Articles tagged with Hair Cells
Researchers adapted optical coherence tomography (OCT) to visualize tiny structures in the human inner ear, correlating fluid levels with a patient's degree of hearing loss. The findings may help clinicians diagnose and treat hearing loss more quickly and effectively.
Researchers have created a more efficient and controlled method to produce lab-grown inner ear hair cells, offering new hope for hearing loss research. The innovative approach uses a doxycycline-inducible transcription factor system, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing time compared to existing methods.
Researchers from the University of Göttingen have discovered a molecular 'spring' that triggers the opening of ion channels in sensory hair cells of the ear. The findings provide new insights into how hearing begins at the molecular level and shed light on the function of ion channels.
A new study using OCT imaging revealed that nerve fibers in the inner ear adjust sound levels and compensate for hearing loss. In healthy mice, cochlear activity remained stable, but in mice with genetic hearing loss, cochlear function increased to enhance sensitivity.
A researcher has developed a novel drug delivery system that transports medications to the inner ear to prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss. The system uses hydrogels and nanoparticles to deliver drugs that block calcium damage or protect hair cells, showing promising results in early-stage studies.
Researchers successfully increase inner ear synapses in young mice to produce supranormal hearing, supporting a hypothesis on the cause of hidden hearing loss in humans. The study suggests that preserving or increasing synapses may improve auditory processing and offer new treatment options for certain hearing disorders.
Researchers have identified a gene that links deafness to cell death in the inner ear, creating new opportunities for preventing hearing loss. The discovery suggests that UPR-blocking drugs could prevent deafness caused by loud noise exposure or aging.
Researchers found that phytosterols can reverse age-related hearing loss in mice by replenishing cholesterol in sensory cells. The study suggests that these plant-based compounds could be a convenient way to combat age-related hearing loss.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a novel mechanism by which hair cells can repair themselves after damage. This breakthrough understanding has the potential to develop new treatments for age-related hearing loss and other conditions.
A study by Pierre Hakizimana at Linköping University found that the DC signal in the cochlea can provide an indication of ear health status, allowing the brain to decode faint sounds. The discovery may contribute to new research on diagnosing noise-induced hearing loss and has implications for preventing permanent damage from loud sounds.
Researchers developed a new method to deliver drugs into the inner ear, using the cerebrospinal fluid flow. This innovation restored hearing in deaf mice and may pave the way for gene therapy to treat human hearing loss.
Scientists design a mini gene therapy to replace the mutated gene in Usher 1F, increasing protein production and restoring hearing in mice. The approach may also prevent blindness by targeting a different form of the protein involved in vision loss.
Researchers have discovered a unique, fast synapse in the inner ear that processes signals faster than any other in the human body. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for vertigo and balance disorders affecting millions of Americans over 40.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology has found that the unique checkerboard pattern of cells in the organ of Corti is essential for proper hearing. The researchers discovered that when hair cells adhere to each other abnormally, it leads to apoptosis and a decrease in hair cell numbers, resulting in h...
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new hearing screening system using low-cost earbuds and smartphones, which performed as well as commercial devices and correctly identified patients with hearing loss. The tool can be used in countries where screening is not accessible due to high device costs.
Research by Kirill Kavokin found that around 100 hair cells in an animal's inner ear can act as effective biological compass needles, allowing them to detect the magnetic field. This discovery could bring biologists closer to understanding the origins of magnetoreception and identifying mechanisms responsible.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have identified the autophagy pathway in hair cells linked to permanent hearing loss caused by aminoglycosides. The study developed laboratory models with reduced RIPOR2 expression, which did not exhibit hair cell death or hearing loss when treated with antibiotics.
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.
Stowers scientists investigate macrophage activation states in zebrafish sensory organ, discovering three distinct anti-inflammatory pathways that may inform human regenerative immunotherapies. The study provides valuable insights into the timing and genetic programs of macrophages, a type of white blood cell, in repair and regeneration.
A study published in Molecular Therapy — Methods & Clinical Development shows that delivering the protein EPS8 via gene therapy can rescue malfunctioning inner ear hair cells that transduce sound. In mice affected by recessive deafness, EPS8 increases stereocilia length and restores hair cell function.
Researchers have identified a key chemical controlling hair follicle cell division and death, shedding light on a potential cure for baldness. The discovery also holds promise for speeding up wound healing by harnessing the regenerative properties of stem cells found in hair follicles.
