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Liver fix thyself

Scientists from Cincinnati Children's and UCSF have discovered a mechanism behind an unusual form of tissue regeneration in mice with Alagille syndrome, a rare liver disease. This discovery may lead to a viable treatment for human disease by instructing other types of liver cells to switch identities.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMay 2, 2018

Fatty liver under stress

Research by BfR scientists reveals that inflammatory processes disrupt liver enzyme function, impairing detoxification capabilities. Fatty liver cells treated with inflammation-promoting substances showed reduced ability to break down foreign substances.

SourceBfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment·JournalDrug Metabolism and Disposition·DateApr 9, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

First John W. Walsh Translational Research Award granted

Joseph Kaserman, MD, receives $225,000 award to study risk of liver disease in Alpha-1 carriers using induced pluripotent stem cells and CRISPR technology. The research aims to find new treatments for Alpha-1 related liver disease and address concerns of carrier individuals.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJan 31, 2018
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.

Cellular mechanism for severe viral hepatitis identified

A recent study by KAIST medical scientists reveals that regulatory T cells undergo inflammatory changes in patients with viral hepatitis, leading to the secretion of inflammatory cytokines called TNF. This discovery could pave the way for the development of new clinical treatments for severe viral hepatitis.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 18, 2018

Scientists create successful mass production system for bioengineered livers

Scientists have successfully developed a biologically accurate mass-production platform for bioengineering human liver tissues suitable for therapeutic transplant into people. The new process allows researchers to generate single batches of up to 20,000 genetically matched, three-dimensional and highly functional liver micro-buds.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 5, 2017

Could this be malaria's Achilles heel?

Portuguese researchers have identified a crucial defence mechanism used by the malaria parasite to survive inside its host's liver cells. The protein UIS3 binds to LC3, forming a protective shield against autophagy, allowing the parasite to evade the host's cellular defence mechanism.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalNature Microbiology·DateNov 6, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New clues to treat Alagille Syndrome from zebrafish

A new study published in Nature Communications identifies the cells and genes necessary to make liver ducts in zebrafish, which could lead to the development of new treatments for Alagille syndrome. The research team discovered that Jagged signals come from an unexpected cell type, endoderm-derived cells within the liver itself, stimul...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2017

New regulator of liver metabolism discovered

Researchers at Charité found that retinol saturase plays a role in adaptive processes in liver cells, increasing with body weight and reducing negative metabolic effects associated with excess glucose exposure. The enzyme's inactivation may offer a new approach to treating metabolic liver disease and its related issues.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 29, 2017

How liver cancer develops

Researchers discovered that caspase-8 triggers programmed cell death in diseased liver cells, leading to genetic instability and tumor development. This mechanism is remarkably universal across various liver diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 11, 2017
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.

A metabolic pathway that feeds liver cancer

A little-studied gene SLC13A5 may explain how liver cancer cells obtain energy to proliferate. Suppressing SLC13A5 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines resulted in slower growth and division of cancer cells.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 10, 2017

Scientists reveal source of human heartbeat in 3-D

A team of scientists has developed a way to produce 3D data showing the cardiac conduction system, enabling more accurate computer models of the heartbeat. This breakthrough will improve our understanding of troublesome heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation and help surgeons design operations with less risk of damaging precious tissue.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 4, 2017

Molecule's role in maintaining liver size and function revealed

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have identified a molecule called YAP that determines whether liver cells proliferate or are eliminated, depending on the presence or absence of injury. This balance is crucial for maintaining organ structure and function.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2017
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.

