Universidad de Salamanca Facultad de Biología

Biblioteca

Bionoticias Noviembre (3ª) de 2013

MÁS INFORMACIÓN Y OFERTAS EN LA WEB DE LA BIOBLIOTECA : http://campus.usal.es/~bibliotecabiologia/

BioNoticias. Resumen de prensa semanal

Elaborado por la Biblioteca de Biología. Universidad de Salamanca

Para leer el texto completo de los artículos pulse en el título

Para agrandar el texto pulse cualquier otra parte de la página

Puede enviarnos sus noticias a bibbiol@usal.es

Suscribirse a Bionotias + BioEmpleo: dirección de correo electrónico y su nombre a bibbiol@usal.es

Boletines anteriores en http://issuu.com/bibliotecabiologia

índice

Biología 4

Biomedicina 9

Biotecnología 14

Células madre 25

Neurociencia 28

.Biología

Una técnica 3D permite ver con detalle el desarrollo del tórax en humanos Hasta la fecha, se sabía poco sobre el desarrollo del tórax a lo largo del ciclo vital humano debido a su estructura metamérica –compuesta de muchos elementos anatómicos– y a la compleja curvatura de las costillas. Las imágenes médicas en 3D han permitido visualizar la caja torácica pero ha sido...

Identifican un nuevo gen que regula el desarrollo de la raíz en las plantas El Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology lidera un estudio en el que se ha identificado y caracterizado un nuevo gen que regula el desarrollo del meristerno radicular de las plantas, un tejido que les permite mantener un crecimiento continuo de la raíz. En el trabajo también ha...

Una técnica 3D permite ver con detalle el desarrollo del tórax en humanos Un estudio internacional, liderado por el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), examina por primera vez en detalle el desarrollo del tórax en humanos. Los investigadores han descubierto que la forma torácica del adulto se alcanza más tarde de lo esperado y que la caja torácica no se comporta como una única unidad sino como dos unidades que se desarrollan en tiempo y modo distintos. La amistad entre el perro y el hombre nació en Europa La domesticación del lobo por los humanos tuvo lugar en tierras europeas hace más de 19.000 años, a través de un proceso largo del que ambas especies se beneficiaron, según indica un análisis genético comparado de razas actuales y fósiles de cánidos de todo el mundo. Esta nueva afirmación contradice las hipótesis anteriores, que situaban el origen de esta relación en Asia.

Identifican las áreas protegidas más irremplazables del mundo Un estudio, que publica la revista Science, ha identificado las áreas protegidas más importantes para prevenir la extinción de los mamíferos, aves y anfibios más amenazados del mundo. Se han reconocido como ‘excepcionalmente insustituibles’ 78 de estos lugares, que comprenden 137 áreas protegidas en un total de 34 países. Manipulación genética para encontrar nuevos antibióticos en un hongo Se ha descubierto que la eliminación de un gen que actúa como regulador maestro en un tipo de hongo común permite el acceso a una gran cantidad de nuevos compuestos que no han sido estudiados antes, lo que brinda la oportunidad de identificar algunos antibióticos nuevos.Los autores del hallazgo,... La relevancia del acto de cocinar en la evolución del cerebro humano La científica brasileña Suzana Herculano-Houzel ha realizado a lo largo de su carrera numerosos estudios comparativos del cerebro humano con el de otras especies animales.“Más que la invención del fuego, lo que realmente nos hizo humanos fue aprender a utilizarlo para cocinar”. Con esta...

La acidificación del mar puede aumentar un 170% este siglo Un informe internacional, que se presentará el próximo 18 de noviembre en las negociaciones climáticas que tienen lugar en Varsovia (Polonia) en el marco de la XIX Conferencia de las Partes sobre cambio climático, concluye que la acidez de los océanos del mundo podría aumentar en alrededor de un 170% a finales de siglo. Las personas que dependen de los ecosistemas marinos –a menudo localizados en Las corrientes marinas desplazan decenas de kilómetros a las crías de percebe en el Cantábrico Un estudio desvela el efecto de las corrientes marinas sobre las larvas del preciado crustáceo. Las conclusiones del trabajo, realizado pora la Universidad de Oviedo en colaboración con el Centro de Experimentación Pesquera del Principado de Asturias, tienen implicación directa sobre la gestión y conservación de la especie.

