science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Δευτέρα 7 Απριλίου 2014

Science News SciGuru.com

Paralyzed muscles activated by pulsed light controlled stem cell-derived motor neurons

Posted: 07 Apr 2014 06:09 AM PDT

Motor neuron disease or central nervous system injury can lead to loss of essential voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing due to defects in motor neurons. A new study published on 4th April in the journal Science describes a method for bypassing the defective central motor circuit using engrafted, light-activated motor neurons. The study in mice was led by researchers in University College London (UCL) and King’s College London and offers hope for treatment of paralysis and breathing difficulties in these devastating conditions.

Scientists uncover startlingly new functional details of common anti-diabetic drugs

Posted: 07 Apr 2014 05:50 AM PDT

Scientists thought they basically knew how the most common drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes worked, but a new study from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) reveals unexpected new aspects of the process. These findings could eventually lead to more potent anti-diabetic drugs with fewer serious side effects.

The study was published in the April 7, 2014 issue of the journal Nature Communications.