering new avenues for therapies and treatments.
Researchers created multi-tissue cell atlases to transform our knowledge of biology, infection, and disease. The studies revealed novel cell functions, immune cell types, and disease genes across the human body.
A study published in Current Biology found that recreational runners prefer to run at the same calorie-saving pace, regardless of distance. The researchers analyzed data from over 4,600 runners and wearable trackers, revealing that the preferred speed is indistinguishable from the energetically optimal speed measured in a lab setting.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
A new study has shown that increasing genetic diversity can improve researchers' ability to identify important genetic markers for health conditions. The study, which analyzed data from over 470,000 Hispanic/Latino individuals, identified 42 previously unidentified regions of the human genome related to BMI, height, and waist-to-hip ra...
The study reveals a narrowing gap between cancer profiles in China and the USA, with converging trends in lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. China's cancer burden is expected to rise, while the US has seen reduced rates since the 1990s due to effective prevention strategies.
Researchers fill in gaps in Human Reference Genome, discovering repetitive sections are a major source of human variation and genetic diversity. The Telomere-2-Telomere project reveals complex architectural features with significant consequences for understanding human evolution and biological function.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that despite the functional importance of connections between far-reaching brain regions, the actual number of these connections is low. Researchers estimated 2.5 billion long-range axons in the cerebral cortex, but found that only a small percentage directly connected key functional areas.
Aging egg cells accumulate damage to genetic material, preventing maturation and fertilization. Researchers have identified a key process causing this damage and found that anti-viral drugs can reverse it.
A study by Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that exposure to vegetation is associated with lower levels of oxidative stress in children. The association was observed regardless of the children's physical activity levels, suggesting that green spaces may have a direct impact on biological processes.
A new University of Copenhagen study reveals that well-functioning fat tissue is crucial for overall health and may help prevent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity. High levels of lifelong exercise have been shown to improve mitochondrial function in fat cells, reducing oxidative stress and damage.