El año 2013 puede convertirse en uno de los diez más cálidos que se recuerdan Los nueve primeros meses del año, de enero a septiembre, constituyeron el séptimo período más cálido jamás registrado en el mundo, junto con 2003. Las temperaturas de la superficie del océano y de la tierra se situaron en aproximadamente 0,48 °C por encima de la media del período 1961-1990, según señala la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM). Las cianobacterias cambiaron el mundo y ahora reaccionan peligrosamente al calentamiento global Las cianobacterias, popularmente conocidas con nombres como "algas verdiazules", y capaces de realizar la fotosíntesis, figuran entre las formas de vida más antiguas de la Tierra. Llevan en el mundo unos 3.500 millones de años, desde una época tan distinta a la actual que en aquel entonces ni... Analizan los antioxidantes de las mieles gallegas con espectrometría infrarroja Investigadores de las universidades de Salamanca y Vigo han desarrollado un método para identificar los componentes antioxidantes de la miel más rápido, barato y eficiente que los empleados en la actualidad. Han analizado mieles de Galicia con técnicas de espectroscopía de infrarrojo cercano. Nuevas células madre pluripotentes humanas más controlables Uno de los obstáculos para utilizar células madre humanas embrionarias en medicina, radica paradójicamente en lo mismo que las hace tan prometedoras. Estas células, una vez originadas, se diferencian rápidamente en otros tipos celulares, y para los científicos ha sido imposible conseguir, de... Las extrañas bacterias capaces de provocar la formación de hielo Algunas bacterias son capaces de utilizar el agua helada como un arma de ataque. Especies como la Pseudomonas syringae tienen proteínas especiales en sus membranas externas que promueven la formación de cristales de hielo, y las usan para activar la formación de escarcha en vegetales a... Las bacterias permiten a las hienas comunicarse con señales olorosas

Científicos de la Universidad de Michigan han descubierto que las hienas tienen la capacidad de comunicarse entre ellas a través de varios tipos de bacterias que tienen bajo su cola. El volcán submarino de El Hierro continúa emitiendo CO2 por cuatro de sus nueve conos El buque oceanográfico Ángeles Alvariño, del Instituto Español de Oceanografía, regresa a la isla de Tenerife después de concluir la segunda de las campañas VULCANO en la isla canaria de El Hierro. VULCANO prestó en esta ocasión especial atención a la zona de la erupción submarina donde después de dos años, investigadores del proyecto siguen observando fuertes anomalías de temperatura, salinidad, ¿Por qué los vegetales tienden a vivir más tiempo que los animales? La organización biológica de los animales es muy distinta a la de los vegetales en muchos aspectos. Los animales destacan por su mayor complejidad y por ser más avanzados que las plantas en ese sentido.Sin embargo, pese a las muchas ventajas de los animales sobre los vegetales, estos poseen... MicroARN: el mecanismo que permite a los vegetales ser más grandes y saludables ¿Cómo es que se regula a los genes? ¿Qué es lo que determina cuando un gen está activo y cuando no? ¿Qué es un microARN? ¿Qué implicancias tendría comprender su funcionamiento en el mundo vegetal? Aumentar el rendimiento del campo, producir plantas más grandes y con mayor tolerancia a la sequía... Lapas en peligro de extinción cambian de sexo para mejorar su supervivencia La lapa ferruginosa es uno de los invertebrados más amenazados del mar Mediterráneo y está catalogada como en peligro de extinción. Investigadores del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales han descubierto su estrategia reproductiva, que consiste en cambiar de sexo tanto de macho a hembra como al contrario, lo que mejora su capacidad para adaptarse a los cambios en su entorno.

.Biomedicina

Creados por primera vez minirriñones a partir de células madre humanas Un equipo internacional de investigadores consigue crear estructuras renales tridimensionales en cultivo utilizando células madre humanas. Este pionero avance facilitará el estudio de las enfermedades renales, el descubrimiento de nuevos fármacos y es un paso más hacia la aplicación de terapias basadas en el uso de células madre. El consumo de antibióticos se reduce pero aumenta la resistencia bacteriana Esta mañana se han presentado los resultados del Eurobarómetro 2013 sobre resistencias antimicrobianas. Mientras los resultados confirman una disminución en el uso de antibióticos en los seres humanos desde 2009, se ha detectado un marcado aumento en el continente de bacterias gram negativas resistentes a múltiples fármacos. Hallan cuatro nuevas proteínas sobre las que actuar en procesos malignos del cáncer de mama Un equipo del Hospital Vall d’Hebron ha identificado un microRNA que da lugar al descubrimiento de nuevos genes y rutas metabólicas implicadas en el desarrollo de tumores. Los resultados, publicados en PLOS ONE, abren la puerta al estudio de nuevas vías terapéuticas.

La senescencia celular es un proceso crucial en el desarrollo del embrión Dos estudios españoles publicados esta semana en la revista Cell describen la senescencia como un proceso normal durante el desarrollo embrionario. Ambos estudios atribuyen un rol completamente nuevo e inesperado a este proceso, a menudo relacionado con el envejecimiento y el cáncer. Nace el primer biobanco de ADN de los antiguos romanos para estudiar la causa de la diabetes Se trata de una colección de ADN de 489 muestras humanas, procedentes de las necrópolis romanas de Tarragona entre los siglos III y VI para estudiar la causa genética de la diabetes. Este proyecto tiene grandes posibilidades de aplicación biomédica, como el conocimiento del impacto de las migraciones en el desarrollo de nuevas enfermedades.

