Category Health/Medical

A new study in mice reveals that increased body weight and high blood sugar as a result of consuming a high-fat diet may cause anxiety and depressive symptoms and measurable changes in the brain.

Fluorescence in the brain of a living mouse: The emanating beams of light can be measured through the top of the skulls. The degree of fluorescence is reflected through colors, whereby the intensity decreases from red to violet. Credit: © Image: Karen von Loo/Laboratory of Albert Becker

If they blocked a central switch in epileptic mice, the frequency and severity of the seizures decreased. Using a novel technology, it was possible to observe the processes prior to the occurrence of epileptic seizures in living animals. About 1 of 20 people in the course of his or her life suffers an epileptic attack, during which the nerve cells get out of their usual rhythm and fire in a very rapid frequency. This results in seizures...

Rice University researchers Jeffrey Hartgerink, left, and Vivek Kumar led research that combines a derivative of snake venom with their nanofiber hydrogel to help encourage blood clotting in wounds, even for patients who take anti-coagulant medications. Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

A nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom may be the best material to stop bleeding quickly, according to Rice University scientists. The hydrogel called SB50 incorporates batroxobin, a venom produced by two species of South American pit viper. It can be injected as a liquid and quickly turns into a gel that conforms to the site of a wound, keeping it closed, and promotes clotting within seconds...

By studying the banana lectin molecule (top left) and what made it bind to both viruses and immune system cells (bottom left), the team was able to figure out how to change the way cells bind it, to make a new version (top right) that still binds viruses but doesn’t cause inflammation (bottom right). Credit: University of Michigan

The process used to create the virus-fighting form may help scientists develop even more drugs, by harnessing the “sugar code” that our cells use to communicate. That code gets hijacked by viruses and other invaders. The new research focuses on a protein called banana lectin, or BanLec, that “reads” the sugars on the outside of both viruses and cells...