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Teams of sperm swim more smoothly against the current

A recent study found that sperm clustering in viscoelastic fluid offers three biological benefits: reduced direction changes, improved alignment, and increased safety from strong flows. This research may inform studies on infertility and provide better selection of sperm for assisted-reproduction technologies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 2022

Cell size regulates molecular separation

Research reveals that smaller artificial cells lead to greater separation of molecules, allowing for a new approach to manipulate material properties. This discovery has potential applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalACS Materials Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2022

Unlocking cell nucleus behaviors

The discovery reveals that the nucleus deforms like a liquid drop, preserving its shape and protecting its genome. This understanding may lead to new approaches for treating cancer by aiding cell nuclei in regaining their normal shapes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateAug 18, 2022

Liver cancer’s supercharged metabolism offers a new treatment strategy, Penn study suggests

Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2022

Artificial cell membrane channels composed of DNA can be opened and locked with a key

Researchers at Arizona State University have designed and constructed artificial membrane channels using DNA, allowing selective transport of ions, proteins, and cargo. The channels can be opened and closed with a lock and key mechanism, enabling diverse scientific domains such as biosensing and drug delivery applications.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2022

Double agents: How stomach stem cells change allegiance upon injury

A molecular switch, p57, enables stomach stem cells to change allegiance from normal digestion to injury response, potentially leading to new treatments for gastric pathologies. The study's findings suggest that p57 is a key regulator of reserve stem cell state in gastric chief cells.

Bacteria make a beeline to escape tight spaces

Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022

Alzheimer’s brain barrier damage theory could pave way for new treatments

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports suggests that damage to the blood-brain barrier is the determining cause of Alzheimer's disease. The Lipid Invasion Model proposes that lipids entering the brain due to barrier damage lead to brain shrinkage, amyloid plaques, and tau tangles, characteristic of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalJournal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 8, 2022

New computer vision system designed to analyse cells in microscopy videos

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid developed a computer vision system to analyze cells in microscopy videos, allowing for automatic characterization of cell behavior. The system enables faster analysis of thousands of cells compared to traditional methods, which typically involve manual segmentation and tracking.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalMedical Image Analysis·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 11, 2022

Hungry yeast are tiny, living thermometers

Researchers discovered that yeast cells can actively regulate temperature-dependent phase separation in their membranes. This process is crucial for membrane function and cell division. By adjusting the temperature, yeast cells can maintain a consistent state of phase separation, which may be essential for optimal cellular performance.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2022

The link between electrical voltage and brain flexibility a new study by Tel Aviv university found, for the first time; a direct and significant link between changes in G-protein-coupled receptors and the brain’s ability to adapt to external changes

A Tel Aviv University study found a significant link between changes in G-protein-coupled receptors and brain adaptability. Disabling the voltage sensor of these proteins caused uncontrolled brain flexibility, leading to excessive habituation to odors.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 4, 2022

Caught on Camera: Live Imaging of Transcription Using Active RNA Polymerase II-Specific Probes

Scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a genetically encoded probe to visualize active transcription sites in living cells. The probe successfully identified phosphorylated Ser2 in RNA polymerase II, allowing for the localization of elongation phase transcription sites in real-time.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2021

A way in: Newly-identified state in bacteria has major implications for antibiotic treatment and resistant strains

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discover a 'disrupted' state in bacteria that resists current antibiotics, requiring new pharmacological agents to combat. The breakthrough model predicts bacterial population responses to treatments, offering avenues for better treatments against cancer cells.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 17, 2021

Wide heads help sperm swim together

Researchers used machine learning to discover that sperm with a wide head relative to length are more likely to clump together and swim collectively, a rare behavior that sometimes helps them reach an egg faster. The study provides a new method for understanding how form and function are related in cells with complex behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2021

Controlling insulin production with a smartwatch

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a molecular switch that can be activated by green light from a smartwatch, producing insulin or other substances. The system uses HEK 293 cells and is linked to a gene network, which can be configured to produce specific substances.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2021

How to retard time for cells

Heavy water significantly reduces cellular dynamics without damaging cells, a finding with implications for organ transplants and tissue storage. The study's results suggest increased interaction between structural proteins and reversible effects, paving the way for further research into this phenomenon.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 4, 2021

Honey bee behavior from within the hive

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals rare honey bee behaviors, including mouth-to-mouth larval feedings, using video recordings from within the hive. The research provides new insights into individual honey bee behavior, revealing complex social interactions and processes previously undocumented.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 17, 2021

Study reveals how egg cells get so big

A new study in fruit flies reveals the process of oocyte growth relies on physical phenomena analogous to gas exchange between balloons. Nurse cells surrounding the larger oocyte dump their contents into it, using a counterintuitive mechanism where air flows from smaller to larger balloons.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 5, 2021

Surprises in 'active' aging

Physicists from the University of Göttingen used computer simulations to investigate aging in living glassy systems, finding that persistent particle activity drives aging. This discovery has potential consequences for biological processes such as wound-healing and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

A new understanding of everyday cellular processes

The study suggests that cells can be understood as electrical entities, enabling predictive biological understanding and potential new treatments for conditions like heart failure and diabetes. The researchers' bioelectrical conceptualisation of cells could pave the way for breakthroughs in healthcare.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMay 20, 2020

Novel 3D microscopy technique reveals new phenomena in living cells

A novel 3D microscopy technique allows researchers to quantify previously unseen or unexplained cell behavior. The technique has been applied to study the dynamics of organelles and fat droplets within living cells, revealing new aspects of their behavior such as synchronization of swelling among droplets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 19, 2019

Peering into a more 'human' petri dish

Cell culture media has remained relatively unchanged for over 70 years, but Jason Cantor is developing 'physiologic media' that closely mimics real biological conditions. This allows researchers to study cell behavior in a more accurate and relevant way, potentially revealing fundamental insights into human diseases such as blood cancer.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalTrends in Cell Biology·DateNov 4, 2019