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New advances in stem-cell derived mouse embryo model

Researchers have developed a mouse embryo model using only embryonic stem cells, achieving a high level of developmental stages including beating hearts and brain formation. This advancement opens up new avenues for understanding human pregnancy loss and developing organs in culture.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 8, 2022

Study first to explore ‘walking’ sharks on the move in early life stages

A study by Florida Atlantic University researchers compared the walking and swimming behaviors of neonate and juvenile epaulette sharks. Contrary to expectations, results showed that differences in body shape did not alter kinematics between early life stages, suggesting a consistent locomotor performance.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalIntegrative and Comparative Biology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2022

Taking a closer look into fibroblasts in the central nervous system

Researchers developed new method to visualize CNS fibroblasts and their intercellular interactions in the CNS. The technique provides a detailed picture of CNS fibroblasts, including their location, size, morphology, and gene/protein expression patterns.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateApr 6, 2022

The evolution of axial patterning

A research group discovered that β-catenin signaling is used for axial patterning in sea anemones and sea urchins, a mechanism that also exists in vertebrates. This suggests that this system was present in the common ancestor of Cnidaria and Bilateria around 650 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2021
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Embryologists reveal a secret of a worm with regeneration super abilities

Biologists at St Petersburg University studied mechanisms of regeneration of marine animals and found that suppression of FGF protein activity disrupts the ability of Alitta virens to restore lost body segments. Similar proteins are found in humans, suggesting potential therapeutic approaches for regenerative medicine.

SourceSt. Petersburg State University·JournalGenes·DateJun 24, 2021

New findings on body axis formation

Researchers at Heidelberg University discovered an enzyme that breaks down Wnt proteins, shaping body axis development in the freshwater polyp Hydra. This discovery may play a role in human diseases such as cancer.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 24, 2021
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Yale researchers create 'Ancestry.com' for cells

Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to recreate the earliest stages of cellular development, allowing scientists to track individual cell lineages. By analyzing tiny variations in skin cells' genomes, they can reconstruct the early lineage trees for each person, shedding light on human biology and potentially diagnos...

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateMar 18, 2021

Mouse sperm generated in rats

Researchers successfully grow mouse stem cells into sperm in the body of rats, paving the way for efficient reproduction and future applications.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 2, 2021

Imaging the first moments of a body plan emerging in the embryo

The study reveals that both parents contribute to the body orientation of their offspring, with maternal input setting the back-belly axis and paternal input setting the head-tail axis. The findings provide new insights into developmental biology and may offer clues as to why developmental processes sometimes go wrong.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateFeb 4, 2021

How the insect got its wings: Scientists (at last!) tell the tale

A team from Marine Biological Laboratory has confirmed that insect wings evolved from leg lobes on an ancestral crustacean. The study used genomic approaches and long-ago scientific papers to settle the controversy, revealing a 300-million-year-old transition to land-dwelling.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 1, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

How cells solve mazes and traverse great distances through the body

Cells use self-generated chemotaxis to create attractant gradients, allowing them to read local and global information about their surroundings. This process enables cells to navigate vast distances through the human body during embryogenesis and other biological events.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020

Study reveals how two sex chromosomes communicate during female embryo development

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered the role of an enzyme in X chromosome inactivation, which is essential for normal female development and sets the stage for genetic disorders. The study shows that a critical protein helps 'flip the switch' on one X chromosome, allowing the other to be silenced.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateAug 17, 2020

SUTD researchers create heart cells from stem cells using 3D printing

Researchers successfully regulated parameters to enhance cardiomyocyte production, overcoming limitations of embryoid body differentiation. The use of 3D printing enables precise control over stem cell differentiation, paving the way for bio-inspired approaches in regenerative medicine.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalBioprinting·DateAug 11, 2020

New role for white blood cells in the developing brain

Researchers discovered a population of brain-resident immune cells that transfer information from the body to the brain environment. The presence of these cells is crucial for normal brain development in mice, and their absence affects behavior and brain development.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalCell·DateJul 22, 2020

Human embryo-like model created from human stem cells

Researchers developed a new model to study early human development using human embryonic stem cells, allowing them to observe the formation of the body plan and potentially reveal causes of birth defects and diseases. The model, called gastruloids, resembles an embryo at around 18-21 days old.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateJun 11, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Accurate 3D imaging of sperm cells moving at top speed could improve IVF treatments

