Skip to main content

Home/ WSU BIOL209 Microbiology/ Group items tagged research

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
Alletia DeMartino

Human brain cells developed in lab, grow in mice - 0 views

www.sciencedaily.com/...130503230313.htm

shared by Alletia DeMartino on 07 May 13 - No Cached
  • The researchers generated and transplanted a type of human nerve-cell progenitor called the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cell, in experiments describe
  • The researchers generated and transplanted a type of human nerve-cell progenitor called the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cel
  • Kriegstein sees MGE cells as a potential treatment to better control nerve circuits that become overactive in certain neurological disorders.
  • ...13 more annotations...
  • Kriegstein sees MGE cells as a potential treatment to better control nerve circuits that become overactive in certain neurological disorders.
  • , the human MGE-like cells survived within the rodent forebrain, integrated into the brain by forming connections with rodent nerve cells, and matured into specialized subtypes of interneurons.
  • To generate MGE cells in the lab, the researchers reliably directed the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells -- either human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin
  • unlimited potential to become any human cell type.
  • To generate MGE cells in the lab, the researchers reliably directed the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells -- either human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin.
  • These findings may serve as a model to study human diseases in which mature interneurons malfunction,
  • These findings may serve as a model to study human diseases in which
  • mature interneurons malfunction,
  • Nicholas utilized key growth factors and other molecules to direct the derivation and maturation of the human MGE-like interneurons
  • Nicholas utilized key growth factors and other molecules to direct the derivation and maturation of the human MGE-like interneurons. He timed the delivery of these fa
  • "The hope is that we can deliver these cells to various places within the nervous system that have been overactive and that they will functionally integrate and provide regulated inhibition," Nicholas said.
  • The researchers also plan to develop MGE cells from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from skin cells of individuals with autism, epilepsy, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, in order to investigate how the development and function of interneurons might become abnormal -- creating a lab-dish model of disease.
  • One mystery and challenge to both the clinical and pre-clinical study of human MGE cells is that they develop at a slower, human pace, reflecting an "intrinsic clock." In fast-developing mice, the human MGE-like cells still took seven to nine months to form interneuron subtypes that normally are present near birth.
  • Alletia DeMartino on 07 May 13
     
    pretty interesting that there wasnt rejection from the mice immune system. very cool for furthering research 
Alison Prodzinski

Brain Scans Offer Precise Measurement Of Human Pain | Popular Science - 0 views

www.popsci.com/...-accurate-measure-burning-pain

shared by Alison Prodzinski on 11 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Further research along these lines could lead to an objective measure of physical pain, though that's still a long ways away.
  • Right now, if a doctor wants to measure or record someone's pain, she'll generally just ask her patient about it, or ask her patient to rate his pain from 1 to 10. That will always be a very important part of diagnosis, Wager says, but having a less subjective measure could nevertheless help. Some people, such as very young, very old or certain disabled people, can't communicate well. Others may underreport their pain—or are less likely to be believed.
  • Using this pain signature, they were then able to evaluate people's pain in response to particular levels of heat with 90 to 100 percent accuracy
  • Alison Prodzinski on 11 Apr 13
     
    Pain is exactly that - no matter what kind! Pain from sunburn or pressure initiates the same pain... Researchers will be using this to test how much pain they have. Using the research that they have found, they will be able to deduce how much pain a person is in!!
  • Casey Finnerty on 16 Apr 13
     
    But aren't there different types of pain sensation? Sharp/stabbing vs. dull/pounding, for example? And doesn't the perceived source/location matter?
Tiffany Arcand

Scientists Find Bacteria Where It Isn't Supposed to Be: The Brain - The Daily Beast - 0 views

www.thedailybeast.com/...-supposed-to-be-the-brain.html

shared by Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • The researchers found these bacterial molecules in brain samples from people with HIV, as well as people with no known infectious disease but who had undergone brain surgery
    • Tiffany Arcand
      Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13
       
      So in immunocompromised individuals, as well as those whose brains have been exposed to the operating room - which as we learned in class, can still house bacteria despite all precautions taken.
    • Tiffany Arcand
      Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13
       
