New research has revealed that fish embryos actively control their hatching timing through a neurohormone, Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH), which triggers the release of enzymes that dissolve the egg wall. This groundbreaking discovery uncovers a previously unknown neural mechanism that governs a critical life-stage transition, showing that embryos are not passive but instead actively make life-or-death decisions. The finding has significant evolutionary implications, offering new insights into neurobiology, survival strategies, and environmental adaptation in vertebrates. Dr. Matan Golan of the Hebrew…

– a promising target for treating pain. Cellular studies reveal neuropilin-1 is required for signaling pain and may offer a new approach for developing or repurposing therapies to address chronic pain. Researchers at the NYU Pain Research Center have found a new receptor for nerve growth factor that plays an important role in pain signaling, even though it does not signal on its own, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The findings hold promise for…

Liquid water molecules are inherently asymmetric. Icebergs float on liquid water, 4°C cold water sinks to the bottom: With its anomalies, water still poses a number of scientific puzzles. Researchers led by Johannes Hunger at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research have investigated the bonds between a water molecule and its neighbors in the liquid phase. They have discovered that the distances to neighboring molecules are not just randomly distributed: The two hydrogen atoms of a water molecule form…

Kumamoto University scientists have unveiled a novel compound, HPH-15, with dual effects of reducing blood glucose levels and combating fat accumulation, marking a significant leap in diabetes treatment innovation. Type 2 diabetes, a condition affecting millions worldwide, is often accompanied by complications like fatty liver and insulin resistance, which challenge current treatment methods. The research team, led by Visiting Associate Professor Hiroshi Tateishi and Professor Eiichi Araki, has identified HPH-15 as a promising alternative to existing medications like metformin. The…

Speed and precision unlocked… A novel computational technique offers a faster, more accurate approach for measuring bioactive carotenoids, reducing error rates and analysis time. Carotenoids, the pigments responsible for the vibrant hues of tomatoes, carrots, and some seafood, are well-regarded for their antioxidant effects and health benefits. A few examples of commercially significant carotenoids are lycopene, β-carotene, and astaxanthin. These compounds are frequently used in functional foods, skincare products, and dietary supplements. However, the bioactivity of these carotenoids depends heavily…

Glyphosate exposure exacerbates Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology in mice even after a significant pause from exposure. The human brain is an incredibly adaptable organ, often able to heal itself even from significant trauma. Yet for the first time, new research shows even brief contact with a common herbicide can cause lasting damage to the brain, which may persist long after direct exposure ends. In a groundbreaking new study, Arizona State University researcher Ramon Velazquez and his colleagues at the Translational Genomics Research Institute…

With a novel approach, EMBL scientists discovered important interactions between molecular machines, potentially offering new opportunities for drug development. Choosing a film for a movie night is always a battle. Now imagine if you could pick one that provided a window into some of the most fundamental biological processes that keep us alive. For the first time ever, researchers have captured a real-time molecular movie to show how two essential cellular processes – transcription and translation – interact with each…

Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) investigated the seasonal variation in glucosinolates and their enzymatic hydrolysis products in red and white cabbage, as well as broccoli. The results provide crucial insights for cultivating and utilizing these vegetables for healthy diets and functional food production. The study was carried out on the IGZ experimental fields in Großbeeren in three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022. It revealed that red cabbage shows significant variation in the amounts…

Researchers at TU Delft have discovered that E. coli bacteria can synchronise their movements, creating order in seemingly random biological systems. By trapping individual bacteria in micro-engineered circular cavities and coupling these cavities through narrow channels, the team observed coordinated bacterial motion. Their findings, which have potential applications in engineering controllable biological oscillator networks, were recently published in Small. An audience clapping in rhythm, fireflies flashing in unison, or flocks of starlings moving as one – synchronisation is a natural…

The novel high-throughput-bioprinting technique opens the door for tissue fabrication with high cell density at scale. Three-dimensional (3D) printing isn’t just a way to produce material products quickly. It also offers researchers a way to develop replicas of human tissue that could be used to improve human health, such as building organs for transplantation, studying disease progression and screening new drugs. While researchers have made progress over the years, the field has been hampered by limited existing technologies unable to…

Researchers from the Organoid group (previously Clevers group) at the Hubrecht Institute have developed a new organoid that mimics the human fetal pancreas, offering a clearer view of its early development. The researchers were able to recreate a complete structure that includes the three key cell types in the pancreas, which previous organoids couldn’t fully mimic. Notably, the team identified a new stem cell that develops into the three cell types. These findings, published in Cell on December 2nd, could help…

Culinary foam made from the whites of chicken eggs makes baked goods light and airy. In the LeguFoam project, Fraunhofer researchers are working on a plant-based alternative made from legumes. “More and more people are consciously maintaining a healthy diet and also looking for ethical unproblematic vegan products. We are addressing this need with the LeguFoam project,” explains Dr. Maike Föste, senior research scientist in the Food Process Development department at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV…

Worldwide, consumption of sugar has risen steadily in recent decades even though this food contributes to cavities, high blood pressure and widespread health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the joint research project NovelSweets, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME have teamed up with partners to use methods derived from biotechnology to produce innovative, protein-based sweeteners. Their goal is to replace sugar and existing sugar alternatives, especially in beverages. The…

An international research team with the significant involvement of Augsburg University Medicine has made significant progress in the risk assessment and treatment of extracranial malign rhabdoid tumours. Recently published in the renowned journal “Clinical Cancer Research,” the study, “Clinical and Molecular Risk Factors in Extracranial Malignant Rhabdoid Tumours: Toward an Integrated Model of High-Risk Tumours,” shows how clinical and molecular factors can influence disease progression and contribute to improvements in individual treatment. Malign rhabdoid tumours are rare and affect around…

It’s a big year for microRNAs. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who discovered the first microRNA in 1993. Today, we know that humans make more than 1,000 different microRNAS. These molecules are critical for building and maintaining healthy bodies, so it’s crucial that they’re made the right way. Errors in microRNA manufacture can put us at risk for developmental disorders, cancer, or neurodegenerative disease. To learn how cells accurately generate…

Defibrillator with sternum electrode implanted for the first time at Göttingen University Medical Center to prevent sudden cardiac death. At the Heart Center of the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), a new type of defibrillator with a sternum electrode was implanted for the first time in a patient with cardiac arrhythmia: The Aurora system is a defibrillator that lies outside the heart and prevents sudden cardiac death. According to the German Heart Foundation, around 65,000 people die of sudden cardiac…