How Faulty Messaging Between Organs Accelerates Aging
The Tale of the Tail: Clues from Mice As mice age, their tails often become stiff and kinked. However, in the lab of molecular biologist Shin-Ichiro Imai at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, certain genetically modified mice maintained limber and nearly straight tails even as they aged. These mice displayed other signs […]
U.S. Plans to Alter Researcher Access to Health Data Spark Concerns
Proposed Changes to Medicare and Medicaid Data Access Health researchers are currently contesting a plan by the U.S. government that could dramatically alter how they access a vast array of health data from federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which collectively support the medical needs of approximately 140 million people. With a looming deadline of […]
Which Wild Animals Carry COVID-19?
Ambitious Research to Monitor Virus Transmission Between Humans and Animals Amid the rugged terrain of California’s Mission Creek Preserve, a significant scientific endeavor is taking place. A helicopter, carrying an unusual cargo of four desert bighorn sheep each secured in individual bags, lands near a makeshift field lab at the base of barren desert mountains. […]
New Approach of NSF to Safeguarding Research
The Challenge of Balancing Security and Scientific Freedom The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is at the forefront of funding basic research, exemplified by its $571 million investment in the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. This facility, set to start operations next year, represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the cosmos, […]
Embracing Placental Stem Cell Therapies without FDA Approval
A Revolutionary Law Challenges Federal Regulation In an audacious move that has stirred both excitement and concern within the medical community and beyond, the state of Utah has enacted a groundbreaking law that permits the use of placental stem cell therapies not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This bold statute, which […]
aRukon: Online Marketplace for Animal Samples
In a groundbreaking initiative, scientists in Spain have developed an online marketplace named aRukon, designed to enable researchers to share and sell unused animal samples such as tissues and organs. This first-of-its-kind platform aims to significantly reduce waste and save animal lives by facilitating the exchange of biological materials that would otherwise be discarded. Here’s […]
Can Babies Infected with HIV Be Cured?
The Unprecedented Case of the Mississippi Baby: A Beacon of Hope in the Fight Against HIV Over a decade has passed since the medical community was captivated by the case of the “Mississippi baby,” a newborn who tested positive for HIV shortly after birth. In an unprecedented move, the baby was administered antiretroviral treatment (ART) […]
Why are all proteins left-handed?
The Enigmatic Bias in the Building Blocks of Life The foundation of life exhibits a fascinating bias that puzzles scientists: almost all proteins are made of amino acids that are “left-handed.” This preference exists despite both mirror-image forms of amino acids, resembling left and right-handed gloves, being theoretically equally prevalent in the early days of […]
Why New Research Security Rules Are Pending at the White House?
The United States stands at a crucial juncture in safeguarding its academic research from external threats, amidst bipartisan consensus on the vulnerabilities posed by international actors, notably China. Despite this agreement, the implementation of protective measures, initiated in the final days of the Trump administration, faces significant delays under the Biden White House. This policy, […]
Exploring Peptide YY: Balancing Hunger and Gut Immunity
Peptide YY (PYY), a hormone traditionally known for its role in appetite regulation, has recently emerged as a key player in maintaining gut health and immunity. This new revelation, stemming from research at the University of Chicago, sheds light on the multifaceted functions of PYY, expanding our understanding of gut health and potential therapeutic approaches. […]
