Hormone May Help Treat Diabetes A hormone called betatrophin prompts cells in the pancreas to multiply and produce more insulin. The finding, in mice, may lead to new ways to prevent or slow the progression of diabetes. Mice that overexpress betatrophin (bottom) produce more pancreatic beta cells (red) and insulin (green) than control mice (top). […]

Refining Supplements for a Blinding Eye Disease New findings may help improve nutritional supplements for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness nationwide. AMD gradually destroys sharp, central vision as a person ages. The disease affects the macula, a region of the retina responsible for central vision. We rely on the macula […]

Microscopic Star-Shaped Grippers Take Biopsies Researchers designed and tested star-shaped microtools that close in response to body heat to grasp tissue samples. The microgrippers, which require no wires or power, can potentially be used to retrieve tissue samples in many hard-to-reach places. A microgripper near the opening of an endoscopic catheter. Credit: Evin Gultepe, Gracias […]

Genomic Analysis of Endometrial Tumors Genomic classification of endometrial tumors could help guide treatment strategies, according to a new analysis. The study also revealed 4 novel endometrial tumor subtypes and found similarities to other cancers. Cancer of the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, is the fourth most common cancer among women in the […]

Killing Cancer With Radioactive Bacteria Live bacteria delivered a lethal radioactive payload to pancreatic cancer cells in mice. With further development, the experimental approach might one day help doctors fight this deadly type of cancer in people. Listeria (red) inside pancreatic tumor cells 6 hours after infection. Image by the Gravekamp and Dadachova labs, used courtesy of PNAS. […]

 Lab-Grown Kidneys Function in Rats Scientists have created artificial kidneys that can filter blood and produce urine when transplanted into rats. With further development, this approach could help the many patients who await organ transplants because their own kidneys no longer work. A decellularized rat kidney in a bioreactor after reseeding with endothelial cells. Photo courtesy […]

Clues in H7N9 Influenza Genetic Sequences Researchers quickly evaluated the genetic sequences of the novel H7N9 avian influenza virus that’s caused illness and death in China in recent weeks. The analysis provides clues to the virus’s origin, transmissibility and potential sensitivity to existing treatments. Transmission electron micrograph of the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. Courtesy of […]

Arrestin Developments Researchers visualized a key step in how signals from outside the cell are muted within. The finding gives insight into the complex system that controls how all the cells in our bodies behave. This knowledge could have implications in the design of many drugs. Activated ß-arrestin-1 (yellow) binds a G-protein coupled receptor (green) […]

Red Meat-Heart Disease Link Involves Gut Microbes The link between red meat consumption and heart disease, a study suggests, may stem from gut microbes breaking down carnitine, a compound found in red meat. People who eat a lot of red meat have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The saturated fats and cholesterol in meat […]

Cholesterol as Target for Age-Related Vision Loss A study in mice suggests that targeting cholesterol metabolism in the eye may help prevent progression of a severe form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the most common causes of blindness in older Americans. An eye affected by neovascular AMD, filled with abnormal blood vessels and […]