Un programa de ejercicio mejora el nivel de azúcar en sangre en diabetes tipo 2 Mejorar el estado de salud de personas afectadas por diabetes tipo 2, ese es el objetivo de un programa específico de entrenamiento diseñado por investigadores del departamento de Educación Física y Deportes de la Universidad de Sevilla, basado en diferentes ejercicios realizados sobre una máquina vibratoria .

Pacientes y científicos se alían para combatir la ataxia de Friedreich Dos asociaciones de pacientes con ataxia de Friedreich y dos centros de investigación biomédica, el Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa de Madrid y el IRB Barcelona, se unen en la lucha contra esta enfermedad neurológica hereditaria que a día de hoy no tiene cura y afecta a dos personas por cada 100.000 habitantes de media, únicamente de origen europeo. En España la incidencia es mayor: se e La lactancia materna mejora el desarrollo neurológico a largo plazo de los niños La lactancia materna completa entre seis y doce meses mejora el desarrollo de las funciones cognitivas de los niños de cuatro años, aunque todavía se desconocen los factores involucrados en su beneficio. La inteligencia de las madres, los síntomas psicopatológicos, la clase social y los ácidos grasos de calostro no explican esta asociación. Finalizan los primeros ensayos clínicos de la vacuna española contra la tuberculosis Hoy se han dado a conocer en Madrid los primeros resultados de toxicidad del ensayo clínico fase I de la vacuna preventiva contra la tuberculosis desarrollada por la Universidad de Zaragoza, en colaboración con el Instituto Pasteur (Francia). A la espera de que se confirmen los datos dentro de unos meses, los primeros voluntarios vacunados no han presentado signos de la enfermedad. La vacuna podrí

La combinación de genómica y epigenómica explica por qué algunos pacientes nacen sin páncreas El estudio ha sido encabezado por investigadores de la Universidad de Exeter (Reino Unido), el IDIBAPS y el Imperial College de Londres (Reino Unido). La epigenómica permite identificar secuencias del genoma importantes para la regulación de la expresión de los genes que quedaban ocultas en zonas del genoma hasta hace poco denominadas “DNA basura”. Las mutaciones causantes de la agenesia pancreáti El sofrito contiene sustancias que reducen el riesgo cardiovascular La unión del tomate, el aceite de oliva, el ajo y la cebolla en un sofrito aumenta la cantidad de polifenoles y carotenoides. Estos compuestos biosaludables ayudan, respectivamente, a prevenir las enfermedades cardiovasculares y el cáncer. Así lo recoge un estudio de la Universidad de Barcelona y la red CIBERobn que confirma al sofrito como un elemento esencial en la dieta mediterránea. Nuevo avance para combatir el dolor visceral Investigadores de la Universidad de Granada y una compañía farmaceutica han probado en ratones un nuevo fármaco para tratar el dolor visceral, una enfermedad que afecta a una de cada cuatro personas a lo largo de su vida. Su origen está en transtornos de multitud de órganos internos, desde el corazón hasta el hígado o los pulmones. El 6,8% de los niños españoles padecen trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad Este lunes se han presentado los resultados del proyecto PANDAH sobre el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad en España, donde afecta a casi el 7% de los niños y adolescentes. El estudio confirma que este trastorno se suele detectar demasiado tarde y que existe una "discriminación territorial" dependiendo de la comunidad autónoma donde viven los afectados.

.Biotecnología

Persistent gene therapy in muscle may not require immunosuppression In a new study, researchers evaluated the persistence of rAAV-mediated expression the gene encoding M-type ±-1 antitrypsin in patients that were AAT deficient Protein coding 'junk genes' may be linked to cancer By using a new analysis method, researchers have found close to one hundred novel human gene regions that code for proteins. A number of these regions are so-called pseudogenes, which may be linked to cancer. The expectation is now that this recently developed protein analysis method will open up a whole new field of research.

Graphene nanoribbons for 'reading' DNA One of the methods used for examining the molecules in a liquid consists in passing the fluid through a nano-sized hole so as to detect their passage. Researchers have found a way to improve this technique by using a material with unique properties: graphene. Researchers home in on roots of Caribbean populations using new DNA analysis method Those of us who want to learn about our ancestors -- who they were, where they came from and how they mingled (or didn't) with others around them -- often turn to historical records or elderly family members for answers. But a new study indicates that the answers can also be found within our own genes. HIV protein may impact neurocognitive impairment in infected patients A protein shed by HIV-infected brain cells alters synaptic connections between networks of nerve cells, according to new research. The findings could explain why nearly half of all patients infected with the AIDS virus experience some level of neurocognitive impairment. New avian flu virus emerges in Taiwan: researchers working to prevent infection A novel strain of influenza A, H6N1, has been reported in a 20-year old woman in Taiwan. Health officials fear the virus, which is very similar in structure to the H7N9 avian flu virus which killed 45 and infected 139 people in China last year, may infect more people.

