Category Health/Medical

The stem cells asymmetrically segregate damaged proteins (red) between the mother and the daughter cells (on the left: DNA grey). Responsible for this is a diffusion barrier. The strength of the barrier weakens with advancing age. This leads to reduced asymmetry of damaged protein segregation (on the right). Credit: UZH

Neural stem cells generate new neurons throughout life in the mammalian brain. However, with advancing age the potential for regeneration in the brain dramatically declines. Scientists of the University of Zurich now identified a novel mechanism of how neural stem cells stay relatively free of aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier regulates the sorting of damaged proteins during cell division.

Dividing neural stem cells (outlined with a white line) establish a diffusion...

People fed beta-glucan-enriched pasta for 2 months showed increased populations of beneficial bacteria in their intestinal tracts, and reduced populations of non-beneficial bacteria. They also showed reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol. This work is part of a broad effort to identify potential prebiotics – foods that could encourage the growth of health-promoting bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

β-glucans are healthy fibers that humans cannot digest, but that can be digested by some species of our gut bacteria. They are special types of sugars that are found in the cell walls of certain microbes, as well as in oats and barley...

This is an image of a cultured neuron with an added BDNF protein. Credit: Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore

Research has linked the abnormal behavior of 2 genes (BDNF and DTNBP1) to the underlying cause of schizophrenia. These findings have provided a new target for schizophrenia treatment. “In particular, we wanted to understand the ability of a specific type of …interneurons, to modulate brain network activity to maintain a balance in brain signalling.” said Assistant Professor Shawn Je, from the Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme at Duke-NUS.

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This is a 3-D printed nerve regeneration pathway implanted in a rat helped to improve walking in 10 to 12 weeks after implantation. Credit: University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering

Scientists have developed a 1st-of-its-kind, 3D printed guide that helps regrow both the sensory and motor functions of complex nerves after injury. The groundbreaking research has potential to help more than 200,000 people annually who experience nerve injuries or disease.

Nerve regeneration is a complex process. Because of this complexity, regrowth of nerves after injury or disease is very rare. Nerve damage is often permanent. Advanced 3D printing methods may now be the solution...