Universidad de Salamanca Facultad de Biología

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Bionoticias Abril (2ª) de 2014

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índice

Avisos de la Facultad 4

Biología 7

Biomedicina 19

Biotecnología 24

Neurociencia 40

Células madre y Epigenética 55

.Avisos de la Facultad

Próximo Seminario IBFG: Viernes 11 de abril a las 12.30

Próximo Seminario CIALE: Viernes 11 de abril a las 12.00

.Biología

Encuentran huesos de elefantes e hipopótamos en la ribera del Guadalquivir Investigadores de la Universidad de Sevilla han descubierto restos óseos y dentarios de presencia de elefantes e hipopótamos en la ribera del Guadalquivir durante el Pleistoceno Medio (780.000 a.C.-120.000 a.C.). También han encontrado restos de caballos y uros, una variedad salvaje del toro, ya extinguido. Los trabajos se han desarrollado en la localidad sevillana de La Rinconada. El oxígeno, el origen de la vida animal compleja, y las esponjas marinas Artículo del blog Cierta Ciencia, de la genetista Josefina Cano, que recomendamos por su interés.Es más bien difícil darle mucho crédito a unos animales tan simples que durante millones de años no han hecho otra cosa que pasarse la vida en el fondo de los océanos atrapando pedacitos de alimentos...

Nueva metodología para conocer los cambios en la levadura durante la fermentación del vino Rubén Martínez, licenciado en Biología y Bioquímica, ha desarrollado en su tesis doctoral una nueva metodología que permite conocer el estado fisiológico de la levadura en cada punto del proceso de fermentación del vino. “Utilizando un simil cinematográfico —explica—, la fermentación vínica sería una película completa de la que, gracias a esta nueva metodología, podríamos extraer todos y cada uno Las interacciones entre depredadores y carroñeros, armas naturales contra el cambio global Un equipo de investigadores internacionales liderado por científicos del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas ha identificado diversos mecanismos por los cuales las interacciones entre distintas especies pueden conferir estabilidad a los ecosistemas. Este hallazgo, que ha sido recogido en la revista Biological Reviews, tiene una importancia añadida dado el actual contexto de cambio glob Los topillos machos rompen el vínculo sexual tras beber alcohol y las hembras lo aumentan Un estudio, llevado a cabo por neurocientíficos estadounidenses, revela que el alcohol inhibe la formación del vínculo de emparejamiento en los topillos machos y en las hembras lo favorece. Los investigadores han elegido este modelo animal por sus similitudes con los humanos en la El sistema cardiovascular más antiguo conocido data de 520 millones de años atrás Unos investigadores han encontrado, en yacimientos de fósiles de hace 520 millones de años, a un ancestro de los crustáceos modernos, el cual poseyó el sistema cardiovascular más antiguo conocido. El fósil está conservado en excelentes condiciones, debido en parte al mecanismo Resuelven el enigma de un antiguo cementerio de ballenas en un desierto Hace varios años, se descubrió algo muy llamativo en el Desierto de Atacama, considerado como el más seco del mundo: Restos de animales marinos, incluyendo tantos de ballenas que el yacimiento fósil recibió el nombre de Cerro Ballena, y también ha sido descrito a menudo como un cementerio de...

Investigadores españoles descubren una nueve especie de crustáceo en Mauritania Investigadores del Instituto Español de Oceanografía y de la Facultad de Ciencias del Mar de la Universidad de Vigo, integrantes del proyecto ECOAFRIK, han descrito una nueva especie de crustáceo encontrado a 1.000 metros de profundidad frente a las costas de Mauritania, al que se ha bautizado con el nombre de Munidopsis anaramosae. Identifican los marcadores geográficos del aceite de oliva Investigadores de Universidad de La Rioja han logrado identificar los marcadores que distinguen geográficamente al aceite de oliva virgen extra de la denominación de origen Aceite de La Rioja, frente al de otras tres denominaciones. El cambio climático, un factor más que determinará el turismo de sol y playa La mayoría de los destinos de costa en España podrían catalogarse como maduros frente a lugares emergentes en otras regiones del mundo. Asimismo, las necesidades futuras en este sector serán muy distintos a los actuales y el envejecimiento poblacional será un factor clave a tener en cuenta, según un estudio de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

El murciélago patudo sale de pesca El murciélago patudo (Myotis capaccinii) está a punto de extinguirse. Un trabajo liderado por la bióloga Ostaizka Aizpurua, de la Universidad del País Vasco, ha sido clave para conocerlo mejor, y así poder tomar las medidas necesarias para protegerlo. En este estudio se ha demostrado que el murciélago patudo tiene la capacidad de pescar, ya que se alimenta de peces además de insectos. La disponibilidad de nutrientes determina la eficiencia de secuestrar carbono de los bosques Los bosques que crecen en suelos fértiles, sin limitación de nutrientes, son hasta 3 veces más eficientes en el uso del carbono que los bosques sobre suelos infértiles, según un estudio internacional liderado por el Centro de Investigación Ecológica y Aplicaciones Forestales y del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.

La expresión de una proteína influye en la mejora del semen Los datos aportados por un estudio del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales ayudan a comprender cómo evolucionan los gametos y su influencia en la fertilidad masculina. El trabajo se ha realizado con ocho especies de ratones que tienen diferentes niveles de competición espermática. Las interacciones entre humanos y animales carroñeros han dado forma al hombre actual Un equipo de investigadores internacionales, entre los que se incluyen científicos de la Universidad Pablo de Olavide, de Sevilla, la Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche y la Universidad de Lleida, y el Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), todos ellos en España, ha llegado a... Descubren algas capaces de detectar luz naranja, verde y azul Un nuevo estudio ha mostrado por vez primera que varios tipos de algas acuáticas pueden detectar luz naranja, verde y azul.Los vegetales terrestres tienen receptores para detectar luz de frecuencias correspondientes al color rojo y a la frontera entre el rojo y la banda infrarroja, que son... Las bacterias son capaces de tomar decisiones prudentes ante el riesgo de escasez de recursos Durante muchos años, la comunidad científica, y la gente en general, ha venido creyendo que, enfrentadas a una creciente escasez, las bacterias siempre se comportan consumiendo recursos hasta que éstos se acababan, para entrar entonces en una fase estacionaria, en la que se detiene el... Investigan si la administración de cobalto altera el perfil de ácidos grasos de la leche de oveja Investigadores del Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña de León y del MTT Agrifood Research de Finlandia han analizado los efectos de la administración oral de acetato de cobalto en la ingesta de las ovejas, la función del rumen, la producción de leche y el perfil de ácidos de esta leche. Se trata de una investigación básica cuyo fin es profundizar en el conocimiento de la dieta de las ovejas y como

Confeccionan el primer árbol genealógico de los colibríes Investigadores de varios centros norteamericanos han elaborado el primer mapa evolutivo de los colibríes, que se inicia hace 22 millones de años. Esta investigación, publicada en la revista Current Biology, muestra que estas aves han sufrido una diversificación rápida y permanente. El trabajo ayuda también a explicar el hábitat actual de la Counting the invisible by sound: New approach to estimate seabird populations Many seabird species nest underground, approach their nests only during darkness, and are essentially invisible on land and impossible to count. By deploying automated sound recorders on a remote island and counting the recorded calls, a team of seabird researchers was able to estimate the size of a breeding colony of shearwaters on a remote island Sunken logs create new worlds for seafloor animals When it comes to food, most of the deep sea is a desert. In this food-poor environment, even bits of dead wood, waterlogged enough to sink, can support thriving communities of specialized animals. A new paper by biologists shows that wood-boring clams serve as "ecosystem engineers," making the organic matter in the wood available to other animals that colonize wood falls in the deep wate

Can animals really help people in hospitals, aged care? While many people have an opinion on whether animals can help to improve well-being and care for patients in hospitals, does anyone really know whether there are benefits both for the patients and the animals themselves? Not according to a team of researchers that has conducted a worldwide review of all studies looking at the impact of "animal interventions" in healthcare settings for ch Rabbits kept indoors could be vitamin D deficient Rabbits that remain indoors may suffer from a lack of vitamin D, researchers report in a new study. In rabbits kept as pets or used in laboratory studies, the deficiency could lead to dental problems, undermine their cardiovascular health, weaken their immune systems and skew scientific findings.

