Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental
Published

Discovery of new cell type in thymus      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Biomedical scientists have confirmed that newly discovered cells in the thymus are just like M cells, which are mostly known for their presence in the intestinal epithelium.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Unveiling the mechanism of 3D folding of cell sheets      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A team of researchers has revealed that the Dumpy protein, a component of extracellular matrices -- or ECM -- is the key factor in regulating the stereotypic origami-like folding of wing-cell sheets. Their findings that wing cells never divide during folding nor do they exhibit spatially distinct behaviors suggest how external cues can create consistent 3D tissue structures.

Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry Computer Science: Encryption Computer Science: General Computer Science: Quantum Computers Energy: Technology Mathematics: Puzzles Physics: General Physics: Optics Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Better cybersecurity with new material      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Digital information exchange can be safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly with the help of a new type of random number generator for encryption. The researchers behind the study believe that the new technology paves the way for a new type of quantum communication.

Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Immune cells shape their own path      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

When fighting disease, our immune cells need to reach their target quickly. Researchers have now discovered that immune cells actively generate their own guidance system to navigate through complex environments. This challenges earlier notions about these movements. The researchers' findings enhance our knowledge of the immune system and offer potential new approaches to improve human immune response.

Biology: Developmental
Published

Di-isononyl phthalate disrupts pregnancy in mice, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a new study, researchers used mice to understand how DiNP affects pregnancy.

Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

New approach to fighting malaria      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Findings can open up new avenues for targeted approaches toward therapeutic strategies against the malaria-causing P. falciparum that are aimed at stopping the parasite's life cycle progression and its sexual differentiation, thus blocking the transmission of the parasite into mosquitoes.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Microbiology Chemistry: Organic Chemistry Physics: Optics
Published

Scientists invent new way to sort cells by type using light      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed and demonstrated a new method for high-throughput single-cell sorting that uses stimulated Raman spectroscopy rather than the traditional approach of fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The new approach could offer a label-free, nondestructive way to sort cells for a variety of applications, including microbiology, cancer detection and cell therapy.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Unlocking the secrets of cell antennas      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The NSL (non-specific lethal) complex regulates thousands of genes in fruit flies and mammals. Silencing the NSL genes leads to the death of the organism, which gave the complex its curious name. Researchers have now discovered that the genes regulated by the NSL complex also include genes of the intraciliary transport system. This enables different cell types to form cilia on their surface, which are important for cell communication. The study shows that these genes are 'switched on' by the NSL complex, regardless of whether a particular cell has cilia or not. The researchers found that this class of cilia-associated genes is crucial for the function of podocytes. This is a highly specialized cell type of the kidney that, paradoxically, does not have cilia. These findings have important implications for ciliopathies and kidney disease.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

Epigenetic mechanism that causes bitter taste distortion discovered      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A bitter taste in the mouth is often a symptom or side effect of illness, which may be the result of how the body reacts to pathogens. A new study sheds light on the mechanisms involved in the complex interplay between taste perception and immune function. Their work also highlights the potential of a sequencing tool for investigating epigenetic mechanisms that affect taste-cell gene expression.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Researchers describe rebuilding, regenerating lung cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered a novel approach for engrafting engineered cells into injured lung tissue. These findings may lead to new ways for treating lung diseases, such as emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19. The two studies describe the methodologies for engineering lung stem cells and transplanting them into injured experimental lungs without immunosuppression.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

The 'treadmill conveyor belt' ensuring proper cell division      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered how proteins work in tandem to regulate 'treadmilling', a mechanism used by the network of microtubules inside cells to ensure proper cell division.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental
Published

Noncoding DNA explains a majority of the heritability of dairy cattle traits, like milk production and fertility      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Regulatory genes -- genes that control how other genes are used -- are responsible for 69% of the heritability of dairy cattle traits such as milk production and fertility, according to a new study. This contribution is 44% more than expected and much higher than previous studies of regulatory genes in humans. The findings, reported by a team of animal and human geneticists, could improve the efficiency of agricultural breeding programs. The study also helps solve the longstanding mystery of why mammalian genomes contain so much noncoding DNA.

Biology: Developmental
Published

Cracking the code that relates brain and behavior in a simple animal      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers model and map how neurons across the tiny brain of a C. elegans worm encode its behaviors, revealing many new insights about the robustness and flexibility of its nervous system.

Biology: Developmental Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

'Viral relicts' in the genome could fuel neurodegeneration      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Genetic remnants of viruses that are naturally present in the human genome could affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers come to this conclusion on the basis of studies on cell cultures.

Biology: Developmental
Published

Certain sugars affect brain 'plasticity,' helping with learning, memory, recovery      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Can you recognize an old friend, but forget what you had for breakfast yesterday? Our brains constantly rearrange their circuitry to retain information, but the molecular basis behind this process isn't well understood. New research suggests that complex sugars called glycosaminoglycans might play a major role in the 'plasticity' of the brains of mice and could be used to repair neural connections after injury.

Biology: Developmental Biology: Microbiology
Published

Building muscle in the lab      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method allows large quantities of muscle stem cells to be safely obtained in cell culture. This provides a potential for treating patients with muscle diseases -- and for those who would like to eat meat, but don't want to kill animals.

Biology: Developmental
Published

Scientists discover external protein network can help stabilize neural connections      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The Noelin family of secreted proteins bind to the external portion of AMPA glutamate receptors and stabilize them on the neuronal cellular membrane, a process necessary for transmission of full-strength signals between neurons, according to a new study.

Biology: Developmental Physics: Optics
Published

New algorithm captures complex 3D light scattering information from live specimens      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new algorithm for recovering the 3D refractive index distribution of biological samples that exhibit multiple types of light scattering.

Biology: Developmental Biology: Microbiology Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Distribution of genetic information during bacterial cell division      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A mathematical model provides new insights into the distribution of genetic information during bacterial cell division

Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary
Published

Global consortium creates large-scale, cross-species database and universal 'clock' to estimate age in all mammalian tissues      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

An international research team details changes in DNA that researchers found are shared by humans and other mammals throughout history and are associated with life span and numerous other traits.