Medical research

How opioid drugs get into our cells

The human body naturally produces opioid-like substances, such as endorphins, that block the perception of pain and increase the feeling of well-being. Similarly, opioid drugs, including morphine or fentanyl, are widely used ...

Immunology

Study shows immune cells have a backup mechanism

The enzyme TBK1 is an important component of the innate immune system that plays a critical role in the defense against viruses. Upon mutation-induced loss of TBK1 function, patients show an increased susceptibility to viral ...

Neuroscience

Revealing roles of dementia proteins in normal memory

New research has revealed how the tau protein, a critical element in the formation of Alzheimer's disease, is also involved in normal learning processes in the healthy brain—potentially providing a focal point for future ...

Genetics

Olfactory neurons adapt to the surrounding environment

Olfactory receptors, present on the surface of sensory neurons in the nasal cavity, recognize odorant molecules and relay this information to the brain. How do these neurons manage to detect a large variability of signals ...

Medical research

Unusual partners aid blood vessel growth

Insufficient oxygen to an area like the heart or legs, called hypoxia, is a cue to our bodies to make more blood vessels, and scientists have found some unusual partners are key to making that happen.

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