Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Novel drug makes mice skinny even on sugary, fatty diet

Researchers developed a small-molecule drug that limits magnesium transport into cellular power plants, resulting in skinny, healthy mice. The findings hold significant implications for preventing cardiometabolic diseases like heart attack and stroke, as well as reducing liver cancer risk.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

COVID-19 discovery could protect high-risk patients

UVA researchers discovered a metabolic pathway that can modulate COVID-19 inflammation, lung recovery, and host metabolic health. They suggest a potentially viable therapeutic agent that may be combined with existing anti-viral agents to treat severe COVID-19 in patients with underlying metabolic disease.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 14, 2023
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.

How a metabolite causes inflammation and disease

A new study has discovered a connection between a mitochondrial metabolite and the activation of an inflammatory response. Fumarate, produced in the mitochondrion, triggers mitochondrial damage that releases genetic material into small vesicles, leading to inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2023
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.

How to generate new neurons in the brain

Researchers at UNIGE and UNIL have discovered the importance of cell metabolism in reactivating quiescent neural stem cells, increasing new neurons in adult mice. This breakthrough could lead to potential treatments for conditions like depression and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience Advances·TypeNews article·DateMar 1, 2023

Time of day may determine the amount of fat burned by exercise

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that exercising in the early active phase increased gene expression involved in fat breakdown and thermogenesis, leading to a higher metabolic rate. This effect was independent of food intake and may prove beneficial for people who are overweight.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023

Antioxidants from mitochondria protect cells from dying

Researchers discovered that mitochondria actively transport coenzyme Q to the cell surface to protect cells from cell death. The transport process is crucial for regulating coenzyme Q distribution within the cell.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Breakthrough in mitochondrial regulation

Researchers from Osaka University have identified a system known as the GET pathway as crucial for regulating the numbers of energy-producing mitochondria. The study found that disruption of the GET pathway leads to reduced mitophagy, a process responsible for removing defective or excess mitochondria.

SourceOsaka University·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

CityU neuroscientists identify a small molecule that restores visual function after optic nerve injury

A research team led by Dr. Eddie Ma Chi-him identified a therapeutic small molecule M1 that increases mitochondrial dynamics and sustains long-distance axon regeneration, restoring visual functions in mice. Regenerated axons elicited neural activities and survived for four weeks after optic nerve injury.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2023

Pusan National University researchers identify therapeutic targets to overcome radioresistance of brain cancer cells

A team of researchers from Korea and USA identified the importance of lipid homeostasis in overcoming brain cancer radioresistance. They found that regulating diacylglycerol kinase B and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 could potentially sensitize brain cancer cells to radiotherapy, offering a new treatment strategy.

SourcePusan National University·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Overactive cell metabolism linked to biological aging

Researchers found that cells with impaired mitochondria double their energy expenditure, degrading telomeres and activating stress responses. Hypermetabolic state accelerates biological aging, explaining fatigue and exercise intolerance in patients with mitochondrial diseases.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2023

Decoding the secret language of photosynthesis

Scientists have decoded the signals plants send themselves to initiate photosynthesis, a process turning sunlight into sugars. The newly identified proteins control communication between plant cells and organelles, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer research and improving crop yields.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2022

How a cell's mitochondria make their own protein factories

Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to study mitoribosome assembly in yeast and humans, revealing similarities and differences in protein involvement and RNA folding. The findings provide insights into molecular complexity and diversity, with potential implications for severe diseases such as Perrault syndrome.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateDec 8, 2022
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Personalising whole genome sequencing doubles diagnosis of rare diseases

A new study by UCL researchers found that tailoring whole genome sequencing analysis to individual patients can double the diagnostic rates of rare diseases. The personalised approach increased the diagnostic rate from 16.7% to 31.4%, detecting potential disease-causing variants in a further 3.9% of patients.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Unlocking hidden connections between cell death and inflammation

Researchers have discovered that mutations in mitochondrial-related genes can trigger hyperinflammation, leading to diseases such as Crohn's disease and tuberculosis. The study found that these mutations lead to a new type of cell death called necroptosis, which causes an aggressive inflammatory immune response.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalCell·DateNov 2, 2022

Newly discovered protein connected to Alzheimer’s disease risk

A mutation in the SHMOOSE protein is associated with a 20-50% higher risk of Alzheimer's disease across four cohorts. The researchers suggest that targeting SHMOOSE may prove beneficial in neurodegenerative and other diseases of aging.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022
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.

