Articles tagged with Animal Models
Researchers have developed a new mixture, organ agar, that enables them to screen bacteria more efficiently than traditional methods. This innovation allows for the testing of over 1,700 mutants of the UTI-causing bacteria Proteus mirabilis using only a quarter of the mice typically required.
Researchers found a significant increase in extracellular vesicles released by aged keratinocytes, which were also enriched with specific microRNAs. These EVs impaired young keratinocyte proliferation and organogenesis, mimicking aged skin defects.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a unique healing mechanism in newts that could aid humans in recovering faster from tendon injuries. By understanding how newts regenerate damaged tendons without scar tissue, scientists hope to develop more effective treatments for human athletes.
Researchers found that treating C. elegans with mitochondrial inhibitors extended their lifespan, improved pharyngeal muscle contraction, reduced lipofuscin content, and decreased energy consumption. The study suggests that these drugs could abrogate aging and extend human lifespan, offering a potential therapeutic approach.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
A new study found that the progeny of successive generations of old parents had significantly shorter lifespans than those from young parents in both Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. The researchers also discovered that switching to only one generation of younger parents improved the healthspan of the offspring.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered iron storage 'spheres' inside C. diff bacteria, which are crucial for infection and offer new targets for antibacterial drugs. The study, published in Nature, also reveals that bacteria may compartmentalize biochemical processes in a way similar to eukaryotic cells.
Researchers found that higher alcohol consumption is associated with biological age acceleration and hypertension in middle-aged and older adults, but not in young adults. The study suggests that alcohol consumption may mediate the association between alcohol intake and quantitative traits like hypertension.
Jenny Wilkerson receives $1.94 million grant to develop novel models and investigate antinociceptive profiles of basal sex hormone alterations in patients with chronic post-op pain. The study aims to answer questions about the impact of altered sex hormone levels on recovery times, drug effectiveness, and long-term health.
Researchers found that older fish deviate from a youthful fasting and refeeding cycle, entering a permanent fasting state despite eating. Genetic activation of AMP kinase's γ1 subunit restored benefits of refeeding in old killifish, improving health and longevity.
Researchers from Tohoku University developed a model that simulates fish tail fin motion and reveals the underlying mechanisms behind synchronized swimming. The study found that synchronizing fin movements reduces energy dissipation, but the optimal timing may not always lead to conservation of energy.
Research found that nematodes can sense danger by smell, triggering a neural circuit that induces a response in other tissues, leading to a longer lifespan and less protein aggregation. The study suggests that manipulating perceptions of chemical substances could be a route to intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study reveals that autophagy plays a crucial role in the gradual loss of DNA content in diploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells undergoing chronological aging. The researchers found that only diploids survived, and autophagy induction was responsible for the DNA loss.
Brazilian researchers found that Zika-infected mice with microcephaly have lower Ndel1 enzyme activity, which plays a key role in neuron differentiation and migration. The study suggests that Ndel1 may be a biomarker for early diagnosis of microcephaly and offers hope for treatment options.
Researchers found that DNA damage accumulates in arteries with aging and contributes to impaired vascular function. In mice lacking or heterozygous for the double-strand DNA break repair protein ATM kinase, aging accelerated vascular dysfunction, including increased arterial stiffness and oxidative stress.
Researchers have developed a new method to study muscle diseases, reducing the number of experimental animals needed. This method enables the simultaneous investigation of several genes or entire signaling pathways in muscle fibers quickly and efficiently.
The UK Biobank study found that racial minority status increased dementia risk by 24%, with socio-economic status attenuating this effect. Lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, physical activity, and sleep were identified as crucial in reducing racial and socio-economic disparities in dementia.
A new study reveals that RANK protein suppression affects mammary gland functionality differently depending on pregnancy experience. In female mice, RANK suppression led to successful lactation only during the second pregnancy, suggesting a 'rescue action' by basal cells.
Researchers developed a novel approach to predict therapeutic targets for aging and age-related diseases. They trained a domain-specific BioGPT model on biomedical literature, which improved its performance in identifying prospective targets.
A UNIGE team investigated the destruction of neurons at different times of the day using fruit fly models and found that cellular stress was more deleterious to neurons at night. This suggests that the circadian clock exerts a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons against oxidative stress.
