Everyone knows that mosquitoes bite, but did you know that some species are a bit more selective? The mosquito Wyeomyia smithii can be found in the eastern United States, but only the ones that live south of North Carolina will bite in order to feast on blood. Mosquitoes of the same species that live in […]
There are more than 30,000 people in the United States that cope with Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS destroys the nerves that control movement, and eventually, the ability to breathe. It is caused by alterations in a gene called C9ORF72. This gene is also responsible for cognitive impairment called […]
Dogs may have more in common with humans than you think. Such is the case with an Italian breed of dog called Lagotto Romagnolo. This little dog was raised to sniff out those wonderful truffles and some of them also suffer from neurodegenerative disease symptoms like movement problems and cerebellar dysfunction. Researchers from France and […]
Naked mole rats are hairless, blind, underground dwellers that are remarkably impervious to cancer. But why you ask? Well, researchers at the University of Rochester asked that same question and it turns out a cluster of genes, called the INK4 locus, is the answer. This locus, also found in humans and mice, uses that cluster […]
It appears so! Worms (C. elegans) that are only 1 mm long could help in the treatment of kidney disease that is age related!!! A gene protein named Klotho, which kind of sounds like a Muppet name is the key genetic player that worms and humans have in common. Not that it is the “Fountain […]
Scientists are utilizing information found in two mutated genes in two different viking breed dogs to help not only the canines in the fight against blindness but humans as well. After hearing of a rise in deteriorating eyesight in a rare breed known as the Swedish Vallhund, researchers traveled many miles, testing hundreds of dogs […]
Meningitis-Iron Gladiators Slay Scavengers Fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and a rash could be flu symptoms. But the give-away could be the rash for a case of bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is a life threatening inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, and can be caused by several things. In this […]
Laboratory opossums (Monodelphis domestica) are marsupials that are native to South America. Unlike North American opossums, which are the size of a full-grown cat, they’re only about six inches long. But for such a small size, they’ve made quite an impact in the field of biomedical research. They are excellent research models for a variety […]