Understanding a protein's role in familial Alzheimer's disease Researchers have used genetic engineering of human induced pluripotent stem cells to specifically and precisely parse the roles of a key mutated protein in causing familial Alzheimer’s disease, discovering that simple loss-of-function does not contribute to the inherited form of the neurodegenerative disorder. New function of two molecules involved in metastasis Researchers have described a new function for two key molecules involved in tumor progression. Transcription factor SNAIL1 and enzyme LOXL2 are essential to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, meaning the process by which tumor cells are able to move and reach other tissues. The study places LOXL2 as a possible therapeutic target to treat cancers such as breast, lung or skin cancer. Toxin produced by bacteria could serve as model for next-generation antibiotics The recent rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious public health threat, and there is a need for new therapeutic strategies to combat these infections. A study has revealed a new toxin that inhibits bacterial growth by blocking the DNA replication machinery, which is not targeted by currently available antibiotics. The findings open new therapeutic avenues for developing the next genera Genes uniquely expressed by brain's immune cells Investigators have used a new sequencing method to identify a group of genes used by the brain's immune cells -- called microglia -- to sense pathogenic organisms, toxins or damaged cells that require their response. Identifying these genes should lead to better understanding of the role of microglia both in normal brains and in neurodegenerative disorders. Evolution can select for evolvability, biologists find Evolution does not have foresight. But organisms with a greater capacity to evolve may fare better in changing environments. This raises the question: Does evolution favor characteristics that increase a species' ability to evolve? For several years, biologists have attempted to provide evidence that natural selection has acted on evolvability. Now a new article offers clear evidence that the answ

Protein interplay in muscle tied to life span Biologists have uncovered a complicated chain of molecular events that leads from insulin to protein degradation in muscles and significantly diminished life span in fruit flies. The new study, which may have broad implications across species, identifies the fly version the mammalian protein activin as the central culprit in the process. Gene linked to common intellectual disability Researchers have taken a step forward in unravelling the causes of a commonly inherited intellectual disability, finding that a genetic mutation leads to a reduction in certain proteins in the brain. Dogs likely originated in Europe more than 18,000 years ago, biologists report Wolves likely were domesticated by European hunter-gatherers more than 18,000 years ago, and gradually evolved into dogs that became household pets, biologists report. Glowing worms illuminate the roots of behavior Researchers have developed a system to image brain activity in multiple awake and unconstrained worms. The technology, which makes it possible to study the genetics and neural circuitry associated with animal behavior, can also be used as a high-throughput screening tool for drug development targeting autism, depression, and other brain disorders. New genetic cause of Warburg Micro syndrome identified A collaborative team of researchers has identified a gene responsible for Warburg Micro syndrome, a rare genetic disease characterized by eye, brain and endocrine abnormalities. Patients with Warburg Micro syndrome are severely physically and mentally challenged, unable to learn how to walk or speak and become blind and paralyzed from an early age.

Why seedlings always grow towards the light Scientists have discovered how cells in the stems of seedlings use blue light to grow towards the light. During earlier research the discovery was made that the cells in the seedling stems responded to blue light used in the microscope. The scientists have now discovered how the blue light causes small structures in the cell, the microtubules, to grow perpendicular to their normal growth direction Compound stymies polyomaviruses in lab tests There is no approved medicine to treat polyomaviruses, which afflict those with weakened immune systems, but scientists have found that a chemical compound called Retro-2 is able to significantly reduce the infectivity and spread of the viruses in lab cell cultures. Now they are working to improve it further.

How argonaute proteins intervene in gene regulation process Scientists identify protein motifs that influence gene silencing. Tomato therapy: Engineered veggies target intestinal lipids, improve cholesterol Researchers report that tiny amounts of a specific type of lipid in the small intestine may play a greater role than previously thought in generating the high cholesterol levels and inflammation that lead to clogged arteries. The team also found they could reduce the negative effects of these lipids in mice by feeding the animals a new genetically engineered tomato that is designed to mimic HDL (“

Epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor promotes endometrial cancer A study published this week suggests that epigenetic modification of the HAND2 gene plays a critical role in the development of endometrial cancer. HAND2 is active in the healthy endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus) where it antagonizes the growth-inducing effects of estrogen. By contrast, in more than 90 percent of endometrial cancers, the gene has undergone hypermethylation, an epigenetic Deletion of any single gene provokes mutations elsewhere in the genome Researchers report that the deletion of any single gene in yeast cells puts pressure on the organism's genome to compensate, leading to a mutation in another gene. Their discovery, which is likely applicable to human genetics because of the way DNA is conserved across species, could have significant consequences for the way genetic analysis is done in cancer and other areas of research. Gut microbes in healthy kids carry antibiotic resistance genes Friendly microbes in the intestinal tracts of healthy American children have numerous antibiotic resistance genes that could be passed to harmful microbes, according to a pilot study.

Novel gene therapy works to reverse heart failure

Researchers have successfully tested a powerful gene therapy, delivered directly into the heart, to reverse heart failure in large animal models. Human stem cells used to reveal mechanisms of beta-cell failure in diabetes Scientists have used stem cells created from the skin of patients with a rare form of diabetes — Wolfram syndrome — to elucidate an important biochemical pathway for beta-cell failure in diabetes. Nanotechnology researchers prove two-step method for potential pancreatic cancer treatment A new nanotechnology for drug delivery that could greatly improve the treatment of deadly pancreatic cancer has been proven to work in mice.

