New research shows: key molecules within nerve cells persist throughout life. After two decades in the United States, Martin Hetzer returned home to Austria in 2023 to become the 2nd President of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). A year into his new role, the molecular biologist remains engaged in the realm of aging research. Hetzer is fascinated by the biological puzzles surrounding the aging processes in organs like the brain, heart, and pancreas. Most cells comprising these…

Building tissues and organs during embryonic development involves a remarkable cellular choreography. Orchestrating cells in this process requires special organizers, but it is unclear how these are set in the embryo. A collaboration between research groups at the Physics of Life Excellence Cluster of TU Dresden in Germany, the University of California, and Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s in Los Angeles, have now identified how these special organizers are located in the tissue to orchestrate the formation of teeth. Navigating the complex…

Conditions affecting the arterial vasculature present pressing challenges in global health. Yet, the complex mechanisms underlying artery formation remain elusive, impeding the development of novel treatments. A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, led by Mara Pitulescu and Ralf Adams, have uncovered new insights into how arteries form. Building on their earlier discovery how Notch-signaling directs “tip” cells to become arteries, their latest study published in Nature Communications reveals the crucial role of EphB4 and…

Study shows neutrons can bind to nanoscale atomic clusters known as quantum dots. The finding may provide insights into material properties and quantum effects. Neutrons are subatomic particles that have no electric charge, unlike protons and electrons. That means that while the electromagnetic force is responsible for most of the interactions between radiation and materials, neutrons are essentially immune to that force. Instead, neutrons are held together inside an atom’s nucleus solely by something called the strong force, one of…

Innovative therapy: MHH cardiology can now replace any heart valve in a minimally invasive procedure. First patient receives tricuspid valve without major surgery thanks to innovative catheter system. The human heart has four heart valves. They ensure that the blood flows in the correct direction with every heartbeat. If a heart valve no longer closes properly, it may need to be replaced with a prosthesis. Until now, it was only possible to perform this procedure minimally invasively, i.e. without major…

In a 10-center study, microwave ablation offered progression free survival rates and fewer complications than surgery in the treatment of a form of thyroid cancer known as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), according to research published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The most common type of thyroid cancer, PTC often presents with multifocality, meaning that two or more bumps or nodules (papillae) are found within the thyroid gland. The occurrence of multifocality within…

Recent research underscores the critical role of adipocytes in storing fat, vital for organismal survival. Dysfunctional adipocytes can lead to metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, highlighting the importance of understanding lipid storage mechanisms. A team of scientists led by Helmholtz Munich have developed a novel approach merging proteomics with machine learning to map dynamic changes during adipogenesis. This method reveals new insights into protein regulation, offering potential targets for managing metabolic diseases. Unlocking the Secrets…

HIRI scientists develop a novel statistical approach for more accurate estimation of decay rates. The decay of ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a crucial mechanism for controlling gene expression in response to environmental stresses. Researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) have developed a statistical approach that allows a more accurate prediction of RNA half-lives in bacteria. Using this new method, the team discovered that the RNA half-life in Salmonella is three times…

Researchers led by Ralf Jungmann at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Biochemistry and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, in collaboration with Eugenio F. Fornasiero and Felipe Opazo, both group leaders at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), and Helmholtz Munich, have developed a new super-resolution high-throughput imaging method. Using the new technique, the scientists were able to create a 3D neuronal cell atlas with single-molecule resolution and discovered a previously unknown type of synapse. The results of the study were published…

Low temperature, regenerative process saves energy and efficiently produces common chemical. Among the many chemicals we use every day, ammonia is one of the worst for the atmosphere. The nitrogen-based chemical used in fertilizer, dyes, explosives and many other products ranks second only to cement in terms of carbon emissions, due to the high temperatures and energy needed to manufacture it. But by improving on a well-known electrochemical reaction and orchestrating a “symphony” of lithium, nitrogen and hydrogen atoms, University of…

Researchers from Leipzig and Ulm break new ground for faster diagnosis of the dangerous virus. Researchers at Leipzig University and Ulm University have developed a new method to isolate HIV from samples more easily, potentially making it easier to detect infection with the virus. They focus on peptide nanofibrils (PNFs) on magnetic microparticles, a promising tool and hybrid material for targeted binding and separation of viral particles. They have published their new findings in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. “The…

Specialized nerve cells in the brain inhibit food intake during nausea. Satiety, nausea or anxiety can all lead to a loss of appetite. Delaying eating can be a healthy move by the body to prevent further damage and to gain time for regenerating. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence now identified the circuit in the brain that prevents mice from eating when they feel nauseous. The decisive role is played by special nerve cells in the amygdala…

What makes us human? According to neurobiologists it is our neocortex. This outer layer of the brain is rich in neurons and lets us do abstract thinking, create art, and speak complex languages. An international team led by Dr. Mareike Albert at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD) of TUD Dresden University of Technology has identified a new factor that might have contributed to neocortex expansion in humans. The results were published in the EMBO Journal. What makes us…

… to enhance systemic delivery of cancer immunotherapy. PLGA nanoparticles modified with ATP slowly release anti-cancer drugs and recruit immune cells to fight tumors. Purdue University researchers are developing and validating patent-pending poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), or PLGA, nanoparticles modified with adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, to enhance immunotherapy effects against malignant tumors. The nanoparticles slowly release drugs that induce immunogenic cell death, or ICD, in tumors. ICD generates tumor antigens and other molecules to bring immune cells to a tumor’s microenvironment….

Sweet success: Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease resistance in plants. Modern hybrid sugarcane is one of the most harvested crops on the planet, used to make products including sugar, molasses, bioethanol, and bio-based materials. It also has one of the most complex genetic blueprints. Until now, sugarcane’s complicated genetics made it the last major crop without a complete and highly…

‘Artificial muscles’ help fractured leg bones heal better. Orthopaedic implants are used to fixate the bone fragments of fractures. Novel smart implants are now being developed that can continuously monitor and actively promote bone healing – by, for example, micro-massaging the fracture site. This innovative medical technology is currently under development at Saarland University by an interdisciplinary team of medical specialists, engineers and computer scientists. The team of engineers led by Professors Stefan Seelecke and Paul Motzki have equipped the…