Gene therapy approach shows promise in treating ALS

Researchers report that a gene therapy approach, developed measurably delayed disease onset in humanized mouse and rat models of familial ALS, an inherited form of the disease that runs in families.

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New discovery of panda species which may have been Europe's last

Lumbering through the forested wetlands of Bulgaria around six million years ago, a new species of panda has been uncovered by scientists who state it is currently the last known and 'most evolved' European giant panda.

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A molecule of light and matter

A very special bonding state between atoms has been created in the laboratory: With a laser beam, atoms can be polarized so that they are positively charged on one side and negatively charged on the other. This makes them attract each other creating a very special bonding state -- much weaker than the bond between two atoms in an ordinary molecule, but still measurable. The attraction comes from the polarized atoms themselves, but it is the laser beam that gives them the ability to do so -- in a sense, it is a 'molecule' of light and matter.

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Sound of music: Ultrasound exposure improves depressive behavior in rodents

It is well known that whole-body exposure to high frequency ultrasound increases brain activity in humans. However, little is known about its impact and associated mechanisms on emotional states like depression. Now researchers have recently demonstrated the anti-depressant effects of ultrasound exposure in a rodent model of depression. Their findings shed light on the potential of ultrasound exposure as a non-invasive treatment for mental disorders.

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New method to promote biofilm formation and increase efficiency of biocatalysis

The researchers identified a library of synthetic polymers and screened them for their ability to induce biofilm formation in E. coli, a bacterium that is one of the most widely studied micro-organisms, and commonly used in biocatalysis.

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Insight into how congenital heart defects manifest

In an effort to learn more about how the heart develops, researchers have determined that the cells lining the heart direct the cardiac muscle to grow until the heart reaches its full size. They also outlined the complex mechanism that regulates this process, which requires two sets of brakes to be bypassed for the heart to develop properly.

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Life expectancy drops for Native Americans due to COVID-19

The pandemic reduced Native American life expectancy at birth from the already low 72 years in 2019 to about 67 years in 2020 and about 65 years in 2021 for both sexes combined.

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