Redesigned protein opens door for safer gene therapy A fusion protein combining proteins active in HIV and Moloney murine leukaemia virus (MLV) replication may lead to safer, more effective retroviral gene therapy. Researcher finds potential new use for old drugs A class of drugs used to treat parasitic infections such as malaria may also be useful in treating cancers and immune-related diseases, a new study has found. Researchers discovered that simple modifications to the drug furamidine have a major impact on its ability to affect specific human proteins involved in the on-off switches of certain genes. Stem-cell therapy to improve blood flow in angina patients A clinical trial is underway testing stem-cell therapy to improve blood flow in angina patients. The trial evaluates treatment for patients who haven’t responded to other FDA-approved procedures for angina. The procedure uses the latest technology to map the heart in 3-D and guides the doctor to deliver injections of a patient’s own stem-cells or a placebo to targeted sites in the heart muscle. Scientists find 'missing link' in important tumor suppression mechanism Novel discovery relating to the function of RUNX3 gene provides new insights on human defence mechanism against early stages of lung cancer development. Botany: The secret of short stems Arabidopsis plants that only reach half their normal height have a mutation in the biosynthesis of the plant growth factor gibberellin. Errant gliding proteins yield long-sought insight In order to react effectively to changes in the surroundings, bacteria must be able to quickly turn specific genes on or off. Although the overall mechanisms behind gene regulation have long been known, the fine details have eluded scientists for decades. Researchers can now provide a picture of how proteins regulate genetic expression at the atomic level.

First genetic mutations linked to atopic dermatitis identified in African-American children Two specific genetic variations in people of African descent are responsible for persistent atopic dermatitis, an itchy, inflammatory form of the skin disorder eczema. A new report found that loss-of-function mutations to Filaggrin-2, a gene that creates a protein responsible for retaining moisture and protecting the skin from environmental irritants, were associated with atopic dermatitis in Afri Mathematical analysis helps untangle bacterial chromosomes A team of researchers has analyzed how tangled DNA is unknotted and unlinked during the process of E. coli cell division, an understanding that could improve human health by leading to the design of better antibacterial drugs. Key link responsible for colon cancer initiation, metastasis An research team has shown that a key genetic culprit, called CXCR2, is implicated in the tumor formation, growth and progression in a mouse model of colon cancer. Transcription factor may protect against hepatic injury caused by hepatitis C, alcohol New data suggest that the transcription factor FOXO3 may protect against alcohol-induced liver injury. Researchers determined that alcohol given to mice deficient in FOXO3 caused severe liver injury resembling human alcoholic hepatitis. Further they found that although hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcohol independently activated FOXO3, in combination they suppressed FOXO3, reduced expression of cyt Fast-mutating DNA sequences shape early development; Guided evolution of uniquely human traits What does it mean to be human? According to scientists the key lies, ultimately, in the billions of lines of genetic code that comprise the human genome. The problem, however, has been deciphering that code. But now, researchers have discovered how the activation of specific stretches of DNA control the development of uniquely human characteristics -- and tell an intriguing story about the evoluti

Cause of genetic disorder found in 'dark matter' of DNA Pancreatic agenesis results in babies being born without a pancreas, leaving them with a lifetime of diabetes and problems digesting food. In a breakthrough for genetic research, scientists found that the condition is most commonly caused by mutations in a newly identified gene regulatory element in a remote part of the genome, which can now be explored thanks to advances in genetic sequencing.

Single-cell genome sequencing gets better Researchers have generated the most complete genome sequences from single E. coli cells and individual neurons from the human brain. Preliminary data suggest that individual neurons from the same brain have different genetic compositions. The breakthrough comes from a new single-cell genome sequencing technique that confines genome amplification to fluid-filled wells with a volume of just 12 nanol Understanding immune system memory -- in a roundabout way While the principle of immune memory has been known for decades, the exact molecular mechanisms underpinning it have remained a mystery. Scientists have now unraveled part of that mystery, identifying the role of a gene called STAT3, which acts as a kind of roundabout, directing chemical messenger molecules to various destinations.

Molecular interplay explains many immunodeficiencies Scientists have described an exquisitely balanced interplay of four molecules that trigger and govern antibody production in immune cells. As well as being an important basic science discovery, it helps explain why people with mutations in any one of the associated genes cannot fight infection effectively, and develop rare and crippling immunodeficiency disorders. Changing the conversation: Polymers disrupt bacterial communication Artificial materials based on simple synthetic polymers can disrupt the way in which bacteria communicate with each other, a new study has shown.

