monicascicom

State of the (research) chimp

Because they are our closest animal relatives, the use of chimpanzees in research has brought about both valuable advances for human health and intense ethical controversy. The US is one of very few countries that currently allow research on chimpanzees. Both the European Union and the UK already prohibit invasive research on chimpanzees. In 2010,ContinueContinue reading “State of the (research) chimp”

The amazing, regenerating axolotl

The axolotl is a salamander that does not undergo metamorphosis: adults remain aquatic and keep their gills. They owe their unique appearance in part to these feathery, protruding gills, arranged in three paired stalks behind their heads. Axolotls also have a distinctive caudal fin stretching from the head almost to the vent. Their blunt snoutsContinueContinue reading “The amazing, regenerating axolotl”

Serotonin’s new role in the liver

In liver disease, the balance between regeneration of healthy tissue and scar formation (or fibrosis) is disrupted. Hepatocyte regeneration gives way to fibrosis, leading to cirrhosis and cancer. The mechanisms that control this balance are poorly characterized; a better understanding may lead to better management strategies for chronic liver disease. Now, a study led byContinueContinue reading “Serotonin’s new role in the liver”

Shielding mice from radiation toxicity

Exposure to radiation harms the body by damaging rapidly dividing cells, including those in the intestine, allowing potentially pathogenic bacteria to escape into the bloodstream and cause infection. Antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolone, are therefore frequently used as a treatment for radiation exposure. Radiation also depletes a protein called bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), which normally acts toContinueContinue reading “Shielding mice from radiation toxicity”

Synapse dysfunction linked to mental illness

Although mental illnesses are primarily considered human disorders, investigators have attempted to model certain aspects of these disorders in animals to facilitate study of the underlying mechanisms. In such studies, researchers have noted that gene mutations can elicit certain abnormal behaviors in rodents that are very similar to isolated symptoms of mental illness in humans.ContinueContinue reading “Synapse dysfunction linked to mental illness”

Snake venom points out a new pain pathway

Natural toxins, such as snake venom, are used by various organisms for protection against potential predation. These toxins work by creating irritation, disease or pain in predators. Their mechanisms of action are of interest to researchers because they may elucidate new or poorly understood biological processes, such as those involved in pain sensation, nerve activationContinueContinue reading “Snake venom points out a new pain pathway”

Disrupting bacterial binding to treat infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) present a substantial health problem for women, particularly when infections are chronic, recurrent or recalcitrant because of pathogenic mechanisms or antibiotic resistance. In the US, about 15 million women suffer from UTIs each year; 20–40% of women experience recurring infections. Healthcare costs associated with UTIs exceed $2.5 billion per year inContinueContinue reading “Disrupting bacterial binding to treat infections”

Cannabinoids prevent post-traumatic stress

Previous work by Eti Ganon-Elazar and Irit Akirav (University of Haifa, Israel) suggested that cannabinoids might have a role in treating stress and anxiety disorders. Recently, the two researchers specifically examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder whose hallmark symptoms include an exaggerated acoustic startle reflex and enhanced negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.ContinueContinue reading “Cannabinoids prevent post-traumatic stress”

Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms

The links between diet, obesity, exercise and arthritis have been the focus of much research attention, partly because arthritis is estimated to affect as many as 20% of adults in the US. One form of arthritis, called osteoarthritis, is characterized by inflammation, joint degeneration and development of osteophytes (bony outgrowths around joints), resulting in pain.ContinueContinue reading “Exercise alone relieves arthritis symptoms”

Sirtuins under scrutiny

The protein called silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) was first discovered in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It belongs to a highly conserved family of proteins christened sirtuins, which are found in almost all organisms and are involved in responses to stressors, such as heat and starvation. In 1999, Sir2 was reported to increase lifespan inContinueContinue reading “Sirtuins under scrutiny”