All articles tagged with #mice
A USC-led study observed mice performing first-aid–like behaviors toward an unconscious cage-mate—sniffing, grooming, and face-directed actions—triggered by unresponsiveness and strengthened by oxytocin signaling; responses are stronger for familiar cage-mates, suggesting an innate caregiving tendency that could aid group survival, though it is not human CPR.
A Nature study in mice shows that lung cancer cells connect with nearby sensory neurons to send a signal to the brain that suppresses tumor-killing immune cells at the tumor site, allowing cancer to grow. Disabling these neurons reduced tumor growth by more than 50%, revealing a tumor-to-brain–immune axis that could be targeted to boost anticancer defenses.
New animal research indicates the essential amino acid methionine, when added to the diet, can protect against severe illness by dampening inflammation and improving kidney function in mice with infection-induced inflammation. The study found methionine boosted kidney filtration and reduced inflammatory damage without weakening the immune response. While researchers see potential for broader use in inflammatory diseases, results are early and human relevance is not yet established, warranting further investigation.
A study from University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland VA reversed advanced Alzheimer's in mice by stabilizing brain NAD+ energy balance with the compound P7C3-A20, achieving full cognitive recovery and suggesting a potential amyloid-independent therapy for humans. While promising, results in animals don’t guarantee human success; the team aims for phase I safety trials within about 18 months and envisions broader use for neurodegeneration, alongside lifestyle measures and caregiver support.
A Nature study in mice shows that a gene that helps young organisms survive sepsis can increase mortality in older mice, suggesting ageing rewires how the body tolerates infection and could guide age-specific therapies.
Scientists from Cornell University found that rewilding laboratory mice by releasing them into a natural outdoor environment reset their anxiety levels, suggesting that environment plays a significant role in anxiety development and that lab-based anxiety tests may need reevaluation. The study indicates that diverse experiences can help calibrate fear responses, which has implications for understanding anxiety in both animals and humans.
Reducing dietary isoleucine, an essential amino acid, in mice extended their lifespan by up to 33%, improved health markers, and reduced age-related issues, suggesting potential anti-aging benefits for humans, though further research is needed.
A study from UC Berkeley found that a combination of oxytocin and A5i extended the lifespan of male mice by up to 73%, but had no effect on females, highlighting sex differences in aging and potential for targeted therapies, with implications for human aging research.
Researchers have uncovered how hunger and hormonal changes, particularly estrogen and progesterone, influence aggressive behavior in mice by revealing the neural mechanisms involved, which could enhance understanding of how the brain interprets multiple stimuli.
Scientists are exploring the use of genetically engineered mice immune to Lyme disease, created using CRISPR technology, to reduce the spread of Lyme on Nantucket by targeting the mice that are primary hosts for the bacteria, though ecological and ethical concerns remain.
Scientists have discovered a 'brain dial' in mice, located in the BNST, that can control food intake by integrating signals related to hunger and food sensory qualities. Manipulating this region can either suppress or induce eating, even in full mice or when presented with inedible objects, revealing potential targets for influencing body weight and eating behaviors in humans.
Stanford researchers discovered that overactive neurons in the reticular thalamic nucleus drive autism-like behaviors in mice, and using a drug called Z944 or genetic tools to calm these neurons reversed the behaviors, suggesting potential new treatments targeting the brain's core mechanisms. However, these findings are preliminary and based on mouse models, requiring further research before human application.
A recent study suggests that microplastics may be linked to Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice, raising concerns about potential health impacts of plastic pollution.
Russia is launching the Bion-M No. 2 biosatellite with 75 mice, fruit flies, and other specimens to study the effects of space radiation and microgravity over 30 days, including experiments with lunar simulants to aid future moon exploration. The mission aims to gather data on biological responses to space conditions, which could inform long-duration human spaceflight and lunar construction efforts.
A new study suggests that psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, can significantly extend the lifespan of human cells by over 50% and increase survival rates in mice, indicating potential benefits for healthier aging, though further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols.