infections tagged posts

Danger of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Rice University researchers found vitamin B12 promotes survival during infection by improving mitochondrial health. The expression of a fluorescent protein (top left) reflects buildup of a toxic metabolic product, propionate, in mitochondria on diets low in B12, as compared (bottom left) to those receiving sufficient B12. Mitochondrially targeted fluorescent protein (center) reveals fragmentation of mitochondria when B12 is low, and dead worms stained with fluorescent dye (bottom right) demonstrate the decreased survival rate of worms infected by the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Credit: Natasha Kirienko/Rice University

Direct link between low-B12 diet, increased risk of infection...

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New DNA Wires are 100 times more Sensitive than other Biosensors

A close up of DNA wires being drawn through the porous membrane. Credit: KTH

A close up of DNA wires being drawn through the porous membrane. Credit: KTH

Scientists in Sweden today reported a nanoengineering innovation that offers hope for treatment of cancer, infections and other health problems – conductive wires of DNA enhanced with gold which could be used to electrically measure hundreds of biological processes simultaneously. While DNA nanowires have been in development for some time, the method developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University produces a unique 3D biosensor for better effectiveness than flat, 2D sensors. “Our geometry makes it much easier to measure several biomolecules simultaneously, and is also 100 times more sensitive,” says KTH Professor Wouter van der Wijngaart...

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