Adult Stem Cells May Save the Snow Leopard
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| Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | |
Monash University researchers have discovered a way to help the endangered snow leopard by producing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from ear tissue cells of adult snow leopards. Induced pluripotent stem cells are genetically altered adult stem cells that can develop into a variety of different types of cells. The researchers hope to be able to coax the iPS cells into forming gametes for the future reproduction of these animals through cloning or other methods.
According to study researcher Rajneesh Verma, "By generating these stem cells, we've taken the first step in creating reproductive cells from adult tissues of an endangered animal. In the future, we aim to harness the potential of the iPS cells and create off-spring. This would help save species from extinction." This study marks the first time iPS cells have been generated from a member of the feline family. If the researchers are successful in creating reproductive cells, the cells could be used to conserve snow leopard tissue through cryopreservation.
Learn more about this study:
- Saving the Snow Leopard With Stem Cells Science Daily
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Appetite and Lack of Sleep
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Can lack of sleep cause you to gain weight? Research from Uppsala University indicates that those who don't get about eight hours of sleep a night have higher activation levels in the area of the brain that controls appetite. Through the use of magnetic imaging, researchers were able to view brain images of study participants as they viewed images of food. Those participants who suffered from a lack of sleep experienced increased levels of hunger and brain activity.
According to researcher Christian Benedict, "After a night of total sleep loss, these males showed a high level of activation in an area of the brain that is involved in a desire to eat. Bearing in mind that insufficient sleep is a growing problem in modern society, our results may explain why poor sleep habits can affect people's risk to gain weight in the long run." This study indicates that lack of sleep can alter our perception of food and play a role in long term weight gain.
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- Lack of Sleep Makes Your Brain Hungry (Science Daily)
Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Study Breakthrough
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Credit: Jurjen Broeke / Public Domain Image | |
Researchers have had a breakthrough in umbilical cord stem cell studies. Different cell types have been created for the first time from umbilical cord stem cells. In the study, umbilical cord stem cells were induced into developing into cells called oligodendrocytes. These cells are a type of glial cell which help to insulate nerve cells in the central nervous system. This discovery may help in the development of new treatments for spinal cord injuries and diseases of the nervous system.
According to lead researcher James Hickman, "This is the first time this has been done with non-embryonic stem cells. We're very excited about where this could lead because it overcomes many of the obstacles present with embryonic stem cells." A major advantage to using umbilical cord stem cells is that unlike embryonic stem cells, they have not been shown to induce immune reactions. Also, umbilical cord stem cell use does not pose ethical issues related to the source of the cells as does embryonic stem cell use.
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Alcohol Consumption Releases Brain Endorphins
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One reason people give for drinking alcohol is that it makes them feel good. Researchers have confirmed that the reason for this is that alcohol induces the brain to release endorphins in the part of the brain that is responsible for producing feelings of pleasure. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that assist in the transfer of signals in the nervous system. Endorphins decrease feelings of pain and produce feelings of euphoria. The study indicates that the areas of the brain in which alcohol induces endorphins to be released are the nucleus accumbens and the orbitofrontal cortex.
According to lead author of the study Jennifer Mitchell, "This is something that we've speculated about for 30 years, based on animal studies, but haven't observed in humans until now. It provides the first direct evidence of how alcohol makes people feel good." It was also discovered that alcohol promotes changes in the brains of heavy drinkers that cause alcohol to be more pleasurable to them than it is for other drinkers. The researchers contend that this study has pinpointed a target for the potential development of drugs that can be more effective at treating alcohol abuse.
Learn more about this discovery:
- Clue as to Why Alcohol Is Addicting Science Daily
Bandage Promotes Blood Vessel Growth
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| Credit: University of Illinois Micro and Nanotechnology Lab | |
Researchers have developed a special type of bandage that initiates and orchestrates blood vessel growth. Live cells are incorporated into the bandage that has been termed a microvascular stamp. The cells release growth factors into the wound allowing new blood vessels to grow in the damaged tissue in the pattern of the channels on the stamp. This new bandage allows researchers to control the growth and spacing of new blood vessels.
According to study researcher Hyunjoon Kong, "The ability to pattern functional blood vessels at this scale in living tissue has not been demonstrated before. We can now write features in blood vessels." The researchers believe that the microvascular stamp may lead to new developments in the treatment of vascular disorders. The stamp could potentially be used to direct new blood vessel growth around blocked arteries and even assist in the delivery of anti-cancer drugs to tumor cells.
