Author Archives: karen
A combination therapy to induce apoptosis in difficult-to-treat cancer cells
The presence of activated PI3K-AKT is a major obstacle to successful chemotherapies. Since PI3K-AKT is activated in many healthy tissues, chemical inhibitors of PI3K-AKT inevitably have many unwanted side effects. By using a cholesterol-targeting drug called beta-cyclodextrin
A new approach to measure and evaluate inhibitory activity against protein glycation during heating
Glycation is the addition of a sugar moiety into a protein molecule occurring during Maillard reaction. It takes place both endogenously in the body and exogenously in food products. So-called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), lead to
How does phytohormone abscisic acid regulates plant flowering time?
Optimum of flowering time is most important for modern agricultural production system, especially for crops yield and seeds quality. Furthermore, during the lifecycle of a plant, one of the most attractive biological processes in plant research field
Processes mediating contaminant removal in Fe0/H2O systems: Coping with a highly dynamic system
The use of adsorption processes for water treatment purposes is a very old stuff. According to Egyptian and Sanskrit inscriptions, water was treated using filtration as early as 200 B.C. Its working principle is quite simple: its
A novel approach to identify primitive CD34+ stem cells
Stem cells are important for living organisms for many reasons, as they are capable of renewing themselves as well as to expand to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Adult stem cells exist throughout the body after embryonic
Sponge toxin kills lung and breast cancer cells in mice
Peloruside A is a potent toxin that was isolated from a New Zealand marine sponge. It has a similar mechanism of action to the commonly used taxane-type anticancer drugs, including paclitaxel and docetaxel, that block the action
Embedding etiquette skills in science course assists undergraduate career preparation
In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, the age-old custom and etiquette of writing a thank-you note may often be forgotten. Educators often assume undergraduates have mastered the art of crafting a thoughtful and articulate thank-you note by the
Rust proofing the humble oat: wild cousins to the rescue
Crown rust is a disease caused by the fungus Puccinia coronata (Pc) that leads to a reduction in grain-yield of the oat crop and other cereals. Rust diseases of oat and cereals like wheat and barley result
Crab shells to value-added chemicals by combining chemical and physical forces
Shells of crabs and shrimps are a great resource for producing a variety of valuable chemicals. The exoskeleton of these animals is made up of a polymer chitin, which is the most abundant marine biomass on our
What type of immune responses are needed to control HIV infection?
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection can be controlled by antiretroviral therapy (ART) for long periods of time, preventing the development of HIV-induced immunodeficiency and AIDS. However, HIV-1 infection cannot be eradicated from immune cells by ART and
Can we help infertile couple suffering from in vitro fertilization arrest with ca2+ ionophore?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an infertility treatment technique developed to help infertile couples to conceive child. ICSI is performed by injecting one spermatozoon (male gamete) into cytoplasm of an oocyte (female egg) in vitro in assisted
Botox injections: a “bittersweet” medicine
Despite being one of the most deadly neurotoxins known to man, Botox has become a popular cosmetic treatment for reducing facial wrinkles. Originally, Botox injections were used for reducing uncontrolled movements caused by neuromuscular disorders that impaired
Mason bees lose their ways after drinking the pesticide Clothianidin
Pesticides are widely used in modern agriculture to protect field crops, but are suspected to harm pollinating insects. In December 2013, the European Commission imposed a moratorium of using three neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam) for
Time to tweak tremendously tiny trisoligonucleotide-tetrahedrons
DNA is most commonly known as the carrier of genetic information in all living beings on earth. For a chemist DNA is nothing more than a large molecule that can be artificially recreated in the lab on
The unappreciated role of the median eminence in energy balance regulation
Obesity results from a sustained imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure. It is associated with an increased risk of developing a variety of medical conditions that are widespread in Western countries, such as type 2 diabetes
Living on the edge: Planctomycetes at the oxic / anoxic interface in northern wetlands
Peat – accumulating northern wetlands make up approximately one-third of the global soil organic carbon pool. Nutrient – poor and acidic conditions, as well as low temperatures and decay – resistant Sphagnum moss-dominated vegetation, result in low
Building capacity where it is needed
Once thought to be affecting only affluent countries, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and other life-style related diseases (collectively referred to as non-communicable diseases or NCD) are now the leading cause of death and disability also in developing
3D environment enhance cellular capacities
Although we live under the 3D (three-dimensional) environment, drug testing is carried out usually by using isolated cells cultured under the 2D (two-dimensional) environment. Liver is a very important organ which metabolizes glucose, alcohol, lipids (e.g. cholesterol)
A resource for studying the role of RNA-binding proteins in human disease
Advances in science and technology have not only made accessing and analyzing the personal genomic information a reality but also rapid and cost effective. Every living organism is made of cells and every cell is made of
Mothers of children with autism report worse immunity
Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) report higher levels of parenting stress than almost any other group of parents of children with disabilities. In addition, parents of children with ASD often report high levels of