A new biomimetic chip has been developed to simulate the human gastric mucosa, combining organoid and organ-on-a-chip technologies. The biochip replicates mechanical stimulation and cell-to-cell interactions, mimicking key features of the human stomach's defense mechanisms.
GlowTrack, a non-invasive movement tracking method using fluorescent dye markers, improves the capture of diverse movements in laboratories. This technique enables easier comparison of movement data between studies, increasing scientific discovery and advancing fields like biology, robotics, and medicine.
A new study found that living donor liver transplant access optimizes the timing of transplant for older, frail cirrhosis patients. Patients with moderate to severe frailty, short stature, and low MELD scores benefited from LDLT, reducing waitlist mortality and improving post-transplant outcomes.
Researchers studied fruit flies to understand how their brains assign value to rewards, finding that expectations play a crucial role in decision-making. By observing the flies' behavior, the team pinpointed the site in the brain where these value adjustments are made, enabling them to test a theoretical framework on neural circuits.
A new study introduces the concept of a 'noise barometer,' measuring biological age based on epigenetic changes. The researchers found that specific cytosines show increased variability with age, indicating a biomarker for aging and disease. This approach provides a novel perspective on aging research.
The new facility will enhance the lab's capabilities to study the impact of chemicals and nanomaterials on human health, with applications in areas like toxicology and disease prevention.
A novel mitochondrial enzyme was identified as key to reproductive aging, increasing oocyte clustering with age and affecting fertility
Researchers developed a new model of hereditary Alzheimer's disease in marmosets by introducing mutations into the PSEN1 gene, which causes early-onset disease in humans. The study aims to characterize and validate genetic, molecular, functional, and cognitive features of aging and Alzheimer's disease in these animals.
Researchers found that pregnant mice experiencing copy number variation (CNV) showed similarities to aging, with biomarkers and genetic effects appearing during pregnancy and reversing after delivery. This study aims to revolutionize aging treatment by investigating the mechanisms behind post-labor rejuvenation.
Researchers have discovered that gene therapy may prevent relapse in patients with serious alcohol addiction by altering dopamine function in the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway. The treatment involves sustained release of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in a specific region of the brain.
A new study by Paula Mayer proposes a practical tool for identifying areas of high human-bear conflict in the Abruzzo region. The model considers factors such as habitat suitability, migration corridors, and human-made food resources to inform local measures promoting coexistence.
Researchers discovered intricate neural connections in Octopus vulgaris, a model organism for studying memory acquisition networks. The findings challenge traditional models of neural network functionality, revealing an evolutionary adaptation that underlies the octopus's unique cognitive prowess.
Researchers propose a novel theory of aging that suggests cell competition is a key factor in the process. The selective destruction theory (SDT) proposes a mechanism of aging that is independent of accumulating damage and consistent with epigenetic rejuvenation.
Research by the Peter Doherty Institute found that inflammation alters plasma composition, hindering parasite maturation. This work reveals a new mechanism slowing down malaria parasite development in the bloodstream.
Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory have devised a method to precisely alter rotifer genomes using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling the study of fundamental biology and evolution. The new approach will allow scientists to investigate various aspects of biology, including aging, DNA repair mechanisms, and mitochondrial function.
A new study uses machine learning to analyze data from DrugAge, a database of chemical compounds modulating lifespan in model organisms. The researchers create four types of datasets to predict whether or not a compound extends the lifespan of C. elegans, using features such as compound-protein interactions and Gene Ontology terms.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that Caenorhabditis elegans' lifespan is limited by its reproductive self-destruction. The finding raises questions about the validity of insights from this model organism for human ageing advances.
Researchers discovered that adult and aged mice demonstrated improved performance in behavioral tasks after environmental enrichment, with MSK1 playing a vital role. The study highlights the importance of MSK1 in converting positive experiences into cognitive benefits across the lifespan.
The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, reveals a novel light-activated material that can be used to effectively reshape and thicken damaged corneal tissue, promoting healing and recovery for patients with keratoconus. The technology has tremendous potential to impact millions of people suffering from corneal diseases.
A recent study led by Dr. Itamar Harel reveals that manipulating AMP biosynthesis can extend lifespan and promote metabolic health in vertebrates. The research used the turquoise killifish as a model organism and found remarkable effects on energy metabolism, including a fasting-like profile and enhanced resistance to high-fat diets.
