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Adult-like human heart muscle grown from patient-specific stem cells

Columbia University engineers develop a novel approach to growing mature human heart muscle from blood-derived stem cells, achieving critical hallmarks of adult human heart function in just four weeks. The technique involves applying physical conditioning and electromechanical stimulation to drive rapid maturation of the tissue.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2018

Polymers that mimic chameleon skin

Researchers have developed a biocompatible synthetic material that replicates tissue mechanics and alters color when it changes shape, like chameleon skin. The material is composed of a unique triblock copolymer with carefully selected structural parameters, exhibiting flexibility, strain profile, and optical properties.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Advanced dosimetry phantoms improving radiotherapy verification

Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a technology to create individual, 3D-printed dosimetry phantoms tailored to each patient's anatomy, enabling more accurate radiotherapy treatment plans. The new phantoms can replicate complex internal structures and take into account implants and pacemakers.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateFeb 1, 2018

Stingray soft robot could lead to bio-inspired robotics

Researchers developed a soft robot that mimics the stingray's flattened body shape and side fins, enabling the creation of bio-electromechanical systems. The robot features living heart cells, biomaterials, and flexible electrodes, allowing it to 'flap' its fins.

SourceUCLA Samueli School of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 12, 2018
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.

A heart made of spider silk

Scientists develop an artificial silk protein that can be used to engineer cardiac tissue, demonstrating its suitability for repairing damaged heart cells. The protein, eADF4(κ16), was produced in large quantities and shown to support the growth of cardiac cells, with potential implications for treating cardiac insufficiency.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 18, 2017

'Origami organs' can potentially regenerate tissues

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a range of bioactive tissue papers made from materials derived from organs, which can potentially be used to support natural hormone production in young cancer patients and aid wound healing. The new biomaterials are thin, flexible, and pliable enough to fold into origami structures.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 7, 2017

Muscles can 'ask' for the energy they need

Muscles require energy to perform daily movements, and researchers have found a pathway that regulates fuel delivery based on activity level. The discovery is dependent on circadian rhythms and could impact obesity in humans.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 3, 2017

Updated AATS guidelines help cardiovascular surgeons navigate the challenges of managing ischemic mitral regurgitation

The updated AATS guidelines offer guidance on managing ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), a condition associated with increased long-term mortality. For patients with severe IMR, replacement or repair of the mitral valve is considered based on specific criteria.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateApr 17, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Are your muscles genetically prepared to run a marathon?

Researchers found that athletes with favorable genetic profiles have lower levels of muscle damage and fatigue during marathons. The study's findings open the door for personalized training based on an individual's genetic makeup.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 6, 2017

Hormones are behind hernias of the groin in elderly men, study suggests

A study has identified hormones as the cause of inguinal hernias in older men, finding that increased estrogen action and decreased testosterone levels lead to muscle tissue weakness and scarring. The researchers propose using aromatase inhibitors as a potential treatment to prevent recurrence or even surgery.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 3, 2017

A minimally invasive tool to measure muscle impairment

Researchers developed a minimally invasive tool to measure muscle impairment using fiber-optic technology. The technique accurately assesses muscle properties, enabling personalized treatment plans for patients with movement disorders.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 28, 2017

Organ-on-a-chip mimics heart's biomechanical properties

Scientists at Vanderbilt University created a 3D organ-on-a-chip that can mimic the heart's biomechanical properties, allowing for the study of cardiac diseases, drug screening, and personalized medicine. The device replicates the mechanical conditions of the living heart, including electrical and biochemical environments.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateFeb 22, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Moths' sweet way of compensating for lack of antioxidants

A new study reveals that nectar-feeding moths can avoid oxidative damage to their muscles by converting carbohydrates into antioxidants. The researchers found that the moths rely on the pentose phosphate pathway to produce antioxidants, a mechanism that may be shared with other animals, including humans.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 16, 2017

Turning back the aging clock

Researchers have developed a technique to remove mutated DNA from mitochondria, which could help slow or reverse aging. The study found that increasing mitophagy, a form of cellular quality control, can reduce the levels of mutant mtDNA in cells.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 21, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Osteopathic manipulation can improve pain in postpartum women

A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) helps reduce acute pain in postpartum women, regardless of delivery method. OMT resulted in a 30% decrease in lower back pain, 17% in abdominal pain, and 10% in vaginal pain.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateJul 25, 2016

Injured muscles 'shocked' back to health

A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves can accelerate muscle healing by increasing chemical signaling factors and waking up satellite progenitor cells. This technique, called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has promising potential as a non-invasive therapy complementing existing recovery regimes.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 6, 2016
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.