Brain size influences development of individual cranial bones In mammals, embryonic cranial development is modular and step-wise: The individual cranial bones form according to a defined, coordinated schedule. The typical increase in the size of the brain in mammals in the course of evolution ultimately triggered changes in this developmental plan, as a study conducted on embryos of 134 species of animal reveals.

Sea otters can get the flu, too: Human H1N1 pandemic virus infected Washington State sea otters Northern sea otters living off the coast of Washington state were infected with the same H1N1 flu virus that caused the world-wide pandemic in 2009, according to a new study. The researchers discovered antibodies for the 2009 H1N1 flu virus in blood samples from 70 percent of the sea otters studied. None of the otters were visibly sick, but the presence of antibodies means that the otters were pre Desentrañan el secreto genético de la resistencia de mosquitos a insecticidas Los mosquitos de la especie Anopheles funestus son vectores de la malaria o paludismo, y en ellos se viene detectando resistencia a insecticidas. Esto es preocupante dado que la mayoría de las estrategias para combatir la propagación de la enfermedad se basan en mantener a

BPA and related chemicals: Human safety thresholds for endocrine disrupting chemicals may be inaccurate Human and rat testes respond differently to endocrine disrupting chemicals such as BPA in two thirds of all cases, according to a recent review. As human safety levels are extrapolated from rodent data, the study could lead to a re-evaluation of the acceptable daily intake for many endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors are compounds that interfere with animal hormone (or endocrine) systems in Estimar la edad de elefantes analizando su voz Unos investigadores han conseguido estimar correctamente la edad de un elefante basándose en sus sonidos vocales. Los resultados obtenidos por el equipo de Angela S. Stoeger, de la Universidad de Viena en Austria, sugieren que el método permitirá distinguir a distancia, por sus Southwestern bird and reptile distributions to shift as climate changes Dramatic distribution losses and a few major distribution gains are forecasted for southwestern bird and reptile species as the climate changes, according to new research. Overall, the study forecasted species distribution losses -- that is, where species are able to live -- of nearly half for all but one of the 5 reptile species they examined, including for the iconic chuckwalla. 'I can haz blood?' The surprising world of pet blood transfusions Don Juan, Napoleon, Gucci, Azur, and Marissa are very friendly and will rush to welcome anyone who enters their room, and that’s what makes them good blood donors. “I chose them for their hematological characteristics, but also for their good disposition. We didn’t want cats that would be stressed when handled or that needed excessive sedation,” said Dr. Marie-Claude Blais, Professor at the Univer Cleft palate discovery in dogs to aid in understanding human birth defect Discovery of a genetic mutation that causes a form of cleft palate in a retriever breed provides the first dog model for this craniofacial defect and offers a tool for better understanding cleft palate in humans. Although cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects in children, affecting approximately one in 1,500 live human births in the United States, it is not completely understood.

Undocked working dogs at greatest risk of tail injuries in Scotland Undocked working dogs in Scotland are at greatest risk of tail injuries, indicates a survey of their owners. Of 2860 working dogs, 13.5% sustained at least one tail injury during the 2010/11 shooting season. But undocked spaniels (56.6%) and hunt point retrievers (38.5%) were at Going batty for jumping DNA as a cause of species diversity The vesper bats are the largest and best-known common family of bats. Scientists wanted to get at the root cause of this diversity by taking advantage of two vesper bat species whose genomes have recently been sequenced. They speculated that one cause of this diversity might be jumping elements in the genome, called DNA transposons, which are more active and recent in the evolutionary history of t Freshwater turtle crosses the Aegean Sea Scientists have studied the widely distributed freshwater turtle, Mauremys rivulata. In spite of geographical barriers, the turtles are genetically very similar throughout their vast distribution range. This would indicate that that animals cross hundreds of kilometers of sea. Long-fingered bat goes fishing The long-fingered bat is on the verge of extinction; the recent work of biologists has been crucial in getting to know it better, in order to protect it. The long-fingered bat has now been shown to feed on fish as well as insects. What is more, it knows how to fish. Fruit flies: Male extinction prevented by promiscuous females Female fruit flies with a large number of sexual partners are playing an invaluable role in preventing the extinction of males, research has shown. Scientists have found that flies in the northern parts of the United States are more inclined to have multiple partners in order to reduce the occurrence of an X chromosome which causes the production Tracking sperm whales' ecology through stomach contents While studying pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, a researcher involved in a new project stated that 'understanding what resources support populations of these incredibly rare animals is important to conservation. If there are changes in the environment or their prey, we can now hope to better anticipate the potential impacts. There had been quite a knowledge gap about these animals, but this work give

What bank voles can teach us about prion disease transmission and neurodegeneration Transmission of prions between species is inefficient, and only a small proportion of exposed recipients become sick within their lifetimes. A new study takes a close look at one exception to this rule: bank voles appear to lack a species barrier for prion transmission, and their universal susceptibility turns out to be both informative and useful for the development of strategies to prevent prion Will roe deer persist? Climate change spells disaster for species unable to keep up As the climate continues to change, it's unclear to what extent different species will be able to keep pace with altered temperatures and shifted seasons. Living organisms are the survivors of previous environmental changes and might therefore be expected to adapt, but are there limits? Los lobos no son una mera versión primitiva de los perros Aunque los perros presentan una muy estrecha relación evolutiva con los lobos, existen notables diferencias entre unos y otros.Bastante gente ve a los lobos como meras versiones primitivas de los perros, y por tanto, menos inteligentes que estos en todos los aspectos. Pero no es así. En algunas...

Fences cause ecological meltdown, study shows Scientists have reviewed the ‘pros and cons’ of large scale fencing and argue that fencing should only be used as a last resort. Wildlife fences are constructed for a variety of reasons including to prevent the spread of diseases, protect wildlife from poachers, and to help manage small populations of threatened species. Human-wildlife conflict is another common reason for building fences: Wildlif

Moonwalker flies backing up A team of researchers managed to isolate “moonwalker flies” in a high-throughput screen. Screening a large collection of fruit flies, the scientists found specimens that seemed locked in reverse gear. Researchers were able to trace these changes in walking direction back to the activity of specific neurons in the brain.

Dog walking attitudes: Stoop to scoop the poop?

There are 8 million dogs in the UK, which adds up to a lot of daily walks and potential for a lot of dog faeces to be left behind. Most dog walkers are happy and even proud to bag and bin their dog's waste, some might leave waste if they are off the beaten track or in more rural locations, while a small proportion of dog walkers are totally disengaged from the idea that picking up their dog waste Attracting wild bees to farms is good insurance policy Investing in habitat that attracts and supports wild bees in farms is not only an effective approach to helping enhance crop pollination, but it can also pay for itself in four years or less, according to research. The paper gives farmers of pollination-dependent crops tangible results to convert marginal acreage to fields of wildflowers. Veterinary diagnosticians using test to determine severity of new dog disease A molecular diagnostician uses newly developed test to determine if a the dog circovirus is deadly. Canine circovirus, also called dog circovirus, was discovered in 2012; however, researchers are still trying to determine the severity of the disease. Well-rested flies: Therapeutic agent reduces age-related sleep problems in fruit flies Elderly flies do not sleep well -- they frequently wake up during the night and wander around restlessly. The same is true of humans. The sleeplessness experienced by the fruit fly Drosophila is therefore a model case for human sleeping behavior. Scientists have now discovered molecules in the flies' cells that affect how the animals sleep in old age: if insulin/IGF signalling is active, the quali Large carnivores with large geographic ranges better-studied Scientists tend to study larger carnivores with larger geographic ranges than those with greater adaptability and broader diets. Scientists need to evaluate research efforts and their effectiveness in order to meet the conservation needs of a wider range of species which may be threatened due to habitat loss, exploitation, and climate change. The characteristics of the species themselves may influ

