All posts from Last Month
- April 20, 2013
- 08:17 AM
- 52 views
Eosinophils trigger stem cells to repair damaged muscle tissue
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
Eosinophil granulocytes, or simply Eosinophils, are white blood cells responsible for combating multicellular parasites and certain infections. However, a new study on mice, by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) suggests that they may also be crucial for muscle regeneration.Read More... Read more »
Heredia, J., Mukundan, L., Chen, F., Mueller, A., Deo, R., Locksley, R., Rando, T., & Chawla, A. (2013) Type 2 Innate Signals Stimulate Fibro/Adipogenic Progenitors to Facilitate Muscle Regeneration. Cell, 153(2), 376-388. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.02.053
- April 20, 2013
- 04:00 AM
- 33 views
Will the droids take academic jobs?
by Artem Kaznatcheev in Evolutionary Games Group
As a researcher, one of the biggest challenges I face is keeping up with the scientific literature. This is further exasperated by working in several disciplines, and without a more senior advisor or formal training in most of them. The Evolutionary Game Theory Reading Group, and later this blog, started as an attempt to help [...]... Read more »
Davis, A., Wiegers, T., Johnson, R., Lay, J., Lennon-Hopkins, K., Saraceni-Richards, C., Sciaky, D., Murphy, C., & Mattingly, C. (2013) Text Mining Effectively Scores and Ranks the Literature for Improving Chemical-Gene-Disease Curation at the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. PLoS ONE, 8(4). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058201
- April 20, 2013
- 03:17 AM
- 85 views
Probabilities reveal shape of climate change
by Andy Extance in Simple Climate
David Stainforth from the London School of Economics and his colleagues have developed a new way to analyse weather data and understand which aspects of climate have changed most on a local level, showing European trends with less than a 2% chance of happening at random.... Read more »
Chapman, S., Stainforth, D., & Watkins, N. (2013) On estimating local long-term climate trends. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 371(1991), 20120287-20120287. DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2012.0287
- April 19, 2013
- 11:13 PM
- 94 views
Potential benefits of an ET-1 signaling antagonist in multiple sclerosis
by Aurelie in The Immuno Blog
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system, which leads to a variety of neurological symptoms. Although there is currently no cure for MS, several drugs are available to try and modify … Continue reading →... Read more »
D'haeseleer M, Beelen R, Fierens Y, Cambron M, Vanbinst AM, Verborgh C, Demey J, & De Keyser J. (2013) Cerebral hypoperfusion in multiple sclerosis is reversible and mediated by endothelin-1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(14), 5654-8. PMID: 23509249
- April 19, 2013
- 08:25 PM
- 75 views
Does Tylenol Exert its Analgesic Effects via the Spinal Cord?
by The Neurocritic in The Neurocritic
What do we (not) know about how paracetamol (acetaminophen) works? (Toussaint et al., 2010). . .From the beginning, the focus of the search for paracetamol’s analgesic mechanism has concentrated on the central nervous system. When administered intraventricularly [i.e., directly into the ventricular system of the brain], acetaminophen produces no significant analgesia (115, 132). This finding lead to attempts to inject acetaminophen into the spinal cord (i.t.), which produced marked dos........ Read more »
Toussaint, K., Yang, X., Zielinski, M., Reigle, K., Sacavage, S., Nagar, S., & Raffa, R. (2010) What do we (not) know about how paracetamol (acetaminophen) works?. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 35(6), 617-638. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01143.x
- April 19, 2013
- 04:03 PM
- 106 views
Alice and Bob communicate without transferring a single photon
by Perikis Livas in Tracing Knowledge
If physical particles did not carry information between sender and receiver then what did?... Read more »
Edwin Cartlidge. (2013) Alice and Bob communicate without transferring a single photon. Physicsworld.com. info:/
- April 19, 2013
- 03:55 PM
- 119 views
Researchers discover new promising drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