Multicolor super resolution imaging

Researchers developed a novel super-resolution imaging method to monitor dynamic protein binding, such as talin and vinculin, in living cells. The study revealed clustered binding of vinculins to talin, with five or more molecules binding in one second.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 17, 2016

Micro heart muscle created from stem cells

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes develop a new method to create three-dimensional human heart tissue from stem cells, addressing limitations of existing techniques. This breakthrough enables scientists to study heart cells in their proper context, enhancing the discovery of treatments for heart disease.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2016

Growing skin in the lab

Researchers successfully grew skin tissue with hair follicles and sebaceous glands in the laboratory using reprogrammed iPS cells. The tissues formed normal connections with surrounding nerves and muscle fibers, paving the way for potential functional skin transplants.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016
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.

Scientists prove feasibility of 'printing' replacement tissue

Regenerative medicine scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a novel 3D printing system that can produce living tissue structures with functional blood vessels. The system uses bio-degradable materials and water-based gels to promote cell growth, enabling the creation of complex tissues such as bone, muscle, an...

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 15, 2016

Fossil fireworm species named after rock musician

A fossilized muscle-worm, discovered by University of Bristol scientists, was named Rollinschaeta myoplena in honor of punk musician Henry Rollins. The discovery highlights exceptional preservation of soft tissues in fossils, providing details about extinct animals.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateNov 19, 2015

The clock is ticking: New method reveals exact time of death after 10 days

Researchers at the University of Salzburg developed a new method to estimate time since death in humans, even up to 240 hours after death, by analyzing muscle proteins and enzymes in pigs. Initial results are promising for human samples, offering a simple and efficient approach with advantages over current methods.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 2, 2015
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Mass. General team develops transplantable bioengineered forelimb in an animal model

A team of Massachusetts General Hospital investigators has developed a bioartificial replacement limb suitable for transplantation using an experimental approach previously used to build bioartificial organs. The researchers successfully engineered rat forelimbs with functioning vascular and muscle tissue, and provided evidence that th...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalBiomaterials·DateJun 2, 2015

Drug perks up old muscles and aging brains

Researchers at UC Berkeley discover a small-molecule drug that perks up old stem cells in the brains and muscles of mice, potentially leading to multi-tissue rejuvenation. The drug inhibits TGF-beta1, a growth factor that depresses stem cell activity with age.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateMay 12, 2015

Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies

Two independent studies reveal that tumor-secreted molecule ImpL2 causes wasting syndrome, also known as cachexia, in fly cancer models. Researchers found that depletion of ImpL2 levels significantly reduced wasting in flies, suggesting new candidates for mediators of cachexia and novel therapeutic approaches.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 6, 2015
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.

'Google Maps' for the body: A biomedical revolution

A UNSW Australia collaboration uses previously top-secret technology to image whole body organs at a cellular level, reducing analysis time from 25 years to weeks. The technology, developed with Google algorithms, explores osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, revealing connections between blood, bone, lymphatics, and muscle.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·DateMar 29, 2015

Controlling genes with light

Researchers at Duke University have devised a method to activate genes in specific locations using light, allowing for precise control over genetic expression. This technology has the potential to revolutionize genetic engineering and may lead to breakthroughs in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 9, 2015
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.

Stem cells faulty in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Stanford researchers find

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that faulty stem cells surrounding muscle fibers are responsible for the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A drug called losartan has been shown to inhibit fibrosis and partially restore muscle function in laboratory mice, offering new hope for potential treatments.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 17, 2014

Improving imaging of cancerous tissues by reversing time

Washington University engineers apply a novel time-reversal technology to track movement inside the body's tissues, improving imaging of cancerous tissues and developing potential treatments. By using TRAP optical focusing, they can focus light on moving targets, allowing for sharper images even several centimeters into the skin.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 2, 2014
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.

