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Fibroblasts in the penis are more important for erectile function than previously thought
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Fibroblasts in the penis are more important for erectile function than previously thought

by Karolinska Institutet Credit: CC0 Public Domain Regular erections could be important for maintaining erectile function, according to a new study on mice published in Science by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. “We discovered that an increased frequency of erections leads to more fibroblasts that enable erection and vice versa, that a decreased frequency results in fewer...

New Technology Unscrambles the Chatter of Microbes
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New Technology Unscrambles the Chatter of Microbes

As part of a large collaboration with scientists around the world, researchers from the University of California San Diego have developed a new search tool to help researchers better understand the metabolism of microorganisms.Microbes are key players in virtually all biological and environmental systems, yet limitations in current techniques used to study microbial metabolism make...

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Bacteria’s natural self-destruct mechanism used to fight infections

By Paul McClure Researchers have harnessed a bacterial self-defense mechanism to fight infectionRechkoblit et al. A new study has demonstrated that a natural bacterial defense mechanism against invading viruses can be used as a weapon to combat bacterial infection. The finding opens the door to new anti-bacterial therapeutics, particularly important in the face of rising antibiotic...

‘Obelisks’: Entirely New Class of Life Has Been Found in The Human Digestive System
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‘Obelisks’: Entirely New Class of Life Has Been Found in The Human Digestive System

By TESSA KOUMOUNDOUROS Scanning electron micrograph of human microbiome sample. (Science Photo Library/Canva)Peering into the jungle of microbes that live within us, researchers have stumbled across what seem to be an entire new class of virus-like objects. “It’s insane,” says University of North Carolina cell biologist Mark Peifer, who was not involved in the study,...

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Destroying tumor cells with calcium

Activating calcium channels leads to a deadly influx of calcium ions into tumor cellsPeer-Reviewed Publication WILEY Calcium ions are essential for cells, but can be toxic in higher concentrations. A team of researchers has now designed and prepared a combination drug that kills tumor cells by modulating the calcium influx into the cell. An external...

Cholangiocyte Biology and Its Implications in Cholangiopathies
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Cholangiocyte Biology and Its Implications in Cholangiopathies

By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D.Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc. The biliary system comprises extrahepatic bile ducts, intrahepatic bile ducts, and the gallbladder. The intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tree is lined with epithelial cells known as cholangiocytes. These epithelial cells are associated with vital physiologic processes that are crucial for normal body functioning. Considering the importance...

Hepatic TRPC3: An emerging regulator of alcohol-associated liver disease
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Hepatic TRPC3: An emerging regulator of alcohol-associated liver disease

by Higher Education Press The proposed model of hepatic TRPC3-regulated ALD. Credit: Qinchao Ding, Rui Guo, Liuyi Hao, Qing Song, Ai Fu, Shanglei Lai, Tiantian Xu, Hui Zhuge, Kaixin Chang, Yanli Chen, Haibin Wei, Daxi Ren, Zhaoli Sun, Zhenyuan Song, Xiaobing Dou, Songtao LiExcessive alcohol intake is strongly associated with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) which...

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Allergy-specific nanoparticles target immune cells, prevent anaphylaxis

By Paul McClure Researchers have created a nanoparticle decorated with antibodies that targets the cells responsible for allergic reactionsEvan A. Scott/Northwestern University Researchers have created a nanotherapy that selectively targets and shuts down the immune cells responsible for causing an allergic response in mice, preventing anaphylaxis. Able to be tailored to specific allergens, the novel nanomedicine...

Long COVID fatigue linked to malfunctioning mitochondria
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Long COVID fatigue linked to malfunctioning mitochondria

What causes fatigue after exercise in people with long COVID? Image credit: M Stone/Stocksy.At least 65 million people globally have long COVID.The most common symptoms of long COVID include post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, brain fog, sleep problems, and fatigue, which can have a severe impact on a person’s life.Researchers are still unsure why some people...

Improved cellular recycling could benefit patients with neurodegenerative conditions
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Improved cellular recycling could benefit patients with neurodegenerative conditions

Peer-Reviewed Publication THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN NON-FUNCTIONING PARTS OF THE CELL LIKE DAMAGED PEROXISOMES (PICTURED IN YELLOW) ARE NOT RECYCLED PROPERLY. ON THE RIGHT IS AN IMAGE FROM THE KIM-BANDSMA LAB SHOWING CELLS WITH DISRUPTED RECYCLING, AND ON THE LEFT IS A CELL WITH FUNCTIONING RECYCLING. CREDIT: THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN (SICKKIDS). For...