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Lunatic Labs is a startup company by a mechanical engineer. While working on our own little projects Loony Labs keeps everyone current with science-related news, or just random science thoughts.
Dr. Jekyll
854 posts
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- March 6, 2016
- 05:54 PM
- 451 views
Testing the evolution of resistance by experiment
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
When the first antibiotics became available 70 years ago, they were often described as miracles of human ingenuity, rather like plastics or bright permanent dyes, which were discovered at roughly the same time. Packaged in vials or pills, they seemed like our inventions rather a chance gift of evolution and one that evolution might also rescind.
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Inglis, R., Scanlan, P., & Buckling, A. (2016) Iron availability shapes the evolution of bacteriocin resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ISME Journal. DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2016.15
- March 5, 2016
- 04:21 PM
- 485 views
Brain connectivity reveals your hidden motivations
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
To understand human behaviors, it is crucial to understand the motives behind them. So far, there was no direct way to identify motives. Simply observing behavior or eliciting explanations from individuals for their actions will not give reliable results as motives are considered to be private and people can be unwilling to unveil - or even be unaware of - their own motives.
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Hein G, Morishima Y, Leiberg S, Sul S, & Fehr E. (2016) The brain's functional network architecture reveals human motives. Science, 351(6277), 1074-8. PMID: 26941317
- March 4, 2016
- 03:00 PM
- 645 views
Zika virus infects human neural stem cells, but…
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
The Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell that gives rise to the brain’s cerebral cortex, Johns Hopkins and Florida State researchers have found. On laboratory dishes, these stem cells were found to be havens for viral reproduction, resulting in cell death and/or disruption of cell growth. While this study does not prove the direct link between Zika and microcephaly, it does pinpoint where the virus may be doing the most damage.
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Tang, Hammack, Ogden, Wen, and Qian et al. (2016) Zika Virus Infects Human Cortical Neural Precursors and Attenuates Their Growth". Cell Stem Cell. info:/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2016.02.016
- March 3, 2016
- 03:10 PM
- 475 views
Your brain and the ‘neuronal big bang’
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Our brain is home to different types of neurons, each with their own genetic signature that defines their function. These neurons are derived from progenitor cells, which are specialized stem cells that have the ability to divide to give rise to neurons. Neuroscientists have shed light on the mechanisms that allow progenitors to generate neurons.
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Ludovic Telley, Subashika Govindan, Julien Prados, Isabelle Stevant, Serge Nef, Emmanouil Dermitzakis, Alexandre Dayer, & Denis Jabaudon. (2016) Sequential transcriptional waves direct the differentiation of newborn neurons in the mouse neocortex. Science. info:/10.1126/science.aad8361
- March 2, 2016
- 04:06 PM
- 427 views
Some bacterial CRISPRs can snip RNA, too
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
You’ve probably seen news stories about the highly lauded, much-discussed genome editing system CRISPR/Cas9. But did you know the system was actually derived from bacteria, which use it to fight off foreign invaders such as viruses? It allows many bacteria to snip and store segments of DNA from an invading virus, which they can then use to “remember” and destroy DNA from similar invaders if they are encountered again. Recent work from a team of researchers including Carnegie’s Devaki Bha........ Read more »
Silas, S., Mohr, G., Sidote, D., Markham, L., Sanchez-Amat, A., Bhaya, D., Lambowitz, A., & Fire, A. (2016) Direct CRISPR spacer acquisition from RNA by a natural reverse transcriptase-Cas1 fusion protein. Science, 351(6276). DOI: 10.1126/science.aad4234
- March 1, 2016
- 03:53 PM
- 401 views
Brain connectivity disruptions may explain cognitive deficits in people with brain injury
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Cognitive impairment following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common, often adversely affecting quality of life for those 1.7 million Americans who experience a TBI each year. Researchers have identified complex brain connectivity patterns in individuals with chronic phases of traumatic brain injury which may explain long term higher order cognitive function deficits.
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Han, K., Chapman, S., & Krawczyk, D. (2016) Disrupted Intrinsic Connectivity among Default, Dorsal Attention, and Frontoparietal Control Networks in Individuals with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 22(02), 263-279. DOI: 10.1017/S1355617715001393
- February 29, 2016
- 01:55 PM
- 371 views
New targets for reducing nerve pain identified
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
There’s no pain like nerve pain. Whether it is because of a chronic illness or related to an injury, it may be obvious, but nerve pain hurts. That may change soon though, as a specific molecule involved in maintaining pain after a nerve injury has been identified and blocked in mice by researchers. These results reveal a promising therapeutic strategy for treating neuropathic pain.
