molecular biology

Pandas "tricked" into becoming the world's biggest bamboo fans

Bronwyn Thompson — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:07:42 GMT

Even though they're in the animal kingdom's order of Carnivora – carnivorous species – Giant pandas spend up to 16 hours a day on their backsides eating bamboo. But contrary to the many jokes about the intelligence of these black and white bears, scientists have found that it's not because they're too dumb to know better. It's actually far more fascinating – and gives us insights into how what we eat impacts our genes.

Category: Biology, Science

Tags: China, Animal science, Diet, Nutrition, Bamboo, Plants, Genetics, RNA, molecular biology

"Significant" discovery: How ivy can effectively silence our pain

Bronwyn Thompson — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 19:03:00 GMT

Common ivy is better known as a garden invader or a rather attractive indoor plant that's prone to triggering allergic reactions or irritation. Now, for the first time, it's been found to be extremely effective in blocking pain signals – by invading a key pain receptor.

Category: Chronic Pain, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: Leipzig University, Plants, molecular biology, Chronic pain, Pain, Personalized Medicine

'Hacked' brain hormone targets gut pain – in totally new class of oral drugs

Bronwyn Thompson — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 02:36:24 GMT

A peptide hormone produced in the brain that triggers physiological reproductive responses has been 'hacked' by scientists to form an effective, safe and non-invasive way to treat chronic gut pain. It's being deemed an entirely new class of painkiller.

Category: Chronic Pain, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: University of Queensland, Irritable bowel syndrome, irritable-bowel-disease, Chronic, Pain, Drugs, Drug delivery, Analog, molecular biology, Gastrointestinal

"Bizarre" way ant venom hits a nerve: An exciting new path to pain relief

Bronwyn Thompson — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:47:00 GMT

Insect venom may seem like an unlikely ally in the discovery of new human pain treatments, but the latest findings into the "unique" way a small ant causes us such agony is a big leap forward – and one that's expected to progress rapidly.

Category: Chronic Pain, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: University of Queensland, Pain, Venom Evil, molecular biology, Chronic, ANT+

New class of fat cells that do pointless busywork show weight-loss promise

Michael Irving — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 03:17:05 GMT

We’ve all done it before – spent time and effort on pointless tasks just so we look busy when the boss walks past. But now scientists have discovered a new type of fat cell in the body that does the same thing, burning energy and producing heat with pointless busywork.

Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind

Tags: Fat cells, Beige fat, Brown fat, molecular biology, ETH Zurich, Cells

New compound flips memory back on in Alzheimer's cases

Michael Franco — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:47:00 GMT

Instead of focusing on fighting the plaques linked to Alzheimer's, researchers took a look at boosting electrical oscillations in the brain. The molecule they invented got the job done in mice, offering hope for a new treatment path for humans.

Category: Alzheimer's & Dementia, Brain Health, Body & Mind

Tags: molecular biology, UCLA, Alzheimer's disease, Memory, Brain

World-first tooth-regrowing drug will be given to humans in September

Bronwyn Thompson — Wed, 29 May 2024 06:30:00 GMT

The world's first human trial of a drug that can regenerate teeth will begin in a few months, less than a year on from news of its success in animals. This paves the way for the medicine to be commercially available as early as 2030.

Category: Body & Mind

Tags: Kyoto University, Teeth, molecular biology, Age-Related, Genetics, Dental

Male birth control breakthrough safely switches off fit sperm for a while

Bronwyn Thompson — Fri, 24 May 2024 06:50:54 GMT

A non-hormonal, reversible and non-toxic male birth control could be a step closer, with scientists successfully targeting a protein that's crucial in making fertile sperm. Knocking this protein out for a period of time would give men control over their protection window, much like oral contraceptives for women – but without other side effects and no long-lasting fertility issues.

Category: Body & Mind

Tags: Male Contraceptives, Baylor College of Medicine, Fertility, Contraception, Birth Control, Reproduction, molecular biology

Brain-hacking weight-loss drug works even after you stop taking it

Bronwyn Thompson — Thu, 16 May 2024 07:46:42 GMT

The current breakthrough weight-loss drugs are only the beginning, according to Danish researchers hard at work on a new treatment that targets the brain's natural plasticity, which could offset bad side effects and provide more long-term benefits.

Category: Obesity, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: University of Copenhagen, Ozempic, Obesity, Weight Loss, molecular biology

First synthetic protein motor creates its own fuel as it 'mows'

Paul McClure — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:00:00 GMT

The body uses protein-based molecular motors to perform functions essential to life. Now, researchers have created ‘The Lawnmower,’ the first synthetic motor modeled on those found in nature that propels itself by harnessing the energy it creates as it cuts through fields of proteins. It could transform our treatment of a range of diseases.

Category: Science

Tags: Molecules, Molecular machines, Protein, Simon Fraser University, molecular biology