Home · Science · Oct 20 archive
Scientists discover a promising blood sugar–regulating compound in red alga
· Confirmed
In Short: In a different study, scientists discovered a promising compound in red alga that could regulate blood sugar levels.
Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in Bolivia, the first such discovery in over a century. The cat, known as Leopardus tilcayo, was found in the cloud forests of Bolivia and is described as a small, slender, and spotted feline.
Researchers from Current Biology reported the discovery, noting that the tilcayo cat likely evolved from a common ancestor of 'tiger cats' around 1.4 million years ago.
In a separate study, scientists found a human genetic element in a poxvirus, which is both an important gene for brain function and a jumping gene capable of moving and inserting itself into genomes.
Meanwhile, planetary scientists are optimistic about the possibility of extraterrestrial life after two new studies suggested that conditions for life exist in our own solar system.
A team of scientists from NASA discovered an organism that can reproduce at an astonishing 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park, setting a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.
Researchers at Berkeley have also found two compact CRISPR systems, CasX and CasY, nearly doubling the potential tools for genome editing.
In a different study, scientists discovered a promising compound in red alga that could regulate blood sugar levels. Pterostilbene, a compound found naturally in some foods, affects how skeletal muscles process fats by stabilizing a protein called PPARδ and increasing its signaling activity.
Scientists are also studying a remarkably preserved fossil from northeastern Spain, which provides a rare look at the skin, soft tissues, and possible coloration of an ancient crocodile relative that lived about 125 million years ago.
However, the potent improvement of muscle regenerative machinery raises critical concerns regarding its potential misuse as a performance-enhancing drug in sport, highlighting the need for evaluation by anti-doping agencies.
What this adds
The new species of cat, Leopardus tilcayo, was discovered in Bolivia's cloud forests and represents the first living feline species identified by scientists in over a century.
What's confirmed
- Scientists have identified a new species of wild cat in Bolivia, the first such discovery in over a century. The cat, known as Leopardus tilcayo, was found in the cloud forests of Bolivia and is described as a small, slender, and spotted feline.
- Researchers from Current Biology reported the discovery, noting that the tilcayo cat likely evolved from a common ancestor of 'tiger cats' around 1.4 million years ago.
- In a separate study, scientists found a human genetic element in a poxvirus, which is both an important gene for brain function and a jumping gene capable of moving and inserting itself into genomes.
- Meanwhile, planetary scientists are optimistic about the possibility of extraterrestrial life after two new studies suggested that conditions for life exist in our own solar system.
- A team of scientists from NASA discovered an organism that can reproduce at an astonishing 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the heated waters of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park, setting a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.
- Researchers at Berkeley have also found two compact CRISPR systems, CasX and CasY, nearly doubling the potential tools for genome editing.
- In a different study, scientists discovered a promising compound in red alga that could regulate blood sugar levels. Pterostilbene, a compound found naturally in some foods, affects how skeletal muscles process fats by stabilizing a protein called PPARδ and increasing its signaling activity.
- Scientists are also studying a remarkably preserved fossil from northeastern Spain, which provides a rare look at the skin, soft tissues, and possible coloration of an ancient crocodile relative that lived about 125 million years ago.
- However, the potent improvement of muscle regenerative machinery raises critical concerns regarding its potential misuse as a performance-enhancing drug in sport, highlighting the need for evaluation by anti-doping agencies.
What's still developing
- Museum specimens are helping scientists trace a deadly fungus linked to mysterious frog disappearances in Brazil nearly half a century ago.
- Now two studies published over the weekend are giving planetary scientists even more hope that we may find it.
- NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life.
- Studying them helps scientists understand what life as we know it is capable of.
- Researchers have discovered a novel way of making light, sound, and other kinds of waves self-organize into stable patterns under conditions where they would ordinarily behave chaotically.
- Both Doudna and Banfield are faculty scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
- Scientists have only identified 1.5 to 1.7 million, with around 16,000 new ones added to the list every year.
- Now scientists have examined his DNA and discovered something remarkable.
- Scientists can measure this irregularity using a concept called methylation entropy.
- This enabled them to "follow their entire journey—from initially switching into a fast-moving, amoeba-like state in an attempt to escape, to our unexpected discovery that prolonged confinement eventually caused them to stop moving and activate a built-in cell death program," they said.
- "Measuring MLKL levels may therefore help assess how tumors evolve during disease progression." These findings could translate into new therapeutic strategies, they added.
- More broadly, they said the study suggests that "therapies should not only target biochemical signaling pathways but also exploit the unique mechanical environment of solid tumors."