Tag Archives: scientists

New Strategy Revealed by Scientists to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

Posted on by
Reply







Document

The urgent crisis of antibiotic-resistant superbugs is being solved in groundbreaking research by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Microbiotics. Their research focuses on disrupting the pathogen’s type 3 secretion system, providing a new approach to preventing infectious diseases. This strategy, supported by innovative luciferase-based technology, could pave the way for new drugs, improve our understanding of microbial infections, and lead to major advances in public health. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

The team is developing tests to identify new drugs that neutralize pathogens and provide substantial benefits to public health.

Antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” could overwhelm efforts to eradicate “superbugs” are an imminent public health crisis, with more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occurring each year, according to the CDC disease is occurring. Researchers around the world are struggling to address this challenge.

Recently, a collaborative team of researchers led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and including scientists from biopharmaceutical companies microbiologypublished in a magazine ACS infection They said they have successfully learned how to interfere with a key mechanism used by pathogens to infect host cells, called the type 3 secretion system. Additionally, the researchers report that they have developed a test to identify the next generation of drugs that target this vulnerable cellular machinery and have real benefits for public health.

A typical strategy when treating microbial infections is to attack the pathogen with antibiotics, which work by entering and killing harmful cells. This is not as easy as it sounds. New antibiotics need to be water-soluble so they can easily pass through the bloodstream, and oil-based to cross the cell membranes that are the first line of defense of pathogenic cells. Of course, water and oil don’t mix. It is difficult to design a drug that has enough of both properties to be effective.

The type 3 secretion system relies on two proteins, PopB and PopD (red and blue), which form tunnels in the host cell wall.

That’s not the only problem. Antibiotics can’t cause any harm because pathogenic cells have developed something called an “efflux pump” that can recognize them and safely pump them out of the cell. If an antibiotic cannot overcome the efflux pumps and kills the cell, the pathogen will “remember” what that particular antibiotic is and create additional efflux pumps to deal with it efficiently. Develop. This means that they become resistant to that particular antibiotic.

One way forward is to find new antibiotics or combinations of them to stay one step ahead of superbugs.

“Or you could change your strategy,” says Alejandro Heuch, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and lead author of the paper. “I am a chemist and have always been interested in understanding how chemical molecules interact with living organisms. In particular, I understand the communication between pathogens and the host cells they try to invade. We have focused our research on molecules that make this possible. If we don’t try to kill the pathogen, there’s no chance that the pathogen will develop resistance. We’re just jamming that machine. The pathogen is still alive. It’s just ineffective, and the host has no chance of developing resistance. You have time to use your natural defenses to eliminate the pathogen.”

Heuck and his colleagues are particularly interested in a communication system called the type 3 secretion system, which so far is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation unique to pathogenic microorganisms. Understanding host-pathogen interactions.

Like pathogenic cells, host cells have thick and impermeable cell walls. To overcome these, pathogens first developed syringe-like machines that secreted two proteins known as PopD and PopB. Neither PopD nor PopB can break through the cell wall on their own, but together the two proteins can create a “translocon,” the equivalent of a tunnel through the cell membrane. Once the tunnel is established, the pathogenic cell can inject other proteins that serve to infect the host. This entire process is called the type 3 secretion system, and it cannot function without both PopB and PopD. “If you don’t try to kill the pathogen, there’s no chance of it developing resistance,” Huke says. We’re just jamming that machine. The pathogen is still alive. It’s just ineffective, and the host needs time to use its natural defenses to eliminate the pathogen.

Heuck and his colleagues realized that a type of enzyme called luciferase (similar to what makes lightning bugs glow at night) could be used as a tracer. They split the enzyme into two halves. Half of it was integrated into the PopD/PopB protein and the other half was integrated into the host cell.These engineered proteins and hosts can receive a large influx of different compounds. If the host cell suddenly glows, it means that PopD/PopB has broken through the cell wall and recombined her two halves of luciferase, causing it to glow. But what if the cells remain dark? “Then we can see which molecules disrupt the translocon,” Huke says.

Huke was quick to point out that his team’s research not only has obvious applications in the pharmaceutical and public health worlds, but also advances our understanding of exactly how microbes infect healthy cells. “We wanted to study how pathogens work, and suddenly we realized that our discoveries could help solve public health problems,” he said.