Killing a name of an extinct sea cow species Sirenians, or sea cows, are a particular group of mammals that superficially resembles whales in having, amongst other features, a streamlined-body and horizontal tail fluke. Though belonging to the so-called marine mammals, such as whales and seals, sea cows are members of a group having a single origin that includes their closest living relatives, the proboscideans (or elephants in the broader s One or two? How to decide how many species you have got It is often difficult to decide whether two animals belong to the same or two distinct species. This can be especially challenging for animals which externally look very similar. In a recent study, scientists use genetic data and calls analysis to test if treefrogs from West and Central Africa belong to different or the same species. Pigeons share our ability to place everyday things in categories Pinecone or pine nut? Friend or foe? Distinguishing between the two requires that we pay special attention to the telltale characteristics of each. And as it turns out, us humans aren’t the only ones up to the task. According to researchers, pigeons share our ability to place everyday things in categories. And, like people, they can home in on visual information that is new or important and dismis ¿Por qué las serpientes voladoras planean tan bien? Las serpientes voladoras utilizan un singular método de locomoción aérea: Saltan de una rama a otra de los árboles, aplanando sus cuerpos y haciéndolos ondular mientras surcan el aire, para planear por éste. La forma en sección transversal que adopta su cuerpo mientras planean desempeña un papel... Aves con una capacidad de clasificar cosas que se creía exclusiva del Ser Humano ¿Piña o piñón? ¿Amigo o enemigo? Distinguir entre cosas y clasificarlas de maneras que permitan responder preguntas como esas requiere que pongamos especial atención a las características reveladoras de cada objeto. Y resulta que los humanos no somos los únicos capaces de hacerlo.Los resultados...

.Biomedicina

La proteína DOR se relaciona con la pérdida de masa muscular Investigadores del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica han demostrado en ratones que la actividad de la proteína DOR favorece la pérdida de masa muscular. Los científicos proponen que el diseño de un inhibidor de DOR permitiría prevenir y combatir el desgaste de músculo en enfermos de sarcopenia y caquexia. Un nuevo test genético es capaz de detectar 552 enfermedades hereditarias Científicos del Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad han diseñado una prueba de análisis genético que reconoce en los progenitores alrededor de 600 mutaciones causantes de dolencias. El objetivo del test es reducir el riesgo de transmisión de aquellas enfermedades originadas por un solo gen. Asocian el uso de analgésicos con un mayor riesgo de arritmias en adultos Un trabajo liderado por científicos holandeses ha revelado la conexión entre el uso de antiinflamatorios y el riesgo de arritmia cardíaca entre los adultos de más de 55 años. El hallazgo es fruto de un estudio epidemiológico realizado durante 23 años con más de 8.000 personas en un barrio de Rotterdam. Desarrollan una aplicación para identificar casos de hiperactividad en niños Investigadores españoles han creado un software para identificar los casos de trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad en niños de entre 4 y 6 años, caracterizado por una dificultad para mantener la atención voluntaria frente a actividades, tanto académicas como cotidianas, unido a la falta de control de impulsos. Disponible un método rápido y eficaz para la detección de ‘E. coli’ En tan solo ocho horas, una nueva herramienta es capaz de identificar la bacteria E. coli en la carne de consumo humano. La técnica, basada en el ARN del patógeno, ofrece una gran fiabilidad de resultados. El consumo de alimentos contaminados por la cepa E. coli O157:H7 provoca diarrea, vómitos y, en ocasiones, colitis hemorrágica.

Demuestran que una proteína humana puede desencadenar párkinson Un estudio internacional ha comprobado que la enfermedad de Parkinson puede ser provocado por una proteína presente en la especie humana. El hallazgo, probado en animales, abre la puerta a detener la progresión y extensión de este proceso neurodegenerativo. La OMS solo confirma casos de ébola en Guinea y Liberia Aunque en los últimos días llegaban noticias de más casos de ébola en países como Sierra Leona, Mali o Ghana, la Organización Mundial de la Salud lo ha desmentido durante una rueda de prensa virtual celebrada esta misma tarde. Hasta ahora, solo existen casos confirmados de “uno de los brotes más desafiantes” del virus en Guinea y Liberia. Médicos e ingenieros diseñan un nuevo dispositivo de trombectomía Un equipo de científicos británicos y españoles, en el que participa la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), ha creado un prototipo para eliminar los coágulos en las arterias de forma más segura. El trabajo se centra ahora en efectuar simulaciones, mejorar su diseño y optimizar sus Pacientes con paraplejia recuperan el movimiento voluntario con electrodos Un estudio realizado en EE UU aporta esperanza a las personas con lesión de la médula espinal. Gracias a una nueva terapia de estimulación eléctrica, cuatro pacientes con esta parálisis han sido capaces de mover voluntariamente músculos previamente paralizados. Una tensión arterial más alta se relaciona con una menor preocupación La presión sanguínea modula la tendencia de cada persona a preocuparse y puede asociarse a un efecto ‘tranquilizador’ cuando es elevada. Así lo indica un nuevo estudio, liderado por investigadores españoles, que refleja que se puede aprender de forma implícita a aumentar la tensión arterial como modo de aliviar la tensión y el Descubren dos genes modificadores del riesgo de cáncer de mama y ovario Un estudio publicado en PLOS Genetics muestra dos genes que ayudan a explicar por qué algunas mujeres portadoras de mutaciones de alto riesgo desarrollan cáncer y otras no. En un futuro los test genéticos incluirán todas las variantes que influyen en el riesgo para hacer un perfil personalizado para cada paciente.

Un programa de ejercicio disminuye la apnea en jóvenes con sobrepeso Científicos españoles han descrito cómo un entrenamiento físico disminuye la apnea y mejora la calidad del sueño en niños y adolescentes con sobrepeso. Los resultados, publicados en la revista Nutrición Hospitalaria, muestran de que entre el 13 y el 66% de los niños y adolescentes obesos padece apnea del sueño.

La luz sincrotrón ayuda al desarrollo de materiales para la regeneración ósea Investigadores del Instituto Politécnico de Leiria (Portugal) han generado una estructura 3D biodegradable que ayuda a reparar los huesos caundo se implanta donde hay una fractura. La estructura del material se ha analizado en detalle con la luz del Sincrotrón ALBA, en Barcelona.

Los usuarios de Twitter describen el dolor de la migraña en tiempo real “Alguien está perforando un carámbano en tu cabeza, vomitas, y la luz y el sonido son insoportables”. Así explican algunos tuiteros cómo se sienten frente a un brote de migraña, una enfermedad neurológica que cursa con episodios de dolor agudo y que afecta al 12% de la población occidental. Comienza la campaña para identificar la causa de la enfermedad de Kawasaki Hoy se ha presentado el nuevo portal web del Institut Català de Ciències del Clima con el fin de identificar la causa de la enfermedad de Kawasaki. La recogida de donativos sufragará el coste de los muestreos atmosféricos sobre Japón, país que recoge la mayor parte de los casos y donde se descubrió por primera vez.

