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New findings on stem cells and development of cancer

Researchers at Umea University have discovered how embryonic stem cells transition into specialized cells, highlighting the importance of LSD1 protein in cancer development. The study suggests that targeting only LSD1's enzymatic activity may not be enough for cancer treatments to be effective.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2024

USC’s Rong Lu and Caltech’s Michael B. Elowitz win the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award for their new approach to study blood and immune cell production in bone marrow

Researchers from USC and Caltech develop a new method to study hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within the bone marrow without extracting them. This breakthrough could inform efforts to optimize bone marrow transplantation and provide insights into various health conditions, including cancer and heart disease.

Recreating a hallmark of Parkinson's disease in human neurons

Researchers create Lewy bodies in living dopaminergic neurons using human stem cells and find that immune challenge is crucial for their formation. The study identifies a previously unknown link between the immune system and neurological disease, suggesting that genetic predisposition may not be necessary for Parkinson's development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Stem cell transplants close macular holes in monkeys

Researchers have successfully transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal organoid sheets into monkeys with macular holes, resulting in graft survival and maturation of light-detecting cells. The study suggests that this method could become a practical treatment option for difficult macular hole cases.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2024

Unveiling genetic insights: how PAI-1 polymorphisms influence COVID-19 outcomes

A recent study from Japan investigates the impact of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on thrombotic and inflammatory responses in Japanese patients with COVID-19. The study reveals that the 4G allele is linked to fibrinolysis inhibition and thrombosis risk, while the 5G allele promotes enhanced fibrinolysis and active cytokine responses.

SourceJuntendo University Research Promotion Center·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2024

Survival gap eliminated for Black cord blood recipients with blood cancers, study finds

A retrospective analysis of over 2,600 patients found that Black children were more likely to suffer severe graft-versus-host disease but overall survival rates improved across all racial groups. The study suggests that cord blood transplants are a vital lifeline for many patients and improve care for those without a matched donor.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalTransplantation and Cellular Therapy·DateOct 1, 2024

Organoids derived from gut stem cells reveal two distinct molecular subtypes of crohn’s disease

Researchers at University of California - San Diego have discovered that Crohn's disease consists of two distinct molecular subtypes, each exhibiting unique patterns of genetic mutation and cellular phenotypes. This finding could lead to more effective management strategies, with therapies tailored to specific subtypes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 26, 2024

BU and BMC researchers establish stem cell repository focused on centenarians

Researchers have established a unique resource of induced pluripotent stem cells from centenarians and their offspring to better understand human longevity and aging. The largest library of iPSCs allows for studies on healthy aging, disease resistance, and the development of novel therapeutics for aging-related diseases.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAging Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2024

New tool quantifies cancer’s ability to shape-shift

A new analytical tool called PATH can quantify tumor cell plasticity, which is a key characteristic of cancer that leads to treatment resistance and metastatic spread. Researchers used PATH to analyze tumor samples from animal models and human patients, revealing new details of how tumors exploit plasticity to spread.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 24, 2024

Low gravity in space travel found to weaken and disrupt normal rhythm in heart muscle cells

Researchers found that low gravity conditions in space weaken and disrupt the normal rhythmic beats of human bioengineered heart tissue samples. The tissues on the International Space Station beat about half as strong as those on Earth, and developed irregular beating patterns that can cause a human heart to fail.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 23, 2024

Drug testing evolved

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a human iPS cell-derived kidney organoid-based proximal tubule-on-chip that mimics in vivo renal physiology. This model exhibits enhanced expression and polarity of essential renal transporters, making it a powerful tool for assessing drug transport and nephrotoxicity.

SourceKyoto University·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2024

Purdue team unravels regulatory mechanism that prevents stem cell differentiation and maintains gender balance in vascular plants

A Purdue team has discovered a protein called CrHAM that regulates meristem indeterminacy, preventing stem cells from differentiating into male organs. This discovery provides insights into the stem cell proliferation process and its role in maintaining gender balance in vascular plants.