All aboard the nanotrain network: Tiny self-assembling transport networks, powered by nano-scale motors and controlled by DNA Tiny self-assembling transport networks, powered by nano-scale motors and controlled by DNA, have been developed by scientists. The system can construct its own network of tracks spanning tens of micrometres in length, transport cargo across the network and even dismantle the tracks. Microbes swim to hydrogen gas Researchers have discovered details on a speedy microorganism that needs hydrogen to produce methane. Un-junking junk DNA A new study shines new light on molecular tools our cells use to govern regulated gene expression. Improved decoding of DNA for custom medical treatments Scientists have moved a step closer to creating custom medical treatment plans based on a patient's DNA, pinpointing the root of a

patient's illness and making sure treatment will not cause a fatal allergic reaction. Cost-effective method accurately orders DNA sequencing along entire chromosomes A new computational method has been shown to quickly assign, order and orient DNA sequencing information along entire chromosomes. The method may help overcome a major obstacle that has delayed progress in designing rapid, low-cost -- but still accurate -- ways to assemble genomes from scratch. Data gleaned through this new method can also validate certain types of chromosomal abnormalities in can HPV can damage genes, chromosomes directly by inserting own DNA into human DNA A study has identified a new mechanism by which the human papillomavirus (HPV) may contribute to cancer development. Using whole-genome sequencing, researchers show that strains of HPV that cause cervical, head and neck and other cancers can directly damage genes and chromosomes where they insert their DNA into human DNA. Study identifies mechanism that makes ordinary stem cells create tumors A new study illustrates how changes in cell signaling can cause ordinary stem cells in the jaw to start forming benign but potentially harmful tumors. Role of Cul4 molecule in genome instability, cancer Researchers have shown that a molecule called Cul4 helps to deposit DNA-packaging histone proteins onto DNA, an integral step in cramming yards of genetic code into compact coils that can fit into each cell. When DNA isn’t packaged correctly, it can lead to the genomic instability characteristic of many forms of cancer. Tricking algae's biological clock boosts production of drugs, biofuels Tricking algae’s biological clock to remain in its daytime setting can dramatically boost the amount of commercially valuable compounds that these simple marine plants can produce when they are grown in constant light.

.Células madre

'Mini-kidney' structures generated from human stem cells for first time Diseases affecting the kidneys represent a major and unsolved health issue worldwide. The kidneys rarely recover function once they are damaged by disease, highlighting the urgent need for better knowledge of kidney development and physiology. Understanding a protein's role in familial Alzheimer's disease Researchers have used genetic engineering of human induced pluripotent stem cells to specifically and precisely parse the roles of a key mutated protein in causing familial Alzheimer’s disease, discovering that simple loss-of-function does not contribute to the inherited form of the neurodegenerative disorder. Protein that keeps people, skeletons organized Most people think that their planners or their iPhones keep them organized, when in fact, proteins such as liver kinase b1 actually have a lot more to do with it. New research sheds light on how this important protein keeps people organized on a basic level by promoting orderly skeletal growth and preventing skeletal tumors. Human stem cells used to reveal mechanisms of beta-cell failure in diabetes Scientists have used stem cells created from the skin of patients with a rare form of diabetes — Wolfram syndrome — to elucidate an important biochemical pathway for beta-cell failure in diabetes. Stem-cell therapy to improve blood flow in angina patients A clinical trial is underway testing stem-cell therapy to improve blood flow in angina patients. The trial evaluates treatment for patients who haven’t responded to other FDA-approved procedures for angina. The procedure uses the latest technology to map the heart in 3-D and guides the doctor to deliver injections of a patient’s own stem-cells or a placebo to targeted sites in the heart muscle. New discovery on early immune system development Researchers have shed light on how and when the immune system is formed, raising hope of better understanding various diseases in children, such as leukemia.

SIGNAL found to enhance survival of new brain cells A specialized type of brain cell that tamps down stem cell activity ironically, perhaps, encourages the survival of the stem cells' progeny, researchers report. Understanding how these new brain cells "decide" whether to live or die and how to behave is of special interest because changes in their activity are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, mental illness and a Study identifies mechanism that makes ordinary stem cells create tumors A new study illustrates how changes in cell signaling can cause ordinary stem cells in the jaw to start forming benign but potentially harmful tumors. New trigger for breast cancer metastasis identified For years, scientists have observed that tumor cells from certain breast cancer patients with aggressive forms of the disease contained low levels of mitochondrial DNA. But, until recently, no one was able to explain how this characteristic influenced disease progression. Now researchers have revealed how a reduction in mitochondrial DNA content leads human breast cancer cells to take on aggressiv