Reference: “Cell-based assay to determine translocon assembly of the type 3 secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa using split luciferase” by Hanling Guo, Emily J. Geddes, Timothy J. Opperman and Alejandro P. Heuck , November 18, 2023 ACS infection.DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00482

This research was supported by the Massachusetts Amherst Applied Life Sciences Institute, a Healey Foundation grant, and National Institutes of Health.


Source: scitechdaily.com

Scientists identify five previously unknown soft-furred hedgehog species in Southeast Asia

Posted on by
Reply

Five new species of hedgehogs have been discovered by scientists in Southeast Asia.

These are all types of hedgehogs that have soft, spineless fur, and are more hairy than spiny.

Two of the species discovered by researchers are completely new, and the remaining three are subspecies that have been upgraded to species level.

image:
H. maxi is found in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Photo: David Orcock/SWNS

Researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History used DNA to identify different genetic lineages, which were later confirmed as different species by comparison with museum specimens.

One completely new species, Hylomys vorax, is found in the rainforest on the slopes of Mount Leuser in northern Sumatra.

It is approximately 12 cm (4.7 inches) long, has dark brown fur, a very thin snout, and a completely black tail.

Another completely new species, the H. macaron hedgehog, also has dark brown fur, but is larger than the Hylomys vorax hedgehog, at about 14 cm (5.5 inches) long.

Found in southern rainforests. Vietnam Males of this species have long fang-like incisors, hence their name from the Vietnamese word for vampire (Ma cà rồng).

The researchers said further research would be needed to determine what purpose the tusks serve.

Lead author Dr. Arlo Hinckley said the findings “highlight that even in well-studied animal groups like mammals, there are discoveries still waiting to be discovered.”

The other three new species were previously considered subspecies of Hylomys suillus but have now been elevated to species in their own right and have been named H. dorsalis, H. Maxi, and H. peguensis. Masu.

The H. dorsalis hedgehog is found in the mountains of northern Borneo, and the H. maxi hedgehog is found in the mountains of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Both are about 14 cm long, but H. dorsalis has a prominent black strike that starts at the head and reaches the middle of the body.

The H. pegwensis species is small, usually about 13 cm (5 inches) long, and has slightly more yellow fur than other species.

read more:
Day of mourning after the Prague shootings
Woman charged with murdering 4-year-old son
Alex Batty speaks after returning to Japan

It is found in many countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.

Each of the five species are active during the day and night and, like all other hedgehog species, are omnivorous. They probably eat a mixture of insects and other invertebrates, and fruit whenever possible.

Dr Hinckley said: “Based on field observations and the lifestyle habits of their relatives, these hedgehogs tend to forage in hollow areas, foraging among tree roots, fallen logs, rocks, grassy areas, undergrowth and leaf litter. It is highly likely that they build nests and hide.

“But they are so poorly studied that we are limited in speculating about the details of their natural history.”

Source: news.sky.com

Scientists Baffled by Mummified Rat Found on 20,000-Foot Volcano: How Could Anything Be Living There?

Posted on by
Reply

A view from the top of Sarin Volcano, one of three volcanoes in the Andes where researchers discovered the mummified corpse of a rat. The combined analysis of mummies and the capture of live specimens suggests that the rodents are able to climb Mars-like peaks on their own and somehow survive there.

This study rules out any connection to Inca rituals and suggests that the rats ascended independently.

At the top of a 6,000-foot volcano in the middle of the driest desert on earth, the environment was harsh and unforgiving. Temperatures were consistently below freezing, oxygen levels were less than half that at sea level, and strong winds whipped over the mountaintops across the sparse, rocky terrain.

In the 1970s and 1980s, carcasses of several rats were first discovered during expeditions to several Andean peaks, and researchers believed that the rodents must have hitchhiked with the Incas. It was initially thought that these pinnacles served as altars for the ceremonial sacrifice of children to the Inca gods. This led to the assumption that the rats probably rushed into the firewood and other supplies that the Incas had hauled up the slopes, or they were sometimes among the animals sacrificed along with humans.

