Category Health/Medical

This image shows the extracted surfaces of two cancer cells. (Left) A lung cancer cell colored by actin intensity near the cell surface. Actin is a structural molecule that is integral to cell movement. (Right) A melanoma cell colored by PI3-kinase activity near the cell surface. PI3K is a signaling molecule that is key to many cell processes. Credit: Welf and Driscoll et al.

Cancer cells don’t live on glass slides, yet the vast majority of images related to cancer biology come from the cells being photographed on flat, 2D surfaces – images sometimes used to make conclusions about the behaviour of cells that normally reside in a more complex environment...

Black-headed flying fox amongst a grey-headed colony. Credit: Michelle Baker CSIRO

For the 1st time researchers have uncovered a unique ability in bats which allows them to carry but remain unaffected by lethal diseases. Unlike humans, bats keep their immune systems switched on 24/7 and scientists believe this could hold the key to protecting people from deadly diseases like Ebola. Bats are a natural host for more than 100 viruses, some of which are lethal to people, including Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola and Hendra virus, however, interestingly bats do not get sick or show signs of disease from these viruses.

New research examines the genes and immune system of the Australian black flying fox, with surprising results...

(1) Excessive glutamate activity triggers a strong influx of calcium (Ca2+) into the neuron through NMDA receptors, which leads to cell death. (2) Lactate is transported into the neuron and (3) converted to pyruvate by the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). (4) Pyruvate is then transported into mitochondria by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) where it generates ATP. (5) ATP is then released through pannexins and activates the receptor P2Y, which (6) activates the PI3K pathway. (7) This triggers the opening of potassium channels (K+), which causes the neuron to hyperpolarize, decreasing the neuron’s excitability, and thus protecting it from excitotoxic damage.

Researchers led by EPFL have found how lactate, a waste product of glucose metabolism can protect neurons from damage follo...

Dartmouth College Professor David Kotz demonstrates a commercial prototype of ‘Wanda’ imparting information such as the network name and password of a WiFi access point onto a blood pressure monitor. Credit: Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College researchers have developed a digital “magic wand” to improve home healthcare and to prevent hackers from stealing your personal data. The system, called “Wanda,” will be presented at the IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications in April. “Wanda” is part of a National Science Foundation-funded project led by Dartmouth called “Trustworthy Health and Wellness...