Summary: Depriving glioblastoma brain cancer cells of cholesterol caused tumor regression and prolonged survival in mouse models of the disease, a new study reports. Source: UCSD. In mouse models, alternative approach proves promising against hard-to-treat cancer. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and The Scripps ResearchContinue reading “Depriving Deadly Brain Tumors Of Cholesterol May Be Their Achilles’ Heel”
Category Archives: genes
Lasting First Impressions
Summary: According to researchers, we continue to be influenced by a person’s appearance even after we have interacted with them. Source: Cornell University. Even after having ‘read a book,’ one still judges it by its ‘cover’. A well-known saying urges people to “not judge a book by its cover.” But people tend to do justContinue reading “Lasting First Impressions”
Rare, Severe Neurological Disease Linked to Protein Trafficking Gene
Summary: Researchers have discovered that a severe form of epileptic encephalopathy is caused by recessive loss-of-function mutations in the gene DENND5A. Source: McGill University. Researchers have linked a debilitating neurological disease in children to mutations in a gene that regulates neuronal development through control of protein movement within neuronal cells. The scientists from the MontrealContinue reading “Rare, Severe Neurological Disease Linked to Protein Trafficking Gene”
Upward Mobility Boosts Immunity in Monkeys
Summary: A new study in rhesus monkeys shows the stress of a lower social status can alter the immune system, even in the absence of other risk factors. Source: Duke University. Changes in social status affect the way genes turn on and off within immune cells. The richest and poorest Americans differ in life expectancyContinue reading “Upward Mobility Boosts Immunity in Monkeys”
Connection Found Between Memory Mechanisms And Resistance To Epilepsy
Summary: Researchers identify a specific mechanism that can provide resistance to epilepsy but also damages a specific type of memory. Source: University of Haifa. A new study undertaken jointly by researchers from the Sagol Department of Neurobiology at the University of Haifa and European researchers, published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, exposes a new biologicalContinue reading “Connection Found Between Memory Mechanisms And Resistance To Epilepsy”
New Target Receptor Discovered in the Fight Against Obesity
Summary: Researchers inject a cold virus into a woman’s brain in an effort to eradicate cancer. Source: King’s College London. The team of scientists from King’s College London and Imperial College London tested a high-fat diet, containing a fermentable carbohydrate, and a control diet on mice and looked at the effect on food intake ofContinue reading “New Target Receptor Discovered in the Fight Against Obesity”
Huntington’s Disease Affects Muscles As Well As Neurons
Summary: Researchers report Huntington’s disease is not only a neurodegenerative disease, it is also a disease that affects muscle tissues. Source: Rockefeller University Press. Researchers have discovered that mice with Huntington’s disease (HD) suffer defects in muscle maturation that may explain some symptoms of the disorder. The study, “Progressive Cl− channel defects reveal disrupted skeletalContinue reading “Huntington’s Disease Affects Muscles As Well As Neurons”
Just Watching Hurts! Signs of Pain Seen in the Brain
Summary: Researchers report abnormal activation in areas that respond to normal pain when a person with CRPS witnesses another person experience painful stimuli. Source: Aalto University. Some people claim to experience pain just watching something painful to happen. This is true especially of people suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a disabling chronic painContinue reading “Just Watching Hurts! Signs of Pain Seen in the Brain”
Physically fit children have bigger hippocampal volume
Neuroscientists have reported they have found an association between physical fitness and brain development in children. The report suggests children who are physically fitter tend to have larger hippocampi and perform better in memory based tests than their less fit counterparts. Children’s brain development is linked to physical fitness Researchers have found an association betweenContinue reading “Physically fit children have bigger hippocampal volume”
SIRT1 gene promotes synaptic plasticity and boosts memory
Researchers at MIT have discovered that Sirtuin1, a protein encoded by the SIRT1 gene, promotes synaptic plasticity and boosts memory. The findings could assist in creating new drugs to help combat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases. MIT researchers find that Sirtuin1 may boost memory and learning ability Discovery could lead to new drugs to fightContinue reading “SIRT1 gene promotes synaptic plasticity and boosts memory”
Protein identified that enhances long-term memory by controlling rest intervals
Discovery could lead to treatments for learning and memory deficits, particularly Noonan’s syndrome Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. – As most good students realize, repeated studying produces good memory. Those who study a lot realize, further, that what they learn tends to be preserved longer in memory if they space out learning sessions between rest intervals.Continue reading “Protein identified that enhances long-term memory by controlling rest intervals”
Researchers uncover genetic clues which may lead to better understanding of organ development and birth defects
Using cutting-edge time-lapse photography, Keck School of Medicine researchers have discovered clues to the development of the head at the cellular level, which could point scientists to a better understanding of how organs and birth defects form in humans. A team of researchers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and StemContinue reading “Researchers uncover genetic clues which may lead to better understanding of organ development and birth defects”
Small RNA Identified That Offers Clues for Quieting the ‘Voices’ of Schizophrenia
Summary: A new study identifies a microRNA that may be essential to restoring normal function in a brain circuit associated with auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Source: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists have identified a small RNA (microRNA) that may be essential to restoring normal function in a brain circuitContinue reading “Small RNA Identified That Offers Clues for Quieting the ‘Voices’ of Schizophrenia”
Increased Schizophrenia Risk in Offspring of Mothers With Low Thyroxine Levels During Pregnancy
Summary: Study reveals a link between low levels of a thyroid hormone during pregnancy and schizophrenia in the offspring. Source: Elsevier. A study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals a new link between low levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine during pregnancy and risk of schizophrenia in the offspring. Low levels of free thyroxine in pregnantContinue reading “Increased Schizophrenia Risk in Offspring of Mothers With Low Thyroxine Levels During Pregnancy”