In early 2020, a live specimen of a hedgehog was captured at the 22,000-foot peak of Lullillaco, a volcano that straddles the Chilean-Argentine border, casting doubt on the initial hypothesis. The analysis of mummified corpses, combined with the capture of live specimens discovered across the Andes, confirmed that the rats ascended the volcanoes independently. The capture of additional live specimens and the study of the mummies further solidified the evidence that the rats are able to survive at such high altitudes.

Further research and analysis are underway to understand the genetic insights and mysterious survival of the rats and to determine what drives rats to such high altitudes. The researchers are working to answer the ongoing question of why the rats rise to such extreme altitudes in the first place. This research was funded by grants.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease Possible 30 Years Before Onset of Symptoms, Scientists Find

Posted on by
Reply

Researchers have discovered a way to detect Parkinson’s disease up to 30 years before symptoms appear using biomarkers and PET scans. This breakthrough includes tracking neurodegeneration more sensitively than current methods and shows that rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is an important early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. is identified. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially up to 10 years earlier than currently.

Researchers at The Florey and Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia, have demonstrated the potential to identify early indicators of Parkinson’s disease 20 to 30 years before the onset of symptoms. This breakthrough paves the way for early screening programs and intervention, potentially allowing treatment before significant damage occurs.

Researchers at the Florey Institute and Austin Health have demonstrated the possibility of identifying early indicators of Parkinson’s disease 20 to 30 years before the onset of symptoms. This breakthrough paves the way for early screening efforts and preventive treatment, long before permanent damage occurs.

Florey Professor Kevin Burnham said that although Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative disease, is often thought of as a disease of the elderly, it actually begins in midlife and can last for decades. He said it may not be detected.

“Parkinson’s disease is very difficult to diagnose until symptoms become apparent, by which time up to 85 percent of the neurons in the brain that control motor coordination have been destroyed. At that point, many treatments are likely to be ineffective,” Professor Burnham said. “Our long-term goal is to find ways to detect diseases earlier and treat people before they cause harm.”

Advanced diagnostic technology

In a recently published study, neurologylead researcher Professor Burnham and colleagues explore how a known biomarker called F-AV-133 can be used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose Parkinson’s disease and accurately track neurodegeneration. I’m explaining how it can be done.

In the Melbourne study, Austin Health’s Frawley Professor Chris Rowe and his team studied 26 patients with Parkinson’s disease, 12 controls, and 11 patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), a strong indicator of Parkinson’s disease. I checked the name. .

Each person underwent two PET scans two years apart. Key findings include:

  • Currently available assessments of Parkinson’s disease showed no significant changes in clinical symptoms in any of the participants.
  • In contrast, PET scans showed “significant neuronal loss” in three key areas of the brains of people with the disease, making F-AV-133 more effective than what is currently available. also suggests that it is a sensitive means of monitoring neurodegeneration.

Further mathematical modeling yields the following calculation:

  • Slow nerve cell loss over a total of approximately 33 years in Parkinson’s disease
  • This loss takes about 10.5 years before the disease is detected on a PET scan.
  • Even if a PET scan detects the disease, it will take another six and a half years for motor symptoms to appear.
  • It takes about 3 years after physical symptoms appear until a clinical diagnosis is confirmed.
  • This corresponds to approximately 22.5 years of neuronal loss before clinical symptoms are sufficient for diagnosis.

Professor Burnham said the findings pave the way for the development of screening protocols to diagnose and treat Parkinson’s disease up to 10 years earlier than is currently possible. It may also help identify patients for clinical trials.

What is RBD?

  • RBD stands for Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder.
  • Patients with RBD scream, thrash, and sometimes move violently during sleep, enacting vivid and disturbing dreams.
  • RBD is caused by a lack of muscle relaxation (sleep paralysis).
  • 90% of RBD patients develop Parkinson’s disease.
  • Half of all Parkinson’s patients have RBD.
  • RBD is an important warning sign for early Parkinson’s disease.
  • If you have RBD, see a sleep specialist or neurologist.