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new technology to identify and select better-quality sperm cells, which could increase the chances of pregnancy and a healthy fetus. The technology uses light computed tomography (CT) to create highly dynamic 3D maps of sperm contents without cell staining.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 7, 2020

Biological 'Rosetta Stone' brings scientists closer to deciphering how the body is built

Researchers from Columbia University and the Spanish National Research Council have discovered a method to systematically identify the role of each Hox gene in a developing fruit fly. This breakthrough offers a new path forward for decoding the underlying genetic mechanisms that guide growth and development, aging, and disease.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 29, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

The sense of touch is formed in the brain before birth

Researchers from UMH-CSIC Institute of Neuroscience found that the brain's somatosensory cortex is formed and functional before birth due to spontaneous electrical activity of the embryonic thalamus. This discovery suggests a critical role for thalamic waves in organizing the cortical map and shaping sensory processing.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2019

Illinois study identifies a key to soybean cyst nematode growth

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a key to the soybean cyst nematode's growth, allowing it to produce more offspring. The nematode's unique body shape enables it to retain fertilized eggs and harden into a protective cyst.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEvoDevo·DateMar 28, 2019

Cells find their identity using a mathematically optimal strategy

A team of researchers has found that the four gap genes in Drosophila embryos can be jointly decoded into an optimal specification of position, suggesting that cell identities are established close to optimally. The study challenges the traditional textbook model of how positional information is conveyed in the embryo.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalCell·DateJan 31, 2019
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Confined movements: How cells form tubes in confined spaces

A team of scientists developed a novel platform to study lumen formation in epithelial tubes, which can lead to diseases like atherosclerosis and kidney failure. The 3D microtube setup allows cells to form tubes under different physical constraints, revealing the importance of mechanical forces in tissue development.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 15, 2018

Salamander genome gives clues about unique regenerative ability

Researchers sequenced the giant salamander genome, uncovering a family of genes that provide clues to its remarkable ability to rebuild complex tissue and resist tumour formation. The study offers new insights into regeneration and potential avenues for developing regenerative strategies for humans.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Brain guides body much sooner than previously believed

Researchers removed frog embryos' brains and found muscles & nerves developed abnormally without brain; they successfully rescued defects with human-approved drugs. The study reveals the brain's role in early development and could lead to better ways to address birth defects.

SourceTufts University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2017

Scientists show how cells communicate

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have made significant progress in understanding how primary cilia receive and transmit signals, shedding light on their role in regulating cellular behaviors and preventing diseases such as ciliopathies.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 31, 2017

New technique could increase success of infertility treatment

Researchers at OHSU and Salk Institute develop a new method to transmit a mother's genetic material into donor eggs, potentially increasing the success rate of infertility treatments. The technique could benefit women of advanced maternal age and those with mitochondrial mutations.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateNov 10, 2016
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Origin of the long body of snakes now discovered

A research team led by Moisés Mallo discovered the Oct4 gene as a key regulator of vertebrate trunk length diversity. The study found that snakes have an exceptionally long trunk due to changes in their genome during reptile evolution, which keeps the Oct4 gene active for longer periods.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateAug 8, 2016

Embryonic gene Nanog reverses aging in adult stem cells

Researchers discovered that introducing the embryonic gene Nanog into aged stem cells can reverse cellular processes associated with age-related disorders, such as weak bones and clogged arteries. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalStem Cells·DateJul 25, 2016

The organizer of body axes

Researchers have found a blastoporal organizer in sea anemone embryos, using the same signaling molecules as vertebrate organizers. This principle existed in the common ancestor of vertebrates and sea anemones over 600 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 1, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Burgess Shale fossil site gives up oldest evidence of brood care

The discovery of eggs with embryos preserved within the body of a 508-million-year-old Waptia fossil provides the oldest direct evidence of a creature caring for its offspring. This finding supports the theory that the presence of a bivalved carapace played a key role in the early evolution of brood care in arthropods.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

3-D printed 'building blocks' of life

Researchers have created a 3D printing technique that produces highly uniform 'blocks' of embryonic stem cells, which can be used as building blocks to construct tissue constructs, larger structures of tissues, and potentially even micro-organs. The method outperforms existing methods in terms of cell uniformity and homogenous prolifer...