.Neurociencia

iPads help children with autism develop language Some parents in a recent study were able to converse with their children for the first time with the help of language development programs on an iPad. Turns out children with autism can learn speech later than previously thought. HIV protein may impact neurocognitive impairment in infected patients A protein shed by HIV-infected brain cells alters synaptic connections between networks of nerve cells, according to new research. The findings could explain why nearly half of all patients infected with the AIDS virus experience some level of neurocognitive impairment. Understanding a protein's role in familial Alzheimer's disease Researchers have used genetic engineering of human induced pluripotent stem cells to specifically and precisely parse the roles of a key mutated protein in causing familial Alzheimer’s disease, discovering that simple loss-of-function does not contribute to the inherited form of the neurodegenerative disorder. Immune-modulating drug unexpectedly benefits mice with fatal mitochondrial defect In a lab devoted to increasing healthy lifespans, the transplant anti-rejection drug rapamycin showed unexpected health benefits and increased survival in a mouse model of a fatal mitochondrial defect. Children with the untreatable condition suffer from brain damage and muscle weakness, and rarely live beyond 6 or 7 years. The drug enables the body to bypass the mitochondrial defect by switching i Nicotine withdrawal traced to very specific group of brain cells Nicotine withdrawal might take over your body, but it doesn't take over your brain. The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are driven by a very specific group of neurons within a very specific brain region, according to a report. Although caution is warranted, the researchers say, the findings in mice suggest that therapies directed at this group of neurons might one day help people quit smoking. Can certain herbs stave off Alzheimer's disease? Researchers have found that antioxidant extracts from spearmint and rosemary fight mild cognitive impairment in an animal model.

Genes uniquely expressed by brain's immune cells Investigators have used a new sequencing method to identify a group of genes used by the brain's immune cells -- called microglia -- to sense pathogenic organisms, toxins or damaged cells that require their response. Identifying these genes should lead to better understanding of the role of microglia both in normal brains and in neurodegenerative disorders. Cognitive scientists ID mechanism central to early childhood learning, social behavior A study provides compelling evidence for a new and possibly dominant way for social partners to coordinate joint attention, key for parent-child communication and early language learning. The findings open up new questions about language learning and the teaching of language. They could also have major implications for the treatment of children with early social-communication impairment, such as a Gene linked to common intellectual disability Researchers have taken a step forward in unravelling the causes of a commonly inherited intellectual disability, finding that a genetic mutation leads to a reduction in certain proteins in the brain. High blood pressure in middle age vs old age may predict memory loss People in middle age who have a high blood pressure measure called pulse pressure are more likely to have biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease in their spinal fluid than those with lower pulse pressure, according to research published. Glowing worms illuminate the roots of behavior Researchers have developed a system to image brain activity in multiple awake and unconstrained worms. The technology, which makes it possible to study the genetics and neural circuitry associated with animal behavior, can also be used as a high-throughput screening tool for drug development targeting autism, depression, and other brain disorders. 16 ScienceDaily: Neuroscienc... / 3d

Intranasal insulin improves cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes As the link between type 2 diabetes and dementia becomes more widely recognized, new findings offer promise of a new treatment for this growing problem. Higher altitudes result in reduced concussion rates in high school sports According to a recent study, high school athletes who play collision sports at higher altitudes are less likely to suffer from concussions than those who play at lower altitudes. Compound inhibits cognitive impairment in animal models of Alzheimer's disease The novel compound IRL-1620 may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease, as it has been shown to prevent cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in animal models. Can eyes help diagnose Alzheimer's disease? An international team of researchers studying the link between vision loss and Alzheimer's disease report that the loss of a particular layer of retinal cells not previously investigated may provide a new way to track disease progression. "The retina is an extension of the brain so it makes sense to see if the same pathologic processes found in an Alzheimer's brain are also found in the eye,& Menstrual cycle influences concussion outcomes Researchers found that women injured during the two weeks leading up to their period (the premenstrual phase) had a slower recovery and poorer health one month after injury compared to women injured during the two weeks directly after their period or women taking birth control pills. If confirmed in subsequent research, the findings could alter the treatment and prognosis of women who suffer head Impulsivity, rewards and ritalin: Monkey study shows tighter link Even as the rate of diagnosis has reached 11 percent among American children aged 4 to 17, neuroscientists are still trying to understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One classic symptom is impulsivity — the tendency to act before thinking.

Your brain sees things you don't A study indicates that our brains perceive objects in everyday life of which we may never be aware. The finding challenges currently accepted models about how the brain processes visual information. Needle in a haystack: New research shows how brain prepares to start searching Many of us have steeled ourselves for those 'needle in a haystack' tasks of finding our vehicle in an airport car park, or scouring the supermarket shelves for a favorite brand. A new scientific study has revealed that our understanding of how the human brain prepares to perform visual search tasks of varying difficulty may now need to be revised. When people search for a specific object, they ten Context is key in helping us to recognize a face Why does it take longer to recognize a familiar face when seen in an unfamiliar setting, like seeing a work colleague when on holiday? A new study published today has found that part of the reason comes down to the processes that our brain performs when learning and recognizing faces. Our relationship with food: What drives us to eat, suffer eating disorders? A growing body of evidence shows the impact of diet on brain function, and identifies patterns of brain activity associated with eating disorders such as binge eating and purging. Mindfulness inhibits implicit learning -- the wellspring of bad habits Being mindful appears to help prevent the formation of bad habits, but perhaps good ones too. Behavioral and neuroimaging studies suggest that mindfulness can undercut the automatic learning processes, such as implicit learning. Musical training shapes brain anatomy, affects function New findings show that extensive musical training affects the structure and function of different brain regions, how those regions communicate during the creation of music, and how the brain interprets and integrates sensory information.

