From summer evenings to global disease prevention, mosquito repellents are a daily defense for billions of people, yet until now, scientists didn’t fully understand how mosquitoes themselves perceive these “keep away” signals. A new study has pinpointed an odorant receptor that helps mosquitoes detect a repellent odor and steer away. The researchers found that activating this receptor switches on a dedicated neural pathway that can override the insects’ attraction to human scents, producing clear avoidance behavior. By mapping the molecular and neural mechanism behind this response, the findings point to new strategies for designing more targeted and effective mosquito repellents.

Deep in our cells, a wide range of processes are occurring constantly. These cellular processes rely on enzymes to act as catalysts and set off a series of molecular interactions. There are still many processes within the body that are not fully understood. Discovering exactly how these cellular pathways work can help researchers better understand how some diseases proliferate and develop new treatments that target part of these processes.

Never-before-seen 3D reconstructions of human liver tissue have been created at a cellular level. The details capture the spatial microstructure of multiple lobes of this multitasking organ. The reconstructions show how cirrhosis rearranges this intricate architecture and thereby alter the organ's biological activities. In addition, 3D liver maps with a high degree of cellular detail are critical to someday realizing the dream of bioprinting new organs for transplantation. 

A horse’s whinny is an unusually distinctive mix of sounds including both high and low frequencies. Reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on February 23, researchers demonstrate how horses produce high-frequency sounds that defy their large size while simultaneously producing lower tones: they whistle through their larynx while vibrating their vocal folds as a human does while singing. Horses likely evolved these vocalizations to be able to convey multiple messages to one another at the same time, says the team.

Some bacteria are miniature masters of navigation: A built-in “compass” made of magnetic nanoparticles helps them to reliably find the optimal habitat. Researchers at the University of Basel have now unlocked the magnetic properties of individual bacteria — an important step toward harnessing the potential for technology, environmental research and medical applications.

- uOttawa multidisciplinary team has built new hydrogels from synthetic peptides that can be customized as needed - a defining hallmark in the emerging era of personalized medicine. - Offers game-changing potential to impact future biomedical applications, from sealing traumatic wounds to closing surgical incisions. - Bonding strength is comparable to commercially available tissue adhesives.

Having a dog, cat or other pet can help older adults stay active and maintain a sense of purpose, but pet-related costs may increasingly strain their budgets, a new poll suggests.