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiofabrication·DateNov 3, 2015

Gut feeling restored by growth outside the body

Researchers successfully joined two separate pieces of embryonic mouse intestine using growth supports, allowing nerve signals to pass through and promoting growth. The breakthrough could lead to treatment for conditions like short bowel syndrome, a condition causing damage to the bowel that prevents nutrient absorption.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine·DateAug 25, 2015

The mending tissue -- Cellular instructions for tissue repair

A collaborative study led by NUS scientists has identified a universal mechanism that regulates forces during epithelial tissue repair. The researchers found that cells respond to the shape and geometry of gaps in the tissue, with convex edges facilitating faster movement than concave edges.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2015

Mammals not the only animals to feed embryo during gestation

A recent study published in Biological Reviews found that matrotrophy, where mothers provide nutrients to their embryos during gestation, has evolved independently in at least 21 of 34 animal phyla. This process is more common than previously thought and is often associated with live birth.

SourceField Museum·JournalBiological Reviews·DateApr 30, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Sci-Fly study explores how lifeforms know to be the right size

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that the size and patterning accuracy of an embryo depend on the amount of reproductive resources invested in by mothers before eggs leave the ovary. The study used fruit flies to develop a mathematical model, TEMS, which links core pieces of the developmental picture. ...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 26, 2015

Evolution of the back-to-belly axis

Researchers found that sea anemones use BMP signaling molecules to establish a second body axis, regulating mesenteries and Hox gene activation. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of animal body axes over hundreds of millions of years.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 18, 2015

A twist on planetary origins

Researchers at MIT and Purdue University have found that meteorites are not building blocks of planets, but rather byproducts of a violent planetary process. Computer simulations show that large moon-sized bodies likely existed before chondrules formed, which were then created by collisions of these bodies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 14, 2015
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Ancient genetic program employed in more than just fins and limbs

Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered that Hox genes are employed in the development of a range of vertebrate features beyond fins and limbs. The study reveals that this ancient genetic program is utilized in patterns such as barbels, vents, and claspers, expanding our view of its role in morphological diversity.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalEvoDevo·DateNov 19, 2014

Blocking cells' movement to stop the spread of cancer

Researchers at University College London have discovered a way to block the movement of cancer cells by targeting chemical signals that trigger their transformation into an invasive, liquid-like state. This breakthrough could lead to innovative techniques to stop cancer cells from spreading and causing secondary tumours.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJul 7, 2014

NIH study reveals gene critical to the early development of cilia

A recent NIH study has identified a crucial gene involved in the early development of cilia, which are essential for cell communication and sensory systems. Without this gene, mice failed to grow cilia, leading to embryonic death, highlighting the importance of Cc2d2a in cilia formation.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2014

How did we get 4 limbs? Because we have a belly

Researchers propose that fins and limbs develop from the area surrounding the belly due to the interaction of ectodermal tissues with mesoderm layers. This model, published in Evolution & Development, suggests that epigenetic factors play a crucial role in shaping embryonic development and ultimately giving rise to paired appendages.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalEvolution & Development·DateJan 27, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

UGA researchers discover origin of unusual glands in the body

Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that small satellite thymuses, or cervical thymi, have two distinct origins and may play a role in the development of T-cells. These cells can produce either helpful or harmful T-cells, highlighting the need for further research into their potential impact on human health.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2014

$23 million to create a 'window into the body'

The University of Adelaide has been awarded $23 million to establish a new Center of Excellence that will explore the boundaries of biology, lasers, and nanoscience to create a 'window into the body'. The center will focus on three main themes: sensing in developing embryos, immune signals linked to touch and pain, and exploring the ro...

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateDec 18, 2013

Stem cell reprogramming made easier

Researchers find removing MBD3 protein increases efficiency of stem cell reprogramming from 1% to 100%, allowing for faster production of cells for medical use. This breakthrough provides a deeper understanding of embryonic development and could advance treatment of various diseases.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateSep 18, 2013
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Environmental toxins enter the brain tissue of polar bears

Researchers have detected perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the brain tissue of polar bears, which could have severe impacts on human health. The study suggests that PFASs are crossing the blood-brain barrier and accumulating in all parts of the brain, highlighting the need for further research into their effects.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJul 23, 2013

How to stop a trunk and start a tail? The leg has the key

Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discovered that the leg plays a crucial role in initiating the transition from trunk to tail tissues during embryonic development. The genetic cascade triggered by Gdf11 signaling is coordinated with the formation of legs and the cloaca, leading to changes in the body plan.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 11, 2013