Un gen inactivado convierte a las células tumorales en adictas al azúcar Las células del cáncer consumen glucosa de manera voraz para multiplicarse a gran velocidad. Esto se sabe desde hace casi un siglo, pero hasta ahora no se conocía el proceso por el que se desencadenaba este apetito. Investigadores del IDIBELL han descrito una proteína en la membrana celular de los tumores que atrae la glucosa como un imán. Analizan la interacción entre el sistema nervioso y la testosterona para estudiar el autismo Un equipo de científicos cordobeses ha estudiado el efecto de la testosterona en el comportamiento del gusano Caenorhabditis elegans con el objetivo de analizar la interacción entre la hormona testosterona y el sistema nervioso a nivel molecular. La importancia de conocer estos mecanismos radica en la relación descrita entre el desarrollo de rasgos de conducta autista en personas y los niveles de

.Biotecnología

Bone marrow stem cells show promise in stroke treatment Stem cells culled from bone marrow may prove beneficial in stroke recovery, scientists have learned. The researchers identified 46 studies that examined the use of mesenchymal stromal cells -- a type of multipotent adult stem cells mostly processed from bone marrow -- in animal models of stroke. They found MSCs to be significantly better Genetic circuits: Bacterial 'FM radio' created A team of biologists and engineers has developed a 'rapid and tunable post-translational coupling' for genetic circuits. Cancer cells may respond to mechanical force The processes and cellular pathways that allow cells to move, stiffen, and react to physical stresses has been identified through new research. This knowledge, researchers hope, could reveal the causes of cancer and help develop treatments, including therapies for a variety of diseases. "In the cancer context, mechanical force is important because tumor Possible target to combat muscle wasting The pathological atrophy of skeletal muscle is a serious biomedical problem for which no effective treatment is currently available. Those most affected populations are the elderly diagnosed with sarcopenia and patients with cancer, AIDS, and other infectious diseases that develop Potential target for epithelial ovarian cancer treatment identified Researchers who are investigating the biological mechanisms behind metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer recently found that an enzyme called focal adhesive kinase (FAK) can play a critical -- and previously unstudied -- role in the growth and spread of the disease. FAK, which is also known as PTK2, helps cells adhere to each other and to other substances It also mediates multiple normal processes Potential Combination Therapy for Aggressive Thyroid Cancer A novel mouse model of anaplastic thyroid cancer has been developed by scientists who have also identified a combination of targeted therapies that shrinks these tumors. Most patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer do very well, but in a small fraction of patients it evolves into aggressive forms of thyroid cancer. Among these, the extremely aggressive human ATC is associated with one of the worst

New light shed on key bacterial immune system New insights into a surprisingly flexible immune system present in bacteria for combating viruses and other foreign DNA invaders has been revealed by researchers. The findings demonstrate that some bacterial immune systems are much more robust and responsive than previously thought, and have implications for improving our understanding of bacterial evolution, including the spread of antibiotic res Friedreich's ataxia: Effective gene therapy in animal model The efficacy of gene therapy for treating the heart disease associated with Friedreich's ataxia, a rare hereditary neuro-degenerative disorder, has been demonstrated in a mouse model. Friedreich's ataxia is a severe, rare hereditary disorder which combines progressive neuro-degeneration, impaired heart function and an increased risk of diabetes. The condition affects one in every 50,000 birth. Experimental drug shows promise for treatment-resistant leukemias Research in mice and human cell lines has identified an experimental compound dubbed TTT-3002 as potentially one of the most potent drugs available to block genetic mutations in cancer cells blamed for some forms of treatment-resistant leukemia. Results show that two doses a day of TTT-3002 eliminated leukemia cells in a group of mice within 10 days. The treatment performed as well as or better th Genetic trigger found for RSV-induced infant hospitalizations A viral protein has been pinpointed that plays a major role in making respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) the most common cause of hospitalization in children under one year of age. The discovery is the first step toward identifying better diagnostics and potential treatments for an infection that strikes nearly all children before they reach the age of three and causing severe disease in 3 percent Antibiotic resistance enzyme caught in the act NpmA is a mobile gene in bacteria that confers resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. Structural biologists analyze the threat NpmA poses and reveal targets for drug development. A mobile gene called NpmA was discovered in E. coli bacteria isolated from a Japanese patient several years ago. Global spread of NpmA and related antibiotic resistance enzymes could disable an entire class of tools do

Major genetic study links liver disease gene to bladder cancer A study outlines the details the discovery of a new genetic driver of bladder cancer: silencing of the gene AGL. "We tend to think of cancer resulting from mutations that let genes make things they shouldn't or turn on when they should be quiet. But cancer can also result from loss of gene function. Some genes suppress cancer. When you turn off these suppressors, cancer grows," says the Genetic regulator identified as possible treatment target in melanoma The RUNX2 protein, which regulates the transcription of genetic messages responsible for the different functions of cells, may play a role in melanoma cell growth and spread, and could serve as a therapeutic target for the disease, research shows. Abnormal and uncontrolled production of this class of proteins, known as transcription factors, allow for cells to bypass growth control mechanisms and

Immune cell 'defenders' could beat invading bacteria The precise biochemical key that wakes up the body's immune cells and sends them into action against invading bacteria and fungi has been identified by an international team of scientists. The work provides the starting point to understanding our first line of defense, and what happens when it goes wrong. It will lead to new ways of diagnosing and treating inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers

2nd CNB Course on Introduction to Research The Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC) is organising its 2nd Course on Introduction to Research for students in the final years of any university degree in science. The course is designed for qualified, highly motivated students who would like to contact the scientists at the CNB. The goal of this course is to provide an overview of the centre’s cutting-edge research facilities. For fou New epidemiology model combines multiple genomic data Data about DNA differences, gene expression, or methylation can each tell epidemiologists something about the link between genomics and disease. A new statistical model that can integrate all those sources provides a markedly improved analysis, according to two new papers.

Tracking sugar movement in plants A long-held belief that plant hormones control the shape of plant growth has been overturned by new research. Instead, it has shown that this process starts with sugar. Researchers conducted critical radiotracer studies that support the new theory that plant sugars play a dominant role in regulating branching at plant stems. While branching has relevance in agriculture, it is also very important i

DNA modifications measured in blood signal related changes in the brain Researchers say they have confirmed suspicions that DNA modifications found in the blood of mice exposed to high levels of stress hormone — and showing signs of anxiety — are directly related to changes found in their brain tissues. Scientists say this research offers the first evidence that epigenetic changes that alter the way genes Living organ regenerated for first time: Thymus rebuilt in mice Scientists have succeeded in regenerating a living organ for the first time. Researchers rebuilt the thymus -- an organ in the body located next to the heart that produces important immune cells. The advance could pave the way for new therapies for people with damaged immune systems and genetic conditions that affect thymus development. The team reactivated a natural mechanism that shuts down with

Seeing double: New study explains evolution of duplicate genes From time to time, living cells will accidently make an extra copy of a gene during the normal replication process. Throughout the history of life, evolution has molded some of these seemingly superfluous genes into a source of genetic novelty, adaptation and diversity. A new study shows one way that some duplicate genes could have long-ago escaped

Cancer and the Goldilocks Effect: Too much or too little of an enzyme promotes cancer Too little or too much of an enzyme called SRPK1 promotes cancer by disrupting a regulatory event critical for many fundamental cellular processes, including proliferation, research has found. "To my knowledge, this is the first time it has been shown that a signal kinase behaves as a tumor suppressor or a promoter, depending upon its Well-known cancer gene NRAS produces 5 variants, study finds The NRAS gene, known to play a fundamental role in cancer development, produces five gene variants, or isoforms, rather than just one form, as thought, new research shows. The study identified four previously unknown variants that the NRAS gene produces. The finding might help improve drugs for cancers in which NRAS plays a crucial role. It also suggests that NRAS might affect additional target mo

Caffeine against Alzheimer's disease? Positive effect on tau deposits demonstrated Caffeine has a positive effect on tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease, researchers have demonstrated for the first time. Tau deposits, along with beta-amyloid plaques, are among the characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease. These protein deposits disrupt the communication of the nerve cells in the brain and contribute to their degeneration. Despite intensive research there is no drug availab

Plant biotechnology approach for sustainable production of pharmaceutical compounds Ground-breaking discoveries for improving the efficiency of the production of pharmaceuticals through plant biotechnology have been made through recent research. Biotechnological production offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the chemical synthesis of rare and complex pharmaceutical compounds currently Bleach vs. bacteria: Development of new drugs to breach microbial defenses Chlorine bleach has been used as a disinfectant for hundreds of years, but our bodies have been using its active component to help kill invading bacteria for millennia. Details about how bleach kills -- and how bacteria can survive the attack -- may lead to the development of Amino acid fingerprints revealed in new study A major step has been taken toward the sequencing of proteins, demonstrating the accurate identification of amino acids, by briefly pinning each in a narrow junction between a pair of flanking electrodes and measuring a characteristic chain of current spikes passing through successive amino acid molecules.

