Life Sciences

Found results: 11545

Genetics

Neanderthal genome: details

According to Peebo, the question of the transfer of genes by a modern type of man to a Neanderthal is still open. In the opposite direction – from a Neanderthal to a human – there was no gene transfer. The scientist stated that there are practically no Neanderthal genes in humans and, although he cannot give an accurate assessment yet, the share of Neanderthal heritage in the human genome, "if there is, is negligible."

13.02.2009
Prolonging youth

Hormones of youth

If you resort to age-related hormone therapy, then with great caution. You will need one hormone or several in a fight with time, depending on your state of health and the goal you want to achieve. Throughout the treatment, the hormone level should be regularly rechecked, and the dose should be adjusted.

12.02.2009
Biomedicine

Will the neurotrophic factor cure Alzheimer's disease?

Scientists from San Diego worked with several models of Alzheimer's disease, which was reproduced in mice, rats and monkeys. The experimenters either injected the neurotrophic factor itself into the affected tissues, or infected them with a harmless genetically engineered virus carrying an embedded gene for this protein. In all cases, the sick animals showed a significant improvement in the ability to memorize and learn.

11.02.2009
Theories of aging

In search of the elixir of youth

At the end of January, conferences dedicated to the memory of V.V. Frolkis, an outstanding physiologist and gerontologist who devoted his life to the study of the fundamental mechanisms of aging, were held in Kiev.

09.02.2009
Biomedicine

Bio-nano-putty can save your arm or leg

It is assumed that the putty will include a material known as nanoporous silicon, which was developed in the laboratory of Dr. Ferrari. This material should provide the putty with the strength necessary to support the patient's weight during the period of regeneration of new bone tissue.

09.02.2009
New in Gerontology

Incest prolongs life

Women live longer due to the presence of a second X chromosome, which can insure against hidden mutations on the first one. To test this, Swedish scientists tracked 10 generations of siblings who mated exclusively with each other.

06.02.2009
New in Gerontology

A connection between two aging pathways has been found

Representatives of the sirtuin family take part in the aging of the body and the occurrence of age-related diseases. The SIRT6 protein is involved in maintaining genome stability and protecting telomeres, as well as regulating gene expression. Another pathway is associated with the protein NF-kB, which attaches to and controls the expression of many genes, including genes involved in aging.

06.02.2009
Genetics

Epigenetics: inherited memory?

Epigenetic processes affect the risk of a number of diseases, including cancer. Some scientists even believe that epigenetics is associated with diseases stronger than genetics. Recently, American scientists published the results of two experiments that demonstrated the possibility of epigenetic inheritance of skills acquired in the learning process.

05.02.2009
Biomedicine

Neurogenomics: on the way to the perfect antidepressant

Nina Popova, head of the Behavioral Neurogenomics Laboratory at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, told about the project, which in the future may make it possible to create trouble-free antidepressants.

03.02.2009
Theories of aging

Has another aging factor been discovered?

Based on the results of the studies already conducted, we received a diploma for the discovery of "The phenomenon of accumulation of aging factor in mammalian organisms". Now the main task is to determine what exactly this factor is. Then we can identify the gene that is responsible for its synthesis, and look for methods either to inhibit this synthesis, or to reduce the biological activity of the aging factor in the body.

03.02.2009
Other life sciences

Prototype of a live brain-computer interface

In the future, the interface between the brain and an artificial system may be built on nerve cells specially grown for this purpose. A group of Israeli scientists took the first step in this direction by artificially creating circuits and logic gates from live nerves grown in the laboratory.

02.02.2009
Cellular technologies

Cell therapy – medicine of the future

Cell therapy is a young field for our medicine. Although our scientists have been engaged in the development of this promising area for fifteen years. Among those who stood at the origins of cellular technologies in Russia is Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Scientific Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology Gennady Sukhoi.

29.01.2009
Biomedicine

Cancer Immunotherapy: Training dendritic cells

Dendritic cells by themselves do not destroy cancerous growths. They recognize specific proteins-antigens located on the surface of cancer cells, and then activate killer lymphocytes that directly attack the tumor. However, under normal conditions they do not do it very effectively. The task of immunotherapy is to make dendritic cells react strongly and precisely to the form of cancer that the patient suffers from.

29.01.2009
Theories of aging

Another aging mechanism: nuclear pores

Reactive oxygen species, which have long been the main enemy of gerontologists, are able to accelerate the wear of nuclear pores, and with it the aging of the entire cell. It remains to be hoped that a system compensating for these "leaks" still exists, and if it can be detected, it will become a new round in the study of active longevity.

28.01.2009
Other life sciences

You can be poor and happy, but you can't be rich and unhappy

If a country is rich, its inhabitants are almost certainly happy; if the inhabitants are unhappy, the country is almost certainly poor. However, there are many countries whose inhabitants consider themselves very happy despite poverty.

27.01.2009
Cellular technologies

The FDA has allowed stem cell testing: details

The damaged areas of the spinal cord of patients will be injected not with embryonic stem cells themselves, but with the progenitor cells of oligodendrocytes derived from them, responsible for the formation of the myelin sheath of neurons. It is assumed that an increase in the number of these cells will create favorable conditions for the regeneration of damaged nerve fibers.

26.01.2009