A new breakthrough in developing effective antimalarial drugs

Parasites in the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria, are transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes. The parasites manage to acclimatize to these two completely different hosts because the plasticity of their genome enables them to adapt as necessary. Scientists decided to investigate the epigenetic mechanisms behind this plasticity, in particular DNA methylation. They identified molecules capable of inhibiting DNA methylation and effectively killing even the most resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QiqpdF

Alzheimer 'tau' protein far surpasses amyloid in predicting toll on brain tissue

The results support researchers' growing recognition that tau drives brain degeneration in Alzheimer's disease more directly than amyloid protein, and at the same time demonstrates the potential of recently developed tau-based PET (positron emission tomography) brain imaging technology to accelerate Alzheimer's clinical trials and improve individualized patient care.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QF8g8T

eDNA expands species surveys to capture a more complete picture

Tiny bits of DNA collected from waters off the West Coast allowed scientists to identify more species of marine vertebrates than traditional surveys with trawl nets. They also reflect environmental shifts such as unusual ocean temperatures that affect the organisms present, new research shows.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZMb5JA

How fish fins evolved just before the transition to land

Research on fossilized fish details the evolution of fins as they began to transition into limbs fit for walking on land.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/35jgeK4

Some learning is a whole-brain affair

Researchers have successfully used a laser-assisted imaging tool to 'see' what happens in brain cells of mice learning to reach out and grab a pellet of food. Their experiments, they say, add to evidence that such motor-based learning can occur in multiple areas of the brain, even ones not typically associated with motor control.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QkwVR6

Alzheimer 'tau' protein far surpasses amyloid in predicting toll on brain tissue

The results support researchers' growing recognition that tau drives brain degeneration in Alzheimer's disease more directly than amyloid protein, and at the same time demonstrates the potential of recently developed tau-based PET (positron emission tomography) brain imaging technology to accelerate Alzheimer's clinical trials and improve individualized patient care.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QF8g8T

Some learning is a whole-brain affair

Researchers have successfully used a laser-assisted imaging tool to 'see' what happens in brain cells of mice learning to reach out and grab a pellet of food. Their experiments, they say, add to evidence that such motor-based learning can occur in multiple areas of the brain, even ones not typically associated with motor control.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2QkwVR6