Showing 20 articles starting at article 81

< Previous 20 articles        Next 20 articles >

Categories: Biology: Biotechnology

Return to the site home page

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology
Published

Scientists identify key protein behind spread of shingles virus      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered a new evasion strategy used by the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles, that may allow it to affect tissues far from the original site of infection.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics
Published

Researchers are closing in on a mouse model for late-onset Alzheimer's      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers are working to create the first strain of mice that's genetically susceptible to late-onset Alzheimer's, with potentially transformative implications for dementia research.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Research sheds light on the role of PTPRK in tissue repair and cancer      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research has advanced our knowledge of multiple roles for PTPRK, a receptor tyrosine phosphatase linked to the regulation of cell-cell adhesion, growth factor signalling and tumor suppression. Through a characterization of the function of PTPRK in human cell lines and mice, the team distinguished catalytic and non-catalytic functions of PTPRK. The findings extend what is known about the signalling mechanisms involving PTPRK as a phosphatase and its role in colorectal health but also shed new light on the extent of its function via non-catalytic signalling mechanisms.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Under pressure: How cells respond to physical stress      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Cell membranes play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of cells. However, the mechanisms by which they perform these roles are not yet fully understood. Scientists have used cryo-electron microscopy to observe how lipids and proteins at the plasma membrane interact and react to mechanical stress. This work shows that, depending on conditions, small membrane regions can stabilize various lipids to trigger specific cellular responses. These discoveries confirm the existence of well-organized lipid domains and begin to reveal the role they play in cell survival.

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

Dual action antibiotic could make bacterial resistance nearly impossible      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New drug that disrupts two cellular targets would make it much harder for bacteria to evolve resistance.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

New rapid method for determining virus infectivity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new method that can rapidly determine whether a virus is infectious or non-infectious could revolutionize the response to future pandemics, researchers report.

Biology: Biotechnology
Published

B cell biohack: Immune cells to churn out custom antibodies      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered a way to turn the body's B cells into tiny surveillance machines and antibody factories that can pump out specially designed antibodies to destroy cancer cells or HIV, two of medicine's most formidable foes.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Genetics
Published

New genetic test will eliminate a form of inherited blindness in dogs      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have identified the genetic mutation that causes progressive retinal atrophy in English Shepherd Dogs, which results in incurable blindness, and developed a genetic test to help eliminate the disease from future generations of the breed.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular
Published

Exposing dengue's invasion strategies      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Mosquito-borne viral infections once confined to tropical regions are spreading. Dengue virus infects up to 400 million people worldwide each year according to World Health Organization estimates, and no available treatments exist for this disease. Now, research uncovered surprising strategies for how dengue and hundreds of other viruses replicate in their hosts, with the potential to aid in developing novel antiviral treatments and vaccines.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Developmental Biology: Genetics Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Controlling mosquito populations through genetic breeding      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have found a new way to identify genetic targets useful for control of mosquito populations, potentially offering an alternative to insecticides. Their study focused on the genetic basis of species incompatibility. They crossed Ae. aegypti, a major global arboviral disease vector, and its sibling species, Ae. mascarensis, from the Indian Ocean. When offspring is crossed back with one parent, about 10 percent of the progeny becomes intersex and is unable to reproduce.

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

Transient structure in fly leg holds clue to insect shape formation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A little leg may reveal something big about how closely related insect species can drastically differ in body shape, according to a new study. The team imaged live cells of fruit flies in the last stages of development over several days and found a new structure that appears to help guide a section of the leg into its final shape.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Small animals acquire genes from bacteria that can produce antibiotics      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A group of small, freshwater animals (bdelloid rotifers) protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes 'stolen' from bacteria, according to new research. This raises the potential that rotifers are producing novel antimicrobials that may be less toxic to animals, including humans, than those we develop from bacteria and fungi.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Minerals play newly discovered role in Earth's phosphorus cycle      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Plants and microbes are known to secrete enzymes to transform organic phosphorus into bioavailable inorganic phosphorus. Now, researchers found that iron oxide in soil performs the same transformation. Discovery is important for food security, which requires phosphorus as a crop fertilizer.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: General Biology: Microbiology Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Geochemistry
Published

Although tiny, peatland microorganisms have a big impact on climate      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Polyphenols are generally toxic to microorganisms. In peatlands, scientists thought microorganisms avoided this toxicity by degrading polyphenols using an oxygen-dependent enzyme, and thus that low-oxygen conditions inhibit microbes' carbon cycling. However, a new study found that Arctic peatland microorganisms used alternative enzymes, with and without oxygen, to break down polyphenols. This suggests carbon stored in these ecosystems is more at risk than previously thought.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology
Published

Ancient viruses fuel modern-day cancers      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The human genome is filled with flecks of DNA left behind by viruses that infected primate ancestors tens of millions of years ago. Scientists used to think they were harmless, but new research shows that, when reawakened, they help cancer survive and thrive.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Paleolithic diets are not without risks      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

High-protein diets, known as 'Paleolithic diets', are popular. Using mouse models, scientists have studied their impact. While effective in regulating weight and stabilizing diabetes, these diets are not without risks. Excess protein greatly increases ammonium production, overwhelming the liver. Excess ammonium can cause neurological disorders and, in severe cases, lead to coma. These results suggest caution when following these diets.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Chemistry: Biochemistry Environmental: General Environmental: Water Geoscience: Environmental Issues Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Smart soil can water and feed itself      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients.

Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General
Published

Switching off inflammatory protein leads to longer, healthier lifespans in mice      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists have discovered that 'switching off' a protein called IL-11 can significantly increase the healthy lifespan of mice by almost 25 percent.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Developmental Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Molecular
Published

Genome recording makes living cells their own historians      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Genomes can now be used to store information about a variety of transient biological events inside of living cells, as they happen, like a flight recorder collecting data from an aircraft. The method, called ENGRAM, aims to turn cells into their own historians. ENGRAM couples each kind of biological signal or event inside a cell to a symbolic barcode. This new strategy traces and archives the type and timing of biological signals inside the cell by inserting this information into the genome. For example, this record-keeping can track the commands that turn genes on or off.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Genetics Biology: Microbiology Biology: Molecular Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals
Published

Influenza viruses can use two ways to infect cells      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Most influenza viruses enter human or animal cells through specific pathways on the cells' surface. Researchers have now discovered that certain human flu viruses and avian flu viruses can also use a second entry pathway, a protein complex of the immune system, to infect cells. This ability helps the viruses infect different species -- and potentially jump between animals and humans.