Reference: “Use of 18F-AV-133 VMAT2 PET Imaging to Monitor Progressive Nigrostriatal Degeneration in Parkinson’s Disease”, Leah C. Beauchamp, Vincent Dore, Victor L. Villemagne, SanSan Xu, David Finkelstein, Kevin J. Barnham, Christopher Rowe, 28 November 2023 neurology.
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207748

Source: scitechdaily.com

Potential New Treatment for Pulmonary Hypertension Discovered by Scientists

Posted on by
Reply

Researchers from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame focused on reversing vascular remodeling through an epigenetic pathway involving the protein SPHK2, as reported in the journal Circulation Research. A potential treatment has been discovered. This innovative approach could transform the treatment of this serious lung disease.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine’s South Bend Regional Campus and colleagues at the University of Notre Dame have discovered a new therapeutic target to treat pulmonary hypertension. This form of hypertension particularly affects blood vessels in the lungs. The team’s research and findings were recently published in the journal circulation research.

Pulmonary hypertension is a complex and often fatal condition in which the heart works harder than normal to pump blood to the lungs. The exact cause of pulmonary hypertension is unknown, but one of its hallmarks is thickening of pulmonary blood vessels caused by cell overgrowth, also known as vascular remodeling.

Discovery of new treatments

Margaret A. Schwartz, M.D., professor of pediatrics at IU School of Medicine and senior author of the study, said there are few treatments for pulmonary hypertension, and they usually treat the symptoms of vascular remodeling rather than the remodeling itself. Ta.

Dr. Schwartz said that an interesting finding of her team was the discovery of an epigenetic pathway through the protein SPHK2 that can reduce and potentially reverse vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Dushani Ranasinghe (left) and Margaret Schwartz, MD, attend the University of Notre Dame Ranasinghe graduation ceremony.Credit: Provided by Margaret Schwartz

“This is one of the first reversible mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension identified,” she says. “Patients with pulmonary hypertension are usually given drugs to lower blood vessel pressure in the lungs or to help the heart contract to pump blood, both of which are symptoms of vascular remodeling. Our research focuses on targeting an epigenetic reversal of this mechanism. Ultimately, stopping the vascular remodeling process entirely may be the answer.”

Schwartz said the concept is similar to cancer treatment.

“In the case of cancer, we don’t just treat the symptoms, we stop the tumor from growing,” she says. “Vascular remodeling is a different mechanism, but the idea is that treatments target the mechanism rather than the symptoms.”

Main findings and future directions

Other key findings from the study include:

  • SPHK2 promotes the development of pulmonary hypertension through hyperacetylation of histone H3K9 and contributes to vascular remodeling in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).
  • SPHK2 deficiency results in decreased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertension, and thickened distal vessel walls.
  • EMAP (endothelial monocyte activation polypeptide) II plays an important role in stimulating the nuclear SPHK2/S1P epigenetic regulatory axis, suggesting cooperation between SPHK2 and S1P.
  • EMAPII may be a major driving force of epigenetic-mediated vascular PASMC reprogramming and remodeling in pulmonary hypertension.
  • Pulmonary endothelial cells are priming factors for the EMAPII/SPHK2/S1P axis that alters PASMC-specific acetylome through histone H3K9 hyperacetylation.

Schwartz and the study’s lead author, Dr. Dushani Ranasinghe, who was a member of Schwartz’s lab when Schwartz was a graduate student at Notre Dame, also thanked Dr. Schwartz for this episode. were interviewed about their findings. Podcast “Discover CircRes”It is produced by. circulation research.

Dr. Schwartz said the next steps in her research include collaborating with Brian Bragg, director of the Warren Center for Drug Discovery and Development at the University of Notre Dame, to further explore the SPHK2 protein as a therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension. Stated.

Reference: “Changes in smooth muscle cell histone acetylome through the SPHK2/S1P axis promote pulmonary hypertension” A. Dushani CU Ranasinghe, Maggie Holohan, Kalyn M. Borger, Deborah L. Donahue, Rafael D. Kuc, Martin Gerig, Andrew Kim, Victoria A. Propris, Frances J. Castelino, Margaret A. Schwartz, September 12, 2023. circulation research.
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.123.322740

Other IU authors on the study include Maggie Holohan and Martin Gerrig.

This research was made possible in part through funding from the following institutions: National Institutes of HealthLilly Endowment, O’Brien Family Excellence Fund, National Science Foundation, Buckner Family Scholarship.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Unveiling the Structure of Neurotransmitter Transporters: Scientists Finally Answer 40-Year-Old Question

Posted on by
Reply

Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have uncovered the structure of VMAT2, a crucial neurotransmitter transporter, shedding light on its interaction with drugs used to treat conditions like Tourette syndrome. This pioneering study offers insights into neurotransmitter transport and advances the field of neuropharmacology.

