Microglia are the nervous system’s exclusive immune cells. In a resting state, they resemble long-legged spiders, but when confronted with pathogens or injury, they retract their appendages and balloon into round blobs that engulf and remove the pathogens and other cellular debris. They also eliminate damaged synapses. “The idea that [microglia] can clean up brainContinueContinue reading “Microglia meddle in neural circuitry”
Author Archives: monicascicom
Modeling type 2 diabetes on the fly
The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in the US, making it a major public health concern and the focus of much biomedical research. Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, is linked to obesity and poor diet. Until now, researchers have relied primarily on rodent models for investigations of the mechanismsContinueContinue reading “Modeling type 2 diabetes on the fly”
New concerns about a known contaminant
Exposure to arsenic through drinking water can have deleterious effects on reproductive and developmental processes in humans and animals. As a result, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a maximum acceptable concentration for arsenic in drinking water. This limit was 50 ppb until 2001, when it was reduced to 10 ppb because ofContinueContinue reading “New concerns about a known contaminant”
Folding protein linked to fertility
Researchers led by Masahito Ikawa of Osaka University (Japan) have found that the folding protein PDILT (testis-specific protein disulfide isomerase homolog) has an essential role in fertility in mice. Lab Anim. (NY) 41, 140 (2012). view full text (login required)
Gut bacteria may modify obesity risk
Obesity is a pervasive and potentially lethal public health concern. The concept of energy balance is central to our understanding of obesity: excessive calorie intake combined with minimal physical activity creates a surplus of energy that is stored in the body as fat. This caloric algebra may be accurate, but it is an incomplete descriptionContinueContinue reading “Gut bacteria may modify obesity risk”
Refining zebrafish housing for more reliable results
Zebrafish are becoming more common as subjects in neuroscience studies of behavior and in screens for new treatments of behavioral disorders such as addiction, attention deficits and autism spectrum disorders. The fish are small and reproduce prolifically, making it easy and relatively affordable to house large numbers of them in the laboratory. In addition, theyContinueContinue reading “Refining zebrafish housing for more reliable results”
Tetracycline reduces sperm viability
Despite widespread bacterial resistance, the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline is still commonly used in animal feed and as antimicrobial therapy in the developing world. Tetracycline inhibits mitochondrial translation, and because mitochondria are essential to the processes of spermatogenesis and sperm motility, male reproductive traits may be especially sensitive to its effects. Jeanne A. Zeh and colleaguesContinueContinue reading “Tetracycline reduces sperm viability”
Pure oxygen for pain relief
Chronic pain affects about 76 million people in the US and is usually treated with analgesic drugs (such as morphine, ibuprofen, etc.). But because these medications do not provide complete or sustained relief, alternative solutions for chronic pain management are greatly needed. In the search for alternatives, Yangmiao Zhang and Raymond M. Quock (Washington StateContinueContinue reading “Pure oxygen for pain relief”
Experimental Biology 2012
Six scientific societies came together in San Diego, CA, in April for their joint scientific sessions and annual meetings, creating a ‘super-conference’ called Experimental Biology 2012. The American Association of Anatomists (AAA), the American Physiological Society (APS; celebrating its 125th anniversary this year), the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), the American SocietyContinueContinue reading “Experimental Biology 2012”
The ever-adaptable anole
The green anole (also known as the Carolina or red-throated anole) is a small arboreal lizard found primarily in the southeastern US and Caribbean. It is sometimes called the American chameleon because it can change color from its usual emerald green to brown. Many lizards are capable of this trick, however, and anoles are notContinueContinue reading “The ever-adaptable anole”
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