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Categories: Anthropology: Early Humans, Biology: Biotechnology
Published Triggering bitter taste receptors could someday treat asthma, COPD
(via sciencedaily.com) Surprisingly, bitter taste receptors are not only located in the mouth, but also elsewhere in the body, including the airways. Activating those receptors opens up lung passageways, so they're a potential target for treating asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Now, researchers report that they have designed a potent and selective compound that could lead the way to such therapies.
Published How to assemble a complete jaw
(via sciencedaily.com) The skeleton, tendons, and glands of a functional jaw all derive from the same population of stem cells, which arise from a cell population known as neural crest. To discover how these neural crest-derived cells know to make the right type of cell in the right location, researchers focused on a particular gene, Nr5a2, that was active in a region of the face that makes tendons and glands, but not skeleton. To understand the role of Nr5a2, the scientists created zebrafish lacking this gene. These mutant zebrafish generated excess cartilage and were missing tendons in their jaws.
Published Jewel beetles evolve to see new colors by duplicating their genes
(via sciencedaily.com) Jewel beetles are striking insects, easily recognized by their vivid colors and metallic sheen. New research investigated the complex evolutionary history of jewel beetles' vision.
Published Standard model of electroporation refuted
(via sciencedaily.com) Strong electric fields can be used to create pores in biomembranes. The method is known as electroporation. Inducing such defects in membranes in a targeted manner is an important technique in medicine and biotechnology, but also in the treatment of foodstuffs.
Published New biosensor reveals activity of elusive metal that's essential for life
(via sciencedaily.com) A new biosensor offers scientists the first dynamic glimpses of manganese, an elusive metal ion that is essential for life.
Published What 'Chornobyl dogs' can tell us about survival in contaminated environments
(via sciencedaily.com) In the first step toward understanding how dogs -- and perhaps humans -- might adapt to intense environmental pressures such as exposure to radiation, heavy metals, or toxic chemicals, researchers found that two groups of dogs living within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone showed significant genetic differences between them. The results indicate that these are two distinct populations that rarely interbreed. While earlier studies focused on the effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster on various species of wildlife, this is the first investigation into the genetic structure of stray dogs living near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Published eDNA holds the key to safeguarding pollinators amid global declines
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have uncovered new evidence of western pygmy possums interacting with native flowers, providing an eDNA study to simultaneously detect mammal, insect and bird DNA on flowers.
Published Wheat's ancient roots of viral resistance uncovered
(via sciencedaily.com) The DNA sequence of a gene in wheat responsible for resisting a devastating virus has been discovered, providing vital clues for managing more resistant crops and maintaining a healthy food supply.
Published Phage attacks shown in new light
(via sciencedaily.com) New methodology and tools provide an opportunity to watch in unprecedented detail as a phage attacks a bacterium.
Published Rhythmic eating pattern preserves fruit fly muscle function under obese conditions
(via sciencedaily.com) Obese fruit flies are the experimental subjects in a study of the causes of muscle function decline due to obesity. In humans, skeletal muscle plays a crucial role in metabolism, and muscle dysfunction due to human obesity can lead to insulin resistance and reduced energy levels.
Published Biologists, chemical engineers collaborate to reveal complex cellular process inside petunias
(via sciencedaily.com) Once upon a time, prevailing scientific opinion might have pronounced recently published research as unneeded. Now, climate change implications have heightened the need for this line of research. Flowers emit scent chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Earlier this year, a study identified a protein that plays a key role in helping petunias emit volatiles.
Published Fluorescent protein sheds light on bee brains
(via sciencedaily.com) An international team of bee researchers has integrated a calcium sensor into honey bees to enable the study of neural information processing including response to odors. This also provides insights into how social behavior is located in the brain.
Published 74,000 fruit fly brain images released
(via sciencedaily.com) Neuroscience research just got a little bit easier, thanks to the release of tens of thousands of images of fruit fly brain neurons.
Published Waxing and waning of environment influences hominin dispersals across ancient Iran
(via sciencedaily.com) A world-first model of paleoclimate and hydrology in Iran has highlighted favourable routes for Neanderthals and modern human expansions eastwards into Asia. The findings reveal that multiple humid periods in ancient Iran led to the expansions of human populations, opening dispersal route across the region, and the possible interactions of species such as Neanderthals and our own Homo sapiens.
Published Researchers bioengineer an endocrine pancreas for type 1 diabetes
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists recently developed an efficient way to transplant pancreatic islets and demonstrated that the method can effectively reverse type 1 diabetes in nonhuman primates.
Published Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteria produce a molecule that paralyzes immune system cells
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have discovered a strong immunological effect of the molecule LecB -- and a way to prevent it.
Published New study unveils epigenetic 'traffic lights' controlling stop and go for gene activity
(via sciencedaily.com) A major new study reveals a 'traffic light' mechanism controlling genetic activity within cells -- a system which could potentially be targeted by cancer drugs already in development. The research describes how 'epigenetic' changes to the structure of DNA can act as a stop-go signal in determining whether a gene should be read. Unlike our genetic make-up, which is well understood, the world of epigenetics is still largely unexplored and referred to as the 'dark matter' of the genome.
Published Mapping unknown territory
(via sciencedaily.com) A detailed atlas of gene expression in the zebrafish brain.
Published Pink + pink = gold: hybrid hummingbird's feathers don't match its parents
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists thought a gold-throated hummingbird was a new species. DNA revealed that it's a hybrid of two different species, each with pink throats. The discovery sheds light on how birds produce feather colors and how hummingbirds evolved their dazzling hues.
Published Your gut's microbiome, on a chip
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers describe how gut-on-a-chip devices can bridge lab models and human biology. Modeling the microbiome is particularly difficult because of its unique environmental conditions, but through creative design, gut-on-a-chip devices can simulate many of these properties, such as the gut's anaerobic atmosphere, fluid flow, and pulses of contraction/relaxation. Growing intestinal cells in this environment means that they more closely resemble human biology compared to standard laboratory cell cultures.