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Tag: "weakens" at biology news

Bigger horns equal better genes

... which is the idea that, because natural selection weakens with age, genetic mutations have effects that accumulate over time. Therefore, differences in genetic quality become more apparent as an organism ages. Coltman noted that his study, which incorporated genetic samples from more than 150 ibex, took...

Hepatitis E takes a piggyback

...ays are currently small. However, if the infection weakens and pigs don’t get infected with HEV until they are older, more pigs will still be carrying the virus when they reach the slaughterhouse. HEV, which is found worldwide, can potentially cause acute hepatitis in humans. So monitoring infection rate...

Fascinating spider silk

...d, which gives them a negative charge. This charge weakens the interactions between the hydrophobic, lipophilic regions of the proteins, which are necessary for oligomerization. "Our insights form a foundation for the establishment of an effective spinning process for the production genetically engineered...

Are one-third of costly implanted heart devices unnecessary? New study suggests yes

... ?the most common form of heart-muscle damage that weakens the heart's pumping ability, leaves patients prone to sudden cardiac death and therefore makes them candidates for an ICD. In recent years, ICDs have been shown to reduce the overall risk of sudden cardiac death well enough to be given approval b...

Researcher to study astronaut bone loss for space biology agency

...n bone in the weightlessness of space dramatically weakens bone," says Long. "The ability of humans to conduct prolonged missions to the moon and Mars will require that the structural integrity of the skeleton be maintained." Astronauts who spend weeks or months in the weightless environment of space –?a ...

Scientists find potential 'off-switch' for HIV virus

... try to keep the virus asleep if possible." HIV weakens the body's immune system by invading CD4+ T cells, which in essence serve as the metaphorical generals in the body's defense system against illness. When an HIV virus particle invades a T cell, most often it converts the cell into a factory for makin...

Scientists crack rhino horn riddle

...tists report. The softer outer portion of the horn weakens with sun exposure and is worn into its distinctive shape through horn clashing and by being rubbed on the ground and vegetation. The structure of the rhino horns is similar to a pencil's tough lead core and weaker wood periphery, which allows the hor...

The molecular mechanism of a diabetes vaccine revealed

...oimmune disease. This double action of the peptide weakens the damaging activities of the immune response further. The scientists also showed that in order to activate this response, p277 must be bound to the receptor TLR-2, which is found on the cell walls of the regulatory T cells. "These findings are imp...

Microscopic passengers to hitch ride on space shuttle

...n. Prior studies have indicated that spaceflight weakens the human immune system and that some microbes become more virulent when grown under conditions that simulate spaceflight, thus increasing the risk of astronauts becoming sick during flight. Whatever the mission or its duration, microbes are present ...

Viral 'fitness' explains different resistance patterns to aids drugs

...es multiple mutations, each of which significantly weakens the ability of the virus to replicate. These PI-resistant viruses only emerge, therefore, when challenged with high concentrations of drug. Overall, study findings showed that NNRTI resistance was found less often than PI resistance among patients...

Bacteria that cause tooth decay able to survive without important biochemical pathway

...ithout a steady infusion of proteins, the membrane weakens and the cell - in this case, a bacterium - becomes unable to protect itself from harsh environmental conditions. In the human mouth, its natural environment, it is typically S. mutans that goes on the attack. When sugary foods are eaten, the S. mut...

Scientists pinpoint inflammation gene

...to cellular stress. The alternative, rarer variant weakens SEPS1 and puts it at a disadvantage in dealing with cellular stress." Blangero explained, "Basically, this rarer form of SEPS1 gives you a lazy cellular 'garbage truck' that doesn't properly do its job of clearing out the misfolded proteins that lea...

Hepatitis C complicated by morphine withdrawal

... HIV, this study suggests that morphine withdrawal weakens host cell immunity and provides a favorable environment for HCV growth in the liver. The authors extended their study by examining the mechanism behind these observations. MW and PW inactivated the IFN-alpha promoter (the switch for making IFN-al...

Experimental shingles vaccine proves effective in nationwide study

...the virus persists in a dormant state. As immunity weakens with advancing age, the virus can reactivate, multiply in and damage sensory nerve cells to cause pain. It then migrates to the skin, causing the blistering rash of shingles. Generally, shingles first manifests as pain, itching or tingling in an are...

UCSD study clarifies insulin's role in blocking release of energy in patients with type II diabetes

...n the adipocytes. The new study shows that insulin weakens the normal linkage between catecholamine receptors and the turn-on of PKA. “If insulin levels get too high for too long a time ?which happens in many patients with type II diabetes –the normal catecholamine signal that triggers fat breakdown and ene...

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