Latest

immune system

·April 23, 2020·5 min read

Key nose cells identified as likely COVID-19 virus entry points

The receptor protein ACE2 and the TMPRSS2 protease that can activate SARS-CoV-2 entry are expressed in cells on the inner lining of the nose. Mucus producing goblet cells and ciliated cells in the nose have the highest levels of both proteins, making them the most likely initial infection route for coronavirus. Additional key entry points were found in the cells of the eye's cornea and the intestines. This suggests other points of infection could be via the tear ducts and through fecal-oral transmission.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 22, 2020·4 min read

Using ‘elite’ antibodies from COVID-19 survivors to develop potent therapies

Researchers are sifting through millions of antibodies produced by those who have recovered from COVID-19 to find which ones neutralize the virus. The team has already identified several antibodies that block coronavirus from interacting with its receptors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 18, 2020·3 min read

Individual genetic variation in immune system may affect severity of COVID-19

Study reveals genetic variability in the immune system could affect susceptibility to coronavirus infection and govern the severity of the disease for those infected.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 16, 2020·4 min read

Researchers investigate overactive immune cells as cause of COVID-19 deaths

Study investigates whether overactive immune cells that produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are responsible for more severe and lethal cases of coronavirus.

Autism Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 15, 2020·5 min read

Autism in males linked to defect in brain immune cells and microglia

An over-production of eIF4E impairs microglial cells, hampering their ability to effectively prune synapses and leading to autism-like behaviors in male mouse models of ASD.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 9, 2020·4 min read

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 mapped out

Newly discovered modifications of the coronavirus RNA offers clues for combatting COVID-19. The findings also shed light on the lifecycle of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 6, 2020·4 min read

Compound in fruit peels halts damage and spurs neuronal repair in multiple sclerosis

Ursolic acid, a compound abundant in fruit peels and some herbs, appears to decrease further neural damage and help regenerate myelin in mouse models of multiple sclerosis. Study reveals ursolic acid suppresses TH17 cells, which are one of the main drivers in the pathological autoimmune response of MS.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·April 5, 2020·5 min read

What the coronavirus does to your body that makes it so deadly

Researchers explore why COVID-19 is more deadly compared to the flu and other viruses.

Brain Cancer Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 2, 2020·3 min read

Common vitamin combined with chemotherapy helps immune cells attack glioblastoma

Combining niacin, or vitamin B3, with chemotherapy, helped slow the progression and increase life span in mouse models of glioblastoma.

This shows a blood test tube with covid19 written on it

Featured Neuroscience

·March 30, 2020·4 min read

FDA approves Houston Methodist for COVID-19 plasma therapy

On Saturday, the FDA approved Houston Methodist to conduct transfused plasma therapy for the treatment of COVID-19. The plasma will be donated from recovered COVID-19 patients and transfused into those critically ill with the virus. Researchers have already begun recruiting donors in the Houston area who have recovered from coronavirus. The first donor was a patient in the Houston Metropolitan area who has been in good health for two weeks following COVID-19 infection.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 28, 2020·3 min read

FDA approves ozanimod for treatment of multiple sclerosis

The FDA has approved a new drug named Ozanimod for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Ozanimod binds to receptors in lymphocytes' surfaces, preventing them from reaching the brain. As the number of active lymphocytes decreases, the attack on the immune system diminishes.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 27, 2020·7 min read

Samples from those who had COVID-19 could illuminate true infection rate, lethality, and vaccines

VirScan, a new antibody detection tool, can analyze blood samples collected from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to learn about how the virus affects the immune system and the epidemiology of the infection.