New tool to check cells' 'batteries' Under the microscope, they glow like streetlights, forming tidy rows that follow the striations of muscle tissue. They are mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, and researchers have created a method to illuminate and understand them in living creatures like never before. "Mitochondrial health is important for physiology and disease. However, the whole field of mitochondrial health is largel

Going batty for jumping DNA as a cause of species diversity The vesper bats are the largest and best-known common family of bats. Scientists wanted to get at the root cause of this diversity by taking advantage of two vesper bat species whose genomes have recently been sequenced. They speculated that one cause of this diversity might be jumping elements in the genome, called DNA transposons, which are more active and recent in the evolutionary history of t Scaffolding protein promotes growth, metastases of epithelial ovarian cancer A scaffolding protein responsible for regulating signaling pathways in the cell promotes the growth and spread of epithelial ovarian cancer, research has determined. The researchers note that even though this study looked at the ovarian cancer in mice, some of the genes that turned up in the gene expression analysis can be further evaluated in human cell lines and tumors. "We want to make sur

Renal cancer cells thrive when put in right environment, supported by specific enzyme Tumor cells are picky about where they live. In the wrong environment, they fail to reach their potential. But put those same cells on the right bit of real estate, and they grow like mad. Researchers found renal cancer cells planted in a supportive environment proliferate with the help of an enzyme usually only seen in the brain. 3-D structure for malaria parasite genome constructed A 3-D model of the human malaria parasite genome at three different stages in the parasite's life cycle has been generated -- the first time such 3-D architecture has been generated during the progression of the life cycle of a parasite. The team found that genes that need to be highly expressed in the parasite tend to cluster in the same area of the cell Amborella, a record of the evolution of flowering plants The sole survivor of the oldest line of flowering plants, Amborella is the last witness of the great biological success these plants have had over millions of years. The sequencing of its genome can help better understand the evolution of these plants, which has led to an incredible diversity of more than 300,000 species identified today.

The long and the short of telomeres: Loneliness impacts DNA repair, parrot study shows

Scientists examined the telomere length of captive African grey parrots. They found that the telomere lengths of single parrots were shorter than those housed with a companion parrot, which supports the hypothesis that social stress can interfere with cellular aging and a particular type of DNA repair. It suggests that telomeres may provide a biomarker for assessing exposure to social stress. Synthetic genetic clock keeps accurate time across a range of temperatures A long-standing challenge in synthetic biology has been to create gene circuits that behave in predictable and robust ways. Mathematical modeling experts and experimental biologists have now created a synthetic genetic clock that keeps accurate time across a range of

Key component of cellular protein transport system decoded In their research on cellular protein transport, scientists have succeeded in characterizing the structure and function of an important element of this complex transport system. At center stage is the signal recognition particle, or SRP, the molecular "postman" for the sorting and membrane insertion of proteins. Antioxidants can protect against omega 6 damage -- or promote it Given omega 6 fatty acid's reputation for promoting cancer -- at least in animal studies -- researchers are examining the role that antioxidants play in blocking the harmful effects of this culprit, found in many cooking oils. After all, antioxidants are supposed to prevent DNA damage. But employing antioxidants could backfire, say researchers. Light-activated neurons from stem cells restore function to paralyzed muscles A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralyzed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists. The technique involves transplanting specially-designed motor neurons created from stem cells into injured nerve branches. These motor neurons are designed to react to pulses of blue l Patients with gluten intolerance: New therapies possible Elafin, by interacting with the transglutaminase 2 enzyme, decreased the enzymatic reaction that increases the toxicity of peptides derived from gluten, a new study has shown. The research has implications beyond celiac disease, as gluten intolerance has been reported in patients who do not have celiac disease (non-celiac gluten sensitivity). Bacterial gut biome may guide colon cancer progression Gut bacteria can change the microenvironment in a way that promotes the growth and spread of tumors, research demonstrates. The results suggest that bacterial virulence proteins may suppress DNA repair proteins within the epithelial cells that line the colon. "There is a drastic, unmet need to look at new ways to define exactly how colon cancer forms in the gut and what triggers its progressi

Work with small peptide chains may revolutionize study of enzymes, diseases Chemists, for the first time, have created enzyme-like activity using peptides that are only seven amino acids long. The breakthrough may revolutionize the study of modern-day enzymes, whose chains of amino acids usually number in the hundreds, and of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's, which are usually characterized by small clumps of misshapen proteins called amyloids. Gene therapy improves limb function following spinal cord injury Delivering a single injection of a scar-busting gene therapy to the spinal cord of rats following injury promotes the survival of nerve cells and improves hind limb function within weeks, according to a study. The findings suggest that, with more confirming research in animals and humans, gene therapy may hold the potential to one day treat people with spinal cord injuries. Likely culprit in spread of colon cancer identified A poorly understood protein called PLAC8 has been implicated in the spread of colon cancer. While elevated PLAC8 levels were known to be associated with colon cancer, the researchers now have shown that the protein plays an active role in shifting normal cells lining the colon into a state that encourages metastasis.

Some long non-coding RNAs are conventional after all Researchers have come full circle and predicted that some long non-coding RNAs can give rise to small proteins that have biological functions. A recent study describes how researchers have used ribosome profiling to identify several hundred long non-coding RNAs that may give rise to small peptides. Light-guiding gels provide new avenues for drug detection, delivery With the ability to deliver light inside the body in a predictable manner and to host a variety of genetically engineered cells, hydrogels may help address current challenges with applying optogenetic approaches in clinical care. Optogenetics is a relatively new technique that harnesses light to activate or inhibit light-responsive proteins that control specific cell functions.

Mechanism that makes tumor cells sugar addicted discovered Cancer cells feel a special appetite for a type of sugar called glucose, research demonstrated nearly a hundred years ago. The tumor uses glucose like a sports car uses gasoline -- it depends on it to burn faster, to grow and to multiply rapidly. In cancer cells, glucose superaccelerates cell division in what is known as the Warburg effect. New research shows that in one in four human tumors, ther

Patient stem cells help identify common problem in ALS A recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder, new stem cell research has shown. The researchers are now designing an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients. New study casts doubt on heart regeneration in mammals The mammalian heart has generally been considered to lack the ability to repair itself after injury, but a 2011 study in newborn mice challenged this view, providing evidence for complete regeneration after resection of 10 percent of the apex, the lowest part of the heart. In a new study researchers attempted to replicate these recent findings but failed to uncover any evidence of complete heart r

New approach to detecting changes in GM foods Does genetic manipulation causes unintended changes in food quality and composition? Are genetically modified (GM) foods less nutritious than their non-GM counterparts, or different in unknown ways? Despite extensive cultivation and testing of GM foods, those questions still linger in the minds of many consumers. A new study demonstrates a potentially more powerful approach to answering them. Structural insights into inner workings of viral nanomachine Researchers are using new nanoscale imaging approaches to shed light on the dynamic activities of rotaviruses, important pathogens that cause life-threatening diarrhea in young children. Once a rotavirus enters a host cell, it sheds its outermost protein layer, leaving behind a double-layered particle (DLP). These DLPs are the form of the virus that produces messenger RNA molecules, which are crit Enhancers serve to restrict potentially dangerous hypermutation to antibody genes How B lymphocytes are able to direct mutations to their antibody genes to produce millions of different antibodies has fascinated biologists for decades. A new study shows that this process of programmed, spatially targeted genome mutation is controlled by nearby transcription regulatory sequences called enhancers. These antibody enhancers are now shown to act in marking the antibody genes as site