Researchers discovered that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) reduces the stiffness of the gating spring, decreasing channel sensitivity. This provides an opportunity to develop new drugs preserving auditory sensitivity from damage.
A study by researchers at Uppsala University found that crocodiles can regenerate their hair cells due to the activation of support cells and efferent nerves. This discovery may lead to new treatments for people with impaired hearing, who affect over 1.2 billion worldwide.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have identified SCUBE3 as a potential therapeutic treatment for androgenetic alopecia. The study found that dermal papilla cells produce activating molecules to promote new growth, which are reduced in people with hair loss.
Researchers developed a word-score model to estimate the amount of hidden hearing loss, or cochlear nerve damage, in humans. The model uses average speech scores as a function of age from nearly 96,000 ears examined at Mass Eye and Ear.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified an unexpected molecular target of a common treatment for alopecia, a condition where the immune system attacks hair follicles. They found that glucocorticoid hormones instruct regulatory T cells to activate hair follicle stem cells, leading to hair growth and regeneration.
Scientists have discovered a master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, enabling the development of these cells to restore hearing. This breakthrough could provide a previously unavailable tool to create specific hair cells and improve treatments for age-related hearing loss.
A developmental gene found in humans is also present in sea anemones and plays a critical role in their ability to sense touch. This discovery sheds light on the ancient evolutionary roots of human hearing and its connection to other sensory modalities.
Orb-weaver spiders have been found to use their massive webs as auditory arrays, capturing sounds and giving them advanced warning of prey or predators. The researchers used a special quiet room and placed a mini-speaker near the web, causing the spider to detect and respond.
A novel gene delivery technique has successfully restored hearing in mice with a mutated STRC gene, which is the second most common genetic cause of hearing loss. The approach could be used to deliver other large genes and may provide a broad window of opportunity for treatment from babies to adults.
Genetic variants at 67 genomic regions were found to contribute to increased risk of age-related hearing loss. Visualized proteins reveal molecular components critical for sound conversion and transmission.
Researchers develop cellular models to study SARS-CoV-2 infection of the inner ear, finding that the virus can infect hair cells and Schwann cells. The pattern of infection matches symptoms observed in a study of 10 Covid-19 patients with ear-related issues.
Researchers developed lab-grown cochlear organoids to screen FDA-approved drugs for hair cell-inducing properties. The study identified Regorafenib as a potent stimulator of hair cell formation, even regenerating lost cells in mouse tissues.
Researchers from USC Stem Cell discovered a latent regenerative potential in the inner ear's sensory cells. They found that epigenetic modifications regulate hair cell development and identified a key histone decoration, H3K4me1, that keeps supporting cells primed for transdifferentiation.
A new portal, gEAR, enables researchers to easily utilize complex genetic data from sophisticated studies, advancing medical discoveries in hearing loss. The tool provides visualizations of datasets and allows inputting of own data for comparison, saving time and facilitating analysis.
A new study from USC Stem Cell scientists reveals striking similarities between sensory cells in the inner ear and Merkel cells in the skin. The research identifies a shared mechanism involved in gene regulation or epigenetics that enables differentiation into specialized hair cells and Merkel cells.
Researchers discovered that superoxide-producing cells in the inner ear cochlea increase with aging, noise damage, and ototoxic drugs, leading to age-related, noise-induced, and drug-induced hearing loss. Suppressing superoxide production or using Nox3 inhibitors may lead to new treatments for acquired hearing loss.
The study reveals that inner hair cells are stimulated by sound vibrations through a calcium-based mechanism, contradicting the long-held assumption that only outer hair cells interact with the tectorial membrane. This new understanding may lead to improved cochlear implants for treating hearing loss.
A study led by Penn Medicine researchers identified a new genetic cause of hearing loss and its link to the GAS2 protein's role in amplifying sound waves. The researchers found that the absence of functional GAS2 leads to severe hearing impairment in mice, highlighting the importance of this protein for normal hearing.
Researchers identified a new cell type called neuromast-associated ionocytes in zebrafish sensory organs that play a crucial role in regulating the fluid composition. These cells are responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation, and their dysfunction is linked to hearing loss and vestibular defects.
