Subject |
Comments |
Views |
Author |
Date Written |
Elephants possess tumour fighting genes that prevent cancer
|
view preview
Having more cells usually puts one at a higher risk for cancer - but not for the elephant. Despite packing 100 times as many cells as humans, this towering animal can keep cancer at bay thanks to extra copies of a tumor-fighting gene. Researchers found that Asian elephants harbor 30 to 40 copies of the gene that encodes the protein p53, one of the most important mechanisms for preventing cancer and maintaining cell division. If cells have DNA damage that could spawn tumors, p53 prevents them from dividing until they make repairs or spurs them to commit suicide. In contrast, humans sport only two copies of the gene for p53, and so does elephants’ closest living relative, the rock hyrax. The extra copies probably accumulated millions of yea ...
|
|
|
1 |
9944 |
duddy |
8 years ago |
Peanut allergies could be a thing of the past
|
view preview
New research from the University of Chicago in the US shows that a class of bacteria known as Clostridia can block peanut allergies in mice, and suggests it could be used to treat similar conditions in humans. Clostridia is one of the types of bacteria killed off by antibiotic use in early childhood, and this research supports the emerging theory that increased antibiotic use is one of the factors that has caused food allergies in kids to rise by 50% since 1997. Source: http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20142708-26075.html ...
|
|
|
1 |
6266 |
duddy |
9 years ago |
Good bacteria helps to defend your brain
|
view preview
The microbes that live in your body outnumber your cells 10 to one. Recent studies suggest these tiny organisms help us digest food and maintain our immune system. Now, researchers have discovered yet another way microbes keep us healthy: They are needed for closing the blood-brain barrier, a molecular fence that shuts out pathogens and molecules that could harm the brain.
|
|
|
4 |
6138 |
duddy |
9 years ago |
Watch these white blood cells destroy this roundworm
|
view preview
White bloods cells, known scientifically as leukocytes, are immune system cells that fight infect. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. Sometimes our bodies encounter pathogens like bacteria, or in this case a parasitic worm. Roundworms, or nematodes, are parasites that can infect people by living and feeding in the intestines. There are different kinds of worms that can cause infection, and they can range in length from 1 millimeter to 1 meter. Luckily, this worm was no challenge for these hungry white blood cells. ...
|
|
|
2 |
5094 |
duddy |
8 years ago |
Vulnerability to tuberculosis
|
view preview
If you’re not already acquainted, meet Mycobacterium tuberculosis – a wildly successful bacterium that has marched in lockstep with our population growth and history. The cause of tuberculosis, this bacterium is said to infect a new host every single second. Research lead Caitlin Pepperell from University of Wisconsin-Madison remarked, "Evolutionary theory predicts that M. tuberculosis populations should be vulnerable to extinction. Yet it is obviously highly prevalent. It must have some incredibly clever strategies and tricks to hang on." A paper published last month in PLoS Pathogens investigated 63 genomes from the bacteria and related pathogenic mycobacteria to gain insight into how natural election pressures have shaped its evolution and ...
|
|
|
0 |
3413 |
duddy |
10 years ago |
|
1 |
2881 |
duddy |
10 years ago |
Finally, a video game where you build a cell, fight off viruses, and survive harsh worlds
|
view preview
CellCraft is a truly great flash game about building, controlling, and surviving as a human cell, viewed at the microscopic scale. I was surprised to find how accurate the game was, depicting organelles correctly and even conversion ratios of glucose to ATP. The game is a great primer for those who wish to learn some cell biology, or even for those of us who know plenty about the cell but want a refresher without cracking open a textbook.
|
|
|
0 |
2000 |
duddy |
9 years ago |
|