Articles tagged with Animal Models
Studies on armadillos, fruit flies, nematodes, and monkeys reveal insights into progressive blindness, brain structure, and decision-making. The findings also highlight the importance of animal models in understanding human brain function and developing medical diagnostic devices.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Liverpool found that incorporating uncertainties into infectious disease models can significantly improve their effectiveness. The study analyzed previous outbreaks in the UK and found that many models provided only cursory reference to uncertainties, yet still informed policy decisions.
A study published in PeerJ found that nearly 50% of scientific resources are unidentifiable due to a lack of detail in journal articles. Researchers developed guidelines for reporting research resources to aid reproducibility, but these did not improve identification rates.
Scientists have successfully transmitted HIV in a mouse model of heterosexual intercourse, shedding light on the complexities of viral transmission and potential prevention methods. The study's findings suggest that hormonal factors in the female reproductive tract can impact host susceptibility to HIV infection.
Scientists have developed lab-born human tissue structures to study and treat tumor growth, offering a more accurate alternative to animal testing. The new method uses biochemistry and cell types to replicate human conditions, paving the way for personalized medicine.
Researchers found that globally ordered motion breaks down in overcrowded swarms, and a power law describes the average alignment in the direction of motion. Computer simulations revealed new features of individual animal behavior when confronted with high densities and close neighbors.
Researchers created a novel low-power device that enables the recording of complex neural signals in freely moving subjects for over 16 months. The device, which transmits data wirelessly, has the potential to revolutionize brain-computer interfaces and help people with severe paralysis control devices with their thoughts.
A study has identified two enzymes elevated in prediabetes that could lead to new therapies for vascular complications and help predict who is at risk of developing diabetes. Elevated arginase and indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase trigger a stress response that damages blood vessels and immune cells.
A CSHL-led team has developed a new method to model human genetic diseases caused by errors in RNA splicing. The approach, called TSUNAMI, uses targeted 'negative ASOs' to cause missplicing and pathogenesis, offering a unique window into disease progression.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a method to model an organism's metabolism and gene expression simultaneously. The technology enables detailed calculations of the total cost of synthesizing chemicals, including biofuels, by accounting for material and energy requirements.
A naturally occurring line of immunodeficient pigs can support the growth of human tumors, making them a promising large animal model for studying human cancers. The ability of human melanoma cells and pancreatic carcinoma cells to grow in these pig models could lead to significant advancements in cancer research and drug discovery.
Presentations at the Genetics Society of America's Model Organism to Human Biology meeting revealed key findings on cancer genomic pathways. Researchers identified mediators of metastasis and potential drug targets in model organisms such as zebrafish, fruit flies, and roundworms.
Researchers at the University of Alberta discovered a link between DHA intake and improved memory, with higher levels of DHA in the hippocampus leading to better cell communication. Supplementing with DHA may help prevent age-related declines in brain DHA levels.
The FASEB MARC Program has awarded a $1,650 travel grant to Shanelle Joseph from Southern University and A tM College for her poster/platform presentation at the 2012 meeting. The program aims to increase underrepresented minority engagement in biomedical research.
Researchers found that high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) prolong inflammation in obese mice with acute pancreatitis. IL-6 is also linked to the severity of the disease in obese subjects.
Researchers at Tufts University have identified a self-correcting mechanism by which developing organisms recognize and repair head and facial abnormalities. This process allows craniofacial structures to move and remodel themselves to compensate for defects, restoring normal shape and position.
A new study model has found that cerebral vessel function is altered in just 30 days of obstructive sleep apnea exposure, increasing the risk of stroke. The model developed by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reveals a link between OSA and stroke, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
Scientists at UNC have developed a new method for delivering long-lasting pain relief through PAPuncture, which mimics the molecular mechanism behind acupuncture. The treatment has been shown to provide up to six-day pain relief in animal models and may be applicable to any area where regional anesthesia is performed.
Researchers have developed a new technique to visualize fat distribution in lab mice using X-ray computed tomography (CT), allowing for non-invasive and longitudinal studies. This method provides detailed images of fat volumes within the mouse, enabling researchers to study adipose content at high levels.
