science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Δευτέρα 11 Ιουνίου 2012

Science News SciGuru.com

Scientists reveal structure of bacterial chainmail
Researchers watch tiny living machines self-assemble
Scripps Research Scientists Develop New Tools to Unveil Mystery of the 'Glycome'
Why resist insulin? Finding genes associated with insulin resistance
Researchers found 4 gene loci predisposing people to the most common subtype of migraine
Top risk of stroke for normal-weight adults: Getting under 6 hours of sleep
A SMART(er) way to track influenza

Scientists reveal structure of bacterial chainmail

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:41 AM PDT

An international team of scientists, funded in the UK by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, has uncovered the structure of the protective protein coat which surrounds many bacteria like a miniature suit of armour. Their research, which is published on June 10th in Nature, has far ranging consequences in helping us understand how some pathogenic bacteria infect humans and animals, and could help us develop new vaccines.

Researchers watch tiny living machines self-assemble

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:32 AM PDT

Enabling bioengineers to design new molecular machines for nanotechnology applications is one of the possible outcomes of a study by University of Montreal researchers that was published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology today. The scientists have developed a new approach to visualize how proteins assemble, which may also significantly aid our understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which are caused by errors in assembly.

Scripps Research Scientists Develop New Tools to Unveil Mystery of the 'Glycome'

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:19 AM PDT

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have developed chemical compounds that can make key modifications to common sugar molecules (“glycans”), which are found on the surface of all cells in our body. The new study presents powerful new tools for studying these molecules’ function, for example in cell signaling and immunity, and for investigating new treatments for chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer metastasis, and related conditions.

Why resist insulin? Finding genes associated with insulin resistance

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:05 AM PDT

Researchers have uncovered six genetic regions that appear to affect resistance to the effects of insulin, which is important in many cases of type 2 diabetes. Previously, only two regions had been described.

The team were able to identify the regions because they made allowance for obesity of the study participants: differences in obesity might otherwise have masked the effect of genetic variants that influence insulin resistance.

Researchers found 4 gene loci predisposing people to the most common subtype of migraine

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT

Researchers studied genetic data of more than 11 000 people and found altogether six genes that predispose to migraine without aura. Four of these genes are new and two of them confirm previous findings.

The new genes identified in this study provide further evidence for the hypothesis that dysregulation of molecules important in transmitting signals between brain neurons contribute to migraine. Two of the genes support the hypothesis of a possible role of blood vessels and thus disturbances in blood flow.

Top risk of stroke for normal-weight adults: Getting under 6 hours of sleep

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:51 AM PDT

Habitually sleeping less than six hours a night significantly increases the risk of stroke symptoms among middle-age to older adults who are of normal weight and at low risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study of 5,666 people followed for up to three years.

A SMART(er) way to track influenza

Posted: 11 Jun 2012 04:48 AM PDT

Brown University researchers have created a reliable and fast flu-detection test that can be carried in a first-aid kit. The novel prototype device isolates influenza RNA using a combination of magnetics and microfluidics, then amplifies and detects probes bound to the RNA. The technology could lead to real-time tracking of influenza. Results are published in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.