Researchers from the Harvard University reported today that by using a new, stem cell-based, drug-screening technology they have found a compound, called kenpaullone, that is cost-effective and more efficient than current drugs are in treating patients suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).Read More... Read more »
Yang, Y., Gupta, S., Kim, K., Powers, B., Cerqueira, A., Wainger, B., Ngo, H., Rosowski, K., Schein, P., Ackeifi, C.... (2013) A Small Molecule Screen in Stem-Cell-Derived Motor Neurons Identifies a Kinase Inhibitor as a Candidate Therapeutic for ALS. Cell Stem Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.04.003
- April 19, 2013
- 03:16 PM
- 70 views
The Curious Case of the Earworm (Part 1)
by Melissa Chernick in Science Storiented
I have had “Thrift Shop” stuck in my head for what seems like days.Yes, it is always on the radio, and yes, I usually listen to it when it is playing. Don't judge me. But why (*Stella scream* wwhhhhyyyyy!) has it established a permanent residence in my brain? I’m going to use a few studies to make the case that it isn’t my fault; I’m led around by my biochemistry. Basically, I’m blaming it on my neurons.Hmmm…where to start. Let’s try to figure out why we like a song (or music in ........ Read more »
Salimpoor, V., Benovoy, M., Larcher, K., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. (2011) Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience, 14(2), 257-262. DOI: 10.1038/nn.2726
Salimpoor, V., van den Bosch, I., Kovacevic, N., McIntosh, A., Dagher, A., & Zatorre, R. (2013) Interactions Between the Nucleus Accumbens and Auditory Cortices Predict Music Reward Value. Science, 340(6129), 216-219. DOI: 10.1126/science.1231059
- April 19, 2013
- 01:38 PM
- 91 views
Researchers discover stem cell senescence is linked to aging
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
As animals age, humans included, the levels of the "Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1 beta" protein (BubR1) drop. Past studies, clearly show that declined BubR1 levels are associated with cell senescence (ageing), weight loss, muscle atrophy and cataracts. Now, a new study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic sheds new light in how stem cell senescence is linked to BubR1 decline and how age-related tissue deterioration may be partially reversed by removing stem cells........ Read more »
Baker, D., Weaver, R., & van Deursen, J. (2013) p21 Both Attenuates and Drives Senescence and Aging in BubR1 Progeroid Mice. Cell Reports. DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.03.028
- April 19, 2013
- 01:20 PM
- 81 views
Google Promises We'll Feel Better in the Summer
by Elizabeth Preston in Inkfish
Shakespeare wasn't kidding about the "winter of our discontent." In the colder and darker months, people do more internet searches for mental health terms, from anxiety and ADHD all the way to suicide. Search patterns also promise that like a refreshed browser window, better times are due to arrive soon.
John Ayers, of the Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health in San Diego, and other researchers dove into Google Trends to explore whether certain searches vary by season. "Se........ Read more »
Ayers, J., Althouse, B., Allem, J., Rosenquist, J., & Ford, D. (2013) Seasonality in Seeking Mental Health Information on Google. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(5), 520-525. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.01.012
- April 19, 2013
- 11:32 AM
- 72 views
UCLA researchers identify molecule that reduces malignancy risk in stem cell therapies
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
One of the major problems researchers face when culturing stem cells for therapeutic purposes, is the possibility of malignant cells arising from stem cells that have failed to differentiate properly. However, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), may have solved this problem, as they have discovered a new agent that can be used to remove any undifferentiated stem cells from the rest of the specialized cells.Read More... Read more »
Dabir, D., Hasson, S., Setoguchi, K., Johnson, M., Wongkongkathep, P., Douglas, C., Zimmerman, J., Damoiseaux, R., Teitell, M., & Koehler, C. (2013) A Small Molecule Inhibitor of Redox-Regulated Protein Translocation into Mitochondria. Developmental Cell, 25(1), 81-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2013.03.006
- April 19, 2013
- 09:02 AM
- 144 views
Gary, diets don't work including yours!