Neurons communicate through neurotransmitters, and experts at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have utilized their knowledge in structural biology to reveal the structure of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), an essential component of neurotransmission.

By visualizing VMAT2 in different states, researchers can now better comprehend its function and how its different conformations impact drug binding. This knowledge is crucial for the development of drugs to treat hyperactivity disorders such as Tourette syndrome.

This work was recently published in the journal Nature. Monoamines, including dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline, play a central role in neurotransmission by influencing various brain functions. Before they can be released, these molecules must be packaged into vesicles, which are compartments in cells that store neurotransmitters.

VMAT2 is a protein that moves monoamines into these vesicles, acting like a loading crane on a cargo ship. The study, led by researchers such as Dr. Chia-Hsueh Lee, Dr. Shabareesh Pidathala, and Dr. Yaxin Dai, utilized cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the structure of VMAT2 and its interactions with serotonin and drugs used to treat certain conditions.

The study revealed that different drugs bind to specific conformations of VMAT2, providing detailed insights that can aid in developing treatments for various disorders. The research also identified amino acids that facilitate neurotransmitter transport, laying the groundwork for future studies to fully understand the mechanisms involved.

The study was supported by grants from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Source: scitechdaily.com

The Consequences of a Fat Cat: The Perspectives of Scientists

Posted on by
Reply

by University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences December 19, 2023

A study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign revealed the effects of overfeeding on cats’ digestive systems and gut microbiota. The study involved 11 cats and showed that an unrestricted diet led to significant weight gain, changes in gastrointestinal transit time, and changes in fecal microbiota and acidity. These findings contribute to the understanding of obesity in pets and inform weight management strategies such as feeding restriction and promotion of physical activity.

Cat owners want their pets to be happy, but overfeeding can have unintended consequences. The prevalence of obesity in cats is increasing, impacting their health, lifespan, and overall well-being. A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign looks at what happens to cats’ digestive systems and gut microbiota when they overeat.

“About 60% of cats in the United States are overweight, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and chronic inflammation. A lot of research has been done on weight loss in cats; “There has been little focus on the reverse process. In this study, we wanted to learn more about the metabolic and gastrointestinal changes that occur as a result of overeating and weight gain in cats,” said study co-author and author of Animal Science said Kelly Swanson, professor and interim director of the department. The Department of Nutritional Sciences (DNS), part of the U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

Methodology and initial findings

The study included 11 spayed adult cats. They were fed standard dry cat food and allowed to eat as much as they wanted after 2 weeks of baseline measurements. Researchers regularly took blood and fecal samples and monitored physical activity.

Once the cat was able to overeat, her food intake immediately increased significantly and she began to gain weight. The mean body condition score (BCS) at the start of the study was 5.41 on a 9-point scale. After 18 weeks of overeating, the weight increases to 8.27, which corresponds to 30% overweight. According to Swanson, BCS corresponds to a person’s body mass index (BMI), and anything above 6 is considered overweight.

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that when cats overeat and gain weight, it affects their digestive systems and gut microbiota.Credit: Lauren Quinn, University of Illinois

Source: scitechdaily.com

Scientists Develop New “Cooling Glass” to Combat Climate Change by Channeling Heat from Buildings into Space

Posted on by
Reply

Innovative “cooling glass” developed by researchers at the University of Maryland provides a groundbreaking, non-electrical solution for reducing indoor heat and carbon emissions, and significantly advances sustainable building technology. It shows great progress.

Applying new coatings to exterior surfaces can reduce air conditioning usage and help fight climate change.

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed an innovative “cooling glass” designed to reduce indoor temperatures without using electricity. This revolutionary material works by harnessing the cold air of outer space.

New technology, microporous glass coating, described in paper published in the journal sciencecan lower the temperature of the material beneath it by 3.5 degrees. Celsius According to a research team led by distinguished professor Liangbing Hu of the university’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, it has the potential to reduce the annual carbon dioxide emissions of mid-rise apartments by 10%.

Cooling mechanism with two functions

This coating works in two ways. For one, it reflects up to 99% of solar radiation, preventing buildings from absorbing heat. Even more interestingly, this universe emits heat in the form of long-wave infrared radiation into the icy universe, whose temperature is typically -270 degrees Celsius, or just a few degrees warmer. absolute temperature.