New functions for 'junk' DNA? DNA encodes the information necessary to make all the proteins in a cell, but the vast majority of the DNA in a cell is non-coding DNA, in the past sometimes referred to as 'junk' DNA. Recent research has identified non-coding DNA sequences that are found in nearly all plants and appear to have roles in basic processes such as tissue and organ development, response to hormones, and regulation of g Possible explanation for human diseases caused by defective ribosomes Mutations in proteins that make ribosomes cause disorders called 'ribosomopathies,' which are characterized by bone marrow failure and anemia early in life, followed by elevated cancer risk in middle age. How can ribosomopathies first appear as diseases caused by too few cells, but later turn into diseases caused by too many cells? This paradox has puzzled the scientific community. A new study sug Using your loaf to fight brain disease: Baker's yeast to combat neurological conditions like Parkinson's and even cancer? Experts analyze baker's yeast to discover potential for combating neurological conditions like Parkinson's and even cancer. The current research takes advantage of the simplicity and genetic power of the baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to understand basic cellular processes underlying Parkinson's disease. The team studied a family of proteins in yeast which are related to a human protein kn Metabolites' role in understanding disease emphasized Over-reliance on genetic-centered approaches in predicting, diagnosing and treating disease will lead to few future scientific breakthroughs, cautioned a researcher who co-authored an article that advocates for a greater emphasis on the body's metabolites in understanding illnesses. "To augment the value of genetic data, the scientific community needs Tiny biomolecular tweezers studying force effect of cells A new type of biomolecular tweezers could help researchers study how mechanical forces affect the biochemical activity of cells and proteins. The devices -- too small to see without a microscope -- use opposing magnetic and electrophoretic forces to precisely stretch the cells and molecules, holding them in position so that the activity of receptors and other biochemical activity can be studied.

Mitosis and preparing for cell division In textbooks, the grand-finale of cell division is the tug-of-war fought inside dividing cells as duplicated pairs of chromosomes get dragged in opposite directions into daughter cells. This process, called mitosis, is visually stunning to observe under a microscope. Equally stunning to cell biologists are the preparatory steps cells take to ensure that the New general concept for treatment of cancer A team of researchers from five Swedish universities has identified a new way of treating cancer. The concept is based on inhibiting a specific enzyme called MTH1, which cancer cells, unlike normal cells, require for survival. Without this enzyme, oxidized nucleotides are incorporated into DNA, resulting in lethal DNA double-strand breaks in

'3-D' test could reduce reliance on animals for testing asthma and allergy medications To determine whether new medicines are safe and effective for humans, researchers must first test them in animals, which is costly and time-consuming, as well as ethically challenging. Scientists now report that they've developed a simple, '3-D' laboratory method to test asthma and allergy medications that mimics what happens in the body, which could help reduce the need for animal testing.

A protein could be key weapon in battle of the bulge Elevated levels of the neuroprotein GDNF may help fight the weight gain and health problems associated with a high-fat diet, new research finds. More than one-third of people in the US are obese. Obesity and its related health problems -- including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, insulin resistance, and belly fat -- affect so many, yet effective treatments to date are very few. Can antibiotics cause autoimmunity? A certain class of antibiotics prompts cells to produce low levels of novel self proteins that could trigger an autoimmune disease, research suggests. The code for every gene includes a message at the end of it that signals the translation machinery to stop. Some diseases can result from mutations that insert this stop signal into the middle of an essential gene, causing the resulting protein to b

Newly discovered molecule may offer hope for immune disorders, runaway inflammation A new research discovery may open the door to new therapies that help treat immune disorders or curb runaway inflammation. Specifically, scientists have discovered a molecule that can induce cell death (apoptosis) in a key type of immune cell (dendritic cells). With this understanding, it may be possible to develop new therapies that essentially shut down dendritic cell activity, and thereby reduc Multiplication of cells under close observation Cells must grow and divide optimally to ensure that our bodies functions properly. It is essential, however, that these processes are carefully controlled in order to prevent unrestrained proliferation that can lead to the formation of tumors. Researchers have uncovered a cellular factor that regulates the timing of DNA replication. This molecule, called Rif1, ensures that only a fraction of the o

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Bone marrow stem cells show promise in stroke treatment Stem cells culled from bone marrow may prove beneficial in stroke recovery, scientists have learned. The researchers identified 46 studies that examined the use of mesenchymal stromal cells -- a type of multipotent adult stem cells mostly processed from bone marrow -- in animal models of stroke. They found MSCs to be significantly better Toward a faster, more accurate way to diagnose stroke When someone suffers from a stroke, a silent countdown begins. A fast diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Scientists are working on a new blood test that one day could rapidly confirm whether someone is having a stroke and what kind. They built a device that can process whole blood and isolate genetic material for two potential stroke biomarkers within minutes. Proprioceptive feedback helps rehab patients learning to operate robotic prosthetic Proprioception significantly improved prosthetic control in the absence of vision, new research has shown. When patients are fitted with a robotic prosthetic limb, they gain control over their prosthesis with the help of a communication pathway provided by a brain-computer interface, or BCI, implanted in the brain. However, BCI-controlled prosthetics currently operate without somatosensory feedbac Regular aerobic exercise boosts memory area of brain in older women Regular aerobic exercise seems to boost the size of the area of the brain involved in verbal memory and learning among women whose intellectual capacity has been affected by age, indicates a small study. The researchers tested the impact of different types of exercise on the hippocampal volume of 86 women who said they had mild memory problems, known as mild cognitive impairment -- and a common ri Chronic smoking can diminish postural stability Chronic cigarette smoking has a high co-occurrence with alcohol use disorders. Postural instability is also common among alcohol dependent individuals. New findings indicate that chronic cigarette use continues to impact the brain systems regulating postural stability even during abstinence from alcohol.

Faster eye responses in Chinese people not down to culture New research has cast doubt on the theory that neurological behavior is a product of culture in people of Chinese origin. Scientists tested three groups -- students from mainland China, British people with Chinese parents and white British people -- to see how quickly their eyes reacted to dots appearing in the periphery of their vision. The findings revealed that the British Chinese and mainland Deep brain stimulation may improve cognition in dementia, other neurodegenerative diseases Intralaminar thalamic deep brain stimulation (ILN-DBS) has been studying to find out if it could have an effect on dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases that cause severe cognitive dysfunction. Growing evidence shows the efficacy of deep brain stimulation in patients with neuropsychiatric diseases. Connection between integrity of brain's white matter, cognitive health A connection between the health of the brain tissue that supports cognitive functioning and the presence of dementia in adults with Down syndrome has been revealed by a small study. Using MRI technologies, brain scans of subjects with Down syndrome showed some compromise in the tissues of brain's frontal lobe compared to those from the control group. When people with Down syndrome and dementia wer Part of brain linked to gambling addiction identified by researchers Researchers believe hyperactivity in the insula could lead to problem gambling; future treatments could focus on reducing this hyperactivity. Gambling is a widespread activity: 73% of people in the UK report some gambling involvement in the past year and around 50% play games other than the National Lottery. For a small proportion of players (around 1-5%), their gambling becomes excessive, resulti Transplantation cell therapy offers hope to stroke patients Researchers who conducted intraparenchymal transplantation of bone marrow-derived cell therapy in chronic stroke patients are poised to present their results of a recent study. The clinical findings have led to new studies using brain stimulation of circuits to restore neurologic function in animal stroke models.

