The appearance of Chimp is significantly different from humans, although the creature is close relative of our human beings. Recently, a paper published in Cell has revealed the molecular mechanisms that causes face structural differences between two species that have the same genetic background. The researchers pointed out that the key point lies in how the gene involved in the genetic diversity is regulated, the level of the regulation…
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New Pathway Links Epigenetics And Aging Was Found
It has been widely acknowledged for nearly ten years that epigenetic marks change as cells age. For instance, Sir2, which is implicated in the association between calorie restriction and lifespan, is known to affect metabolic pathways and alter the acetyl marks on histones. While, in the latest study, scientists have found another pathways that links epigenetic and aging-H3K36 methylation and it decreases as yeast and worm cells age. “This…
Novel Explanation for “Runner’s High”
Running is a pleasant thing. And the happiness, freedom and the feeling of energetic is never just owing to the function of endorphin. A recent study published on Cell Metabolism suggested that dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, has influence on this so-called “runner’s high” too. The researchers pointed out that this “reward effect” in exercise is under the regulation of leptin, which can inhibit the body’s physical activity through dopamine…
Why Human Beings Are Called the Lord of Creation?
Why human beings are the most intelligent animals on the planet? Researchers at the University of Toronto gave an answer to it these days. This owes to a key molecular events. Studies have shown that a small change of PTBP1 protein controls the generation of neurons, helping mammals to evolve larger and more complicated brains. The size and complexity of the brain of vertebrates has significant difference. For example, humans…
Mutant Mice Are More Intelligent?
A recent study has found that by inhibiting the expression of PDE4B protein, mice can have higher cognitive abilities. Compared to normal mice, the genetically modified mice were able to remember more distant events, and can solve more complex problems. This study, conducted by a Joint Task Force of Canadian and British, was published in the latest issue of “Neuropsychopharmacology”. Phosphodiesterase-4B is a common enzyme in vertebrates. This enzyme is…
Cell launched Four Featured Cancer Immunotherapy Reviews
Although it has been years since the idea of using immune system to fight against cancer come into being, only until recent years do scientists find some successful treatment strategies. By manipulating the immune checkpoints and T cell activation to exert anti-tumor activity, immunotherapy has been applied to a wider range of malignancies now, while it only showed therapeutic potential in several types of cancers in the very beginning. Recently…
Obesity? Novel Gene Accounted for That Was Found!
Recently, a research paper published in Nature Communications, has claimed that a key gene that leads to obesity was found. The genes presents in all cells of the body, and it can encode a protein called 14-3-3ζ. The researchers pointed that when silencing the expression of gene in the mouse body, a special type of unhealthy white fat in the mice body would decrease by 50%. This kind of fat…
What’s Your Body Posture During Sleep?
First, question asked. What’s your posture during your sleep? Lying On Side, Lying Flat or Lying On Front? New study results have shown that lying on one’s side may help prevent Alzheimer disease. A report on the Journal of Neuroscience claimed that compared to lying flat and lying on one’s front, lying on one’s side can more efficiently remove the waste of the brain. And this posture was also proven…
Novel Approach for Identifying Protein Interaction Was Found
Protein interaction refers to intentional physical contacts established between tow or more proteins as a result of biochemical events or electrostatic forces. There are a multitude of methods to detect protein interaction. And the most widely used methods are yeast two-hybrid screening and affinity purification. Each of the approaches has its own strengths and weakness with regard to the sensitivity and specificity of the method, reliably validating these techniques presents…
β2 microglobulin was found to be related to memory loss
The next time you forget where you have left your keys, you can blame an immune protein called β2 microglobulin (B2M) that builds up in your blood as you age. B2M impairs the formation of new brain cells and contributed to age-related loss–study found in mice. If we block this protein, we might be able to prevent the memory decline or cognitive disorders, according to the researchers. Not only this…