Tag Archives: cells

Stem cell transplantation can reverse stroke damage, researchers at the University of Zurich report. Its beneficial effects include regeneration of neurons and restoration of motor functions, marking a milestone in the treatment of brain disorders. One in four adults suffer a stroke in their lifetime, leaving around half of them with residual damage such as paralysis or speech impairment because …

Illustration showing a healthy substantia nigra in a human brain. Degeneration of this structure is characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images Parkinson’s Disease affects around a million people in the United States, and that number is on the rise, in part because our population is getting older. Dr. …

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that the harsh environment inside tumors, characterized by low oxygen and high acidity, induces stress in T cells’ mitochondria, which then release reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage telomeres and drive T cell exhaustion. Credit: Shutterstock Telomere damage drives T cell exhaustion. Antioxidants restored their cancer-fighting strength in mice. Tumor environments place …

It’s the most tried and true health advice: regular exercise is key to warding off obesity, aging and chronic diseases.  Mountains of research also shows working out just a few days a week could slash the risk of dying from cancer. However, a new study has pinpointed a specific workout routine shown to slow the growth of cancer cells, even …

New research shows that the physical pressure of surrounding tissues can trigger hidden epigenetic changes in cancer cells, making them less focused on growth but more invasive and resistant. Credit: Stock Pressure from surrounding tissues activates invasive programs in cancer cells. This mechanical stress rewires epigenetic regulation. Cancer cells are notoriously adaptable, capable of shifting their characteristics as they spread …

Parkinson’s disease is associated with toxic clumps of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, which disrupt healthy cell communication. Now, a new study shows another way this protein may damage brain cells. Researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark examined alpha-synuclein oligomers, smaller molecules that also accompany Parkinson’s. Using a lab-made cell model, they found these oligomers can open up tiny …

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in a part of the brain responsible for motor movement. Now there’s fresh evidence for how these crucial brain cells are being killed off. Building on previous studies in animal models showing that as these neurons die, the remaining ones work harder, researchers from the Gladstone Institute for Neurological Disease …

It’s the most tried and true health advice: regular exercise is key to warding off obesity, aging and chronic diseases.  Mountains of research also shows working out just a few days a week could slash the risk of dying from cancer. However, a new study has pinpointed a specific workout routine shown to slow the growth of cancer cells, even …

When cells are injured, they can “vomit” their insides out to help them heal faster, according to a new study. While effective, the process could also be implicated in diseases like cancer. The discovery was made while scientists were investigating a recently discovered cellular process called paligenosis, where mature cells respond to injury by reverting to a younger-seeming progenitor state, …

Forgetfulness, brain fog, and difficulty in concentrating are all-too-familiar complaints in today’s hectic life. Though these symptoms are most typically blamed on aging, lack of sleep, or distraction, there can be a less apparent, often undervalued offender: cortisol- the body’s natural stress hormone. But when cortisol is elevated for hours, it has a profound impact on memory and brain function. …