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Oral bacteria linked to Parkinson’s via the gut-brain axis

Research links oral bacteria to Parkinson's disease via the gut-brain axis, finding Streptococcus mutans produces metabolite imidazole propionate that contributes to disease progression. Targeting the oral-gut microbiome may offer a new therapeutic approach for Parkinson's treatment.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications

A 3D bone marrow analog reveals the role of trabecular volume in MSC mechanoresponse and bone loss during aging and microgravity

Aging individuals experience bone loss despite physical activity, highlighting the importance of MSCs in regulating bone mechanoresponse. The new 3D bone marrow analog reveals that trabecular volume affects MSC response to mechanical signals, with higher strains associated with older densities and increased F-actin production

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalMechanobiology in Medicine·TypeNews article

Designing self-destructing bacteria to make effective tuberculosis vaccines

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine develop two strains of mycobacteria with 'kill switches' that can be triggered to stop the bacteria after they activate an immune response. The new approach aims to accelerate vaccine development and overcome safety concerns.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Microbiology
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study uncovers how genes influence retinal aging and brain health

Researchers from JAX used mice with different genetic backgrounds to identify factors influencing eye aging, leading to a better understanding of age-related eye diseases. The study found that genetics play a key role in retinal aging and predicts common age-related eye diseases.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalMolecular Neurodegeneration·TypeObservational study

Relationship between SOCS1 levels and inhibition of GM-CSF signaling

A new study using a novel mouse strain expressing Halo-tagged SOCS1 reveals that the inhibitor needs to exceed a threshold level to suppress GM-CSF and IFN-gamma signaling. The findings emphasize SOCS1's crucial function in modulating cytokine signaling.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·TypeExperimental study

The first mouse strain that is susceptible to severe COVID-19 without genetic modification has been identified

Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory have identified the CAST/EiJ mouse as a highly susceptible model for studying severe COVID-19. This genetically pure background allows researchers to investigate the virus's impact without artificial receptor modifications, mirroring human responses. Initial trials using antiviral treatments show pr...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study

Researchers are closing in on a mouse model for late-onset Alzheimer’s

Scientists at the Jackson Laboratory created a mouse model for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease by introducing genetic variants associated with the illness into mice. They used transcriptomics to analyze brain tissue and identify key biological signatures, paving the way for testing new therapeutics.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study
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.

Uncovering “Blockbuster T cells” in the gut wins NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize

Researchers have identified a novel type of T cell that can recognize and respond to multiple bacterial strains in the gut. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. The discovery was made by Kazuki Nagashima, winner of the NOSTER & Science Microbiome Prize.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience

The Jackson Laboratory creates mice that better reflect human genetic variation

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have developed new laboratory-grade research mouse strains that better reflect human genetic variation. These wild-derived strains, detailed in PLoS Genetics, introduce millions of novel genetic variants and provide a powerful resource for modeling human traits and diseases.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study

Finnish Vole fever spreading further south

A new study has discovered that bank voles in southern Sweden carry a virus that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, spreading the disease further south than previously known. The virus strain is closely related to strains from Finland and Karelia.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·TypeObservational study

A virus that kills sleepers

Researchers at ETH Zurich have identified a virus called Paride that can infect and destroy dormant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study found that the combination of Paride and an antibiotic called meropenem was effective in killing bacteria in both laboratory cultures and mice with chronic infections.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study
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.

How to make the TB vaccine more effective

Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute have found that adding an antibody to the widely-used TB vaccine significantly improves its long-term effectiveness. The combination of the vaccine and an IL-10 blocker allows for better control of TB infection in mice, with improved lung health and increased memory immune cells.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of Immunology

Disease genes help developing brains

Scientists have identified two new candidate genes, ULK4 and PTTG1, that positively influence the development of an embryo by restoring a strong Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway. This finding provides new insights into the causes of holoprosencephaly, a congenital malformation affecting around one to four in every 1,000 unborns.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalDevelopment·TypeImaging analysis
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.

Delayed female sexual maturity linked to longer lifespan in mice

Researchers found a genetic trade-off between female sexual maturation and longevity, where delayed reproduction is associated with longer life. Mice with lower IGF1 levels reached sexual maturity later and lived longer.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

What is a laboratory mouse? Jackson, UNC researchers reveal the details

Researchers have created a genome-wide map of most inbred mouse strains, finding that they represent only limited genetic diversity. The team hopes to expand this diversity by adding wild mouse populations, which could lead to more effective translation of experimental results to humans.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalNature Genetics

Mouse genome will help identify causes of environmental disease

The study of 15 mouse strains' genetic makeup reveals potential causes of environmental diseases. Researchers can now compare genetic variations to determine individual susceptibility to toxins in humans.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalNature
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.

Strains of laboratory mice more varied than previously thought

Researchers found that the genetic variation in laboratory mice is vastly greater than previously thought, with 8.3 million variations described. The pedigrees of the 15 mouse strains studied differ from each other to a far greater degree than previously assumed.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Genetics

Mouse DNA to aid biomedical research

Researchers have sequenced the DNA of 15 commonly used mouse strains, discovering over 8.3 million single nucleotide polymorphisms. This data will help understand complex genetic traits and their relation to human diseases, such as Parkinson's, cancer, and asthma.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Bifidobacteria act as a barrier against infection

Researchers have identified two Bifidobacterium strains that exhibit potent antimicrobial properties, protecting the intestinal tract from lethal infection with salmonella. These strains, CA1 and F9, decrease bacterial numbers, prevent entry into cells, and work in concert with gut lining enzymes to produce a barrier against infection.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalGut
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study contradicts assumption that ulcer bug has always plagued humans

A new study contradicts the long-held assumption that the Helicobacter pylori bacterium has been with humans forever. Researchers analyzed DNA from over 500 strains from five continents and found that strains from Peru resemble those from Spain, not those from eastern Asia.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Bacteriology

A ringing endorsement for new tb drug target

Researchers have created a mutant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that fails to establish a lethal chronic infection in mice. Targeting the pcaA gene, which codes for an enzyme essential for virulence, may lead to breakthroughs in TB treatment.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalMolecular Cell

Scientists link gene to uterine dysfunction

Researchers found that mice lacking centromere protein B (CENP-B) suffer from reproductive failure due to defects in the uterus. The study suggests CENP-B plays a role in cell divisions that remodel the uterine lining during estrus and pregnancy.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Research
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.

Genetic variation in sensitivity to estrogen may mask endocrine disruption

Researchers found that genetic variation significantly impacts an individual's sensitivity to estrogen, challenging traditional laboratory-animal-based safety tests. The study suggests that genetic makeup should be considered when prescribing estrogen and related hormones for medical purposes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience

Biologists Map First Gene For Age-Related Hearing Loss In Mice

A team of researchers from the University of Cincinnati and other institutions has identified the first gene responsible for age-related hearing loss in mice. The Ahl gene is located on mouse Chromosome 10 and appears to be a single, recessive trait that causes significant hearing losses in older mice.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalHearing Research

Combining Antibiotics May Boost Their Bacteria-Killing Ability

Researchers found synergy in two strains of Enterococcus faecalis when combining trovafloxacin and ampicillin/sulbactam, but not in other tested strains. Combination antibiotic treatment remains the only effective means to eliminate vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections.

SourceNorthwestern University