Category Biology/Biotechnology

Schematic drawing illustrating the location of serotoninergic neurons in the adult zebrafish brain (lateral view). 5-HT-immunoreactive cells are also present in the retina (not shown). The main projections originating from the raphe populations are indicated. AP, area postrema; Cer, cerebellum; Hyp, hypothalamus; MO, medulla oblongata; NLV, nucleus lateralis valvulae; OB, olfactory bulb; PG, preglomerular complex, Po, preoptic region; PT, posterior tuberculum; SC, spinal cord; Tel, telencephalon; TeO, tectum opticum; Th, thalamus; V, ventral telencephalic area.

Researchers create 1st complete model of serotonin’s role. Serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT], is an important neuromodulator of brain development and the structure and function of neuronal circuits...

Examination of thousands of genes from nearly 150 human brains shows the circadian rhythm of gene activity changes with aging, according to a first-of-its-kind study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. It suggest also that a novel biological clock begins ticking only in the older brain.

A 24hr circadian rhythm controls nearly all brain and body processes, such as the sleep/wake cycle, metabolism, alertness and cognition. These daily activity patterns are regulated by certain genes that are found in almost all cells, but have rarely been studied in the human brain. “Studies have reported that older adults tend to perform complex cognitive tasks better in the morning and get worse through the day,” Dr. McClung said...

Inhaled or injected into tumors of several types of cancer, the shell of cowpea mosaic virus with infectious components removed, in blue, turned on the immune system in mice to wipe out tumors and protect against metastases. Credit: Nicole Steinmetz

Scientists the 100yo in-situ vaccination idea. The idea was to put something inside a tumor and disrupt the environment that suppresses the immune system, thus allowing the natural defense system to attack the malignancy. They used the hard coating of cowpea mosaic virus, with no detectible side effects, which are a common problem with traditional therapies and some immunotherapies.

“The cowpea virus-based nanoparticles act like a switch that turns on the immune system to recognize and fight against the tumor – as well as to remember it,” said ...

The British study, which is the first of its kind, found that out of 51 IBS patients tested 82% exhibited insufficient vitamin D levels. Researchers from the University of Sheffield discovered a significant association between a patient’s vitamin D levels and the severity of their IBS symptoms, particularly the extent to which IBS affects their quality of life.

Dr Bernard Corfe, from the University’s Molecular Gastroenterology Research Group, said: “IBS is a poorly understood condition which impacts severely on the quality of life of sufferers. There is no single known cause and likewise no single known cure.”

IBS is a chronic and debilitating functional disorder of the GIT which affects 10-15% of the western population...