Calcium homeostasis in the body is maintained through coordination between renal, intestinal and bone tissues. Ingested calcium in the intestine is first absorbed into the blood and then is either deposited into bone or filtered in the kidney and then reabsorbed or excreted in urine. Excretion of large amounts of calcium in the urine, orContinueContinue reading “Molecular link between sodium and calcium transport”
Author Archives: monicascicom
Is caloric restriction a ‘fountain of youth’ for primates?
Since European explorers first probed the New World’s resources, humans have sought a simple but universally effective defense against aging and death. Countless experiments have evaluated the life-extending effects of myriad molecules and manipulations, be they genetic or lifestyle, in animal models. When studies in species from flies to worms to rodents suggested that reducedContinueContinue reading “Is caloric restriction a ‘fountain of youth’ for primates?”
Grb10 grabs control of muscle growth
Studies have shown that deletion of the protein Grb10, which is a negative regulator of receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1, results in excessive muscle growth in mice. Lowenna J. Holt and her colleagues at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney, Australia) investigated this phenotype more closely to determine whether it mightContinueContinue reading “Grb10 grabs control of muscle growth”
Easier estimation of an individual’s ‘body time’
For many organisms, including humans, the activity of certain biological processes and the expression of certain genes and proteins fluctuate predictably over a period of roughly 24 hours. These oscillations are maintained by an internal time-keeping mechanism called the circadian clock. ‘Body time’ refers to the setting of each individual’s circadian clock, which can varyContinueContinue reading “Easier estimation of an individual’s ‘body time’”
A computational view of sea urchin development
As an embryo develops into an adult, each cell follows a genetic ‘script’ comprising an intricate network of interactions between regulatory genes. Extensive research has been done to identify these genes and their interactions in order to build a more detailed understanding of how development progresses. Sea urchin embryos are favored models for such research,ContinueContinue reading “A computational view of sea urchin development”
The tale of the Watanabe rabbit
The Watanabe rabbit is an inbred strain developed from the New Zealand White breed commonly found in laboratories. New Zealand Whites are relatively large rabbits: adult males can weigh 8–10 lb and females up to 12 lb. They have muscular bodies, large hind feet, thick fur and long ears that stand straight up. Because ofContinueContinue reading “The tale of the Watanabe rabbit”
Ad lib feeding confounds toxicology studies
In many experimental protocols, rodents are given unlimited access to food. This allows the animals to overeat, resulting in substantial changes in their metabolism and physiology. Past studies have reported elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol; diet-induced obesity; kidney and heart dysfunction; and greater risks of pituitary, pancreatic, adrenal and thyroid tumors in association withContinueContinue reading “Ad lib feeding confounds toxicology studies”
Piglets offer a peek at early brain development
Stress during early life can affect human cognitive development, but characterizing these effects is challenging, in part because of a lack of appropriate research subjects. A suitable model would be one whose brain development is similar to that of humans and whose cognitive abilities can be evaluated objectively. Rodney Johnson and his colleagues at UniversityContinueContinue reading “Piglets offer a peek at early brain development”
Of mice and microgravity
In the longest animal space journey yet undertaken, three male C57BL/J10 mice flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station and lived there for 91 days in a specially designed housing unit before returning to Earth on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Italian Space Agency funded and organized the project to gatherContinueContinue reading “Of mice and microgravity”
A new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bugs
Drug resistance is a growing public health concern, as new pathogens that are unaffected by current antibiotic treatments continue to emerge. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one potentially lethal example. The resulting search for new types of antimicrobial peptides has led scientists back to nature, as many plants and animals produce peptides with intrinsic antibacterial, antiviralContinueContinue reading “A new weapon against antibiotic-resistant bugs”
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