Princeton researchers report new system to study chronic hepatitis B

Researchers at Princeton University have successfully tested a cell-culture system that allows for the long-term study of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. This breakthrough may aid in the development of antiviral drugs to cure chronic HBV, which can cause severe liver disease and cancer.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2017

Engineered liver tissue expands after transplant

Researchers have developed a way to engineer liver tissue by organizing tiny subunits that contain three types of cells embedded into a biodegradable scaffold. The engineered livers expanded 50-fold after implantation in mice with damaged livers and performed normal liver functions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 19, 2017

Singapore scientists uncover how the liver unclogs itself

Researchers have found that liver cells can eliminate excess bile from blocked ducts through a mechanism involving the internal structure of the cell, which allows bile to be packaged inside vesicles for transport. This discovery could potentially improve the prognosis for infants with rare liver disease.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateJun 30, 2017

Parasite strain-specific factors determine malaria disease severity

Three distinct parasite strains show varying ability to infect human liver cells, with some causing more severe symptoms. Future antimalarial vaccine trials should use multiple strains to accurately predict efficacy.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 21, 2017

Bioengineered human livers mimic natural development

Researchers bioengineered human liver tissues that exhibit previously unknown genetic-molecular crosstalk controlling developmental processes. The study reveals key communication between signaling proteins and receptors that instruct the development of liver tissues.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJun 14, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Cigarette damage to unborn children revealed in stem cell study

Researchers used embryonic stem cells to study the effects of maternal smoking on liver tissue, revealing a potent cocktail of chemicals harms foetal organs. The study found that cigarette chemicals damage the liver differently in male and female foetuses.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalArchives of Toxicology·DateMay 30, 2017

Enzyme treatment reduces alcohol-induced liver damage in mouse models

A Massachusetts General Hospital research team found that oral doses of intestinal alkaline phosphatase prevented the development of fatty liver in mouse models of binge drinking and chronic alcohol consumption. The study also provided evidence of an expanded role of the liver's stellate cells in alcoholic liver disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences·DateApr 25, 2017
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.

Savior of T-cells may be enemy of liver immune cells

A study by Houston Methodist researchers found that the surface protein OX40, which helps keep T-cells alive, can trigger the death of liver immune cells. This leads to a chain reaction causing liver inflammation and disease. The research suggests a potential new avenue for intervention, such as OX40 inhibitors or blockers.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 24, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Stem cell drug screen yields potential alternative to statins

Researchers found that cardiac glycosides, a class of heart failure drugs, can reduce LDL cholesterol levels in patients who don't respond to statins. The study used liver-like cells generated from patient stem cells and showed significant reductions in ApoB levels, indicating potential for a new treatment option.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateApr 6, 2017

A novel molecular link between cholesterol, inflammation and liver cancer

A new study links protein c-Fos to liver carcinogenesis, highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in preventing liver cancer. The research suggests that statins may also prevent deleterious changes in hepatocytes caused by hypercholesterolemia and reduce inflammation.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·DateMar 29, 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.

Liver fully recovers from a low protein diet

Researchers found that a 65% decrease in liver volume and 46% reduction in hepatocyte size occurred in mice on a low protein diet. The liver's ability to regenerate itself was demonstrated after reintroducing a normal protein diet, with an 85% increase in liver volume.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalNutrition·DateMar 27, 2017

Inducing an identity crisis in liver cells may help diabetics

Researchers have successfully reprogrammed liver cells to behave like precursor cells that give rise to the pancreas, paving the way for potential cell therapies for type I diabetes. By altering a single gene, the team induced an identity crisis in liver cells, which then developed into cells with pancreatic properties.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2017

Paracetamol study could open door for way to treat liver damage

Researchers discovered that paracetamol damages liver cells by disrupting tight junctions, leading to cell death and organ dysfunction. The study aims to develop alternative methods for testing paracetamol toxicity and identify potential targets for new drugs.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 31, 2017

Food withdrawal results in stabilization of important tumor suppressor

Researchers found that food withdrawal leads to the accumulation of p53 protein in liver cells, playing a crucial role in metabolic adaptation to starvation. This discovery may pave the way for new treatments for patients with metabolic or cancer-related disorders.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateDec 21, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Hepatitis C virus tricks liver cells to sabotage immune defenses

Researchers discovered that hepatitis C virus induces liver cells to produce microRNAs that inhibit interferon production, blunting the body's antiviral defenses. This finding helps explain why interferon treatments fail in many patients, increasing the risk of liver cancer and treatment resistance.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 17, 2016