Learn more about this study:
- New Bandage Spurs, Guides Blood Vessel Growth Science Daily
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Bacteria May Help Repel Mosquitoes
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| Credit: James Gathany / CDC | |
Researchers have discovered that bacteria may play a role in how attractive a person is to mosquitoes. Our skin is home to hundreds of bacteria communities that are part of the normal microbial life present on the skin. These microbes help prevent other harmful microbes from inhabiting the area. Bacteria on the skin help to produce body odor that is specific to a person. It was discovered in a study conducted at Wageningen University in the Netherlands that this odor makes us more or less attractive to mosquitoes.
Findings from this study may have implications on the possible prevention of the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria. It was discovered that people with a higher abundance but lower diversity of bacteria on their skin were more attractive to the Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto mosquito. While the reasons for this are unclear, it has been suggested that individuals with more diverse bacteria communities may contain certain bacteria that produce a compound that makes the skin less attractive to this particular mosquito.
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Diet May Halt Brain Shrinkage
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Image: Dream Designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net | |
Researchers have discovered that brain shrinkage can be halted by a change of diet. In studies, people who consumed a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids and in vitamins including C, D, E and the B vitamins had less brain shrinkage and higher mental processing capabilities than those who consumed diets low in these substances. Brain shrinkage is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
According to the author of the study Gene Bowman, "These results need to be confirmed, but obviously it is very exciting to think that people could potentially stop their brains from shrinking and keep them sharp by adjusting their diet." The nutrients consumed in the study were gained by eating healthy foods including fish, fruits and vegetables. It was also discovered that those who consumed diets high in trans fats were more likely to develop brain shrinkage. They also had lower thinking and memory test scores than those who ate diets low in trans fats.
Learn more about this study:
- Diet Patterns May Keep Brain From Shrinking Science Daily
How Bacteria Combat Fluoride
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Researchers from Yale have discovered how bacteria combat the effects of fluoride in toothpaste. Bacteria contain molecules called riboswitches which detect the presence of fluoride and alert bacteria to mount defenses against the substance. Riboswitches are RNA messages that activate certain genes. These molecular switches activate bacterial genes that code for processes that promote tooth decay.
According to researcher Ronald Breaker, "These riboswitches are detectors made specifically to see fluoride. If fluoride builds up to toxic levels in the cell, a fluoride riboswitch grabs the fluoride and then turns on genes that can overcome its effects." The researchers believe that it may be possible to target the bacteria's defense mechanisms to make fluoride more toxic to them.
Learn more about this study:
- How Bacteria Fight Fluoride in Toothpaste Science Daily
Normal Cells Aid Tumor Growth
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| Photo credit: National Cancer Institute | |
Tumors can contain normal cells as well as cancer cells. Researchers have discovered how normal cells within tumors accelerate cancer growth. In a study with normal mouse mammary cells, it was discovered that tumors develop when these cells lose a tumor-suppressor gene called Pten. Lower levels of Pten lead to lower levels of a molecule called microRNA-320 (miR-320) and an increase in the level of a protein called ETS2. Increases in ETS2 levels cause uncontrollable growth in nearby tumor cells.
According to researcher Gustavo Leone,"Our work suggests that modulation of a few key molecules such as miR-320 in noncancer cells in the tumor microenvironment might be sufficient to impede the most malignant properties of tumor cells." The researchers also discovered that when normal cells lose Pten, they induce other normal cells to take on characteristics of cancer cells. It is hoped that information gained from these findings can be used to develop cancer treatments aimed at disrupting the link between the normal cells and cancer cells in tumors.
Learn more about this study:
- Study Reveals How Normal Cells Fuel Tumor Growth EurekAlert!
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Oral Bacteria Can Be Dangerous
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Image Credit: Janice Carr/CDC | |
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria normally found in the mouth play a key role in allowing other bacteria, such as E. coli, to infect the body through the blood. It was discovered that F. nucleatum bacteria contain a substance named FadA that promotes cellular breakdown on blood vessel surfaces. This allows F. nucleatum along with other bacteria in the area to gain access to the blood. Once inside the blood, the microbes can travel almost anywhere throughout the body.
FadA acts as a bonding agent that initiates a cascade of signals that leads to the breaking of bonds between vessel cells. According to researcher Yiping Han, "This cascade knocks out the guard on duty and allows the bacteria to enter the blood and travel like a bus loaded with riders throughout the system. Whenever the F. nucleatum wants to get off the bus at the liver, brain, spleen, or another place, it does." Once the microbes leave the blood, they colonize in the area where they settle. This can lead to serious infections that result in tissue death and even fetal death in pregnant women.
Learn more about this study:
- Oral Bacteria Enables Breaking Bond On Blood Vessels Science Daily