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    Category Health/Medical

    Structure of Parkinson’s Protein could lead to new Diagnostic, Treatment options

    March 28, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Three-dimensional structure of an [alpha]-syn fibril.

    Three-dimensional structure of an α-syn fibril.

    Chemists have identified the complex chemical structure of the protein that stacks together to form fibrils in the brains of Parkinson’s disease patients. Thus researchers can identify specific targets for diagnosis and treatment. In Parkinson’s, the protein alpha-synuclein forms long fibrils that disrupt brain activity. This is similar to the beta-amyloid fibrils that form in Alzheimer’s disease patients. However, while the beta-amyloid structure is known, the alpha-synuclein structure has eluded researchers as a result of its complexity, its insolubility and the difficulty of characterizing one protein within a fibril.

    “This is the first structure of the full-length fibril protein, which is now well established to be important for the patho...

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    Inactivating a certain Protein-Coding Gene Promotes Liver Tissue Regeneration in Mammals

    March 27, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Highlights • Arid1a loss results in improved regeneration after diverse liver injuries • Arid1a overexpression impairs liver proliferation and regeneration • Arid1a loss also improves tissue repair after ear hole punch • Arid1a loss remodels chromatin, altering transcriptional access by C/EBPα and E2F4

    Highlights • Arid1a loss results in improved regeneration after diverse liver injuries • Arid1a overexpression impairs liver proliferation and regeneration • Arid1a loss also improves tissue repair after ear hole punch • Arid1a loss remodels chromatin, altering transcriptional access by C/EBPα and E2F4

    The liver is unique among human solid organs in its robust regenerative capability. This research gives us ideas about new ways to treat liver damage or chronic liver disease,” said Dr. Hao Zhu, an Assistant Professor at CRI. Tails in lizards and arms in starfish show an astounding ability to regrow, but mammals have partially lost the capacity to extensively regenerate body parts, Dr. Zhu said. The liver is unique among human solid organs in its robust regenerative capability...

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    New class of Molecular ‘Lightbulbs’ illuminate MRI

    March 26, 2016, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Health/Medical

    Duke scientists have discovered a new class of inexpensive and long-lived molecular tags that enhance MRI signals by 10,000-fold. To activate the tags, the researchers mix them with a newly developed catalyst (center) and a special form of hydrogen (gray), converting them into long-lived magnetic resonance 'lightbulbs' that might be used to track disease metabolism in real time. Credit: Thomas Theis, Duke University

    Duke scientists have discovered a new class of inexpensive and long-lived molecular tags that enhance MRI signals by 10,000-fold. To activate the tags, the researchers mix them with a newly developed catalyst (center) and a special form of hydrogen (gray), converting them into long-lived magnetic resonance ‘lightbulbs’ that might be used to track disease metabolism in real time. Credit: Thomas Theis, Duke University

    Discovery could enable cheaper, more versatile bioimaging. Duke University researchers have taken a major step towards realizing a new form of MRI that could record biochemical reactions in the body as they happen. A new class of molecular tags enhance MRI signals by 10,000-fold and generate detectable signals that last over an hour...

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    High Serum Omega-6 Polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations linked to lower risk of type 2 Diabetes

    March 25, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA),

    Omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid, LA),

    A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that high serum omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations are linked to a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

    It has been speculated that a high intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase the risk of several chronic diseases, as these fatty acids have been suggested to promote low-grade inflammation, among other things. However, studies conducted on humans have not established a link between even a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. Furthermore, omega-6 fatty acids have beneficial effects on, for example, glucose metabolism...

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