In a surprising twist, Trinidadian guppies showed cooperation increased with group size. In the 'volunteer's dilemma,' individuals are expected to be less willing to cooperate in large groups.
The study combines real and robotic insects to understand how they sense forces in their limbs while walking. Campaniform sensilla (CS) are force receptors found in insect limbs that respond to stress and strain, providing critical information for controlling locomotion.
A robotic system, WormPicker, autonomously detects and manipulates Caenorhabditis elegans for genetic research, increasing productivity for human researchers. The system accelerates studies in diverse areas of C. elegans biology.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel approach to fight cancer by inducing cancer cells to produce a toxic protein using mRNA molecules. The treatment was successful in eliminating 44-60% of cancer cells in animal models, with no damage to healthy cells.
Researchers used proteomics and small RNA sequencing to analyze 103 human blood plasma samples, identifying 21 proteins and 315 small RNAs associated with aging. Combining protein and miRNA data improved age predictions (R2 = 0.70 ± 0.01), suggesting a broader range of age-related physiological changes.
Researchers have developed a new technique to generically treat several kinds of cancer, showing tumors grew almost three times less and survival rates reached 100% after just one injection. The method targets cancer cells with alpha radiation, sparing healthy tissue.
Researchers developed a model of the blood-brain barrier to prevent newborn meningitis treatment, with a 50% mortality rate in developing countries. The organ-on-a-chip platform enables rapid and accurate testing of drugs for safety and efficacy, promising to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers successfully engineered an albino strain of the hummingbird bobtail squid, offering clear optical access for visualizing its nervous system. This breakthrough presents Euprymna berryi as a viable candidate for a model cephalopod, enabling scientists to study complex animal behavior and unlock secrets of biology.
Researchers at Trudeau Institute and Texas Biomedical Research Institute found that prior dengue infection can worsen Zika virus outcomes during pregnancy. Pregnant marmoset monkeys infected with dengue passed significantly more Zika virus to their fetuses than those without dengue, suggesting a link between the two viruses.
A team of researchers from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences developed a hydrodynamic model to study penguin wings' propulsion physics. The model reveals that wing feathering is the main factor in generating thrust, allowing penguins to swim efficiently and maneuver swiftly.
A new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison tracks immune cell movement in zebrafish, documenting a strikingly organized network of T cells. The findings shed light on how adaptive immune systems function in non-mammals and present exciting questions to pursue.
Researchers at Tulane University have identified a synthetic compound called dimethyl malonate that can prevent coagulopathy during massive hemorrhages. The study found that this compound inhibits excessive cellular metabolism, preventing the glycocalyx from shedding and causing bleeding to stop.
Scientists have developed an innovative platform using engineered human tissue to study how pathogens carried by mosquitoes impact and infect human cells. This breakthrough holds promise for studying other disease vectors like ticks, which spread Lyme disease.
A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals the placenta's polyploid cells play a vital role in supporting healthy embryonic development. The modified cell cycle controlling polyploidy is governed by the regulatory gene Myc, which supports DNA replication and prevents premature cellular aging.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that semaglutide, a diabetes medication, significantly reduced alcohol intake and relapse-like drinking in rats. This study suggests that semaglutide may be effective in treating alcohol dependence, particularly for individuals with both obesity and diabetes.
Two studies investigate long-term consequences of COVID-19, identifying potential drug targets for treating chronic disease. Researchers found novel pathways in the lungs and immune system that may lead to effective treatment options, including therapies targeting immune dysfunction and mucous cell differentiation.
Researchers updated their protein localization prediction model, MULocDeep, to provide more targeted predictions for biological discoveries. The tool helps researchers design more effective experiments and advance scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases like epilepsy.
Researchers observe 'social motor entrainment' in macaques, where movements synchronize with others, and find it varies by animal pairs, social hierarchy, and stimulus type. This study provides insights into the neural underpinnings of social cohesion and has implications for understanding human conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
Biomedical engineers at UTS have developed an intervertebral disc-on-a-chip, a precision-engineered toolbox for low back pain studies. The device simulates the complex mechanobiology of native tissue, enabling accurate evaluation of experimental methods for treatment or regeneration.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new imaging technique to track changes in blood vessels in the brains of mice, which could lead to early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. The method uses advanced imaging techniques and AI algorithms to identify biomarkers that may predict disease onset.