Once among the more exotic branches of the animal kingdom, octopuses and other cephalopods are of growing interest to animal researchers. NPR’s All Things Considered reports on the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
animal research
Jawless fish take a bite out of the blood-brain barrier
A team of biomedical engineers and clinician-scientists borrowed molecules from the immune system of the parasitic sea lamprey to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to brain tumors.
Inflamed monkey guts produce Parkinson’s-related proteins
A new study lends support to the idea that inflammation may play a key role in the development of the degenerative neurological disorder.
Clinical trial begins to test universal vaccine against canine cancer
Dogs started receiving a vaccine against cancer this week in a clinical trial at UW-Madison. If the vaccine works in dogs, it may not only provide a new strategy for addressing a critical canine health concern, it might also work in people.
Orthopedic injury therapy in rodents may soon be headed to the clinic
The research team is now working to obtain FDA approval for a first human clinical trial to treat devastating injuries in musculoskeletal tissues.
Ritalin drives greater connection between brain areas key to memory, attention
New research is a first step toward understanding the way Ritalin affects the organization of the pathways that build brain networks used in attention and learning.
It’s not a shock: Better bandage promotes powerful healing
The bandage developed by UW-Madison engineers leverages energy generated from a patient’s own body motions to apply gentle electrical pulses at the site of an injury.
Five questions with Su-Chun Zhang, forger of brain cells
In light of the 20th anniversary of James Thomson’s derivation of human embryonic stem cells, we had some questions for one of the founders of stem cell neuroscience.
Discovery opens new opportunities to slow or reverse MS
Nerve cells stripped of their insulation can no longer carry vital information, leading to the numbness, weakness and vision problems often associated with multiple sclerosis. A new study shows an overlooked source may be able to replace that lost insulation.
Beneficial gut bacteria metabolize fiber to improve heart health in mice
In support of a microbial connection between fiber and heart health, UW-Madison researchers have identified a particular fatty acid as the mechanism behind certain protective effects of a high-fiber diet in a mouse model.