Studies explore origins of addiction, treaments Studies suggest promising new treatments for nicotine and heroin addiction, and further our understanding of pathological gambling and heroin abuse in those suffering chronic pain. This new knowledge may one day lead to non-pharmaceutical interventions and therapies to treat addiction.

New links between social status, brain activity New studies released today reveal links between social status and specific brain structures and activity, particularly in the context of social stress. Aerobic exercise improves memory, brain function, physical fitness A new study found that engaging in a physical exercise regimen helps healthy aging adults improve their memory, brain health and physical fitness. Biomaterial-delivered chemotherapy could provide final blow to brain tumors A polymer originally designed to help mend broken bones could be successful in delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to the brains of patients suffering from brain tumors, researchers have discovered. Research may improve early detection of dementia Using scores obtained from cognitive tests, researchers think they have developed a model that could help determine whether memory loss in older adults is benign or a stop on the way to Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding ourselves by studying animal kingdom Research reveals a new model for a genetic eye disease, and shows how animal models -- from fruit flies to armadillos and monkeys -- can yield valuable information about the human brain. Study examines amyloid deposition in patients with traumatic brain injury Patients with traumatic brain injury had increased deposits of ²-Amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer Disease, in some areas of their brains, a new study has found.

Specific brain areas, mechanisms associated with depression, anxiety Research reveals new mechanisms and areas of the brain associated with anxiety and depression, presenting possible targets to understand and treat these debilitating mental illnesses. A longitudinal study of grapheme-color synesthesia in childhood In the first long-term study on grapheme-color synesthesia, researchers followed 80 children, including 8 synesthetes, to determine when and how associations between graphemes and colors develop. Sons of cocaine-using fathers may resist addiction to drug A father's cocaine use may make his sons less sensitive to the drug and thereby more likely to resist addictive behaviors, suggests new findings from an animal study. Moms may pass effects of stress to offspring via vaginal bacteria, placenta Pregnant women may transmit the damaging effects of stress to their unborn child by way of the bacteria in their vagina and through the placenta, suggest new findings from two animal studies. Nurture impacts nature: Experiences leave genetic mark on brain, behavior New human and animal research released demonstrates how experiences impact genes that influence behavior and health. New insights have been made into how experience might produce long-term brain changes in behaviors like drug addiction and memory formation. Of hurricanes, fungus and Parkinson's disease Researchers trying to understand the link between volatile organics and illness discovered a link between one such compound and Parkinson's-like symptoms. Biosensor could help detect brain injuries during heart surgery Engineers and cardiology experts have teamed up to develop a fingernail-sized biosensor that could alert doctors when serious brain injury occurs during heart surgery.

Reduced cognitive control in passionate lovers People who are in love are less able to focus and to perform tasks that require attention.

What are you scared of? What do bullies and sex have in common? Based on work by scientists, it seems that the same part of the brain reacts to both. The researchers found that – at least in mice – different types of fear are processed by different groups of neurons, even if the animals act out those fears in the same way. The findings could have implications for addressing phobias and panic attacks in humans. Exercise during pregnancy gives newborn brain development head start As little as 20 minutes of moderate exercise three times per week during pregnancy enhances the newborn child’s brain development, according to researchers. This head-start could have an impact on the child's entire life. Single-cell genome sequencing gets better Researchers have generated the most complete genome sequences from single E. coli cells and individual neurons from the human brain. Preliminary data suggest that individual neurons from the same brain have different genetic compositions. The breakthrough comes from a new single-cell genome sequencing technique that confines genome amplification to fluid-filled wells with a volume of just 12 nanol Hospitals Vary in Monitoring, Treatment of Children with Brain Injury Hospitals vary in management of children with traumatic brain injury, particularly in monitoring and preventing the harmful effects of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), according to a study. SIGNAL found to enhance survival of new brain cells A specialized type of brain cell that tamps down stem cell activity ironically, perhaps, encourages the survival of the stem cells' progeny, researchers report. Understanding how these new brain cells "decide" whether to live or die and how to behave is of special interest because changes in their activity are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, mental illness and a New cause found for muscle-weakening disease myasthenia gravis An antibody to a protein critical to enabling the brain to talk to muscles has been identified as a cause of myasthenia gravis, researchers report.

New understanding, warning signs, potential treatments for MS Scientists are gaining a new level of understanding of multiple sclerosis that may lead to new treatments and approaches to controlling the chronic disease, according to new research. New evidence on biological basis of highly impulsive, aggressive behaviors Physical and chemical changes in the brain during development can potentially play a role in some delinquent and deviant behaviors, according to research released today, including discoveries uncovered when looking at the underlying mechanisms that influence our ability to exercise self-control.

Biblioteca. Facultad de Biología

Universidad de Salamanca. Campus Miguel de Unamuno

c/Donantes de Sangre s/n 37007 Salamanca

angelpoveda@usal.es

http://campus.usal.es/~bibliotecabiologia/