      Sneaky, sneaky viruses!
  • If living bacteria help to maintain brain health in some way, disruptions to them, for example from antibiotics, could contribute to disease
    • Tiffany Arcand
      Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13
       
      It will be interesting to see what they discover as they research this more. My guess it that the bacteria in the brain are both beneficial and harmful.
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • Dyes injected into the brain, meanwhile, tended not to appear in the body
    • Tiffany Arcand
      Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13
       
      Wouldn't a shot into the brain kill you, or at least be very painful?
  • Last fall, for instance, researchers found male genetic material in the brains of women (who almost certainly were not born with it). Perhaps during pregnancy, the scientists suggested, cells from male fetuses had crossed the placenta and entered the women’s bodie
  • Scientists have discovered, for instance, that HIV hides inside white blood cells that enter the brain in order to look for pathogens; they call this the Trojan horse strategy
  • a mind-bending concept
  • Tiffany Arcand on 01 Apr 13
     
    Bacteria Can Bypass Blood-Brain Barrier? It's a surprise to researchers who believed the brain-blood barrier created an impenetrable fortress. How are molecules from dirt getting into white matter-and what are they doing up there? 
Alison Prodzinski

Bathing, but Not Alone - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...15shower.html

shared by Alison Prodzinski on 08 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Another paradox of city life: it seems it is healthier to inhale the subway’s air than the shower’s mist.
  • the deluge of bacteria that hit your face and flow deep into your lungs in the morning shower
  • Aside from the thought of being sprayed in the face by a bacterial cocktail every morning, the shower bacteria present no serious danger
  • ...3 more annotations...
  • Running the water for 30 seconds before stepping in would mean fewer bacteria in one’s face
  • the subway air is remarkably fresh and like outdoor air
  • Another paradox of city life: it seems it is healthier to inhale the subway’s air than the shower’s mist.
  • Alison Prodzinski on 08 Apr 13
     
    Bacteria are everywhere - including the shower!! There are 15 different kinds of bacteria that live in the shower -- they get into your lungs via inhalation and your skin. These bacteria are not all bad though - only Mycobacterium avium - it can cause chest complaints and issues. Research on the shower and bacteria was then compared to a New York City subway - in which the subway was healthier then the shower! WOW!! However, hope is not lost - researchers said to run the shower for 30 seconds and most bacteria will be gone!!
Megan Goldman

Researchers Identify Genetic Profile That Predicts Cancer Survival After Chemotherapy ... - 0 views

healthland.time.com/...-predict-chemotherapy-survival

microbiology cancer

shared by Megan Goldman on 17 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Megan Goldman on 17 Apr 13
     
    Researchers have identified a biomarker, an eight gene "signature" (a group of genes in a cell whose combined expression is uniquely characteristic of a medical condition), that predicts how long cancer patients might survive without relapse after undergoing chemotherapy. They found that this eight gene signature show a strong correlation to an elevated response to five chemotherapy agents, and showed a lower risk of recurrence and longer relapse-free survival.
  • Megan Goldman on 17 Apr 13
     
    Curious if this eight gene signature is a result of the genetics of our cell (and resultant interactions) or if it entirely up to the cancerous agent? In simpler terms, are we genetically prone to this eight gene signature or is it luck that our cancer results in this eight gene signature?
Alison Prodzinski

The Flu Virus Can Tell Time. Here's Why You Should Care | Popular Science - 0 views

www.popsci.com/...time-heres-why-you-should-care

shared by Alison Prodzinski on 02 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Influenza can tell time, and it choreographs its actions according to a strict schedule.
  • The virus has to orchestrate its actions carefully--if it moves too fast, it won’t have time to make new copies of itself, and if it moves too slowly, it might be stopped by immune defenses.
  • To fight it, they tricked the virus into changing the amount of time it took to gather the protein. First, they made it acquire the protein too quickly, which caused the flu to leave the cell before it had made enough copies of itself. In this case, the cells were lung epithelial cells. Then they altered it to leave too late, giving immune cells enough time to respond and kill the virus before it escaped.
  • Alison Prodzinski on 02 Apr 13
     
