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    Category Biology/Biotechnology

    Researchers see the Power of 2 in Robot Roaches Making Climb

    May 8, 2016, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Biology/Biotechnology, Physics

    Researchers see the power of two in robot roaches making climb

    (Tech Xplore)—Over at the University of California Berkeley the field of biomimetics is alive and well with researchers actively studying and harnessing the way animals can move and manage their environments— little is ignored in the mechanics and dynamics as the researchers see if they can come up with little robots with like capabilities

    Over at the Uni of CA Berkeley the field of biomimetics is alive and well with researchers actively studying and harnessing the way animals can move and manage their environments. A video is up as well that shows how “Two VelociRoACH Robots Cooperatively Climb a Step.” The importance of their work is focused on the fact that they used two robots to accomplish an otherwise daunting task of climbing something...

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    Gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease Impairs Memory by Disrupting brain’s ‘Playback System’

    May 7, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Mice with apoE4 had fewer ripples than mice with the normal apoE3 protein, and they had less slow gamma activity during the ripples. Based on these results, the scientists questioned whether these differences in activity affected the ability to form and replay memories. Image is for illustrative purposes only. Image is credited to Andrews-Zwiling Y. et al./Journal of Neuroscience, and is adapted from the Gladstone Institute video.

    Mice with apoE4 had fewer ripples than mice with the normal apoE3 protein, and they had less slow gamma activity during the ripples. Based on these results, the scientists questioned whether these differences in activity affected the ability to form and replay memories. Image is for illustrative purposes only. Image is credited to Andrews-Zwiling Y. et al./Journal of Neuroscience, and is adapted from the Gladstone Institute video.

    Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered how the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease causes memory impairment. A specific type of brain activity important for memory replay is disrupted in mice with the E4 version of the apolipoprotein E (apoE4) gene, which may interfere with memory formation...

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    Zika Virus may cause Microcephaly by Hijacking Human Immune Molecule

    May 6, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    In a 3-D brain model, Zika virus activates immune receptor TLR3, which in turn inhibits brain cell development and survival, causing the organoids to shrink -- an effect reminiscent of microcephaly. Credit: UC San Diego Health

    In a 3-D brain model, Zika virus activates immune receptor TLR3, which in turn inhibits brain cell development and survival, causing the organoids to shrink — an effect reminiscent of microcephaly. Credit: UC San Diego Health

    Fetal brain model provides first clues on how Zika virus blunts brain development; blocking mechanism reduces cell damage, hinting at a new therapeutic approach to mitigate effects of prenatal Zika virus infection. Using a 3D, stem cell-based model of a first-trimester human brain, the team discovered that Zika activates TLR3, a molecule human cells normally use to defend against invading viruses. In turn, hyper-activated TLR3 turns off genes that stem cells need to specialize into brain cells and turns on genes that trigger cell suicide...

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    Tiny Genetic Switches found in Lizard Tail Regeneration

    May 6, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Experimental design of microRNA analysis of lizard tail regeneration. a: Image of a green anole lizard with a fully regenerated tail (arrow at break point). b: A 25 dpa regenerating tail was divided into three equally sized segments, with the distal regenerating tip and proximal regenerating base collected for microRNA sequencing (sequenced each for the regenerating tail tip and base, n = 3 per pool). For qRT-PCR analysis, five equally sized segments were collected (n = 4). c: Venn diagram showing the distribution of microRNAs expressed in the brain, skeletal muscle, and 25 dpa regenerating tail tip and base (minimum count of 1)

    Experimental design of microRNA analysis of lizard tail regeneration. a: Image of a green anole lizard with a fully regenerated tail (arrow at break point). b: A 25 dpa regenerating tail was divided into three equally sized segments, with the distal regenerating tip and proximal regenerating base collected for microRNA sequencing (sequenced each for the regenerating tail tip and base, n = 3 per pool). For qRT-PCR analysis, five equally sized segments were collected (n = 4). c: Venn diagram showing the distribution of microRNAs expressed in the brain, skeletal muscle, and 25 dpa regenerating tail tip and base (minimum count of 1)

    Findings from lizards may impact future therapies to regrow organs in humans...

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