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In a new study, researchers from the University of Copenhagen discovered an unknown mechanism of how cells ‘remember’ their identity when they divide – the cells’ so-called epigenetic memory. As time passes and we get older, many cells need to replenish themselves. They do so by dividing into new cells: Heart cells, skin cells and …
As the brain ages, a region in the hippocampus becomes imbalanced, causing forgetfulness. Scientists say understanding this region of the brain and its function may be the key to preventing cognitive decline. Working with rats, neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins University have pinpointed a mechanism in the brain responsible for a common type of age-related memory …
Mount Sinai scientists have discovered a neural mechanism that is believed to support advanced cognitive abilities such as planning and problem-solving. It does so by distributing information from single neurons to larger populations of neurons in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that temporarily stores and manipulates information. It is well established that …
Image: Super-resolution microscopy image of a migrating human osteosarcoma cell. MAGENTA MARKS FOCAL ADHESIONS, AND GREEN NON-MUSCLE MYOSIN II (NMII). F-ACTIN BUNDLES ARE SHOWN IN GREY Image credit: University of Helsinki, Jaakko Lehtimaki Research has uncovered how motor protein myosin, which is responsible for contraction of skeletal muscles, functions also in non-muscle cells to build …
In the same way that Lego pieces can be arranged in new ways to build a variety of structures, genetic elements can be mixed and matched to create new genes, according to new research. A long-proposed mechanism for creating genes, called exon shuffling, works by shuffling functional blocks of DNA sequences into new genes that …
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have discovered a new enzymatic function of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) protein EBNA1, a critical factor in EBV’s ability to transform human cells and cause cancer. Published in Cell, this study provides new indications for inhibiting EBNA1 function, opening up fresh avenues for the development of therapies to treat EBV-associated …
According to a report published in the journal Cell Reports, intense light therapy may help to protect the heart from tissue damage and boost heart health; findings suggest this could potentially be helpful to those who have had a heart attack, especially before surgery. “If the therapy is given before high risk cardiac and non-cardiac …
Legendary reputation of this spice can precede itself, particularly if you are from the East. Kaempferia parviflora is renowned for its effects on male sexuality, endurance, sexual prowess, and increasing libido. Viagra works via a mechanism known as phosphodiesterase inhibition: Phosphodiesterase-5 in particular is an enzyme that cleaves a bond into the compound cAMP known …