Latest Articles
The Heart That Heals Itself
Researchers are studying zebrafish to determine which genes are involved in regeneration. If these genes can be found and expressed in humans, a damaged heart could essentially heal itself, speeding recovery from heart attacks and perhaps preventing heart failure.
Mother Nature Knows Best
Having high levels of cortisol in your blood for long periods of time can lead to chronic stress which has many negative health effects. Surprisingly, having high levels of cortisol is not always bad, especially if you are a North American red squirrel. Scientists are studying the impact of population density on survival found that pregnant red squirrels in a more crowded forest had higher cortisol levels and produced babies that grew faster.
Zebrafish Swim into Labs of MS Researchers
MS researchers genetically screen zebrafish to uncover neuron receptors and have successfully found a receptor that can instruct certain cells to remake myelin. Since zebrafish are about 70% similar to humans in their protein-coding genes, scientists look for genes in the zebrafish genome that control the rebuilding of the myelin sheath and are optimistic about finding a cure to MS.
Powerful Spit from Gila Monsters Controls Diabetes
In the early 90s, an endocrinologist and research scientist named John Eng discovered a hormone in the Gila monster’s saliva similar to one in the human digestive tract that keeps blood sugar levels from spiking or dropping too low. He named the hormone exendin-4 and began exploring its tremendous potential as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Exendin-4 is improving the lives of people with type 2 diabetes and has great potential for treating devastating neurological disorders.
“Flying” Toward A Cure For Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the X-chromosome that is the most common inherited form of intellectual disability. Clues to this syndrome, which manifests in a wide spectrum of behavioral and learning problems, may be buzzing overhead. The common fruit fly has genes similar to those responsible for causing FXS in humans, making this household pest the perfect partner for scientists searching for a cure for a disease that is also linked to autism.
Sharks Offer Hope to Breast Cancer Patients
Characterized in film and media as ferocious and malicious creatures, sharks ignite our basic survival instincts: kill or be killed. However, antibodies in the blood of these ocean carnivores could lead to a new treatment for breast cancer, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States.
Terriers Give Insight into Glaucoma
Researchers using data from terriers have found an area on the canine chromosome 8 that is associated with glaucoma. This same chromosome has been associated with glaucoma in humans, providing hope that when the exact gene and mutation are identified in the terriers, they will match a similar gene and mutation in humans. Such a discovery would open the door to more effective therapies so that dogs and people could keep their precious sense of sight intact.
Revolutionary Science Writing for Students
The past year was marked by curiousYOUNGwriters incredible expansion. Not only have they been able to increase the number of writers contributing to the site, but they also tackled various imaginative pursuits. They’ve enhanced their staff by introducing smaller teams focused on specific areas within the website. The teams meet regularly and focus on visual aspects of the site, such as illustration, media, and editing.
Science Writing Takes a “Curious” Turn
cYw is a rapidly growing science blog, sponsored by States United for Biomedical Research, “advancing the art of science communication” through stories about nontraditional animal models and their roles in advancing our knowledge of specific diseases or conditions. What’s unique about cYw is that high school students run the entire operation. Students write and edit every story, and all major decisions are considered by a group of dedicated young scientists/writers. It is by high schoolers and for high schoolers, because who says we’re just kids? Bunny Jaskot, one of cYw’s teacher supervisors as well as former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers, considers working with the blog’s teenage writers to be one of her favorite aspects of cYw. “My spirit and outlook are renewed in our educational system when I connect to [cYw’s] high school participants,” she says.
Naked Mole Rats Can Help Stroke Victims
The naked mole rat, a blind, nearly hairless rodent about the size of a mouse that lives underground, might provide the secret to reducing brain damage caused during a stroke. Thanks to these rodents, scientists know a lot more about how neurons survive in low-oxygen conditions. Armed with this new knowledge, they are working to find a way to prevent or minimize the impact of stroke, not only on seniors but also the 34% of people hospitalized for stroke who are under the age of 65.