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Our cerebellar nuclei turn out to be more important than initially thought

Researchers discovered that cerebellar nuclei make a surprising contribution to associative learning by strengthening connections with mossy fibers. Optogenetic experiments also showed that the nuclei can support well-timed learning. The study's findings have implications for understanding cerebellum function and potential treatments f...

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2023

Cancer stem cells trigger macrophage aging

Researchers at Hokkaido University found that cancer stem cells cause macrophages to age, suppressing their antitumor activity. Supplementing mice with nicotinamide mononucleotide restored macrophage function and prevented tumor growth.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2023

Team looking at gene therapy for children paralyzed by rare mutations

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center discovered a gene therapy approach that can restore motor functions in mice with Contactin-Associated Protein 1 (Cntnap1) mutations. The study found that turning on the normal gene earlier improves the rescue outcome, and the next phase is to test this approach in humans.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2023

Personalized combination treatment turns on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control an aggressive form of prostate cancer

Researchers developed a personalized combination treatment that turned on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control aggressive prostate cancer. The treatment showed complete tumor control and long-lasting survival without side effects in a mouse model of advanced prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateSep 18, 2023

A modified mRNA aids heart attack recovery in mouse and pig models

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have developed a modified messenger RNA that can temporarily induce cardiomyocyte cell division, leading to reduced infarct size and improved heart function. The treatment has shown promise in mouse and pig models without increasing the risk of deadly arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalCirculation Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2023

How bright-light treatment improves sleep in stressed mice

Researchers identified the neural pathway behind chronic stress-induced sleep disturbances and found that bright-light treatment counteracts these effects by targeting the lateral habenula. The study reveals a critical connection between the habenula and the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, which is essential for regulating non-REM sleep.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 7, 2023

Donor motor neurons could restore muscle function in ALS

Scientists have successfully restored damaged nerve-to-muscle connections in a highly aggressive mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using grafted replacement motor neurons and optical nerve stimulation. The treatment improved muscle contraction force by over 13-fold, suggesting its potential for treating ALS patients.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateAug 22, 2023

Stalking a silent killer

Researchers aim to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by targeting amino acid transporter SLC6A14 and compensatory nutrient scavenging mechanisms autophagy and macropinocytosis. Using alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan and hydroxychlorquine, the study seeks to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Human senescent fibroblasts cause lung fibrosis in mice

Researchers found that human senescent fibroblasts trigger progressive lung fibrosis in immunodeficient mice by inducing paracrine senescence and pro-fibrotic activities. The study also suggests that senolytic compounds like navitoclax can ameliorate lung fibrosis induced by senescent human fibroblasts.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

Nerve cells in the brain can halt all movement in the body – even breathing

Researchers have discovered a group of nerve cells in the midbrain that can completely stop all forms of movement and slow down breathing and heart rate when stimulated. The study provides valuable insight into how the nervous system controls movement and may help understand Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

A new generic treatment for multiple types of cancer

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 27, 2023

Investigating the placenta: Discovery from Stowers Scientists shows why this often-overlooked organ should be given more attention

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.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

University of Ottawa team leads promising new research on devastating brain disorder

A University of Ottawa team has discovered a vital role for the VGLUT3 transporter protein in modulating the development of Huntington's disease. The study shows that blocking glutamate release through this protein can lead to an amelioration of the disease progression, offering new hope for potential treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNeurobiology of Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

Tracking early signs of Alzheimer’s pathology in a mouse model

A new study in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease examines the effects of environmental enrichment on AD symptom progression and pathology. The researchers found that living in an enriched environment improved several measures of metabolism and reduced individual behaviors, which became more similar and rigid as the disease progressed.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023

Gene engineered cell therapy developed to target brain metastatic melanomas

Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new immuno-therapeutic approach using twin stem cells that can target brain metastatic melanomas. The therapy, which uses an engineered 'twin stem cell model,' activates the immune system to suppress tumor growth and prolong survival in representative preclinical models.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2023

Gene therapy rescues hearing for the first time in aged mouse models

Researchers successfully demonstrate AAV vector efficacy in aged animal models, showing robust hearing rescue in mice with a mutation equivalent to a defective human gene. The study suggests that virally mediated gene therapy could potentially treat genetic hearing loss, especially for patients diagnosed at advanced age.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2023

Oxygen restriction helps fast-aging mice live longer

Researchers have found that reduced oxygen intake is associated with a 50% increase in lifespan and delayed onset of aging-associated neurological deficits in fast-aging mice. The study's findings suggest that oxygen restriction may hold anti-aging potential for mammals, including humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Expansion of cell-to-cell communication drives the early development of pancreatic cancer, new research in mice finds

A new study in mice reveals that pancreatic cancer's emergence is fueled by the expansion of cell-to-cell communication. Researchers found that plasticity and inflammation reshape cells' identities and local environments, fostering cancer growth. The study provides insights into the earliest cellular events leading to PDAC and potentia...

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2023

Precursor of breast cancer or not?

Researchers developed a method to predict DCIS progression to invasive breast cancer using mice with human DCIS cells. The study found molecular similarities between humans and mice, including the presence of HER2 protein increasing breast cancer risk.

SourceNetherlands Cancer Institute·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2023