In a new study published in
Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, Chen-Yu Zhang s group and Antonio Vidal-Puig s group at University of Cambridge report that pancreatic β cells secrete miR-29 family members (miR-29a, miR-29b and miR-29c) in response to high levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). These β cell-derived miR-29s are delivered to the liver, promoting insulin resistance and enhancing hepatic glucose output.
Over 100 years after insulin was discovered, it was believed that pancreatic β cells only secreted a single hormone insulin. Pancreatic β cell-derived insulin regulates glucose homeostasis by binding with the insulin receptors located in the liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissues and other peripheral organs. The discovery of insulin and its receptor was essential to understand the mechanisms controlling glucose homeostasis and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes defined by defective insulin secretion, signal transduction and insulin resistance. However, glucose homeos
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IMAGE: A prototype backpack harvests energy from walking to power small electronics, and it makes loads feel lighter. view more
Credit: Adapted from
2021, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07498
Hikers, soldiers and school children all know the burden of a heavy backpack. But now, researchers have developed a prototype that not only makes loads feel about 20% lighter, but also harvests energy from human movements to power small electronics. The new backpack, reported in
ACS Nano, could be especially useful for athletes, explorers and disaster rescuers who work in remote areas without electricity, the researchers say.
Backpacks are widely used in everyday life for the hands-free carrying of loads. Over time, however, walking or running with a heavy sack can cause back and neck pain. Also, backpackers in wilderness areas (or even those in cities who don t have ready access to a charger) might wish for a bag that could harvest the mechanical energy of walking to power p
In a new study published in
Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, Chen-Yu Zhang s group at Nanjing University, School of Life Sciences, and Antonio Vidal-Puig s group at University of Cambridge report that pancreatic β cells secrete miR-29 family members (miR-29s) via exosomes in response to high levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). Theses β cell-derived exosomal miR-29s regulate glucose homeostasis through their manipulations on glucose output in liver.
Previously, Chen-Yu Zhang s group identified extracellular miRNA as a new form of cell-to-cell communication. They are among the first that reported the selective secretion of miRNAs under different physiological or pathological states; also, the uptake and function of secreted miRNAs in recipient cells. In the past decade, intensive studies have revealed the role of extracellular miRNAs in a range of biological processes. Thus, as a newly-emerged secretory factor, more insightful studies are needed to further reveal its relevance t
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IMAGE: A new computational technique that uses heat map data to reverse engineer highly detailed models of chromosomes and researchers have uncovered new information about the close spatial relationships that chromatin. view more
Credit: UIC
Genome analysis can provide information on genes and their location on a strand of DNA, but such analysis reveals little about their spatial location in relation to one another within chromosomes the highly complex, three-dimensional structures that hold genetic information.
Chromosomes resemble a fuzzy X in microscopy images and can carry thousands of genes. They are formed when DNA winds around proteins called histones which are further folded into complexes called chromatin, which make up individual chromosomes.
Credit: Jin Yang
Scientists in China and Sweden have determined that a pinch of capsaicin, the chemical compound that gives chili peppers their spicy sting, may be a secret ingredient for more stable and efficient perovskite solar cells. The research, published January 13 in the journal
Joule, determined that sprinkling capsaicin into the precursor of methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) perovskite during the manufacturing process led to a greater abundance of electrons (instead of empty placeholders) to conduct current at the semiconductor s surface. The addition resulted in polycrystalline MAPbI3 solar cells with the most efficient charge transport to date. In the future, green and sustainable forest-based biomaterial additive technology will be a clear trend in non-toxic lead-free perovskite materials, says Qinye Bao, a senior author of the study from East China Normal University. We hope this will eventually yield a fully green perovskite solar cell for a clean energy so