Neutrophil extracellular traps initiate gallstone formation
The presence of gallstones is a highly prevalent, painful, and devastating disease. It is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions worldwide. Super-saturation and precipitation of calcium salts has long been considered the reasons for stones
Purification and characterization of a better-behaved Alzheimer’s disease protein
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an incurable disease that causes memory, reasoning and thinking to deteriorate over time. AD is marked by brain atrophy and plaque-like deposits of a small peptide called amyloid beta (Aß) outside of brain
A novel gene controlling tiller development in barley
Tillering or branching is an important agronomic trait closely related to crop yield. It is well documented that the yield of cereal crops, including wheat, rice and barley can be improved by manipulating tillering. The “Green Revolution,”
Excess nutrients cause environmental deterioration in the Bohai Sea, China
The introduction of excess nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) to coastal areas can have a series of impacts. One of the most common is eutrophication—the enrichment of water with surplus nutrients, which accelerates the growth of algae.
Role of AMPK and PKA pathways in chicken spermatozoa functions
Spermatozoa functions include delicate and high energy consuming processes like motility and the ability to perform acrosome reaction, i.e. the fusion of the spermatozoa head cytoplasmic membrane and the underlying outer acrosomal membrane, so that the acrosome
Selenium: mercury ratio in the whale shark from the Gulf of California
Mercury (Hg) is one of the main toxic pollutants, which is released into the environment from natural and anthropogenic activities. In contrast, selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, which is required for growth and development. The uptake
The stress of dieting: what a rat model may tell us about weight loss in women
In the United States, obesity and concomitant diseases such as hypertension and diabetes have soared in older adults—and obesity is especially pronounced in women after menopause. Numerous strategies are used to combat excess weight, with the most
Why do some people self-harm under distress? Harvard study suggests impulse control is key
Self-harm, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), refers to people intentionally hurting themselves without intending suicide. Common examples include cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. A growing number of adolescents and young adults report NSSI – yet most have no
Orexin signaling promotes initial alcohol consumption
Orexins (orexin-A, orx-A and orexin-B, orx-B) are neuropeptides expressed exclusively in hypothalamic neurons of the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area. They mediate their effects through activation of two G-protein coupled receptors, the orexin-1-receptor (Orx1R) and orexin-2-receptor (Orx2R).
Bioinspiration on the lotus leaf surface to develop hydrophobic films
The production and application of synthetic materials in food packaging has grown quickly over the past few decades, resulting in serious environmental concerns due to the resistance to degradation of these synthetic materials. In recent years, the
Plant digestive juice: replenish or not?
Carnivorous tropical pitcher plants from the genus Nepenthes produce elaborate pitcher organs with digestive glands to trap and digest insect prey in nitrogen poor soil. The content of pitcher fluids has been the focus of many studies,
Other components of less common oilseeds are much more beneficial for health than their unsaturated fats
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to be some of the most important nutrients and health promoting constituents, the presence of which is usually insufficient in a daily diet, which in turn is often connected with their
Finding ‘someone like me’: key benefits of non-12-step alcohol online support groups
Problem drinking is a significant issue in the UK with a 20% increase in deaths from specific alcohol-related causes in 2020. UK and USA national guidance on treating problem drinking recognises the importance of peer support in
Exercise inhibits cancer: the mechanosensitive state of tumor cells
Surprisingly, researchers find that tumor cells are sensitive to mechanical stresses. This may provide new ways to treat cancers without the severe side-effects of many therapies. Because mechanosensitivity of cancer cells is found quite generally, it appears
Hibernating chipmunk’s brain senses loss of energy
The vast majority of mammals maintain their body temperature around 40°C throughout their lifetimes; however, hibernating mammals are an exception. Hibernation is an important adaptation to survive harsh conditions, such as frigid environments or starvation. It is
Chicago data suggests light pollution disrupts animals’ biological clocks and reduces habitat value
Population growth, economic development, and urbanization mean more ecosystems are lit throughout the night. Ecologists and astronomers, among other concerned folks, have been raising the alarm that “ecological light pollution” is disrupting ecosystems’ natural cycles of light
Arming macrophages to stop cancer progression
Macrophages are a type of immune cells that fight infection and support tissue remodeling. They are best known as phagocytes which engulf bacteria and damaged cells stimulating other immune cells. In addition, macrophages assist wound healing processes
The efficacy of L-Mesitran Medical Grade Honey for wound care in rhinos was supported by a prospective case series
South Africa is home to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife, with the White rhinoceros (Cerathotherium simum) among its most threatened species due to its highly sought-after horn. The number of poached rhinos is dropping over
Lung ultrasound. A field for misconceptions… and friendships
Born from the wreckage of the Titanic, used in the marine then industry, ultrasound impacted medicine in the 50s. However, the lung has always been considered as not accessible to this simple, noninvasive, cost-cutting discipline. This assumption
Rethink before taking extra amino acid supplements
Diet is important to fuel growth and cellular machinery and thus, plays an important role in the survival of a living organism. One of the important components of our diet is protein, which is made of different
