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Biology

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Jun-2026 17:16 ET (20-Jun-2026 21:16 GMT/UTC)

Decoding immune system cellular pathways one enzyme at a time

Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System
Peer-Reviewed Publication

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.

Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry

Human liver tissue cell architecture reconstructed in 3D at a cellular level

University of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine
Peer-Reviewed Publication

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.

Funder: NIH Environmental Pathology and Toxicology Training Grant, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health

New drug candidate prevents preterm birth in preclinical studies

American Association of Immunologists Inc
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Rytvela, an anti-inflammatory drug candidate, decreased premature birth and infant mortality when administered after the onset of preterm labor in a preclinical model. The current standard treatment for preterm labor, Nifedipine, failed to confer similar benefits. The researchers plan to begin clinical trials as Rytvela represents a promising treatment approach to safely prolong pregnancy and fetal growth while allowing newborn organs to continue developing in utero.

Journal: The Journal of Immunology

How horses whinny: Whistling while singing

Cell Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

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.

Journal: Current Biology
Funder: Swiss National Science Foundation, Austrian Science Fund, Institut Universitaire de France

Bacteria with built-in compass

University of Basel
Peer-Reviewed Publication

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.

Journal: Physical Review E

Smarter tissue and organ repair thanks to made in Ottawa next-gen hydrogel

University of Ottawa
Peer-Reviewed Publication

- 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.

Journal: Advanced Functional Materials

Pets can help older adults’ health & well-being, but may strain budgets too

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan
Reports and Proceedings

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.

Funder: University of Michigan

Schizophrenia: from neurobiology to novel therapies - a comprehensive review

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder involving disruptions in neurotransmitters, neurodevelopment, immune function, and genetics. While current antipsychotics mainly target dopamine, they often fail to address negative and cognitive symptoms. This review synthesizes the latest findings on the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and highlights emerging treatments such as TAAR1 agonists, muscarinic modulators, NMDA enhancers, anti-inflammatory agents, and gut-brain axis interventions, paving the way for more precise and effective therapies.

Journal: Science China Life Sciences

Understanding biology in space: platforms, tools, and databases for spatial transcriptomics

Science China Press
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Recently, the research team led by Prof. Youqiong Ye at the Shanghai Institute of Immunology published a comprehensive review entitled “Mapping Biology in Space: From Spatial Transcriptomics Platforms to Analytical Tools and Databases” in Science Bulletin.The review summarizes the key challenges currently facing the field of spatial transcriptomics and outlines future directions for its development. In addition, the authors developed SpatialToolDB (https://www.spatialtooldb.yelab.site/), a systematically curated, classified, and continuously updated database that currently catalogs 77 spatial transcriptomics technologies and 594 spatial transcriptomics analysis tools.By integrating the existing analytical tool ecosystem and providing an interactive resource portal, this review and SpatialToolDB offer a data-driven foundation to support researchers in selecting appropriate spatial transcriptomics platforms and analytical methods across diverse biological and translational research contexts.

Journal: Science Bulletin