Muscle damage can be a result of injury, inactivity, or disease. Fortunately, researchers have identified a specific protein called CD163 that halts muscle repair after injury, providing some insight into possible treatments for humans with muscle damage. Working with mice in the laboratory allowed scientists to study this protein, which is produced by white blood […]
Cataracts are a common eye lens clouding problem often brought on by old age. The usual remedy is surgery but with the help of some tiny fish, that may change. Scientists have been studying the lens of the eye of zebra fish and specifically  proteins called alpha crystallins. These act as a clean up system in […]
One of the most difficult things in treating brain tumors is how they can evade treatment. Biologically speaking, brain tumors rely on many different ways to grow. One of those is using growth factors that are important to help keep the body going strong. One of the treatment strategies is interrupt how the brain tumor […]
In a process known as phosphorylation phosphorus connects with a protein in the brain to reset our inner clocks. Triggered by light, this process synthesizes the proteins and resets our “clock” to adjust to our daily environmental cycles. Scientist mutated the protein in mice, gave them running wheels, and altered their light cycles. The mutated mice […]
Osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, occurs in about 1 in every 20,000 live births. This disease can be debilitating; the body has a difficult time forming new bones, and when bones do form, they aren’t very strong, so fractures are common. But now, there may be hope on the horizon for those suffering from […]
Opossums are surprising us again! This time, researchers are looking to opossums to potentially create a better antidote for snakebite victims. Interested? Read on! Researchers found that opossums have a specialized protein in their systems that protects them from certain types of snake venom. The protein binds with snake venom and helps to neutralize it […]
Ticks are one of those arachnids that give most people the creeps. I know that I’ve shuddered when pulling them off my dogs during the spring and summer months, and they’re the last thing I want to see crawling on my leg! But these little bloodsuckers might actually be able to help humans in a […]
Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, while you’re reading this article, two Americans will be diagnosed with the disease. Fortunately, researchers are working hard to find answers, and new findings show that a molecule occurring naturally in humans could possibly delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. In […]
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 […]
Tilapia is a popular fish, one that you’ll often find on the menu. But this fish might become much more popular, because it’s possible that tilapia could help heal your wounds, as well! Collagen is a major structural protein in animals. It’s known that applying collagen to a wound can help the skin heal faster. […]