Friedreich's ataxia: Effective gene therapy in animal model The efficacy of gene therapy for treating the heart disease associated with Friedreich's ataxia, a rare hereditary neuro-degenerative disorder, has been demonstrated in a mouse model. Friedreich's ataxia is a severe, rare hereditary disorder which combines progressive neuro-degeneration, impaired heart function and an increased risk of diabetes. The condition affects one in every 50,000 birth. Processing new information during sleep compromises memory New research highlights the important role sleep plays in strengthening and maintaining the accuracy of a memory and hints at why the brain shuts out sensory information during periods of deep sleep. The study found that introducing new odor information to an animal while it sleeps compromises its ability to remember the difference between new and previously encountered smells while awake. Online registry to drive brain disease research A new online project promises to dramatically cut the time and cost of conducting clinical trials for brain diseases, while also helping scientists analyze and track the brain functions of thousands of volunteers over time. Lipid levels during prenatal brain development impact autism, study shows Abnormal levels of lipid molecules in the brain can affect the interaction between two key neural pathways in early prenatal brain development, which can trigger autism, researchers have found in a groundbreaking study. And, environmental causes such as exposure to chemicals in some cosmetics and common over-the-counter medication can affect the levels of these lipids, according to the researchers From learning in infancy to planning ahead in adulthood: Sleep's vital role for memory Babies and young children make giant developmental leaps all of the time. Sometimes, it seems, even overnight they figure out how to recognize certain shapes or what the word 'no' means no matter who says it. It turns out that making those leaps could be a nap away: New research finds that infants who nap are better able to apply lessons learned to new skills, while preschoolers are better able to

Why auditory pitch and spatial elevation get high together: Shape of human ear may have evolved to mirror acoustics in natural world Have you ever wondered why most natural languages invariably use the same spatial attributes -- high versus low -- to describe auditory pitch? Or why, throughout the history of musical notation, high notes have been represented high on the staff? According to neuroscientists, high pitched sounds feel 'high' because, in our daily lives, sounds coming from high elevations are indeed more likely to b Dopamine, hippocampus and psychiatric diseases: Clarifying their relationships The role that dopamine plays in a region of the brain called the hippocampus has been demonstrated for the first time. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a central role in brain function, and many mental illnesses involve an imbalance in this chemical. Research has shown in particular that dopamine is present in the hippocampus -- the brain area associated with memory and learning -- and th Blocking DNA repair mechanisms could improve radiation therapy for deadly brain cancer In both cancer cell lines and in mice, blocking critical DNA repair mechanisms could improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy for highly fatal brain tumors called glioblastomas, research shows. Radiation therapy causes double-strand breaks in DNA that must be repaired for tumors to keep growing. Scientists have long theorized that if they could find a way to block repairs from being made, th

Potential therapeutic target for deadly brain cancer New research identifies a potential characteristic for predicting outcome in a deadly form of brain cancer known as glioblastoma multiforme. Existing therapies based on genetic information have failed to effectively treat glioblastomas. Therefore, researchers are aggressively looking to find new molecular targets for this aggressive brain tumor. Language structure: You're born with it Humans are unique in their ability to acquire language. But how? A new study shows that we are in fact born with the basic fundamental knowledge of language, thus shedding light on the age-old linguistic 'nature vs. nurture' debate. What songbirds tell us about how we learn When you throw a wild pitch or sing a flat note, it could be that your basal ganglia made you do it. This area in the middle of the brain is involved in motor control and learning. And one reason for that errant toss or off-key note may be that your brain prompted you to vary your behavior to help you learn, from trial-and-error, to perform better. But how does the brain do this, how does it cause DNA modifications measured in blood signal related changes in the brain Researchers say they have confirmed suspicions that DNA modifications found in the blood of mice exposed to high levels of stress hormone — and showing signs of anxiety — are directly related to changes found in their brain tissues. Scientists say this research offers the first evidence that epigenetic changes that alter the way genes function without changing their underlying DNA sequence -- and Patients with paraplegia regain voluntary movement after spinal stimulation Four people with paraplegia are able to voluntarily move previously paralyzed muscles as a result of a novel therapy involving electrical stimulation of the spinal cord, according to a new study. All four participants were classified with a chronic motor complete spinal cord injury and were unable to move their lower extremities prior to the implantation of an epidural stimulator.

Thinner probe array that uses silicon-based microstructure could underpin safer neural implants Neural probe arrays are expected to significantly benefit the lives of amputees and people affected by spinal cord injuries or severe neuromotor diseases. By providing a direct route of communication between the brain and artificial limbs, these arrays record and stimulate Hope for children with previously incurable brain cancer Potential treatment targets for a previously incurable form of pediatric brain cancer called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma has been revealed by scientists. The researchers believe that this discovery could lead to better treatment. "We're hoping that by having a better genetic characterization of these cancers we can try to better target these tumors and provide a personalized approach to Social circuits that track how we like people, ideas Whether at the office, dorm, PTA meeting, or any other social setting, we all know intuitively who the popular people are even if we can't always put our finger on why. That information is often critical to professional or social success. Yet until now, scientists have not understood how our brains recognize these popular people. In new work, researchers say that we track people's popularity large Gene sequencing project discovers mutations tied to deadly brain tumors in young children New mutations in pediatric brain tumors known as high-grade gliomas, which most often occur in the youngest patients, have been discovered by researchers. The discoveries stem from the most comprehensive effort yet to identify the genetic missteps driving these deadly tumors. The results provide desperately needed drug development leads, U.S. school children exposed to arsenic in well water have lower IQ scores A study from three school districts in Maine exposed to arsenic in drinking water experienced declines in child intelligence. While earlier studies conducted by the researchers in South Asia, and Bangladesh in particular, showed that exposure to arsenic in drinking water is negatively associated with child intelligence, this is the first study to examine intelligence against individual water arsen

Green tea extract boosts your brain power, especially the working memory, new research shows Green tea is said to have many putative positive effects on health. Now, researchers are reporting first evidence that green tea extract enhances the cognitive functions, in particular the working memory. The findings suggest promising clinical implications for the treatment of cognitive Movies synchronize brains: Brain activity patterns show remarkable similarities across different people When we watch a movie, our brains react to it immediately in a way similar to brains of other people. Researchers have succeeded in developing a method fast enough to observe immediate changes in the function of the brain even when watching a movie.

Caffeine against Alzheimer's disease? Positive effect on tau deposits demonstrated Caffeine has a positive effect on tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease, researchers have demonstrated for the first time. Tau deposits, along with beta-amyloid plaques, are among the characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease. These protein deposits disrupt the communication of the nerve cells in the brain and contribute to their degeneration.

Switching off anxiety with light: Cone opsins coupled with serotonin receptors Receptors for the messenger molecule serotonin can be modified in such a way that they can be activated by light, a study shows. An imbalance in serotonin levels seems to cause anxiety and depression. The researchers have provided a new model system for investigating the mechanism underlying these dysfunctions in cell cultures as well as No evidence of Alzheimer's disease-associated changes in adolescents carrying genetic risk factors Two studies indicate that some of the pathologic changes associated with Alzheimer's disease in older individuals are not apparent in young people who carry the apolipoprotein (APOE) genetic risk factor for developing the disease. In the first study, no differences were found in hippocampal volume or asymmetry between cognitively normal adolescent carriers and non-carriers of the ApoE ɛ4 or ɛ2 all Mountain climbing without the headaches By monitoring blood flow in the brains of six climbers scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, German medical researchers have identified a possible way to prevent the headaches that are a common feature of altitude sickness. Bioengineer studying how the brain controls movement Bioengineers are working to understand how the brain circuitry controls how we move. The goal is to develop new technologies to help patients with Parkinson's disease and other debilitating medical conditions navigate the world on their own. Outcomes of this research are contributing to the system-level understanding of human-machine interactions, and motor learning and control in real world envir

Brain region for resisting alcohol's allure found When a region of the brain called the lateral habenula is chronically inactivated in rats, they repeatedly drink to excess and are less able to learn from the experience, neuroscientists report. The study has implications for understanding behaviors that drive alcohol addiction. "If we can understand the brain circuits that control sensitivity to alcohol's aversive effects, then we can start Does a junk food diet make you lazy? Psychology study offers answer A new psychology study provides evidence that being overweight makes people tired and sedentary, rather than vice versa. Life scientists placed 32 female rats on one of two diets for six months. The first, a standard rat's diet, consisted of relatively unprocessed foods like ground corn and fish meal. The ingredients in the second were highly processed, of lower quality and included substantially Light-activated neurons from stem cells restore function to paralyzed muscles A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralyzed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists. The technique involves transplanting specially-designed motor neurons created from stem cells into injured nerve branches. These motor neurons are designed to react to pulses of blue l

Mode of action of new multiple sclerosis drug discovered Dimethyl fumarate inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration of the central nervous system through the blockade of a specific receptor, a study concludes. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that affects nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord by damaging their protective myelin sheath. The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown and the disease ha Toward a clearer diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome Functional PET imaging to show that levels of neuroinflammation, or inflammation of the nervous system, are higher in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome than in healthy people, research has shown. Chronic fatigue syndrome, which is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a debilitating condition characterized by chronic, profound, and disabling fatigue. Unfortunately, the causes are not we Neuromonitoring with pulse-train stimulation for implantation of thoracic pedicle screws A new, highly accurate, neuromonitoring method that can be used during thoracic spine surgery to prevent malpositioning of pedicle screws such that they enter the spinal canal and possibly cause postoperative neurological impairment has been reported by researchers. Beta-amyloid deposits increase with age, associated with artery stiffness Stiffening of the arteries appears to be associated with the progressive buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brains of elderly patients without dementia, suggesting a relationship between the severity of vascular disease and the plaque that is a hallmark of Alzheimer disease.