Nanoplastics can disrupt human liver, lung cells’ processes in lab experiments

Researchers have found that nanoplastics can enter human liver and lung cells, disrupting their regular processes and causing inflammation, toxicity, and neurological changes. The study reveals that nanoplastics can alter metabolic pathways, including the production of reactive oxygen species and nucleotides.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateSep 15, 2022

Stressed mitochondria help cells survive respiratory infections

A new study reveals that exploiting mitohormesis, a biological phenomenon where mild cellular stress boosts health and viability, can induce tolerance to influenza infection. Researchers identified a novel molecule, 9-tert-butyldoxycycline, which triggers beneficial mitochondrial responses that reduce tissue damage and inflammation.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateAug 31, 2022
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.

First mouse model with mitochondrial tRNALeu mutation developed

A team from the University of Tsukuba has developed a mouse model carrying a disease-associated mitochondrial mutation, which reveals that faulty RNA processing is responsible for metabolic disorders. The study provides new avenues for scientific discovery in understanding mitochondria and multiple diseases.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateAug 30, 2022

One zip of alcohol is enough to modify the brain

Research finds that a single dose of alcohol permanently changes brain structure and function, leading to increased risk of addiction. The study used fruit flies and mice models to show that ethanol-induced changes in mitochondrial dynamics and synapse balance contribute to long-lasting behavioral changes.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateAug 26, 2022

Neuronal back-up system discovered

A study at MedUni Vienna identified a glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle system as an essential back-up in neurons, ensuring sufficient energy supply even when one regulatory system fails. The system follows a hierarchy, with deployment triggered by the failure of other two mechanisms to function adequately.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalJNeurosci·DateAug 26, 2022
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.

Sugar metabolism is surprisingly conventional in cancer

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that cancer cells metabolize glucose in their mitochondria, following conventional biochemical patterns. The study suggests that limiting glucose uptake may not be an effective strategy to target cancer cells, and glucose metabolism may need to be reevaluated as a therapeutic target.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

Brain support cells transfer their mitochondria to fight free radicals

Researchers found that astrocytes can transfer their mitochondria to damaged neurons after a brain hemorrhage, stimulating the production of an enzyme that neutralizes free radicals. This treatment showed improved neurological recovery in mice, but not if the mitochondria were without the protective enzyme Mn-SOD.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

New insights on how some individuals with obesity can lose weight – and keep it off

A new study suggests that exercise training is crucial for individuals with diet-resistant obesity, improving skeletal muscle metabolism and enhancing weight loss capacity. The research challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to treating obesity and has the potential to help reshape the science of weight-loss programs.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 11, 2022

The brain already benefits from moderate physical activity

Research reveals that physical activity has a noticeable effect on almost all brain regions, with higher intensity and duration increasing brain volume and cortical thickness. The hippocampus, a key memory center, benefits most from physical activity, which can help counteract age-related loss of brain matter.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalNeurology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 3, 2022
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.

Human eggs remain healthy for decades by putting ‘batteries on standby mode’

Researchers discovered that human egg cells skip a crucial metabolic reaction to maintain their reproductive capacity without losing energy, allowing them to remain dormant in ovaries for up to 50 years. This finding explains why some women with mitochondrial conditions linked to this reaction do not experience reduced fertility.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2022

Researchers discover new leukemia-killing compounds

Researchers have discovered eight potential leukemia-killing compounds that target mitochondria, inducing mitophagy to weaken cancer cells. The compounds showed significant synergy with existing chemotherapy drugs, offering a deadly one-two punch against leukemia.

SourceRice University·JournalLeukemia·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022

New approach to treatment of deadly kidney cancer

A new study from Karolinska Institutet has identified a key mechanism behind treatment resistance in a deadly form of kidney cancer. By increasing mitochondrial content in cancer cells, researchers found that these cells became susceptible to the cancer drug sorafenib. This breakthrough offers hope for more targeted cancer treatments.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJun 27, 2022

Human skin can be damaged by exposure to thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills

Researchers discovered that dermal contact with nicotine concentrations found in thirdhand smoke and electronic cigarette spills can impair wound healing, increase susceptibility to skin infections, and cause oxidative stress in skin cells. The study suggests that even a short exposure of 24 hours is sufficient to cause skin damage.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalAtmosphere·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 8, 2022
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.

