Real time microscopy tracks the course of developing T cells
...how the major components of immunity acquire their defensive chops. ...... found that the beeps reduced the classic "freeze" defensive response in the trained mice. They also found that when the safety-conditioned mice, compared to control mice, heard the beeps, they would increase adventurous exploration of an open space--abandoning their normal, protective, wall-hugging behavior. ...At the molecular level, the predator is the prey
...rvive are some T. sirtalis garter snakes. TTX is a defensive compound found in some puffer fish, octopuses and primitive chordates. It is used in low concentrations to treat morphine and heroine addicts. It's also the "zombie" drug used by Haitian voodoo ritualists. Despite its action at the molecular level, t...In the sea slug's defense against lobsters, confusion is key
...ir of glands. The new findings show that Aplysia's defensive secretion includes a variety of chemicals that together comprise a multi-pronged attack on the predator's nervous system, resulting in the usurpation of its normal behavioral control system and a confused response that facilitates the slug's ultimate...New study will push forward understanding of post-natal illnesses
...gressive, but following birth they become fiercely defensive of their pups against intruders. Sometimes, this aggression causes the mother rat to turn on her own babies and harm them. The scientists plan to study the hormone vasopressin which is known to control aggressive behaviour in male rats. Results of th...Surprisingly complex behaviors appear to be 'hard-wired' in the primate brain
...eproduce. They include aggressive facial patterns, defensive forelimb movements, and hand-to-mouth and reaching...ese results explain why certain behaviors such as defensive and aggressive movements, smiling and grasping food are so similar around the world. It is because ...Symbiotic bacteria protect hunting wasps from fungal infestation
...an be successfully utilized by higher organisms in defensive mechanisms against other microbes. In the new work...t dangerous pathogens. As yet, only a few cases of defensive symbioses between higher organisms and bacteria have been reported. In their new paper, Martin Kalte...Termites feed through good vibrations
... the wood species and hardness is important as are defensive chemicals made by the plant. But our work shows that this is not the only method of assessment. There are many accounts of termites not consuming a piece of palatable wood."...Rapid, new test develped for inherited immune deficiency
... cell to identify an infectious agent and launch a defensive attack to kill the invader. While rearranging the receptor gene, the maturing T cell produces a bit of leftover genetic material that forms a ring structure within the cell. Using a quantitative laboratory technique that measures the number of thes...Biological clock may shut down long-term memory at night
...lysia. These studies involved experiments on the defensive reflexes and feeding responses of Aplysia. Eskin's results showed that Aplysia form long-term memory when they are trained during the day but not when they are trained at night. However, short-term memory of the same behaviors is formed equally wel...Vaccination with anthrax capsule protects against experimental infection in animals
.... The toxins are thought to act mainly by damaging defensive cells called phagocytes, causing the immune system to malfunction. The efficacy of the current licensed anthrax vaccine, Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA), is believed to be based on the presence of PA. Though the exact mechanism of protection is not k...... of cells, which consists of macrophages and other defensive immune cells. Although granulomas are required for... have developed a strategy to recruit the normally defensive cells of the host to their advantage, but it remains to be shown what tips the balance between the m...