Biochemistry Research – Page 4 – PossibleThreat Articles

New mechanism controlling DNA repair identified

October 2, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biotechnology, Developmental Biology, Genes, Genetics, Human Biology, Personalized Medicine, Vitamin A

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is the macromolecule that holds all hereditary and genetic information. Continuously under assault, alterations and damage to DNA can lead to many different health issues, including cancer. DNA is highly regulated within cells, where multiple mechanisms are at play to repair and protect its integrity. Scientists are still investigating these mechanisms to fully comprehend how these DNA repair processes are managed. Researchers recently identified a new mechanism that controls DNA repair.

News Science

Earthquake in the cell

October 1, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biology, Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Epigenetics Research, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Nuclear abnormalities such as nuclear blebs and micronuclei have devastating consequences for the genetic material and are associated with cancer or ageing. Scientists now revealed that the epigenetic enzyme MOF is crucial for the morphological integrity of the mammalian nucleus. Moreover, the study characterized the epigenetic landscape of nuclear abnormalities and discovered a formerly unknown epigenetic mechanism that seems to protect cells from additional damage.

News Science

Cracking how tardigrades survive the extremes

October 1, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biology, Biotechnology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Extreme Survival, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Scientists have gained a new understanding of how tiny, ultra-resilient invertebrates known as tardigrades, or 'water bears,' are protected in extreme conditions. Tardigrades are found in water environments around the world — including mountainous, deep sea and Antarctic environments. The researchers discovered that a tardigrade protein named Dsup binds to chromatin — DNA inside cells — and forms a protective cloud against extreme survival threats such as radiation damage.

News Science

A closer look at monogamy and polygamy in brood parasitic birds

October 1, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biology, Birds, Evolutionary Biology, Mating and Breeding, Nature, New Species, Pests and Parasites

Researchers have discovered that cowbirds conform to Bateman's Principle, despite investing no energy into parental care. Surprisingly, 75% of the cowbirds in the system were monogamous. Future research will expand upon these findings and broaden the understanding of how cowbirds might select the nests they parasitize, what role the males could play to assist the females, and why monogamy could be such a benefit.

News Science

The flagellar hook: Making sense of bacterial motility

September 30, 2019 0 Comments Bacteria, Biochemistry Research, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Extreme Survival, Microbes and More, Microbiology, Pests and Parasites, Virology

Researchers show how bacteria transmit motion from an inner motor to an outer tail through a flexible joint in the flagellum known as the hook. This finding could help in the fight against deadly bacterial infections. By better understanding how bacteria move, researchers may be able to improve disease prevention strategies.

News Science

Test for life-threatening nutrient deficit is made from bacteria entrails

September 26, 2019 0 Comments Attention Deficit Disorder, Bacteria, Biochemistry Research, Biology, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Dietary Supplements and Minerals, Osteoporosis, Vitamin

A pocket-sized zinc deficiency test could be taken to remote regions where masses are malnourished – no complex transport or preservation necessary. It could be evaluated on the spot, and this initial test could be expanded into more comprehensive micronutrient fieldtests.

News Science

Mosquito eye inspires artificial compound lens

September 25, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biology, Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Insects (including Butterflies), Nanotechnology, Optics, Pests and Parasites

Anyone who's tried to swat a pesky mosquito knows how quickly the insects can evade a hand or fly swatter. The pests' compound eyes, which provide a wide field of view, are largely responsible for these lightning-fast actions. Now, researchers have developed compound lenses inspired by the mosquito eye that could someday find applications in autonomous vehicles, robots or medical devices.

News Science

Jackdaws learn from each other about 'dangerous' humans

September 25, 2019 0 Comments Behavioral Science, Biochemistry Research, Biology, Birds, Insects (including Butterflies), Nature, Wild Animals, Zoology

Jackdaws can learn from each other to identify 'dangerous' humans, new research shows.

News Science

Decoding a new sign in chromatin maze

September 25, 2019 0 Comments Biochemistry Research, Biotechnology, Epigenetics, Epigenetics Research, Gene Therapy, Genes, Genetics, Human Biology

A research team has revealed a new fundamental mechanism by which a cell can make necessary changes in its chromatin structure in response to different DNA-associated processes such as gene expression and DNA damage repair.

News Science

Breakthrough in understanding enzymes that make antibiotic for drug-resistant pathogen

September 24, 2019 0 Comments Bacteria, Biochemistry Research, Biology, Cystic Fibrosis, Infectious Diseases, Microbes and More, Pharmaceuticals, Pharmacology

One of the WHO's 3 critical priority pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, for which new antibiotics are urgently needed is one step closer to being tackled, as researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the enzymes that assemble the antibiotic enacyloxin.