Young motorists lack self control So now we have it in black and white -- the emotional center in young men's brains overrides the area controlling their ability to make rational decisions. This leads to accidents among risk-seeking motorists. Last autumn thirty-four young people allowed their brains to be scanned while playing car race video games. The aim was to win. But the speeds were fixed and subjects only had the use of a s

Sport makes muscles and nerves fit Endurance sport does not only change the condition and fitness of muscles but also simultaneously improves the neuronal connections to the muscle fibers based on a muscle-induced feedback. Scientists were also able to induce the same effect through raising the protein concentration of PGC1± in the muscle. Moonwalker flies backing up A team of researchers managed to isolate “moonwalker flies” in a high-throughput screen. Screening a large collection of fruit flies, the scientists found specimens that seemed locked in reverse gear. Researchers were able to trace these changes in walking direction back to the activity of specific neurons in the brain. Patient stem cells help identify common problem in ALS A recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder, new stem cell research has shown. The researchers are now designing an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

Unraveling tangled origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) By studying nerve cells that originated in patients with a severe neurological disease, a researcher has pinpointed an error in protein formation that could be the root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes paralysis and death. According to the ALS Association, as many as 30,000 Americans are living with ALS. Running, cardio activities in young adulthood may preserve thinking skills in middle age Young adults who run or participate in other cardio fitness activities may preserve their memory and thinking skills in middle age, according to a new study. Middle age was defined as ages 43 to 55 in this study. "These findings are likely to help us earlier identify and consequently prevent or treat those at high risk of developing dementia," researchers said. Noisy brain signals: How schizophrenic brain misinterprets the world Certain errors in visual perception in people with schizophrenia are consistent with interference or 'noise' in a brain signal known as a corollary discharge, a new study shows. Schizophrenia is a disorder that interferes with the ability to think clearly and to manage emotions. People with schizophrenia often attribute their own thoughts and actions to external sources, as in the case of auditory Preventing relapse in cocaine-addicted patients with new methods Relapse is the most painful and expensive feature of drug addiction -— even after addicted individuals have been drug-free for months or years, the likelihood of sliding back into the habit remains high. Though some relapse triggers can be consciously avoided, such as people, places and things related to drug use, other subconscious triggers related to the brain’s reward system may be impossible t Child's obesity, cognitive function linked, study finds Obese children are slower than healthy-weight children to recognize when they have made an error and correct it, research shows. The research is the first to show that weight status not only affects how quickly children react to stimuli but also impacts the level of activity that occurs in the cerebral cortex during action monitoring.

New discovery gives hope that nerves could be repaired after spinal cord injury It could one day be possible to chemically reprogram and repair damaged nerves after spinal cord injury or brain trauma, a new discovery suggests. Most comprehensive wiring diagram of the mammalian brain to date Researchers have published the first comprehensive, large-scale data set on how the brain of a mammal is wired, providing a groundbreaking data resource and fresh insights into how the nervous system processes information. Their landmark paper describes the publicly available Allen Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas and demonstrates the exciting knowledge that can be gleaned from this valuable resourc A critical window into the developing human brain profiled in Nature Researchers have generated a high-resolution blueprint for how to build a human brain, with a detailed map of where different genes are turned on and off during mid-pregnancy at unprecedented anatomical resolution. This is the first major report using data from the BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain.

Infants are sensitive to pleasant touch Infants show unique physiological and behavioral responses to pleasant touch, which may help to cement the bonds between child and parent and promote early social and physiological development, according to research. According to the researchers, the findings "support the notion that pleasant touch plays a vital role in human social interactions by demonstrating that the sensitivity to pleasa Integrating meditation with science Mindfulness meditation produces personal experiences that are not readily interpretable by scientists who want to study its psychiatric benefits in the brain. Researchers have now been able to integrate mindfulness experience with hard neuroscience data to advance more Pigeons share our ability to place everyday things in categories Pinecone or pine nut? Friend or foe? Distinguishing between the two requires that we pay special attention to the telltale characteristics of each. And as it turns out, us humans aren’t the only ones up to the task. According to researchers, pigeons share our ability to place everyday things in categories. And, like people, they can home in on visual information that is new or important and dismis New test makes Parkinson's-like disorder of middle age detectable in young adulthood The very earliest signs of a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder, in which physical symptoms are not apparent until the fifth decade of life, are detectable in individuals as young as 30 years old using a new, sophisticated type of neuroimaging, researchers have found. People with the condition -- fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) -- experience tremors, poor balance, cognitiv Weaker gut instinct makes teens open to risky behavior Making snap decisions usually means following your initial reaction -- going with your gut. But some adolescents are more likely to heed outside influences, leaving them vulnerable to risky behaviors. A new study is part of a larger investigation of how teens make decisions based on body sensations and could help design prevention and treatment that hones in on risky decision-making.

.Células madre

Bone marrow stem cells show promise in stroke treatment Stem cells culled from bone marrow may prove beneficial in stroke recovery, scientists have learned. The researchers identified 46 studies that examined the use of mesenchymal stromal cells -- a type of multipotent adult stem cells mostly processed from bone marrow -- in animal models of stroke. They found MSCs to be significantly better than control therapy in 44 of the studies. Solution to platelet 'puzzle' uncovers blood disorder link Researchers have solved a puzzle as to how an essential blood-making hormone stimulates production of the blood clotting cells known as platelets. The discovery has identified how bone marrow cells could become overstimulated and produce too many platelets. In blood diseases such as essential thrombocythemia, too many platelets can lead to clogging of the blood vessels, causing clots, heart attack Transplantation cell therapy offers hope to stroke patients Researchers who conducted intraparenchymal transplantation of bone marrow-derived cell therapy in chronic stroke patients are poised to present their results of a recent study. The clinical findings have led to new studies using brain stimulation of circuits to restore neurologic function in animal stroke models. Light-activated neurons from stem cells restore function to paralyzed muscles A new way to artificially control muscles using light, with the potential to restore function to muscles paralyzed by conditions such as motor neuron disease and spinal cord injury, has been developed by scientists. The technique involves transplanting specially-designed motor neurons created from stem cells into injured nerve branches. These motor neurons are designed to react to pulses of blue l Patient stem cells help identify common problem in ALS A recently approved medication for epilepsy may possibly be a meaningful treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis -- Lou Gehrig's disease, a uniformly fatal neurodegenerative disorder, new stem cell research has shown. The researchers are now designing an initial clinical trial testing the safety of the treatment in ALS patients.

Unraveling tangled origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) By studying nerve cells that originated in patients with a severe neurological disease, a researcher has pinpointed an error in protein formation that could be the root of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS causes paralysis and death. According to the ALS Association, as many as 30,000 Americans are living with ALS.

Cell-surface receptor offers promising breakthrough for pancreatic cancer patients Findings of a new study provide a direct proof for a new therapy and provide hope for the people with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer rates in the U.S. have been rising over the past decade, and the disease takes a very heavy toll. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the last year alone about 45,220 people were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, while 38,460 died of the illness.

Biblioteca. Facultad de Biología

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