July 30, 2021

A new reporter mouse line to detect mitophagy changes during muscle tissue loss

The loss of muscle tissue—referred to as muscle atrophy in medical terms—can occur as a result of lack of physical activity for an extended period of time; aging; alcohol-associated myopathy—a pain and weakness in muscles due to excessive drinking over long periods of time; burns; injuries; malnutrition; spinal cord or […]
July 30, 2021

Scientists reverse age-related memory loss in mice

Scientists at Cambridge and Leeds have successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice and say their discovery could lead to the development of treatments to prevent memory loss in people as they age. In a study published in Molecular Psychiatry, the team show that changes in the extracellular matrix of the brain – […]
July 30, 2021

Highly potent, stable nanobodies stop Sars-CoV-2

Göttingen researchers have developed mini-antibodies that efficiently block the coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 and its dangerous new variants. These so-called nanobodies bind and neutralize the virus up to 1000 times better than previously developed mini-antibodies. In addition, the scientists optimized their mini-antibodies for stability and resistance to extreme heat. This unique combination […]
July 30, 2021

Synthetic tissue model with blood vessels

Using lab-created tissue to heal or replace damaged organs is one of the great visions for the future of medicine. Synthetic materials could be suitable as scaffolding for tissue because, unlike natural tissues, they remain stable in the organism long enough for the body to form new natural structures. A […]
July 30, 2021

Remember more by taking breaks

We remember things longer if we take breaks during learning, referred to as the spacing effect. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology gained deeper insight into the neuronal basis for this phenomenon in mice. With longer intervals between learning repetitions, mice reuse more of the same neurons as […]
July 30, 2021

‘Feel Good’ Brain Messenger Can Be Willfully Controlled, New Study Reveals

From the thrill of hearing an ice cream truck approaching to the spikes of pleasure while sipping a fine wine, the neurological messenger known as dopamine has been popularly described as the brain’s “feel good” chemical related to reward and pleasure. A ubiquitous neurotransmitter that carries signals between brain cells, […]
July 30, 2021

No, COVID-19 does not enter our DNA

University of Queensland researchers are refuting claims that COVID-19 can enter a person’s DNA. The researchers from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute say the claims have led to “scaremongering” and people should not hesitate to be vaccinated. Professor Geoff Faulkner said his team’s research published in Cell Reports showed there was no evidence of COVID-19 – […]
July 30, 2021

Advanced microscopy shines light on new CRISPR-Cas system

A new study describes how an interdisciplinary team of Cornell researchers used a state-of-the-art microscopy technique to reveal protein structures and key steps of a CRISPR-Cas system that holds promise for developing an improved gene editing tool. Eventually, these findings could lead to a reliable CRISPR-Cas system that allows scientists […]
July 30, 2021

Geographic differences in gut microbiota boost immunity

The gut microbiome is a diverse environment, jam-packed with up to 1,000 different species of bacteria. Human populations around the globe have significant differences in the composition of their gut microbiomes, which can impact their health in unique ways that have not been completely understood. Complicating matters, gut microbiome research […]
July 30, 2021

Cancer vaccine improves outcomes in Lynch syndrome model

A new strategy for developing vaccines against cancer showed promise in a proof-of-concept study led by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian and Heidelberg University Hospital. The preclinical results could eventually lead to vaccines that cause the immune system to target cancers early in their development, preventing the disease from […]
July 29, 2021

Wine is safer for your heart than beer or cider

Atrial fibrillation, which basically is an irregular and rapid heart rate, is actually a quite common condition. It does increase the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related health problems, while the risk of Atrial fibrillation can be influenced by alcohol. But not all alcohol torments your heart equally. […]
July 29, 2021

Systolic blood pressure above 120 mmHg increases rate of cardiovascular disease

Study provides insight on what blood pressure targets in patients with hypertension according to glucose status should be. An estimated 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension or high blood pressure, and two-thirds of these individuals are living in low- and middle-income countries. Blood pressure is the force manifested by circulating […]
July 28, 2021

Researchers question prevailing Alzheimer’s theory with new discovery

Scientists at UC say restoring a brain protein, not removing amyloid plaques, should be the target. Experts estimate more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. But a recent study, led by the University of Cincinnati, sheds new light on the disease and a highly debated new drug […]