In a phenomenon known as “radiative cooling,” spaces effectively act as heat sinks for buildings. They use new cooling glass designs and so-called atmospheric transparency windows (the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that passes through the atmosphere without increasing its temperature) to dump large amounts of heat into the infinitely colder sky beyond. Masu. (Although the emissions are much stronger than those from the new glass developed at UMD, the same phenomenon causes the Earth to cool itself, especially on clear nights.)

State-of-the-art durable materials

“This is an innovative technology that simplifies the way we keep buildings cool and energy efficient,” said research assistant Xinpeng Zhao, lead author of the study. “This could help us change the way we live and take better care of our homes and the planet.”

Unlike previous attempts at cooling coatings, the new glass developed by UMD is environmentally stable, withstanding exposure to water, UV light, dirt, and even flame, and withstands temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Celsius. can withstand. Because glass can be applied to a variety of surfaces such as tile, brick, and metal, the technology is highly scalable and can be adopted for a wide range of applications.

The research team could use finely ground glass particles as a binder, bypassing polymers and increasing long-term durability outdoors, Zhao said. We then selected a particle size that maximizes the release of infrared heat while reflecting sunlight.

Climate change solutions and global impacts

The development of cooling glass is in line with global efforts to reduce energy consumption and combat climate change, Hu said, adding that this year’s Independence Day could have been the world’s hottest day in 125,000 years. He pointed out recent reports that it was a day of sex.

“This ‘cooling glass’ is not just a new material, it’s an important part of the solution to climate change,” he said. “By reducing the use of air conditioners, we have taken a big step towards reducing energy usage and reducing our carbon footprint. This is because new technology is helping us build a cooler, greener world. It shows how it can help.”

In addition to Hu and Zhao, Jelena Srebric and Zongfu Yu, professors of mechanical engineering in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are co-authors of the study, each contributing expertise in CO2 reduction and structural design. There is. .

The team is now focused on further testing and practical application of the cooled glass. They are optimistic about its commercialization prospects and have formed a startup company, CeraCool, to scale and commercialize it.

Reference: “Solution-processed radiatively cooled glass” Xinpeng Zhao, Tangyuan Li, Hua Xie, He Liu, Lingzhe Wang, Yurui Qu, Stephanie C. Li, Shufeng Liu, Alexandra H. Brozena, Zongfu Yu, Jelena Srebric, Liangbing Written by Hu, November 9, 2023, science.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adi2224

Source: scitechdaily.com

Discovery of a direct correlation between elevated insulin levels and pancreatic cancer by scientists

Posted on by
Reply

A new study has proven a direct link between high insulin levels and increased risk of pancreatic cancer in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This landmark study shows how excess insulin overstimulates pancreatic acinar cells, leading to inflammation and precancerous cells, particularly in the case of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These findings highlight the importance of maintaining healthy insulin levels and may lead to new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, including lifestyle interventions and targeted therapies.

For the first time, we explain in detail why people with obesity and type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine revealed a direct relationship between high blood pressure and high blood pressure. insulin This level is frequently observed in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.

This study cell metabolismprovides the first detailed explanation of why people with obesity and type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer. This study shows that excessive insulin levels overstimulate pancreatic acinar cells, which produce digestive juices. This excessive stimulation causes inflammation and transforms these cells into precancerous cells.

“In addition to rapid increases in both obesity and type 2 diabetes, we are also seeing an alarming increase in the incidence of pancreatic cancer,” said co-senior author and professor in the Department of Cellular Physiology Sciences and co-senior author of the study. said Dr. James Johnson, interim director of the agency. UBC’s Institute of Life Sciences. “These findings help us understand how this is happening and highlight the importance of keeping insulin levels within a healthy range. can be achieved through medication.”

Dr. James Johnson is a professor in the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences and interim director of the UBC Life Sciences Institute. credit:
UBC Faculty of Medicine

The study focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer and a highly aggressive disease with a five-year survival rate of less than 10 percent. The incidence of pancreatic cancer is on the rise. By 2030, PDAC is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Role of insulin in pancreatic cancer

Although obesity and type 2 diabetes were previously established as risk factors for pancreatic cancer, the exact mechanisms by which this occurs remained unclear. This new study sheds light on the role of insulin and its receptor in this process.