Laboratory-grown vaginas implanted in patients, scientists report

Researchers have successfully implanted laboratory-grown vaginal organs in four teenage girls with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, achieving normal function and structure over eight years post-surgery. The treatment shows promise for patients requiring vaginal reconstructive surgeries or those with vaginal cancer or injuries.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 10, 2014

VTT: Building to take note of individual human thermal comfort

A new method for assessing individual thermal comfort has been developed by VTT, considering factors such as gender, age, body mass index, and muscularity. The method finds that women feel the cold more than men due to their lower muscle tissue, which produces heat at a lower rate.

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·DateMar 25, 2014

Stem cells from muscle can repair nerve damage after injury, Pitt researchers show

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery using human muscle-derived stem cells to repair damaged nerves. The study found that these stem cells could differentiate into neurons and glial support cells, leading to full regeneration of the sciatic nerve in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 18, 2014

Scientists develop an engineered cardiac tissue model to study the human heart

Researchers have created an engineered cardiac tissue model using human embryonic stem cells, which exhibits significant similarities to human heart muscle. The model displays spontaneous contractile activity and responds to electrical stimulation, providing a promising platform for developing reliable models of the human heart.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 30, 2014
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.

Toward fixing damaged hearts through tissue engineering

Researchers have created a novel scaffold for growing cardiac muscle cells using carbon nanofibers, which can conduct electricity and promote better metabolic activity. This breakthrough aims to repair damaged hearts through tissue engineering.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJan 22, 2014

Heart attack damage slashed with microparticle therapy

Researchers have developed a microparticle therapy that targets inflammatory cells causing damage after a heart attack, reducing lesion size by 50%. The therapy has potential to transform treatment of cardiovascular disease and could be translated for clinical use within two years.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

A heart of gold

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed gold nanofibers that can mimic the heart's coordinated electrical system, increasing the viability of transplanted cardiac tissues. This innovation could lead to new treatment options for patients with damaged heart tissue after a heart attack.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B·DateJul 17, 2013

Cells make costume changes for cardiac regeneration

Scientists have identified a novel mechanism of cardiac regeneration in zebrafish, where muscle cells from the atrium actively migrate into damaged parts of the heart muscle in the ventricle. This process, known as transdifferentiation, results in the formation of new ventricular tissue and restoration of cardiac function.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2013
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Some like it hot: The role of heat in sea lampreys' sex lives

Researchers discovered a thermogenic secondary sexual character in male sea lampreys, producing heat through a rare type of fat. The 'rope tissue' plays a crucial role in courtship and mating, making it an essential component of the species' reproductive behavior.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 27, 2013

Stanford scientists discern signatures of old versus young stem cells

Researchers have identified unique patterns of chemical marks on histones that distinguish quiescent from active stem cells in muscles of young mice. These findings suggest that stem cells may be more versatile than previously thought, with the potential to become different types of tissue entirely.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 27, 2013

Laminopathies: Key components in the disease mechanism identified

Mutations in lamin genes cause hereditary diseases like Emery-Dreifuss Muscular dystrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy by altering nuclear structure and gene expression. Restoring MKL1 activity may be a productive intervention mechanism for these devastating diseases.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature·DateMay 7, 2013

Patterned hearts

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new material called MeTro gel that mimics the elasticity of human tissues. The material was used to create artificial heart tissue with beating muscle cells, which could potentially advance treatments for heart disease.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateApr 29, 2013
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.

Tiny piece of RNA keeps 'clock' running in earliest stages of life

A tiny piece of RNA, mir-125a-5p, plays a crucial role in regulating cyclical gene activity that defines the timing of tissue segment formation. This regulation is essential for proper embryonic tissue development and has implications for treating human conditions affected by embryonic development.

SourceOhio State University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 11, 2013

Backs bear a heavy burden

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that carrying heavy backpacks can lead to nerve damage, affecting hand function and dexterity. The study's results highlight the importance of proper load distribution to prevent microstructural damage to nerves.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.