Scientists at Uppsala University have created the first 3D map of the hearing nerve, tracing fine nerve threads and vibrating auditory organ to understand how frequencies are distributed. This new knowledge can lead to more effective cochlea implant treatments for the hearing-impaired.
A study by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers identified GFI1 as a vital protein in the development of functioning adult hair cells. In its absence, embryonic cells were likely to develop into neuron-like cells. The findings could lead to new methods for regenerating lost hair cells and restoring hearing.
Researchers found that naked mole-rats have poor hearing due to six mutations in genes associated with hearing loss. Without cochlear amplification, the constant noise they produce doesn't harm their hair cells, making this adaptation beneficial for their survival.
A study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus challenges a decades-old hypothesis on adaptation in the inner ear's sensory cells. The researchers found that adaptation does not involve a mechanical change in the hair bundle, contrary to existing models.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has identified a microRNA, miR-218-5p, that enhances the molecular pathway responsible for promoting hair follicle growth. The study found that increasing miR-218-5p promoted hair regrowth in mice treated with 3D cultured dermal papilla cells.
A recent study published in JNeurosci suggests that age-related hearing loss is primarily caused by the death of hair cells, rather than degradation of the cellular battery powering them. This finding contradicts previous assumptions and has significant implications for preventing or treating age-related hearing loss
Researchers have successfully reprogrammed three types of mouse cells into induced hair cell-like cells, offering a potential solution for identifying causes and treatments of hearing loss. The new cells possess characteristics similar to naturally occurring hair cells and are vulnerable to an antibiotic known to cause hearing loss.
Harvard University researchers successfully used base editing to correct a recessive genetic mutation causing complete deafness in mice. The treatment restored partially functional hearing, and the scientists hope to apply this technique to humans with similar conditions.
A team of researchers generated a developmental map of the mouse inner ear's sound-sensing structure, providing insights into genetic programs that drive cell formation. The study sheds light on underlying causes of hearing loss linked to Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys-Dietz syndromes.
Pradeep Sharma, a UH mechanical engineer, received a Guggenheim Fellowship to investigate why some people can instantly reproduce music while others cannot. He aims to find a physics explanation for this phenomenon, considering the brain and physical characteristics of the ears.
A team of biologists identified a receptor that, when blocked, can prevent common types of hearing loss. They found that a drug called IEM-1460 selectively blocks the receptor and prevents hearing damage in mice exposed to noise.
Researchers discovered a way to reprogram mature inner ear cells to proliferate and regenerate hair-cell-like cells in adult mice. This breakthrough could lead to the development of treatments to restore hearing in people with hearing loss. The study provides hope for regrowing sensory hair cells and other important inner ear cell types.
Researchers identified how specific genes dictate hair cell patterns in zebrafish, shedding light on mechanisms behind congenital hearing loss in humans. The study found that genetic alterations can lead to circular or spiral patterns in hair cells, providing new directions for tackling congenital hearing problems.
In a study published in eLife, researchers found that outer hair cells adjust the sensitivity of neighboring inner hair cells to sound levels rather than amplifying them. This discovery could lead to better interventions to protect hearing and develop new ways to prevent hearing loss.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified two proteins, Activin A and follistatin, that precisely regulate hair cell birth in the mammalian inner ear. This discovery may lead to future therapies for restoring hearing in individuals with irreversible deafness.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have found a way to regenerate hair cells in the inner ears of mice, allowing them to recover vestibular function. The technique shows promise for treating vestibular disorders, such as dizziness and balance problems caused by damaged or lost hair cells.
Researchers have developed a method to generate natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using human induced pluripotent stem cells. This technology has the potential to treat hair loss in millions of people worldwide.
Using 3D printing, researchers have successfully grown human hair follicles in a lab dish, paving the way for new hair restoration treatments. The breakthrough could lead to more effective hair growth drugs and increased accessibility of robotic hair restoration surgery for women and men.
Researchers identified the Ikzf2 gene as a key regulator of special cells needed for hearing. Introducing a virus engineered to overexpress helios into inner ear hair cells transformed some mature inner hair cells into outer hair cells, exhibiting critical characteristics. This discovery may lead to therapies for age-related hearing loss.
The Bertarelli Foundation has awarded four collaborative research grants to scientists at Harvard Medical School to develop new therapies for debilitating sensory disorders. The grants will focus on addressing hidden hearing loss and developing gene therapy treatments for Usher syndrome.