… (content continues) …

Reference: “Hyperinsulinemia causes pancreatic cancer through acinar insulin receptors by increasing digestive enzyme production and inflammation” (Anni MY Zhang, Yi Han Xia, Jeffrey SH Lin, Ken H Chu, Wei Chuan K. Wang, Titine JJ Ruiter, Jenny) CC Yang, Nan Chen, Justin Choa, Shilpa Patil, Haoning Howard Sen, Elizabeth J. Rideout, Vincent R. Richard, David・F. Shafer, Rene P. Zahedi, Christoph H. Borchers, James D. Johnson, Janelle L. Kopp, October 31, 2023. cell metabolism.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.003

This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Lustgarten Foundation.

Source: scitechdaily.com

Top Science News of 2023: New Scientist’s Selections

Posted on by
Reply




Space News Highlights of 2023

Spiral galaxy M51 seen with the James Webb Space Telescope

ESA/Webb, NASA, and CSA, A. Adamo (Stockholm University)/FEAST JWST Team

From extreme heat to stunning space footage, new scientist covers a wide range of the biggest developments, discoveries and events in science, technology, health and the environment in 2023. Here we summarize some of the best news of the year.

Environment

In July 2023, a forest fire broke out on the Greek island of Rhodes. Angelos Tsolzinis/AFP via Getty Images

The number of heat records broken in 2023 is staggering. We won’t know for sure until next month’s official statistics are released, but there is little doubt that this year was the hottest on record. As a sign that abnormal temperatures continue, new scientist We already reported on this possibility in mid-June, long before summer in the northern hemisphere was in full swing. A few weeks later, a particularly surreal series of events occurred. The average global temperature, which is recorded 2 meters above the Earth’s surface and is basically a way to measure global temperatures, hit an all-time high on July 3rd, which was 7. It was quickly broken on the 4th of May, and then the record was broken on the 5th. July came and the next day it broke again. By the end of August, it was the hottest three months on record, followed by the hottest September on record. In November, researchers announced the hottest 12 months on record. Against this backdrop, negotiations at the COP28 climate change summit held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, were extremely difficult. A key point of disagreement was whether the world would finally take action against fossil fuels, and at one point it looked like the summit might collapse. Ultimately, the world agreed to begin a “transition” away from fossil fuels, but this was the first time fossil fuels were mentioned in a COP document, although what that actually meant was unclear. Many questions remain.

Health

Demand for weight loss drug Wegoby will surge in 2023 Carsten Snejbjerg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

This year’s demand for Wigovy, a weight-loss formulation of semaglutide, has been like no other drug in history. In addition to being incredibly effective for weight loss, early trials this year showed it may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes and may even help treat addiction. Despite some moralizing about “quick cures” for obesity, and despite drug shortages and difficulty in obtaining them, it is clear that a health revolution has begun. This past year also marked the first time since 2019 that Covid-19 was not on everyone’s mind. The World Health Organization’s announcement on May 5 that the viral disease is no longer a public health emergency means, in a sense, the coronavirus pandemic is over, at least for some people. Millions of people are still experiencing long-term symptoms of COVID-19, which are still poorly understood.

Artificial Intelligence

London writers hold rally in solidarity with striking US screenwriters to protect their jobs from AI Vuk Valcic / Alamy Stock Photo

Roughly counting, new scientist has published around 150 articles on artificial intelligence this year. Tech companies were competing against each other, with OpenAI claiming “human-level performance” for its GPT-4 large-scale language model and Google claiming its Gemini model was even better. There have been concerns about the rise of misinformation through AI, from images of the Pope in a down jacket to the risk of bias feedback loops to attempts to detect AI-generated text. AI has also been the subject of high-level discussions across politics and business. This led to a major stalemate in the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike, but in November world leaders, researchers and businessmen gathered at Bletchley Park in the UK to sign a declaration on the risks of new technologies. Indeed, this year was the year that AI became mainstream.