    Viruses are smarter then we ever imagined!! Researchers have realized that virus have their own time-clock. Virus's take about 8 hours to sufficiently make copies and overtake our bodies. They slowly build in our bodies, before the body actually realizes what is happening - by that time it is too late. Researchers are now tricking viruses into changing the time needed to overtake the body - making the body react quicker and kill the virus. The flu vaccine is still the best way, however, if we can fool the time it takes for a virus to overthrow the body - can we stop it in general? 
Amanda Bergstedt

Researchers use metagenomics to identify the cause of outbreaks of bacterial infection - 0 views

www.news-medical.net/...ks-of-bacterial-infection.aspx

shared by Amanda Bergstedt on 30 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Amanda Bergstedt on 30 Apr 13
     
    Researchers have been able to reconstruct the genome sequence of a bacterial strain which bypasses the need for growing bacteria in the lab. This could stop an outbreak in its tracks due to the increased speed of identifying the bacteria.
Alletia DeMartino

One-two punch could be key in treating blindness - 0 views

www.sciencedaily.com/...130409110008.htm

shared by Alletia DeMartino on 08 May 13 - No Cached
  • Researchers have discovered that using two kinds of therapy in tandem may be a knockout combo against inherited disorders that cause blindnes
  • In 2010, they restored day vision in dogs suffering from achromatopsia, an inherited form of total color blindness, by replacing the mutant gene associated with the condition.
  • While that treatment was effective for most younger dogs, it didn't work for canines older than 1 year
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • "Gene therapy only works if the nonfunctional cell that is primarily affected by the disease is not too degenerated,"
  • To test their theory, they again performed gene therapy but first gave some of the dogs a dose of a protein called CNTF
  • At a high enough dose, its effect on photoreceptors is a bit like pruning flowers: It partially destroys them, but allows for new growth.
  • But it worked.
  • "All seven dogs that got the combination treatment responded, regardless of age.
  • Those disorders affect individuals of both species in much the same way, so the combination treatment's promise isn't just for Fido.
  • One treatment option alone might not be enough to reverse vision loss, but a combination therapy can maximize therapeutic success."
  • Alletia DeMartino on 08 May 13
     
    This is so amazing. Definitely interesting that they used dogs which are more complex than rats or mice so if they could use these on people it would definitely change the way the world saw animal testing/research....pun intended haha! pretty cool quick read
Casey Finnerty

How Much Is a Drug-Resistance Death Worth? Less Than $600 | Wired Science | Wired.com - 0 views

www.wired.com/...resistance-death-worth

microbiology antibiotic resistance

shared by Casey Finnerty on 29 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • For every death from AIDS, the US federal research establishment awards approximately $69,000 in grant funds. And for every death from MRSA, it awards $570.
  • MRSA, let’s remember, kills an estimated 19,000 Americans a year: more than HIV, and more than pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, H. influenzae and group A Streptococcus combined. 
  • because HIV has been a research priority for most of the 30 years of its existence, research has brought forth thousands of  antiviral compounds and drug combinations for treatment.
Whitney Hopfauf

First documented case of child cured of HIV - 0 views

www.sciencedaily.com/...130303172640.htm

virus

shared by Whitney Hopfauf on 04 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Whitney Hopfauf on 04 Mar 13
     
    Exciting when AIDS research takes a step forward. However, is it true that although they cannot detect the virus, it may lie dormant? How sensitive are those tests? There was a case of a man who had HIV and leukemia and so they treated him with a bone marrow transplant from someone who was resistant to HIV. The man was said to be cured but there were later debates on the validity. 
Elijah Velasquez

A new way to lose weight? Study shows that changes to gut microbiota may play role in w... - 0 views

medicalxpress.com/...-gut-microbiota-role-loss.html

shared by Elijah Velasquez on 27 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Elijah Velasquez on 27 Mar 13
     
    New research, conducted in collaboration with researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, has found that the gut microbes of mice undergo drastic changes following gastric bypass surgery. This is quite an astounding discovery. Finding ways to manipulate microbial populations can potentially open doors for alternatives to weight loss and fighting off bacteria.
Alison Prodzinski