How the liver dances to a day/night rhythm

Scientists at EPFL and Nestéle Institute of Health Sciences identified 5000 proteins affected by the diurnal cycle in mouse liver cells. The study used cutting-edge proteomics to monitor protein accumulation over a 24-hour cycle, revealing key cellular functions such as DNA repair and ribosome biogenesis were also affected.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 3, 2016

Vigilin, the lock keeper

Researchers have discovered vigilin, a 'lock keeper' protein in liver cells that regulates fat release and influences transport proteins. The study found a strong correlation between vigilin levels and fatty liver percentage.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 6, 2016
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Functional human tissue-engineered liver generated from stem and progenitor cells

A research team at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has successfully generated functional human tissue-engineered liver from adult stem and progenitor cells. The tissue-engineered liver exhibited normal structural components, including hepatocytes, bile ducts, and blood vessels, and demonstrated in vivo secretory function.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalStem Cells Translational Medicine·DateAug 30, 2016

Purest yet liver-like cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells

A research team has devised a new method to enhance genome-wide association studies for liver disease using purified liver cells made from induced pluripotent stem cells. The approach, developed by the Medical University of South Carolina, allows for more accurate identification of genetic mutations causing liver diseases.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateAug 29, 2016

Codependence of cell nucleus proteins key to understanding fatty liver disease

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that deleting a specific protein, HNF6, leads to an increase in lipid-producing genes and liver damage. This study highlights the co-dependence of two cell nucleus proteins, HNF6 and Rev-erb-alpha, which regulate liver lipid metabolism.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 26, 2016
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Highly efficient agent against Wilson disease

Researchers have identified a small peptide from a bacterium that efficiently binds excess copper from liver cells, offering a potential treatment for Wilson disease. The molecule, methanobactin, was shown to reverse acute stages of the disease and prevent organ failure.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 21, 2016
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.

Transplanted liver cells protect against liver failure after massive hepatectomy surgery

Researchers found that transplanting liver cells into an extra-hepatic site, such as the intra-mesentery, can help protect against post-operative liver failure and aid in survival of the remaining liver. The study showed improved overall mortality due to acute liver failure in the transplantation group.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateApr 25, 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.

Counterattack of the hepatitis B virus

Researchers discovered how hepatitis B virus (HBV) counterattacks the host's defense system by destroying a protective protein complex. This finding suggests new avenues for developing innovative therapeutic agents targeting the X protein.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateMar 16, 2016

Modified protein reverses cirrhosis in lab rats

Researchers have found a modified protein that can reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in lab rats. The protein, TRAIL, was coated with a polymer to extend its half-life, allowing it to effectively kill activated hepatic stellate cells and reduce signs of fibrosis.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalHepatology·DateMar 3, 2016

Viral gene editing system corrects genetic liver disease in newborn mice

Researchers have successfully treated a genetic disorder using a viral vector to deliver genome-editing components, correcting the disease-causing mutation. The treatment improved survival in newborn mice but showed poor results in adult animals, highlighting the need for further adjustments to the gene-editing system.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 1, 2016

Functional human liver cells grown in the lab

A new technique has enabled the rapid expansion of functional human liver cells in the lab, opening up new avenues for studying drug toxicity, liver disease, and more. The method, known as the 'upcyte' process, allows for the generation of liver cells from multiple donors with similar characteristics to primary human hepatocytes.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 26, 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.

Liver cell therapies closer as study reveals key to mass production

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a new technique for growing liver cells from stem cells using synthetic materials, which could lead to mass production of high-quality cells for patient therapies. The process is cost-effective and eliminates the need for animal products, making treatments safer for patients.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateNov 25, 2015

Scientists uncover mechanism that propels liver development after birth

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a mechanism that propels liver development after birth through alternative splicing, allowing the liver to acquire new functions tailored for adult needs. The study highlights the importance of an RNA binding protein, ESRP2, in controlling this developmental program.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2015

Natural immunity may lead fight against liver disease

Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered a family of genes that suppress HCV infection in the liver by blocking viral entry into cells. This natural immune response may lead to new treatments targeting the virus.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 26, 2015