SourcePurdue University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2024

Like father, like daughter

A new study published in the journal JCI Insight found that male mice fed high-cholesterol diets have increased cardiovascular disease risk in their female offspring. The researchers used a novel method to study sperm small RNA and discovered altered molecules that affect gene expression in early embryonic stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2024

Pausing biological clock could give boost to lab-produced blood stem cells

Researchers at Iowa State University have discovered a potential breakthrough in producing lab-grown blood stem cells by pausing the initial activation of inflammatory signals. This allows for the production of hundreds of functional stem cells, which could replace bone marrow transplants for blood disorders such as leukemia and anemia.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

How aging affects stem cells: A fly's tale

Scientists identified key changes in chromosome structure and gene expression that affect stem cell function during aging. Blocking a specific gene, ced-6, triggered stem cell exhaustion at any age, indicating a general process that maintains balance when proliferation is too high.

SourceRIKEN·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2024

New study shows cells get involved in unhealthy relationships after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice

Researchers have identified key cellular interactions and microenvironments that contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) after acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into how damaged cells interact within disease-promoting microenvironments.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2024

In world 1st, high-quality feline iPSCs generated without genetic footprint

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have successfully generated high-quality feline induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) without a genetic footprint. These cells exhibit properties similar to human iPSCs and can differentiate into various cell types, making them a promising tool for veterinary regenerative medicine research.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalRegenerative Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

Blood stem cell breakthrough could transform bone marrow transplants

Melbourne researchers have developed a breakthrough in creating lab-grown human blood stem cells, which can be used to treat childhood blood disorders. The cells closely mimic those found in the human embryo and can create specific matched blood cells for transplantation, reducing complications and addressing donor shortages.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2024

Brain enlargement is linked to severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, study shows

A study of over 900 children with autism spectrum disorder found that brain overgrowth is associated with increased social and communication symptoms. The research used MRI brain images and mini-brain experiments to show that enlarged brains are linked to altered Ndel1 enzyme activity, potentially affecting brain development.

Searching old stem cells that stay young forever

Researchers have identified multipotent stem cells in sea anemones that are regulated by highly conserved genes, which could provide insights into human aging. These stem cells express genes like nanos and piwi, essential for germ cell formation, and may hold the key to understanding the potential immortality of sea anemones.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 19, 2024

Exciting advance in stem cell therapy

A new technique developed by McGill researchers allows for precise targeting of stem cells to become specific cell types, such as bone or fat cells. This breakthrough has the potential to lead to new stem cell treatments for various diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Type 1 diabetes.

SourceMcGill University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateAug 13, 2024

Talking about regeneration

Researchers discovered that transferring regenerative genes from simple organisms into fruit flies can suppress age-related issues and promote greater intestinal stem cell division. This breakthrough has implications for developing new strategies to rejuvenate stem cell function and extend healthy lifespans, particularly in humans.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024

New small molecule could treat sickle cell disease in adults that don’t respond to hydroxyurea, alone

Researchers discovered a new small molecule, SR-18292, that increases fetal hemoglobin production and reduces sickled red blood cells in mice with sickle cell disease. The study suggests that combining SR-18292 with hydroxyurea could provide a vital new treatment option for patients who don't respond well to traditional treatments.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 31, 2024

Stem cell harmony: How solanaceae plants maintain homeostasis through receptor compensation

A pivotal study reveals the genetic interplay that maintains stem cell balance in Solanaceae plants, uncovering receptor compensation mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for improving crop resilience and productivity, providing new perspectives for crop improvement and innovative approaches to agriculture.

Human cells for cardiovascular research

Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn have established a highly efficient and cost-effective way to generate functional endothelial cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for tests in cell culture dishes. The new method delivers endothelial cells more quickly, requires fewer additives, and is highly reproducible.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateJul 30, 2024

Recent insights and advances in treatment and management show promise in stemming the growing prevalence of diabetes

A recent paper surveys advances in diabetes pathogenesis and treatment, highlighting the role of genes, environmental factors, and social determinants. The study suggests that understanding these dynamics is key to developing targeted interventions to reduce diabetes risk and manage its complications.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCell·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 25, 2024