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Some crops are not adapted to gain from elevated CO2 levels

The U.S. backs out of the Paris climate agreement even as carbon dioxide (CO2) levels continue to rise. Through photosynthesis, plants are able to turn CO2 into yield. Logic tells us that more CO2 should boost crop production, but a new review from the University of Illinois shows that some crops, including corn, are adapted to a pre-industrial environment and cannot distribute their resources effectively to take advantage of extra CO2.

6 Nov 2020

Experts use super-resolution microscopy to observe individual synapse proteins

In the synapses of nerve cells (neurons), there are hundreds of specialized proteins that are important for the functioning of the nervous system. If something goes wrong here, neurological or psychiatric diseases can be the result - Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, depression, and schizophrenia are just a few of them.

6 Nov 2020

Highly automated device rapidly detects the presence of COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic, infectious disease experts and frontline medical workers have asked for a faster, cheaper and more reliable COVID-19 test.

6 Nov 2020

Study examines how extremophilic microbes can tolerate drastic space conditions

Since the dawn of space exploration, humankind has been fascinated by survival of terrestrial life in outer space. Outer space is a hostile environment for any form of life, but some extraordinarily resistant microorganisms can survive.

5 Nov 2020

Beetroot peptide may help treat inflammatory, neurodegenerative diseases

A team of researchers have successfully isolated a peptide (a tiny protein molecule) from beetroot in a recent study.

2 Nov 2020

Scientists discover new anti-cancer molecule

A group of Moscow scientists has discovered and explained the activity mechanism of a new anti-cancer molecule -- diphenylisoxazole. This molecule has been shown to be effective against human cancer cells. The research, published in the journal Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, makes it possible to produce an affordable cancer treatment drug.

30 Oct 2020

Severe ulcerative colitis linked to newly-discovered strain of oral bacteria

Severe ulcerative colitis - a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - has been linked to a newly-discovered strain of oral bacteria, a study led by UNSW Sydney has found.

From The University of New South Wales (UNSW) 30 Oct 2020

Scientists reveal molecular mechanism that increases the invasiveness of radioresistant cancer cells

Scientists have revealed the molecular mechanism regulating the trafficking of lysosomes that increases the invasiveness of radioresistant cancer cells following radiotherapy.

30 Oct 2020

Researchers receive $2.6 million grant to examine tau-glycan interactions involved in Alzheimer's disease

Tangles of misfolded tau proteins in the brain are closely associated with memory loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

29 Oct 2020

Scientists use new model to develop specific cancer immunotherapy

The function of the body’s immune system is to defeat diseases by detecting foreign invaders and then mounting a response against these pathogens.

28 Oct 2020

Study shows adverse effect of pH-dependent switch in protein interaction

Each biological process depends on pH in one way or another. The human body should maintain constant and specific pH regulation to function efficiently.

27 Oct 2020

Researchers develop new sensors to detect gene activity

A team of researchers have developed genetic sensors that are capable of detecting the activity of genes, instead of only the genes themselves.

From The University of Warwick 27 Oct 2020

Proviral and antiviral genes may help develop new therapies for COVID-19

Scientists have screened an unlimited number of cells exposed to the COVID-19 virus and detected genes that appear to close the door on the virus.

27 Oct 2020

Researchers discover new ways to block the colonization and spread of tumor cells

What role do the lymphatic vessels play in the metastasis of cancer cells? Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center and the Mannheim Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg developed a method to investigate this question in mice.

27 Oct 2020

Targeting DEL-1 molecule could be an effective way to treat autoimmune disease

Immune response is a balancing act: Too much can lead to inflammatory or autoimmune disease; too little could lead to a serious infection. Regulatory T cells, or Tregs, are important players in striking this balance, acting as "brakes" on the immune response so it doesn't go overboard.

27 Oct 2020

Study shows molecular link between diet and cancer risk

Scientists have detected a molecular connection between dairy and meat diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that raises the risk of cancer.

26 Oct 2020

Scientists explain the role of transcription factors in genetic diseases

Transcription factor proteins can be described as the light switches of the human genome. These proteins bind to DNA and allow genes to turn “on” or “off.”

26 Oct 2020

New method for producing FTVI enzyme could enhance therapeutic potential of cord blood transplants

A new way of producing an enzyme called fucosyltransferase VI (FTVI) in the lab could help enhance the therapeutic potential of cord blood transplants.

23 Oct 2020

Study shows antibody-based drug could reduce cancer in mice

Despite the remarkable successes of immune-based treatments for cancer, not everyone responds to these approaches and relapses do occur.

22 Oct 2020

Scientists use molecular dynamics simulations to reveal the secrets of SARS-CoV-2 virus

The virus wreaking havoc on our lives is an efficient infection machine. Comprised of only 29 proteins (compared to our 400,000), with a genome 1/200,000 the size of ours, SARS-CoV-2 is expertly evolved to trick our cells to contribute its machinery to assist in its propagation.

22 Oct 2020