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Novel fabrication method creates aligned nanofiber hydrogels for tissue regeneration

A team of chemists and bioengineers at Rice University and the University of Houston have achieved a significant milestone in their work to create a biomaterial that can be used to grow biological tissues outside the human body.

3 May 2024

Tiam1 inhibition mitigates morphine tolerance and hyperalgesia in mouse model

Morphine and other opioids are vital to treat severe and chronic pain. However, they have two problems -; prolonged use creates morphine tolerance, where ever-increasing doses are needed for the same pain relief, and paradoxically, prolonged use also can create an extreme sensitivity to pain, called hyperalgesia.

9 Apr 2024

Space travel alters human vascular cell function, study finds

Study investigates the transcriptomic changes in human vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to spaceflight, revealing significant alterations in gene expression affecting cellular function and phenotype.

31 Mar 2024

UCLA researchers develop promising vaccine against deadly melioidosis bacterium

In a mouse study, UCLA researchers tested a vaccine against the bacterium that causes melioidosis and found it was highly protective against the disease, which is endemic in many tropical areas, causing approximately 165,000 cases with 89,000 fatalities around the world each year.

22 Mar 2024

Gut bacteria and tryptophan diet can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli

Gut bacteria and a diet rich in the amino acid tryptophan can play a protective role against pathogenic E. coli, which can cause severe stomach upset, cramps, fever, intestinal bleeding and renal failure, according to a study published March 13 in Nature.

14 Mar 2024

New research may explain why premature lungs are sensitive to stress

Many premature infants need mechanical ventilation to breathe. However, prolonged ventilation can lead to problems like respiratory diseases or ventilation-induced injury.

12 Feb 2024

Targeting gene-fibroblast interaction offers hope for treatment-resistant colon cancer

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 2, entitled, "PROX1 interaction with α-SMA-rich cancer-associated fibroblasts facilitates colorectal cancer progression and correlates with poor clinical outcomes and therapeutic resistance."

8 Feb 2024

Study shines light on partial endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the tumor microenvironment

Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT, also termed as EndMT), a biological process resulting in the formation of mesenchymal (or lineage-committed) phenotypes from endothelial cells (lining blood vessels), plays a crucial role in tumor progression.

7 Feb 2024

Study shows Omicron variants evade immune system like predecessors, suggesting key evolutionary trait in SARS-CoV-2

Researchers compared SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern replication in human cell lines and primary airway cultures and measured host responses to infection.

19 Jan 2024

Cadmium linked to DNA damage and morphological changes caused by particulate matter

Particulate matter causes health problems for those who inhale the fine droplets and particles, but the chemical composition of the mixture matters-;and can vary widely across space and time.

28 Dec 2023

Study reveals how tiny tweaks to actin shape our cells

Tiny things matter – for instance, one amino acid can completely alter the architecture of the cell. Researchers at the Universities of Göttingen and Warwick investigated the structure and mechanics of the main component of the cytoskeleton of the cell: a protein known as actin.

22 Dec 2023

Researchers produce artificial cells with potential for drug delivery and tissue engineering

Artificial cells, made with the use of synthetic materials, have been produced in international research led at the University of Strathclyde.

11 Dec 2023

Breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment: Inhibiting specific enzymes slows tumor progression

Study demonstrates that inhibiting stromal class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) can effectively slow down pancreatic cancer progression, shedding light on a new therapeutic approach targeting the tumor microenvironment.

10 Dec 2023

Key role of ion and water influx in T cell migration uncovered

Research reveals that T cell migration relies on ion and water influx for actin polymerization and movement, with the WNK1 kinase playing a critical role in regulating these processes, offering new insights into adaptive immunity.

10 Dec 2023

New genetic links to coronary artery calcification uncovered, offering treatment insights

A study in Nature Cardiovascular Research identifies two new genetic loci associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a key indicator of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

5 Dec 2023

Unveiling a new cardiac myosin inhibitor through AI-driven virtual screening

Discovery of a novel cardiac-specific myosin modulator.

28 Nov 2023

Researchers discover new option to target the metastatic capacity of melanoma cells

As an extremely aggressive form of skin cancer, cutaneous melanoma is still associated with a high mortality rate. Enormous progress has recently been made in the fight against deadly metastasis, but existing therapeutic measures are still not effective in many cases.

21 Nov 2023

Microglia found to play crucial role in early human brain development

An international team of scientists has uncovered the vital role of microglia, the immune cells in the brain that acts as its dedicated defense team, in early human brain development.

14 Nov 2023

Cannabis use alters DNA methylation, with implications beyond smoking effects

A large-scale meta-analysis in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that lifetime cannabis use is associated with DNA methylation changes in peripheral blood, which could have implications for understanding the long-term health effects of cannabis consumption.

8 Nov 2023

How one gene shakes up our understanding of male infertility

The study investigates the role of the ACTL7B gene in sperm formation using genetically modified mice and finds that deficiencies in this gene lead to failed spermatogenesis and structural sperm abnormalities. Given the gene's similarity in humans, the findings suggest ACTL7B could serve as a potential biomarker for male infertility.

31 Oct 2023