Inhibitory inputs from the basal ganglia inhibit thalamic neurons (upper). In low-dopamine states, like PD, rebound firing follows inhibition and causes movement disorders (middle). The inhibition of rebound firing alleviates PD-like symptoms in a mouse model of PD. A KAIST research team has identified a new mechanism that causes the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s...
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Sleep deprivation can rapidly reduce the symptoms of depression
A new study affirms the long observed phenomenon of sleep deprivation reducing symptoms of depression It may sound counter-intuitive, but for decades it has been known that sleep deprivation can rapidly alleviate symptoms of depression. A new meta-analysis from a team at the University of Pennsylvania has examined more than 30 years worth of...
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‘Labyrinth’ Chip Could Help Monitor Aggressive Cancer Stem Cells
ANN ARBOR–Inspired by the Labyrinth of Greek mythology, a new chip etched with fluid channels sends blood samples through a hydrodynamic maze to separate out rare circulating cancer cells into a relatively clean stream for analysis. It is already in use in a breast cancer clinical trial. Tumor cells isolated from blood samples have the...
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New regulator for liver regeneration
The liver (orange) is the body’s detoxification centre and can regenerate completely after injury. By performing large-scale proteomics analysis of liver proteins, ETH researchers have discovered a protein that is essential for liver regeneration. They have also figured out the mechanism of the protein’s function. The liver is a wonderful thing: it’s the only...
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Fresh blood for damaged tissues via alginate hydrogels
Ischemia is a serious medical condition in which the flow of blood and delivery of oxygen to tissues is restricted, thus resulting in pain, weakness, and more seriously, tissue and organ damage. Ischemia in muscle tissue, most commonly as a result of atherosclerosis, leads to life-threatening diseases like coronary artery disease and stroke, but...
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How the Internet of cells has biologists buzzing
Networks of nanotubes may allow cells to share everything from infections and cancer to dementia-linked proteins. Karine Gousset/Chiara Zurzolo/Pasteur Institute Prions spread between mouse cells through tunnelling nanotubes. Yukiko Yamashita thought she knew the fruit-fly testis inside out. But when she carried out a set of experiments on the organ five years ago, it ended...
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Less physical therapy can be just as effective
New study results may help shorten queues to see the physiotherapist by reducing excessive treatment The queues for treatment with physiotherapists in Norwegian municipal clinics are often long. Perhaps unnecessarily long. It’s a scenario that is probably true across the Western world. Now, however, a comprehensive analysis of different treatments sheds light on what works...
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Hormone Replacement Therapy Won’t Cause Early Death, Long-Term Study Finds
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, there’s a dissent. Some would say outright it leads to early death, while some would reject such a notion, arguing the process isn’t as harmful as originally perceived. A new study weighs in on that debate. Replacing Hormones: Harmful Or Not? Hormone replacement therapy, in which a combination of...
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Pancreatic islets study may spur diabetes treatment advances
Chunhua Dai, M.D., left, Alena Shostak and colleagues have succeeded in stimulating insulin-producing human beta cells to grow in living tissue, an achievement that could lead to better treatments for diabetes. Investigators in the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (VDRTC) and collaborators at Stanford University have discovered new insights into the molecular mechanisms...
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Alarm as ‘super malaria’ spreads in South East Asia
The rapid spread of “super malaria” in South East Asia is an alarming global threat, scientists are warning. This dangerous form of the malaria parasite cannot be killed with the main anti-malaria drugs. It emerged in Cambodia but has since spread through parts of Thailand, Laos and has arrived in southern Vietnam. The team at...