Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

Scientists in Japan have created hybrid plant-animal cells, essentially making animal cells that can gain energy from sunlight like plants. The breakthrough could have major benefits for growing organs and tissues for transplant, or lab-grown meat.Cont… Continue reading Plant-animal hybrid cells make solar-powered tissues, organs or meat

Up close: Nikon Small World celebrates 50 years of photomicrography

For 50 years now, camera company Nikon has been highlighting microscopic marvels with the annual Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. Headlining this year’s winners is a groundbreaking view of mouse brain tumor cells.Continue ReadingCategory… Continue reading Up close: Nikon Small World celebrates 50 years of photomicrography

Microscopic pirates attack with cellular cannons and grappling hooks

Microscopic battles rage around, on and in us at all times, and the microbial combatants use far more exciting weapons than we might realize. Scientists have now observed a bacterium that attacks like a pirate ship, ensnaring its prey with grappling ho… Continue reading Microscopic pirates attack with cellular cannons and grappling hooks

Microscopic pirates attack with cellular cannons and grappling hooks

Microscopic battles rage around, on and in us at all times, and the microbial combatants use far more exciting weapons than we might realize. Scientists have now observed a bacterium that attacks like a pirate ship, ensnaring its prey with grappling ho… Continue reading Microscopic pirates attack with cellular cannons and grappling hooks

Strange sea creatures can merge their bodies into one blob when injured

Imagine being horribly maimed and the only way to survive was to merge your damaged flesh with another injured human. Scientists have discovered this startling ability in comb jellies, which can fuse together to share a nervous and digestive system.Con… Continue reading Strange sea creatures can merge their bodies into one blob when injured

Nuclei in human cells breached by innovative nanopillars

In a move akin to puncturing an egg yolk without breaking the shell or egg white, researchers have figured out how to pierce the nucleus of a cell without hurting the rest of the structure. The breakthrough could be big news for medical treatments.Cont… Continue reading Nuclei in human cells breached by innovative nanopillars

Human embryo “pause button” could boost IVF success

Scientists have discovered a kind of “pause button” in early human development. This biological mechanism has long been known in other mammals, but its discovery in humans could aid IVF procedures.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Cells, … Continue reading Human embryo “pause button” could boost IVF success

“Functional cure” for diabetes restores insulin production with stem cells

A patient with type 1 diabetes has been functionally cured of the disease, requiring no insulin doses for over a year. The treatment involves growing and transplanting new insulin-producing cells from the patient’s own stem cells.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading “Functional cure” for diabetes restores insulin production with stem cells

“Functional cure” for diabetes restores insulin production with stem cells

A patient with type 1 diabetes has been functionally cured of the disease, requiring no insulin doses for over a year. The treatment involves growing and transplanting new insulin-producing cells from the patient’s own stem cells.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading “Functional cure” for diabetes restores insulin production with stem cells