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Zhang, F., Morioka, N., Harano, S., Nakamura, Y., Liu, K., Nishibori, M., Hisaoka-Nakashima, K., & Nakata, Y. (2016) Perineural expression of high-mobility group box-1 contributes to long-lasting mechanical hypersensitivity via matrix metalloprotease-9 up-regulation in mice with painful peripheral neuropathy. Journal of Neurochemistry, 136(4), 837-850. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13434
- February 28, 2016
- 05:00 PM
- 446 views
Matrix Unloaded: How you can fly a plane using expert-pilot brainwave patterns
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
“I know kung fu,” movie buffs might remember the remember the quote from “The Matrix.” We can all probably agree that being able to download knowledge “on tap” would be a boon to humanity. It is a shame it is just a movie… right? While that may be the case, it is just for now. That is because researchers have discovered that low-current electrical brain stimulation can modulate the learning of complex real-world skills.
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Choe, J., Coffman, B., Bergstedt, D., Ziegler, M., & Phillips, M. (2016) Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulates Neuronal Activity and Learning in Pilot Training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00034
- February 27, 2016
- 04:39 PM
- 531 views
Technology and human biology: The singularity may not be so singular
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Life literally inside the world wide web, it’s an interesting idea. One that has tantalized sci-fi fans since before the framework for the internet was even finished. While the idea of a seemingly eternal disembodied life through the unfiltered and raw computer consciousness that we all share a connection with, maybe we are shooting for a goal that isn’t really possible — maybe we are asking the wrong questions.
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Nicolau, D., Lard, M., Korten, T., van Delft, F., Persson, M., Bengtsson, E., Månsson, A., Diez, S., Linke, H., & Nicolau, D. (2016) Parallel computation with molecular-motor-propelled agents in nanofabricated networks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201510825. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1510825113
Morsella, E., Godwin, C., Jantz, T., Krieger, S., & Gazzaley, A. (2015) Homing in on Consciousness in the Nervous System: An Action-Based Synthesis. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1-106. DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X15000643
Alcock, J., Maley, C., & Aktipis, C. (2014) Is eating behavior manipulated by the gastrointestinal microbiota? Evolutionary pressures and potential mechanisms. BioEssays, 36(10), 940-949. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201400071
- February 26, 2016
- 02:11 PM
- 411 views
Why people oppose same-sex marriage
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Marriage is legal (here in the US anyway), now I’m not gay, but that is exciting to me. So the question remains, has society fallen apart? Are cats hanging out with dogs and toast falling butter side up? Of course not, so then why do opponents of same-sex marriage really oppose it? A UCLA psychology study concludes that many people believe gay men and women are more sexually promiscuous than heterosexuals, which they may fear could threaten their own marriages and their way of life.
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Pinsof, D., & Haselton, M.G. (2016) The moral divide over same-sex marriage: reproductive strategies in conflict?. Psychological Science. info:/
- February 25, 2016
- 03:57 PM
- 321 views
What makes the brain so fast?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Surprisingly complex interactions between neurotransmitter receptors and other key proteins help explain the brain’s ability to process information with lightning speed, according to a new study. Scientists at McGill University, working with collaborators at the universities of Oxford and Liverpool, combined experimental techniques to examine fast-acting protein macromolecules, known as AMPA receptors, which are a major player in brain signaling.
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Dawe, G., Musgaard, M., Aurousseau, M., Nayeem, N., Green, T., Biggin, P., & Bowie, D. (2016) Distinct Structural Pathways Coordinate the Activation of AMPA Receptor-Auxiliary Subunit Complexes. Neuron. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.01.038
- February 24, 2016
- 03:03 PM
- 361 views
So, our immune cells don’t see some carbon nano invaders…
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Scientists at the University of Michigan have found evidence that some carbon nanomaterials can enter into immune cell membranes, seemingly going undetected by the cell's built-in mechanisms for engulfing and disposing of foreign material, and then escape through some unidentified pathway.
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Russ KA, Elvati P, Parsonage TL, Dews A, Jarvis JA, Ray M, Schneider B, Smith PJ, Williamson PT, Violi A.... (2016) C60 fullerene localization and membrane interactions in RAW 264.7 immortalized mouse macrophages. Nanoscale, 8(7), 4134-44. PMID: 26866469
- February 23, 2016
- 03:37 PM
- 343 views
Does your immune system play a larger role in Alzheimer’s disease than thought?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Immune cells that normally help us fight off bacterial and viral infections may play a far greater role in Alzheimer’s disease than originally thought, according to University of California, Irvine neurobiologists with the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center and the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders.
