New implantable device for fighting muscle atrophy

When a person does not routinely move their muscles, the muscles begin to thin and waste away, a condition known as muscle atrophy. Although muscle atrophy can be treated through exercise, it is not feasible for many patients, including those on bed rest. Scientists have been exploring ways to directly stimulate muscle tissue to promote tissue regeneration...

4m

Researchers identify a protein link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurological illness that hinders brain functions like memory and logic, and it currently has no cure. Scientists have shown Alzheimer’s disease is caused by abnormal protein build-up within and around brain cells. It is also dependent on genetics and aging. People with a family history of Alzheimer’s are more likely...

4d

Shark antibodies used in new antiviral therapies

Since the world experienced the shock of the novel coronavirus in 2019, the original virus has repeatedly evolved into new variants. New variants of viruses like COVID-19 can become unrecognizable to our immune system, meaning even people that have been vaccinated against them can get infected. Scientists therefore want to find new methods to stay at...

6d

Do pregnancy complications increase risk of heart disease?

The World Health Organization estimates there are 140 million births per year. Each represents a unique pregnancy that requires careful medical monitoring of both mother and baby. Pregnancy complications can have serious immediate medical consequences, and some impact the health of both mother and baby in the long term. Medical professionals want to...

2w

Are probiotics good for your health?

Humans are host to a variety of microorganisms. The human intestinal tract actually has more bacteria than human cells. Microorganisms are known to play a variety of roles in the body. Some, like pathogenic viruses and toxins, are harmful to us. Others play a beneficial role in our body, like the treatment or prevention of disease. Scientists are looking...

3w

New therapies to aid muscle regeneration

Movement is essential for all species to interact with their environment. In the human body, cells have to move in order to grow, develop, and thrive. All movements in the human body require energy, so cells use specific processes to convert the food we eat into usable energy at a cellular level. Cells have many compartments that carry out functions...

3w

How smart were the dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs were “monstrous lizards” who dominated Earth for hundreds of millions of years, until an asteroid impact 66 million years ago caused a global mass extinction event. This catastrophe occurred at the transition between the Cretaceous (K) and the Paleogene (Pg) periods, referred to as the K-Pg boundary. Despite the Hollywood archetype of dinosaurs...

4w

Editing traitorous genes to fight cancer

A glioblastoma is an incredibly common and aggressive brain tumor. Patients who are diagnosed with this cancer live a mere 15 months on average, and less than 5% of them live for more than five years. Unfortunately, typical cancer treatments like chemotherapy and surgery are largely ineffective on glioblastoma, since they have a hard time targeting...

4w

Building better robots

When you think of robots, you might imagine human-like droids from science fiction movies. But robots are actually used in many practical applications today. A robot is simply a machine that can execute a task with little human interaction. This includes anything from programmable vacuum cleaners to automated manufacturing arms in an assembly line....

Feb 2023

Underground microbes capture greenhouse gases

The Earth is covered with tiny microscopic life, called microorganisms. Bacteria, fungi, and other types of microorganisms are abundant in soils, rivers, lakes, and the ocean. But did you know that caves are also filled with diverse microorganisms? All microorganisms, including the underground ones, matter for Earth’s climate. They can produce or consume...

Feb 2023