Category Biology/Biotechnology

Brain Regions that Relieve Effects of Chronic Stress in Mice Differ based on Sex

Schematic of cortical microcircuit showing connections among neurons and how activation of SST neurons leads to stress resilience
New research finds sex-specific regions of the brain can relieve the detrimental effects of chronic stress in male and female mice. Left: Schematic showing a cortical microcircuit with three types of interneurons expressing somatostatin (SST), parvalbumin (PV) or vasointestinal peptide (VIP) and their distinct patterns of innervation of glutamatergic output neurons (PNs), with thin lines representing axons that send chemical signals and the thicker lines of PNs representing dendrites that receive information. There is selective innervation of the distal ends of PN dendrites by axons of SST neurons...
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Researchers Find Previously Unknown Links between Microbial Bile Acids and the Risk of Colon Cancer

Microbes living in our guts help us digest food by reshaping the bile acids that our livers produce for breaking down fats. It turns out that two of these microbially-modified bile acids may affect our risk—in opposite directions—for developing colon cancer.

The link between these bile acids and colon cancer risk was recently uncovered as University of Wisconsin–Madison scientists sought to better understand the relationship between gut microbes and our bodies.

In many ways, that relationship revolves around a specific protein called the farnesoid X receptor, or FXR, which helps maintain a healthy gut through its intimate relationship with bile acids...

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Tiny Chips promise Swift Disease Diagnosis from a Single Breath

Out of thin air: Researchers create microchips capable of detecting and diagnosing diseases
Site-selective immobilization of different bioreceptors on individual field-effect transistors, achieved through the use of thermal scanning probe lithography. Each bioreceptor can be tuned to detect a different disease. Credit: NYU Tandon School of Engineering

In a world grappling with a multitude of health threats—ranging from fast-spreading viruses to chronic diseases and drug-resistant bacteria—the need for quick, reliable, and easy-to-use home diagnostic tests has never been greater. Imagine a future where these tests can be done anywhere, by anyone, using a device as small and portable as your smartwatch. To do that, you need microchips capable of detecting miniscule concentrations of viruses or bacteria in the air.

Now, new research shows it’s possible to develop and buil...

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Your Immune Cells are what they Eat

Two T cells whose nutritional choices have changed their identity. On the left, a blue T cell prefers acetate and is active, able to continue fighting. On the right, a red T cell prefers citrate and is exhausted, no longer able to fight effectively.
Click here for a high-resolution image.
Credit: Salk Institute

Salk scientists establish novel Link between cell nutrition and identity, say targeting nutrient-dependent activity could improve immunotherapies.

The decision between scrambled eggs or an apple for breakfast probably won’t make or break your day. However, for your cells, a decision between similar microscopic nutrients could determine their entire identity...

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