A PET imaging agent has been shown to reverse neurotoxicity and improve motor skills and memory in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The compound works as a scavenger of peroxynitrite, reducing neuronal death and promoting revival of neuronal function.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute created compounds that dramatically alter the biological clock, resulting in weight loss and improved metabolic markers in diet-induced obese mice. The study suggests potential effectiveness in treating obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and sleep disorders.
Researchers present new information on neural diseases and kidney stones using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster model. Studies reveal links between cellular changes and behaviors in flies with human counterparts such as ataxia-telangiectasia and Rett Syndrome.
The study aims to investigate the pathobiology of acute lung injury (ALI) and develop novel therapeutic approaches. Researchers will focus on the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in lung cell signaling and inflammation.
Young house spiders exhibit perfect angles and regular patterns in their webs, but as they age, their webs deteriorate. The research suggests that degeneration of the central nervous system may be behind this decline, providing a model for understanding aging mechanisms in humans.
A newly developed compound, SR1001, has been shown to effectively suppress the severity of multiple sclerosis in animal models with minimal side effects. The discovery holds promise for treating other autoimmune diseases and targets a specific cell type involved in autoimmunity.
A consortium of scientists has been awarded $7.5 million to develop novel compounds that could become treatments for nicotine addiction and possibly other drug addictions.
A synthetic derivative of turmeric has been found to be highly neuroprotective against ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury in animal models. The compound, CNB-001, improved behavioral and molecular deficits in both conditions, offering potential clinical promise for current treatment-limited diseases.
Researchers aim to establish dosing and safety guidelines for transplanting human umbilical cord blood cells into animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to gain FDA approval for clinical trials with patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
The Lancet Editorial highlights the poor record of Alzheimer's drug trials, citing issues with inaccurate animal models and poor methodology. The best time to treat Alzheimer's may be before memory loss occurs, but this is challenging to model in animals.
A PLOS Medicine article highlights controversies surrounding animal experiments and their translation to human clinical trials. The study suggests that selective reporting in medical journals may create a false impression of treatment efficacy, leading to overstatement of benefits.
Neuroscientist David Anderson explains how studying model organisms like mice and fruit flies can improve understanding of the neural basis of emotion. He also discusses the limitations of human brain studies and the potential of new technologies to experimentally manipulate brain circuitry.
Minocycline has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect on neurons by reducing apoptosis and ameliorating behavioral deficits in animal models after a stroke. This study suggests that minocycline could be a new treatment option for acute ischemic stroke, offering hope for patients who currently have limited treatment options.
Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital discovered that mice with thick blood formed larger but more stable plaques, reducing the risk of vascular obstruction. However, long-term use of anticoagulants reversed these advantages, highlighting the need for caution when prescribing these medications.
A Tel Aviv University researcher has found that an injection of cortisol shortly after a traumatic event may prevent the onset of PTSD. Cortisol levels are believed to be linked to the individual's ability to forget memories of the traumatic event.
The use of multiple model organisms is expanding due to decreasing genome sequencing costs and advancing gene expression manipulation techniques. Emerging model organisms, such as planarians and snapdragons, are being introduced to the laboratory, enabling comparison and refinement of existing models.
Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center created an animal model to study the effects of chronic stress on behavior, physiology, and reproduction. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a key neurohormone involved in stress response, and its increased expression is linked to anxiety, depression, and infertility.
The review discusses how mouse genetics research has contributed to a better understanding of human health and disease. Researchers predict that creating 'humanized' mice will provide new experimental systems for testing novel therapeutics.
A new study of extinct reptiles called kuehneosaurs shows that these early flyers used extraordinary extensions of their ribs to form large gliding surfaces on the side of the body. The research, published in Palaeontology, found that one species was more suited to parachuting than flying.
Researchers have developed a simple model to study injured brain tissue, enabling the induction of regeneration of axons. The fruit fly model has shown that activation of the JNK signaling pathway promotes nerve bundle repair.
Studies with non-human primates have significantly contributed to understanding the human brain, particularly in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The unique similarities between human and monkey brains enable researchers to study complex behaviors and develop new treatments.
Researchers used a neutral model to predict fish diversity in the Mississippi-Missouri River System, demonstrating its potential for analyzing complex systems. The approach, which assumes functional equivalence among species, provides new insights into biodiversity patterns and their relationship with environmental change.
