Researchers at Brown University and Cincinnati Children’s found that suppressing opsin 3 in the brain of mice makes them eat less, raising new questions about the mechanisms involved in regulating human metabolism. Scientists discovered years ago that the hypothalamus — which helps to manage body temperature, hunger, sex drive, sleep and more — includes neurons that express the protein opsin 3 (OPN3). Far less clear, however, was what this light-sensing protein does so deep inside the brain. A study published in PNAS…
Sotagliflozin, a drug recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat type 2 diabetes and kidney disease with additional cardiovascular risk factors, can significantly reduce heart attack and stroke among these patients, according to results from an international clinical trial led by a Mount Sinai researcher. Sotagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitor. It blocks the function of two proteins, known as SGLT1 and SGLT2, which move glucose and sodium across cell membranes and help control blood sugar…
Big leap for regenerative medicine to treat ageing but intact skeletal muscle Tokyo, Japan – Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a way to treat ageing-related muscular atrophy using regenerative medicine. Conventional methods to implant myoblasts, precursors to muscle fiber, required prior scarring for the new cells to graft properly. By adding extracellular matrix (ECM) fluid into the implant, the team successfully grafted myoblasts onto healthy muscle in mice. Their technique opens the way for using implantation to treat…
In the hunt for the target of a cone snail toxin, researchers established a new pipeline that can help identify molecular interactions and may assist with drug discovery When scientists develop new molecules—whether for the purposes of agriculture, species control, or life-savings drugs—it’s important to know exactly what its targets are. Thoroughly understanding a molecule’s interactions, both intended and unintended, is crucial for ensuring its safety and efficacy. A cone snail toxin known to affect both insects and fish inspired…
UFZ researchers detect microscopic plastic particles on alpine glaciers with the help of mountaineers Nanoplastics – plastic particles smaller than 1 µm – are widely dispersed because of their low weight. A research team coordinated by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) has now published an article in Scientific Reports that shows the extent to which glaciers at an altitude of more than 3,000 m in the Alps are polluted by nanoplastics. The researchers relied on citizen science to…
A new Nature publication shows how soil invertebrates influence the world beneath our feet and thus also ecosystem services worldwide. Based on a press release from Sun Yat-senUniversity Since the Industrial Revolution, global changes have led to a decline in biodiversity. To address these changes, it is crucial to understand what constitutes healthy ecosystems – and how to protect and build them. A new meta-analysis by an international research team, including Prof. Nico Eisenhauer from the German Centre for Integrative…
Polythioenones: a step toward a circular economy for synthetic polymers The possibilities for material design and production of plastic components are being expanded through 3D printing technology. However, there is a shortage of recyclable polymers that meet the performance requirements. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, a research team has introduced a new class of polymers called polythioenones, which are mechanically and chemically recyclable and suitable for 3D printing. They also demonstrate better mechanical properties than conventional polyolefins—thanks to a special,…
Called PAC-MANN, the test developed at OHSU could help save lives A new blood test could help doctors detect pancreatic cancer earlier, potentially improving survival rates for one of the deadliest cancers. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a test called PAC-MANN, the abbreviation for “protease activity-based assay using a magnetic nanosensor,” which uses a small blood sample to detect changes in protease activity — a key indicator of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or PDAC, the most common…
New paper clearly classifies most at-risk species to help California fisheries managers prioritize efforts Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the marine species most vulnerable to the changing climate’s effect on California’s coastal waters, a new study led by UC Santa Cruz researchers finds. In a paper published on February 12 in the journal PLOS Climate, the team seeks to help the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in its efforts to develop and implement climate-ready…
A physics professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a heart for transfer students has received the Cottrell Scholar Award. Established in 1994, the award honors and helps to develop outstanding teacher-scholars who are recognized by their scientific communities for the quality and innovation of their research programs and their academic leadership skills. Assistant Professor of Physics Lawrence “Larry” Lee of UT’s College of Arts and Sciences will receive $120,000 over three years from the Research Corporation for Science…
Researchers find a master epigenetic switch that activates silenced genes to compensate for their missing counterparts in a rare genetic disease called Prader-Willi syndrome Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a promising new approach that could be used to treat a rare and complex class of genetic diseases caused by defects in a relatively large region of the genome. By identifying and activating a master epigenetic switch using CRISPR, the researchers showed they can turn on many naturally suppressed…
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah has received a federal contract award that will broaden access to specialized cancer care for Utah’s rural and frontier patients. “Huntsman Cancer Institute has a vast area to support across the Mountain West. Rather than having our patients come to us, whenever possible, we want to find ways to go to them,” says Kathi Mooney, PhD, RN the principal investigator, co-leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and distinguished professor in the College…
As solar energy plays an increasing role in the global power supply, ensuring accurate forecasts of photovoltaic (PV) power generation is critical for balancing energy demand and supply. A new study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences explores how machine learning and statistical techniques can refine these forecasts by correcting errors in weather models. Weather forecasts are a key input for PV power prediction models, yet they often contain systematic errors that impact accuracy. Researchers from the Institute of Statistics…
Despite 2023 and 2024 ranking as the warmest years on record, extreme cold events still gripped parts of China, Europe, and North America. A new study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science investigates the paradox of these record-breaking cold spells and assesses future risks in a changing climate. Led by Professor Qian Cheng from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Aiguo Dai from the University at Albany, State University of New York,…
Observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope help to explain the cluster’s mysterious starburst, usually only seen in younger galaxies. The core of a massive cluster of galaxies appears to be pumping out far more stars than it should. Now researchers at MIT and elsewhere have discovered a key ingredient within the cluster that explains the core’s prolific starburst. In a new study published in Nature, the scientists report using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe the Phoenix cluster —…
New study uncovers how specific genetic mutations influence cancer treatment outcomes A groundbreaking study led by USC Assistant Professor of Computer Science Ruishan Liu has uncovered how specific genetic mutations influence cancer treatment outcomes—insights that could help doctors tailor treatments more effectively. The largest study of its kind, the research analyzed data for more than 78,000 cancer patients across 20 cancer types. Patients received immunotherapies, chemotherapies and targeted therapies. Using advanced computational analysis, the researchers identified nearly 800 genetic changes that directly…
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