Cervical cancer is a major health issue for women worldwide. It's often linked to lifestyle, healthcare access, and the human papillomavirus (HPV). But here's something interesting: lavender, that sweet-smelling herb, might have some serious health benefits. Beyond its calming scent, lavender has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant pr...
Scientists have created a new tool to watch how drugs cause cells to die. This tool uses a special kind of light called bioluminescence. Unlike other methods, it doesn't need any outside light to work. This makes it better for looking at living things. The tool is designed to target a specific molecule called acetylcholinesterase, or AChE for short. This molecule is...
Scientists are exploring how long non-coding RNA, or lncRNA, could help tackle diabetes heart disease. This condition, known as diabetic cardiomyopathy, is a serious complication of diabetes. It affects the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. One particular lncRNA, called FENDRR, has caught their attention. Why? Because it seems to play a r...
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a big problem for older folks after surgery. It's like their brains take a hit, and there aren't many good ways to fix it. Scientists have spotted two things that might be involved: less of a substance called adiponectin (APN) in the blood and more lactate in the brain fluid. APN is known for helping with insulin resista...
Exercise has long been known to lower the chances of getting cancer and help with treatment. But how exactly does it work? One interesting idea is that exercise might help by sending out tiny messengers called extracellular vesicles. These vesicles are like little packages that cells use to talk to each other. A recent study wanted to see if these vesicles could ...
XIAP, or X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, is a key player in the body's defense against cell death. It is the strongest member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family. XIAP's main job is to stop apoptosis, which is the process of programmed cell death. It does this by blocking two main pathways: the death receptor pathway and the mitochondrial pathway. ...
Imagine a tiny, invisible enemy invading pig cells. This enemy is called Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, or PEDV for short. When it attacks, it causes serious problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in young pigs. But how does it do this? PEDV messes with the powerhouses of the cell, called mitochondria. These tiny structures keep the cell energize...
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, often used in industry and medicine, are not great for male fertility. Research has found that these tiny particles can mess with sperm cells and the blood-testis barrier, which is important for protecting sperm. They cause sperm count to drop and make sperm move slower. The nanoparticles also change the shape of cell structures and ca...
Lately, we've been seeing more and more of those pesky cyanobacterial blooms. One of their byproducts, Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), can do a real number on both our environment and our health. Scientists have hinted that it might be causing kidney cells to self-destruct, or go through apoptosis, which is like cells committing suicide. But how exactly does MC-LR trigger th...