Space

The dense center of the Milky Way seen with the James Webb Space Telescope NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Samuel Crow (UVA)

This year’s biggest space mission is also the cheapest, with India’s low-budget Chandrayaan-3 moon landing costing just £60 million. India’s success makes it the fourth country to safely land on the moon, after the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. It also happened just days after a Russian spacecraft crash-landed on the moon in a bid to restore it to its Soviet-era glory. Further out in space, the James Webb Space Telescope continues to shine, providing stunning images and advancing our understanding of the universe, from the fastest-growing galaxies to the most distant black holes ever seen.


Source: www.newscientist.com

Discovery of a ‘Quantum Switch’ Controlling Photosynthesis by Scientists

Posted on by
Reply

A new study reveals the quantum switching mechanism of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), which is critical for efficient photosynthesis. This discovery, achieved through advanced cryo-EM and theoretical calculations, supports a dynamic role for LHCII in regulating energy transfer in plants. Credit: SciTechDaily.com

Photosynthesis is an important process that allows plants to use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) consists of dye molecules bound to proteins. It alternates between two main roles. Under strong light, excess energy is dissipated as heat through non-photochemical quenching, and under weak light, light is efficiently transferred to the reaction center.

Recent bioengineering research has revealed that faster switching between these functions can improve photosynthetic efficiency. For example, soybean crops showed yield increases of up to 33%. However, the precise atomic-level structural changes in LHCII that cause this control have not been known until now.

The molecular mechanism of NPQ and acidity-induced changes in several key structural factors cause the LHCII trimer to switch between light-harvesting and energy-quenching states.Credit: Institute of Physics

innovative research approach

In the new study, researchers led by Professor Weng Yuxiang from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Gao Jiali’s group from the Shenzhen Bay Institute, combined single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) research. Using multistate density functional theory (MSDFT) calculations of energy transfer between photosynthetic pigment molecules, we analyzed the dynamic structure of his LHCII at atomic resolution and identified photosynthetic pigment quantum switches for intermolecular energy transfer. Masu.

As part of the study, they developed a series of six cryogenic states, including energy transfer states with LHCII in solution and energy quenching states with laterally confined LHCII in membrane nanodisks under neutral and acidic conditions. reported the EM structure.

Comparing these different structures shows that LHCII undergoes a structural change upon acidification. This change allosterically changes the interpigment distance of the fluorescence quenching locus lutein 1 (Lut1)-chlorophyll 612 (Chl612) only when LHCII is confined to membrane nanodiscs, leading to the quenching of excited Chl612 by Lut1. cause. Therefore, lateral pressure-confined LHCII (e.g., aggregated LHCII) is a prerequisite for non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), whereas acidThe induced conformational change enhances fluorescence quenching.

Cryo-EM structures of LHCII in nanodiscs and surfactant solutions at pH 7.8 and 5.4. Credit: Institute of Physics

Quantum switching mechanism in photosynthesis

Through cryo-EM structures and MSDFT calculations of known crystal structures in the extinction state and transient fluorescence experiments, an important quantum switching mechanism of LHCII with the Lut1-Chl612 distance as a key factor was revealed.

This distance controls the energy transfer quantum channels in response to lateral pressure and conformational changes to LHCII. That is, a small change in the critical distance of 5.6 Å allows a reversible switch between light collection and excess energy dissipation. This mechanism allows for rapid response to changes in light intensity, achieving both high efficiency and efficiency. photosynthesis Balanced photoprotection using LHCII as a quantum switch.

Fluorescence decay rate, relationship of Lut1–Chl612 electronic bond strength to Lut1–Chl612 separation distance, and plot of Lut1–Chl612 distance versus crossing angle of TM helices A and B in different LHCII structures. Credit: Institute of Physics

Previously, these two research groups collaborated on molecular dynamics simulations and ultrafast infrared spectroscopy experiments to propose that LHCII is an allosterically controlled molecular machine. Their current experimental cryo-EM structure confirms previously theoretically predicted structural changes in his LHCII.

Reference: “Cryo-EM structure of LHCII in photoactive and photoprotected states reveals allosteric control of light harvesting and excess energy dissipation” Meixia Ruan, Hao Li, Ying Zhang, Ruoqi Zhao, Jun Zhang, Yingjie Wang , Jiali Gao, Zhuan Wang, Yumei Wang, Dapeng Sun, Wei Ding, Yuxiang Weng, August 31, 2023, natural plants.
DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01500-2

This research was supported by a project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee.

Source: scitechdaily.com