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Cells avoid multitasking

Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that cells separate essential biochemical reactions into different time periods. This separation explains metabolic oscillations leading up to cell division and has implications for our understanding of cellular physiology, cancer, and aging.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2023

Organelles grow in random bursts

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis demonstrated that eukaryotic cells can control organelle size by exhibiting random bursts of growth, maintaining a narrow window of precision within this noise., The study suggests a biophysical mechanism for the robustness and universality of organelle size control.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2023

The interior design of our cells: Database of 200,000 cell images yields new mathematical framework to understand our cellular building blocks

A team at the Allen Institute for Cell Science developed a new way to quantify the internal organization of human cells, capturing details about cellular shape variation. The study provides a roadmap for biologists to understand cell organization in a measurable and quantitative way.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2023

Common, usually harmless group of bacteria associated with higher death rates in kidney patients

Researchers found a significant association between NTM infection and increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve survival. NTM can cause nonspecific symptoms like fever and weight loss, and patients with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Investigative Medicine·DateOct 25, 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

Chung-Ang University researchers use biomolecule-loaded metal-organic frameworks nanopatterns to aid artificial stem cell differentiation

A new platform mimics live cellular environment to guide stem cell differentiation outside the body. Researchers from Chung-Ang University developed a novel platform based on metal-organic frameworks, which offers advantages over conventional methods for in vitro stem cell differentiation.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Treating TB: uOttawa scientists collaborate to identify new drug for unique therapeutic approach

Researchers develop novel therapeutic approach for treating tuberculosis using phosphatase inhibitors, offering potential benefits for TB research and basic biology exploration. The discovery provides a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic-based treatments and has significant implications for combating antimicrobial resistance.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 22, 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

UCSF-led study uncovers unique stem cell trajectory in lungs damaged by COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers discovered that human lung stem cells can undergo abnormal differentiation in response to injury from diseases like COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis. This aberrant process prevents the restoration of normal lung function, but the study also identified a potential therapeutic target for reversing damage.

SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Medical Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 30, 2021

Packing with protamine: Insights into a high-performance molecular glue holding DNA together

A team of researchers from DGIST has developed a model to understand the condensation and decondensation of DNA induced by protamine in semidilute solutions. Protamine forms transient bridges between DNA, allowing its compaction into bundles. The study could provide valuable information on vaccine development and fertility.

Discovery of mechanics of drug targets for COVID-19

A team of international researchers has unraveled the inner workings of C5aR2, a key receptor involved in inflammation and COVID-19. The study provides an additional opportunity for therapeutic targeting with new drug molecules to block its activation and inflammation response.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

Study identifies molecule that stimulates muscle-building in humans

Researchers found that consuming dileucine enhances the metabolic processes driving muscle growth, resulting in a 42% increase in protein synthesis. In contrast, leucine alone showed no significant impact on protein breakdown, highlighting the molecule's potential as a signaling agent for muscle-building pathways.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 9, 2021

Toxin sponges may protect poisonous frogs and birds from their own poisons, study suggests

Researchers have discovered that toxic animals produce 'toxin sponges' to mop up deadly toxins and prevent them from binding to vital proteins. This alternative autoresistance strategy may offer a general means of toxin protection, including the development of antidotes against various toxic agents.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2021

Standard vital signs could help estimate people's pain levels

A new study shows that machine-learning strategies can be applied to routinely collected physiological data to provide clues about pain levels in people with sickle cell disease. The researchers found that these vital signs give clues into the patients' reported pain levels, outperforming baseline models.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 11, 2021

Pain hides in our data

Researchers developed an AI algorithm to mine physiological data from patients with chronic pain, detecting changes in pain levels and atypical fluctuations. The study aims to provide a more precise treatment method by supplementing subjective pain assessments with objective data-driven approaches.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 11, 2021

Air pollution and honey bee health

Honey bees from highly polluted sites in India show reduced survival rates and altered physiological characteristics, indicating air pollution's negative impact on their health. The study suggests that air pollution may also affect ecosystem services, highlighting the need for further research to address this issue.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 10, 2020

First physiological test for schizophrenia and depression

Researchers have identified a new way to distinguish between schizophrenia and depression using proteins in nerve cells. The method measures the level of hormone arginine-vasopressin (AVP) released in response to salt solution, which can indicate NMDA receptor signalling. This test may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as we...

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateMar 13, 2017

Dietary supplement could improve heart health

Research suggests that supplementing mice with quercetin improves biomedical outcomes, providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study also found that quercetin-fed mice were more active than control groups, which could be beneficial for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateFeb 13, 2017

We've all got a blind spot, but it can be shrunk

Scientists have found that training can effectively reduce the size of the human blind spot, improving vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration. The researchers trained participants on a direction-discrimination task for 20 consecutive weekdays, resulting in a 10% reduction in functional blindness.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 31, 2015

Experimental drug prolongs life span in mice

A new experimental drug has been developed that inhibits the aging protein PAI-1, quadrupling the lifespan of rapidly aging mice. The drug, TM5441, also protects organs from accelerated aging and may one day be used to treat human diseases like chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2014