Aging-US | A novel discovery in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Researchers investigated the effects of treatment with exogenous Humanin G on inflammation markers in AMD and normal retinal cells. The study found reduced levels of inflammatory proteins in AMD plasma and treated cybrids, highlighting the positive effects of Humanin G.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Origin of complex cells started without oxygen

Eukaryotes emerged in an anoxic environment in the ocean, and their mitochondria-bearing cells likely resulted from a merger between archaea and bacteria. This finding contradicts the long-held view that oxygenation of Earth's surface environment led to eukaryogenesis.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeLiterature review·DateApr 27, 2022
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.

A new era of mitochondrial genome editing has begun

Scientists have successfully developed a gene-editing platform called TALED that can perform A-to-G base conversion in mitochondria, the final missing piece of the puzzle in gene-editing technology. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating previously incurable genetic diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

Chemical compound promotes healthy aging

A study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle found that BAM15 improves health outcomes for aged mice with obesity by preventing muscle loss and increasing energy expenditure. The compound helped mice lose fat, gain strength and increase physical activity.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

Deciphering insect-borne viruses

Scientists are working on understanding the interplay between flaviviruses and mitochondria in hopes of finding new treatment options. By deciphering this process, researchers may be able to find broad-spectrum therapeutic targets for diseases like Zika, dengue, and West Nile.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateApr 7, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Getting fuel to an invading cell's front line

Researchers have identified two glucose transporters that disrupt the energy supply to invading worm cells and stop them in their tracks. By deactivating these genes, glucose and ATP levels dropped, and worm cells stalled their spread. This discovery could lead to new ways to cut off cancer cells' fuel lines and prevent metastasis.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2022

Fundamental cancer metabolism dogma revisited

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that non-dividing colon cancer cells employ Warburg glycolysis to reduce toxic reactive oxygen species accumulation. This adaptation challenges the long-held dogma of the Warburg effect, highlighting the need for single-cell level analysis tools.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2022
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.

Advancing our view at the subcellular level

Researchers at University of Cincinnati develop a new probe and imaging technique to study lysosomes, aiding in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research. The probe, known as EC Green, enables multidimensional analysis of lysosome dynamics and provides stable tracking capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Researchers discover more about what causes atherosclerosis

A study published in Science Immunology reveals that a specific neurotransmitter in immune cells plays a crucial role in cholesterol accumulation and sterile inflammation in atherosclerosis. The researchers found that blocking this neurotransmitter may help reduce inflammation and develop effective treatments for the disease.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

New disease mechanism behind mitochondrial diseases identified

Researchers discovered that deficient mitophagy leads to human disease and developed a method to analyze mitochondrial recycling in diseased muscle. Pharmacological activation of mitophagy reversed the progression of mitochondrial muscle disease, offering potential treatment for this condition.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalCell Metabolism·DateFeb 9, 2022
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.

Cancer cells use ‘tiny tentacles’ to suppress the immune system

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that cancer cells can disarmed the immune system by forming nanotubes that pull out mitochondria from immune cells. This new mechanism gives a target to go after, leading to potential new combinations of therapies for improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 18, 2021

A breakdown in communication -- mitochondria of diabetic patients can’t keep time

A team of international scientists has shown that skeletal muscle cells from people with type 2 diabetes have a different circadian rhythm, leading to altered mitochondrial metabolism. The study suggests that considering cellular rhythms when prescribing treatments for type 2 diabetes could optimize their effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021
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.

Metabolic restoration in HIV-infected patients as a therapeutic approach

Researchers found that optimizing energy metabolism through autophagy can improve the immune system response in HIV-affected cells, providing a potential therapeutic approach. This metabolic optimization enables CD4 lymphocytes to better defend against HIV-1 by secreting IL-21, a key protein in defense against the virus.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalAutophagy·DateOct 14, 2021