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A study by researchers at the Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, the Structural Biology research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and IBiTech-BioMMedA Group of Ghent University reveals how a key blood protein involved in inflammation and cancer -alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)-behaves in complex and surprising ways.

When the workload on the heart increases, the ventricular wall may thicken too, known as cardiac hypertrophy . This is an adaptive response that reduces pressure on the heart and maintains the activity of this vital organ. It is often a reversible process that does not cause serious effects on the structure or function of the heart, but if the factor causing cardiac overload becomes chronic, it can lead to pathological hypertrophy with more serious effects (dilatation of the ventricular cavities, alterations in cardiac function, heart failure, etc.

Life Published: 21 May 2025, 13:40 An invisible intruder puts the delicate balance in our lungs to the test: the mold Aspergillus fumigatus, harmless in nature, can become a serious danger if the immune system is weakened - and change the entire bacterial world in the lungs. But that's not all: the intestines and metabolism also appear to be affected by a lung infection.

An international research collaboration anchored at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics has shed new light on a rapid and crucial evolutionary arms race unfolding inside the cells of fruit flies. The study reveals how intricate protein networks are constantly adapting to protect fertility by keeping genetic parasites at bay.

An international group of scientists has identified a key molecular process that drives a deadly form of childhood brain cancer, potentially offering a much-needed, new therapeutic target. Published in leading international journal Molecular Cell , the new study has revealed how a rare but devastating childhood brain cancer-called Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)-hijacks the cell's gene control machinery to fuel its growth.

Cancer cells respond to stress with greater diversity. Drugs that affect DNA replication, or radiation that causes direct DNA damage, lead to increasingly diverse offspring over multiple cell generations. This increases the tumor's genetic complexity and facilitates the development of resistance to therapy.

Göttingen researchers develop algorithm to uncover overlooked chemical linkages in proteins   Proteins are among the most studied molecules in biology, yet new research from the University of Göttingen shows they can still hold surprising secrets. Researchers have discovered previously undetected chemical bonds within archived protein structures, revealing an unexpected complexity in protein chemistry.

Fibroblasts play a central role in the maintenance of healthy tissue structures, but also in the development and progression of diseases. For a long time, these specialized cells of the connective tissue were regarded as a uniform cell type. A recent publication by scientists at Leipzig University Medicine makes it clear that fibroblasts in human tissue consist of different populations with specialized tasks.

International research team led by Göttingen University produces genetic activity map for rare worm   Scientists have uncovered the genetic underpinnings of one of the ocean's most bizzare animals: a branching marine worm named Ramisyllis kingghidorahi that lives inside sea sponges and reproduces in a truly extraordinary way.

How do insects perceive mechanical stress? This is a question of interest in many different fields including comparative morphology, neurobiology and robotics. A team led by Brian Saltin of the Bonn Institute of Organismic Biology has developed a computer model to study the fruit fly Drosophila, focusing on the creature's tiny sensory organs for perceiving mechanical stress located near its leg joints.

A new research project led by scientists at The University of Manchester in collaboration with global energy company Equinor ASA will unlock crucial insights into how microbes in deep underground storage sites could impact the success of carbon capture and storage (CCS). As the UK strives to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, secure and permanent geological storage of CO2 is essential to avoid the worst-case consequences of climate change.

The architecture for complex communication already existed in the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees   To the point Language Connection: Researchers discovered a neuronal connection related to language in chimpanzee brains, previously thought to be unique to humans. Arcuate Fasciculus: The arcuate fasciculus links language areas in the brain; this connection exists in chimpanzees but is weaker than in humans.

The body defends itself against pathogens by depriving them of vital iron. However, this strategy doesn't always succeed against Salmonella. Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered that these bacteria specifically target iron-rich regions within immune cells to replicate. Their findings on how pathogens evade the immune defense are important for fighting infections.

The brain uses a dual system for learning through trial and error, according to a new study in mice led by UCL researchers. This is the first time a second learning system has been identified, which could help explain how habits are formed, and provide a scientific basis for new strategies to address conditions related to habitual learning, such as addictions and compulsions.

The brain's ability to integrate internal body signals with external stimuli is essential for survival. A recent study led by Marzia De Lucia in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at CHUV reveals that this mechanism persists even in coma Our body and brain are in constant interaction. This dialogue is crucial not only for reacting to signals from our organs, but also for interpreting stimuli from our environment.

Certain detergent additives known as aminopolyphosphonates can be transformed into glyphosate and other problematic substances when wastewater is treated. A research team led by Professor Stefan Haderlein of the Geoand Environmental Center at the University of has made this fundamental finding. To achieve this, the team carried out comprehensive experiments in the laboratory which also included conditions found in wastewater.

Shrub fringes on the edges of forests and fields protect animal species and have a positive effect on biodiversity: This was reported by a research team from the University of Würzburg. They are the transition zones between forest and open landscape and serve as habitats and retreats for various animal species.

Voltage-gated calcium channels are associated with numerous diseases. A new research group led by Nadine Ortner from the Institute of Pharmacy at the University of Innsbruck is now focusing on gene mutations that impair the function of a specific channel subtype known as CaV1. The five-person interdisciplinary team is funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) with 1.64 million euros.

To the point Mother-offspring attachment in the wild: Wild chimpanzees develop secure or insecure-avoidant attachments to their mothers, but not disorganised attachments, suggesting that it is not a viable survival strategy in the wild. Attachment types: Chimpanzees with secure attachment are confident, while those with insecure-avoidant attachment are more independent.

Teamwork is crucial for proteins. Little is known, however, about which protein teams are actually active in which tissues. A new large-scale study by systems biologists at ETH Zurich is now redrawing the map. The human body and its organs are composed of a wide variety of cell types. Although all cells contain the same genes, they function very differently - partly because protein interactions differ between cells.