Category Biology/Biotechnology

Highlights •FAD mutations impair endocytosis and transcytosis of APP and lipoproteins •Reduced lipoprotein endocytosis and transcytosis are rescued by β-secretase inhibition

Researchers have confirmed that mutation-caused dysfunction in a process cells use to transport molecules within the cell plays a previously suspected but underappreciated role in promoting the heritable form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but also one that might be remedied with existing therapeutic enzyme inhibitors. “Our results further illuminate the complex processes involved in the degradation and decline of neurons, which is, of course, the essential characteristic and cause of AD,” said Prof. Larry Goldstein, PhD.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss an...

Researchers used a common photocopy machine to measure the lengths of the index and ring fingers of 42 women. Half of these women were asked to solve different mental tasks after they had been given a drop of testosterone on their tongue. The goal was to determine the differences in how men’s and women’s brains work, and the significance of finger length and testosterone levels. Credit: Carl Pintzka / Kolbjørn Skarpnes, NTNU.

It is well-known that adults whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger were exposed to greater amounts of testosterone when they were in the womb. Both women and men with this characteristic are – on average – better equipped to solve mentally demanding 3D rotation tasks as adults...

Identification of fibrocartilage stem cells (blue) from the TMJ that spontaneously regenerate cartilage (red) when transplanted in vivo. Credit: Lab of Mildred C. Embree, DMD, PHD, Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia College of Dental Medicine researchers have identified stem cells that can make new cartilage and repair damaged joints. The cells reside within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which articulates the jaw bone to the skull. When the stem cells were manipulated in animals with TMJ degeneration, the cells repaired cartilage in the joint. A single cell transplanted in a mouse spontaneously generated cartilage and bone and even began to form a bone marrow niche...

Chemical Hybridization of Glucagon and Thyroid Hormone Optimizes Therapeutic Impact for Metabolic Disease

Scientists have developed a ‘smart’ drug that safely clears the liver of fat and prevents blood vessels from clogging up. Liver-specific delivery of the thyroid hormone T3 using glucagon corrects obesity, glucose intolerance, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis without causing adverse effects in other tissues. “While the ability of T3 to lower cholesterol is known for centuries, deleterious effects, in particular on the skeleton and the cardiovascular system, do so far limit its medicinal utility,” says Brian Finan.

The constant rise in obesity and diabetes represents a major burden of our society...