Researchers at the University of Iowa and Missouri have developed pig and ferret models of cystic fibrosis through genetic manipulation. The studies used adeno-associated virus vectors to disrupt or introduce mutations into the CFTR gene, resulting in animals that may lead to the development of a good animal model for the disease.
Researchers design a mathematical model to describe circumstances where generalists can endure and even thrive in what is typically expected to be a specialist-only society. The study's findings suggest that having individuals with diverse skills can safeguard against the possibility that specialists don't complement each other.
A team of biologists has developed a model mapping the control circuit governing a whole free-living organism, allowing for accurate prediction of cell dynamics and adaptation to environmental stresses. The study, based on Halobacterium salinarum, provides insights into how cells make stable decisions in response to their environments.
NCCAM has added three new Centers of Excellence for Research on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), focusing on the biological effects of plant-derived compounds on various health conditions. The centers will investigate mechanisms and effects of compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, and grape polyphenols in preventing or tre...
A new model of early evolution directly connects population fitness to protein properties, resolving a key molecular evolution mystery. The study finds that survival depends on the stability of the least stable proteins, leading to an uneven distribution of fold and gene family sizes.
A new computer model developed at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT has been shown to perform as well as humans on rapid visual categorization tasks, even making similar errors. The model follows the organization of the brain's visual system and can help neuroscientists explore brain mechanisms involved in human visual p...
Evo-devo researchers are urging scientists to select new model organisms based on their ability to shed light on specific evolutionary themes, rather than just phylogenetic position. The current choice of model organisms has been criticized for being too narrow and not representative of the diversity of life on Earth.
Researchers found that St. John's Wort increased bladder contraction intervals in rats with bladder inflammation, reducing bladder hyperactivity and associated pain. The study suggests that the herbal supplement may be a viable treatment option for women suffering from interstitial cystitis, affecting 700,000 Americans.
Researchers at Boston Biomedical utilize bioinformatics to study the kinome of Dictyostelium, a model organism revealing unique enzymes involved in cell biology. The study identifies 46 conserved kinases across all organisms, providing insights into fundamental cellular processes.
The study provides a nearly complete parts list of all the machines in yeast, including 257 previously unknown machines and new components of existing ones. It also reveals how cells dynamically assemble and disassemble machines to respond to environmental challenges.
The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare has cleared Ohio State's spinal cord injury training program for its humane care and use of animals in research. The university had searched for alternatives to using animals in the project, but no problems were found with animal treatment.
The sequencing of Dictyostelium's genome has clarified its relationship to humans, revealing nearly twice as many protein coding genes as fungi. This increase in gene function information makes it a more effective model for discovering targets for drugs against human diseases.
Researchers found that high levels of oxygen can exacerbate lung inflammation in mice by triggering the release of adenosine, a molecule that protects against tissue damage. The study suggests that adenosine substitutes may be useful in preventing lung damage in patients with acute lung inflammation.
The NIH is providing $32.8 million to enhance its Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN), a consortium of universities and research groups focused on utilizing information technology innovations to advance biomedical science. BIRN aims to create an environment encouraging collaborative research, facilitating sharing, analysis, ...
A study challenges the common perception that spiders cause many diseases, including skin ulcers and flesh-eating skin disease. In reality, spider bites are rare and generally harmless, while other causes of these conditions are more likely.
A new study suggests a dynamic business plan approach to conservation, prioritizing opportune land acquisitions and leveraging market dynamics to safeguard habitats. The authors aim to improve the effectiveness of protected area networks in addressing the rapid decline of highly threatened vertebrates.
Researchers at UNC have developed a high-throughput technique to rapidly analyze gene functions, resolving two bottlenecks in the process. This method has the potential to accelerate the development of new drugs by quickly identifying and testing candidate genes.
Researchers developed a new fluid mechanical model system that simulates the active nature of the arterial system, providing insights into why stenting in forked regions has low success rates. The study suggests stenting only the main branch for optimal healing and maintenance of open vasculature.
The team developed a genome-scale computational model of gene regulation in E. coli, uncovering surprising new details about how the cell responds to oxygen deprivation. The model includes 1,010 genes, including 104 regulatory genes, which regulate the expression of 479 genes involved in metabolism.