Mitochondrial transplantation is an emerging technique aimed at restoring cellular energy production in diseases marked by mitochondrial dysfunction. However, how transplanted mitochondria interact with recipient cells has remained unclear. In a recent study, researchers from Japan investigated how isolated mitochondria are taken up by cells and proved they remain functional after uptake. Their findings help lay the groundwork for future mitochondrial therapies in regenerative medicine. 

Researchers from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu have shown in a recently  published study  that antibacterial  coatings which initially appear highly effective at destroying bacteria, may lose their performance over time. Therefore, long-term testing is essential for developing the best antibacterial materials. 

Birds, like other animals, need safe and warm places to sleep. Cozying up in groups can be an effective way to maintain vigilance, conserve heat, and gather information about where to find their next meal. A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research titled “Use of GPS Telemetry System to Study Communal Roosts in a Neotropical Raptor”tracked 24 Chimango Caracaras (Milvagro chimango) to study their resting, or “roosting” behaviors during the breeding season. Studies like this shed light on what is called the “spatial ecology” of an animal, meaning how organisms are distributed, how they use and move through space, and how interactions between other caracaras and other species unfold as a result. Such information helps biologists understand the importance of particular habitats, as well as how species adapt to changing landscapes.  

Dr. John Apolzan, director of the Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, published an editorial on the importance of fruit intake to vascular health in the Journal of the American Heart Association, a leading peer-reviewed publication focused on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health research.

The editorial, “Fruit-Rich Dietary Pattern Improves Endothelial Function: Implications for Food Is Medicine,” is a commentary on the study “Effects of Increasing Total Fruit Intake With Avocado and Mango on Endothelial Function and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults With Prediabetes,” which reinforced existing evidence that diets higher in fruit intake improve nutrient status and health outcomes.