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Marsh, S., Abud, E., Lakatos, A., Karimzadeh, A., Yeung, S., Davtyan, H., Fote, G., Lau, L., Weinger, J., Lane, T.... (2016) The adaptive immune system restrains Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis by modulating microglial function. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201525466. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1525466113
- February 22, 2016
- 04:14 PM
- 408 views
Scientists discover the way to a new generation of antibiotics
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Antibiotic resistance is becoming a common occurrence. Once isolated, more and more we are turning away from the traditional antibiotics to our so called "last line of defense" antibiotics to fight infections. Sadly in a growing number of cases these antibiotics are having less of an effect. However, new research reveals the mechanism by which drug-resistant bacterial cells maintain a defensive barrier.
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Gu, Y., Li, H., Dong, H., Zeng, Y., Zhang, Z., Paterson, N., Stansfeld, P., Wang, Z., Zhang, Y., Wang, W.... (2016) Structural basis of outer membrane protein insertion by the BAM complex. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/nature17199
- February 21, 2016
- 04:25 PM
- 436 views
Mutual mistrust may have added a few X-files to the UFO era
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Mulder and Scully may have accomplished something that hasn't happened for society -- trust between two opposing viewpoints. According to a new study, uncloaking the flying saucer movement in the United States could offer historians a snapshot of Cold War attitudes at work in society, as well as insights into how science communication may be tied to current denialism and conspiracy theory movements.... Read more »
Eghigian, G. (2015) Making UFOs make sense: Ufology, science, and the history of their mutual mistrust. Public Understanding of Science. DOI: 10.1177/0963662515617706
- February 20, 2016
- 03:34 PM
- 406 views
Some aging treatments shown to have opposite effects on males and females
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
What helps her live longer might be harmful to him, according to a new study that may shed light on how and why organisms age. Analyzing years of previous research on dietary and pharmaceutical tests on flies and mice, researchers showed that aging interventions can have opposite effects on mortality rates in males versus females.
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Shen J, Landis GN, & Tower J. (2016) Multiple Metazoan Life-span Interventions Exhibit a Sex-specific Strehler-Mildvan Inverse Relationship Between Initial Mortality Rate and Age-dependent Mortality Rate Acceleration. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. PMID: 26893470
- February 19, 2016
- 04:07 PM
- 428 views
Does rape alter the female brain?
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Sexual assault, personally, I hate the phrase. It sounds much more tame than rape and I think we should call it like it is, rape. Sure that might make a person's skin crawl just slightly -- and that is frankly the point. Rape is ugly, it's evil, it leaves an indelible mark on a person and unfortunately a new study shows that it may be worse. Researchers have discovered that prepubescent female rodents paired with sexually experienced males had elevated levels of stress hormones, could not learn ........ Read more »
Shors, T., Tobόn, K., DiFeo, G., Durham, D., & Chang, H. (2016) Sexual Conspecific Aggressive Response (SCAR): A Model of Sexual Trauma that Disrupts Maternal Learning and Plasticity in the Female Brain. Scientific Reports, 18960. DOI: 10.1038/srep18960
- February 18, 2016
- 04:20 PM
- 381 views
A way to track and stop human and agricultural viruses
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Viruses are molecular thieves that take from their hosts under the cloak of darkness. But now a Virginia Tech scientist has found a way to not only track viral hijackers, but also potentially stop them from replicating. The discovery has broad ranging applications in stopping viral outbreaks such as Hepatitis C in humans and a number of viruses in plants and animals because it applies to many viruses in the largest category of viral classes -- positive-strand RNA viruses.
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Zhang, J., Zhang, Z., Chukkapalli, V., Nchoutmboube, J., Li, J., Randall, G., Belov, G., & Wang, X. (2016) Positive-strand RNA viruses stimulate host phosphatidylcholine synthesis at viral replication sites. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201519730. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1519730113
- February 17, 2016
- 02:44 PM
- 489 views
The potential pathway between insomnia and depression
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
Have you ever had to deal with bouts of insomnia make you feel depressed? Well the good news is you’re not alone, in fact the two may be linked. A new study of firefighters suggests that insomnia and nightmares may increase the risk of depression by impairing the ability to access and leverage emotion regulation strategies effectively.
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Hom, M., Stanley, I., Rogers, M., Tzoneva, M., Bernert, R., & Joiner, T. (2016) The Association between Sleep Disturbances and Depression among Firefighters: Emotion Dysregulation as an Explanatory Factor. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(02), 235-245. DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.5492
- February 16, 2016
- 03:30 PM
- 426 views
Researchers highlight brain region as ‘ground zero’ of Alzheimer’s disease
by Dr. Jekyll in Lunatic Laboratories
A critical but vulnerable region in the brain appears to be the first place affected by late onset Alzheimer’s disease and may be more important for maintaining cognitive function in later life than previously appreciated, according to a new review of the scientific literature.
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Mara Mather, & Carolyn W. Harley. (2016) The Locus Coeruleus: Essential for Maintaining Cognitive Function and the Aging Brain. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. DOI: http://dx.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.01.001
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