Variation in immune response gene causes age-related macular degeneration when triggered
...cular degeneration and are beginning to target the trigger that sets the process in motion," said Rando Allik...hological process. Our research suggests that the trigger is a specific inducer of the alternative complement pathway, such as an infection, systemic disease,...New insight into Huntington's disease pathology
...ly engineered mice in which they could selectively trigger production of the mutant, toxic HD protein either throughout the brain or just in one restricted set of neurons. If only the toxic protein were required to produce the disease pathology, the "restricted-production" mice should show significant HD-typ...Newly discovered genetic disease sheds light on body's water balance
...the R137L mutation have 7.5 times as much. With no trigger from the vasopressin hormone, the V2 receptors nevertheless were active. Feldman noted that an interesting aspect of the study was the time that it required, in comparison to the painstaking efforts required to isolate genes a decade ago. In nine mon...New insights into how Huntington's disease attacks the brain
... gene mutation. The first group was engineered to trigger production of the mutant HD protein throughout the brain. The second set of mice produced the mutant HD protein only in the target brain cells. The scientists reasoned that if the mutant protein triggered the disease only from within the target cel...A whole lot of shaking goin' on triggers early hatching in red-eyed tree frogs
...ch vibrational cues red-eyed tree frog eggs use to trigger early hatching. By inserting a minature accelerometer, a device like a microphone that records vibrations instead of sounds, into clutches of eggs she had collected, Warkentin was able to record vibrations that occurred when the snakes attacked the...Hopeful results from interrupted Alzheimer's vaccine study
... beta amyloid molecule. The antibodies should help trigger the immune system to attack beta amyloid, but will be cleared by the body soon after injection. That means a series of six injections to "remind" the body to attack beta amyloid. As in the previous study, participants will be randomly assigned to re...PNAS highlights for the week of May 9 - 13
...e Indian Ocean basin, the change in vapor flow may trigger disruptions of the Asian monsoon system. The researchers suggest that such land use changes need to be considered when developing climate models. Potential Pheromone Activates Brains of Homosexual Men A potential pheromone found in male perspiratio...WHO centre calls for global action on cleft palate
...tors in the maternal environment may also act as a trigger to cause a fault in the development of the embryo." The centre's 10-strong team, which includes staff from the University's Faculties of Medical and Human Sciences as well as Life Sciences, is already involved in a number of international collaborati......These studies show that excessive GPR40 action can trigger each of the two stages of the disease. Our results establish GPR40 as an important link between obesity and diabetes. This gives us a new tool to combat the diabetes epidemic: For example, it might be possible in the future to treat the condition usi...Bee mites suppress bee immunity, open door for viruses and bacteria
...mites or mite free. The dead bacteria was used to trigger an immune response in the bees in the same way human vaccines cause our bodies to produce an immune response. They checked the bees for production of chemicals that disinfect the honey and for other immunity related chemicals. They also measured th...Researchers find gene that may be at root of potato blight
...he plant variety, can either facilitate disease or trigger resistance. Avr3a scouts a potato plant on the cellular level to determine whether the plant is a likely victim. "This avirulence gene is kind of like a weapon that triggers a metal detector," said Sophien Kamoun, a study co-author and an associate...Gene keeps neural cells on correct developmental path
...s, where neuronal proteins produced by cancers may trigger the immune cells to attack the nervous system. The...activity. "REST keeps the brake on lightly until a trigger tells embryonic stem cells it's time to make a neuron," Mandel said. The cell then triggers the expr...National Institute on Aging awards UCI $9 million to continue Alzheimer's disease research
...yloid within the neurons of transgenic mice is the trigger for the onset of memory decline in Alzheimer's disease. Established in 2000, the ADRC program is committed to pioneering research initiatives that use the latest computer technology to collect, organize and analyze large amounts of biological data. ...Protein prevents detrimental immune effects of bacterial sepsis
...infection, their immune systems overcompensate and trigger a dangerous cascade of tissue damage. Thus, to prevent death from sepsis, physicians must not only control the bacterial infection but better control the detrimental effects of the immune system. Dr. Perretti's lab is further investigating these i...Retina adapts to light changes by rewiring itself
...tic retinal devices that allow changes in light to trigger spike signals within ganglion cells, allowing people who are blind to distinguish shapes, von Gersdorff said. "We're still in the very early days of understanding the retina. There's so much we don't know about the circuitry, how it functions and th...MUHC scientists describe genetic resistance to rampant virus
...hy people suffer only mild symptoms, infection can trigger fatal reactions in those with a compromised immune system, such as organ transplant recipients, newborns and persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Dr. Vidal believes her groundbreaking discovery increases the likelihood that thera......ing novel avenues for the development of agents to trigger the killing of damaged cells, such as tumorigenic ones," explains Dr. Huang....Longevity controlled by calorie quality, not quantity
... suggests, the authors argue, that yeast and sugar trigger different metabolic pathways with different effects on life span.......ecule called inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) to trigger the release of calcium within cells. In most cases, scientists do not know why marine organisms make these compounds, Molinski said. As much as five percent of the animal may be made up of one compound -- a big investment of energy and resources. Che......hat detect various infection-causing molecules and trigger defensive responses." A next step in this line of work is to look at other pathogen effector proteins and analyze their role in causing infections. Mackey conducted the study with Ohio State colleagues Min Gab Kim, a graduate student in the departm...