by Daniel Bassett in Chew the Fat
In a recent essay by Gary
Taubes in BMJ he discusses the issues with the current scientific
approach to weight loss and how this can be remedied. Gary Taubes is
an exceptional writer, he is eloquent and articulate, and this fact
alone makes what he claims believable. The problem I find is he does
such a good job refuting the 'calories matter' hypothesis that you
tend to just believe what he says afterwards. But what he fails to do
is shine the same light of criticism on his own ........ Read more »
Taubes, G. (2013) The science of obesity: what do we really know about what makes us fat? An essay by Gary Taubes. BMJ, 346(apr15 5). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f1050
Santos FL, Esteves SS, da Costa Pereira A, Yancy WS Jr, & Nunes JP. (2012) Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials of the effects of low carbohydrate diets on cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 13(11), 1048-66. PMID: 22905670
- April 19, 2013
- 07:21 AM
- 96 views
Depression: Watch Out For Contagion
by Katja Keuchenius in United Academics
If you’re vulnerable to depression it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have certain unlucky genes or just experienced a traumatic event. What also makes you vulnerable for the mental disorder is the way you think. And even if you don’t yet have this style of thought, you could pick it up from your roommate, a new study suggests.... Read more »
Haeffel, G., & Hames, J. (2013) Cognitive Vulnerability to Depression Can Be Contagious. Clinical Psychological Science. DOI: 10.1177/2167702613485075
- April 19, 2013
- 07:15 AM
- 101 views
Queen’s chemists discover simpler method of making ‘wonder material’
by Perikis Livas in Tracing Knowledge
Researchers at Queen’s University have discovered a cheaper method for making a substance similar to graphene, a wonder material discovered in 2004.... Read more »
Queen’s University. (2013) Queen's chemists discover simpler method of making 'wonder material'. Queen’s University News. info:/
- April 19, 2013
- 06:55 AM
- 17 views
Loss of FLCN increases longevity in C. elegans
by Lizzie Perdeaux in BHD Research Blog
Several signalling pathways – namely the mTOR, HIF and insulin signalling pathways – are known to slow ageing and increase longevity under certain conditions. This is a topic of much research, and was discussed at the recent “Talks about TORCs” … Continue reading →... Read more »
Gharbi H, Fabretti F, Bharill P, Rinschen M, Brinkkötter S, Frommolt P, Burst V, Schermer B, Benzing T, & Müller RU. (2013) Loss of the Birt-Hogg-Dubé gene product Folliculin induces longevity in a hypoxia-inducible factor dependent manner. Aging cell. PMID: 23566034
- April 19, 2013
- 05:18 AM
- 93 views
‘Living fossil’ genome unlocked
by Perikis Livas in Tracing Knowledge
Like lungfish, the other surviving lineage of lobe-finned fishes, coelacanths are actually more closely related to humans and other mammals than to ray-finned fishes such as tuna and trout. Ancient lobe fins were the first vertebrates to brave the land, and the coelacanth genome is expected to reveal much about the origins of tetrapods, the evolutionary line that gave rise to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, says lead author Chris Amemiya, a biologist at the University of Washington in S........ Read more »
Woolston, C. (2013) ‘Living fossil’ genome unlocked. Nature, 496(7445), 283-283. DOI: 10.1038/496283a
- April 19, 2013
- 05:16 AM
- 94 views
Lazarus sign - A natural yet weird-looking phenomenon
by Usman Paracha in SayPeople
Main point:
Lazarus sign, also known as Lazarus reflex, is a complex form of reflex movement of the arms in brain dead patients.
Study Further:
In this phenomenon, the arms of the brain dead patients or the patients with brainstem failure raises to the chest and often fall crossed on to the body (in a place that you may have seen in some of the Egyptian mummies). “The arms flex quickly to the chest from the patient's side, the shoulders adduct, and in some patients, the hands........ Read more »
Ropper, A. (1984) Unusual spontaneous movements in brain-dead patients. Neurology, 34(8), 1089-1089. DOI: 10.1212/WNL.34.8.1089
- April 19, 2013
- 03:53 AM
- 79 views
Decoding the structure of bone
by Perikis Livas in Tracing Knowledge
[...] a team of researchers at MIT has finally unraveled the structure of bone with almost atom-by-atom precision, after many years of analysis by some of the world’s most powerful computers and comparison with laboratory experiments to confirm the computed results [...]... Read more »
David L. Chandler. (2013) Decoding the structure of bone. MIT News Office. info:/
- April 19, 2013
- 03:44 AM
- 74 views
Highly extraverted sales people perform more poorly
by Alex Fradera in BPS Occupational Digest
What sales manager wouldn't hire extraverts? They tend to be comfortable in interactions, naturally display enthusiasm and confidence for their own ideas, and can be firm and persistent when they meet with resistance to their agenda. Scrutinise many sales forces and you'll probably spot this reasoning at work.Yet research finds weak and sometimes inconsistent relationships between sales performance and extraversion, with three meta-analyses finding the summed effects to amount to .07 - a non-sig........ Read more »
Grant, A. (2013) Rethinking the Extraverted Sales Ideal: The Ambivert Advantage. Psychological Science. DOI: 10.1177/0956797612463706
- April 19, 2013
- 03:29 AM
- 96 views
Gold nanoparticles penetrate and disrupt our stem cells
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
Today, gold and gold nanoparticles can be found almost everywhere, including personal care products, solar cells, rheumatoid arthritis drugs, MRI contrast agents etc. Generally, gold is universally recognised as the most inert of metals. However, a new study suggests that gold nanoparticles actually interact with our adipose stem cells, inhibiting their function and causing aging, wrinkling, slowed wound healing and even the onset of diabetes.Read More... Read more »
Mironava, T., Hadjiargyrou, M., Simon, M., & Rafailovich, M. (2013) Gold nanoparticles cellular toxicity and recovery: Adipose Derived Stromal cells. Nanotoxicology, 1-13. DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2013.769128
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