16,000 Dead Pigs In The Huangpu: Can You Still Drink Shanghai's Water? | Popular Science - 1 views

www.popsci.com/...lly-still-drink-water-shanghai

shared by Alison Prodzinski on 27 Mar 13 - No Cached
  • Alison Prodzinski on 27 Mar 13
     
    The dead pigs are being thrown into the water, not dying from the water. After being dumped in, they are becoming toxic in the river and emitting poison into the water.  The city of Shanghai relies on the river for the all the drinkable water in the city.  City officials have no idea how toxic the river has become, since no studies were done prior to the findings.  More research showed that the pigs are being dumped into the river because of costs of discarding the dead animal. It is cheaper to dump it, even though it could be toxic to the whole city.  Makes you wonder - we eat dead animals. But, when dumped in drinking water, they become toxic.... Hmmm.....
Amy Jorgenson

In-package plasma process quickly, effectively kills bacteria - 0 views

phys.org/...ckly-effectively-bacteria.html

shared by Amy Jorgenson on 18 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Amy Jorgenson on 18 Apr 13
     
    If this is adapted for liquids, it could work wonders in areas with contaminated drinking water. However, the article also states that future research will examine food quality. My question is, why was that not researched before this article was released?
Megan Rasmussen

Scientists Use Nature Against Nature to Develop an Antibiotic With Reduced Resistance - 0 views

www.sciencedaily.com/...130410201828.htm

microbiology resistance antibiotic

shared by Megan Rasmussen on 14 Apr 13 - No Cached
  • Megan Rasmussen on 14 Apr 13
     
    Researchers have applied knowledge about bacteria phages in order to develop a new antibiotic. They studied the enzyme 2-epimerase, which controls the formation Bacillus anthracis cell wall. Researchers used an inhibitory molecule that would bind to the allosteric site* site of this enzyme. They tested this antibiotic called Epimerox in mice infected with Ballcillus anthracis and found that it protected the mice from anthrax. It also showed that the bacteria did not develop a resistance to this inhibitory molecule. Although this is just a start, it could change so much in the quest for effective antibiotics!
Abdirizak Abdi

Lucky Bacteria Strike It Rich During Formation of Treatment-Resistant Colonies: Researc... - 1 views

www.sciencedaily.com/...130508131819.htm

shared by Abdirizak Abdi on 08 May 13 - No Cached
  • Megan Rasmussen on 08 May 13
     
    Researchers are looking at how biofilms form in order to better understand how to battle their ability to be resistant to many antibiotics
  • Abdirizak Abdi on 09 May 13
     
    Like pioneers in search of a better life, bacteria on a surface wander around and often organize into highly resilient communities, known as biofilms. It turns out that a lucky few bacteria become the elite cells that start the colonies, and they organize in a rich-get-richer pattern similar to the distribution of wealth in the US economy, according to a new study..
Samantha Mishall

New bird flu show signs of direct jump to humans - 0 views

ca.news.yahoo.com/ect-jump-humans-234733728.html

shared by Samantha Mishall on 08 May 13 - No Cached
  • Samantha Mishall on 08 May 13
     
    This is the last thing we need! Another strain of bird-to-human transmitted virus, and researcher believe this could be the worst one yet. While research on this virus is still being conducted in China, there is already strong evidence that this could be the next big flu outbreak.
Casey Finnerty

Reassessing Flu Shots as the Season Draws Near - NYTimes.com - 0 views

well.blogs.nytimes.com/...shots-as-the-season-draws-near

virology microbiology influenza

shared by Casey Finnerty on 15 Jan 13 - No Cached
  • “We have overpromoted and overhyped this vaccine,” said Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, as well as its Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance. “It does not protect as promoted. It’s all a sales job: it’s all public relations.”
  • He still considers himself a “a pro-vaccine guy,” Dr. Osterholm said.
  • “I say, ‘Use this vaccine,’ ” he said. “The safety profile is actually quite good. But we have oversold it. Use it — but just know it’s not going to work nearly as well as everyone says.”
1 - 20 of 77 Next › Last »
Showing 20▼ items per page