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Longtime Antidepressant Could Slow Parkinson's

Michigan State University scientists now have early proof that an antidepressant drug that’s been around for more than 50 years could slow the progression of Parkinson’s. In a proof-of-concept study, published in the journal Neurobiology of Disease, the drug nortriptyline, which has been used to treat depression and nerve pain, stopped the growth of abnormal proteins that can build up in the brain and lead to the development of the disease.

Aeroices: Newly Discovered Ultralow-Density Ice

Relatively little is known about the effects of extreme negative pressure on water molecules. Exploring a significant region of negative pressure through molecular dynamic simulations, researchers have now theoretically discovered a new family of ice phases. Called aeroices, these ices have the lowest density of all known ice crystals. The researchers report their findings this week in The Journal of Chemical Physics.

Discovery of Boron on Mars Adds to Evidence for Habitability

The discovery of boron on Mars gives scientists more clues about whether life could have ever existed on the planet, according to a paper published today in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

Boosting a Lipid Fuel Makes Mice Less Sensitive to the Cold

Humans, like other animals, become more sensitive to cold with age. Now, scientists from University of Utah Health report that delivering a single dose of a nutritional supplement called L-carnitine to older mice restores a youthful ability to adapt to the cold. After treatment, they tolerate chilly conditions that would ordinarily trigger hypothermia. As reported online in Cell Metabolism, the supplement works by boosting levels of a newly discovered fuel source for brown fat, or “good fat”.

New Insights Into Bacterial Toxins

A toxin produced by a bacterium that causes urinary tract infections is related to, yet different in key ways from, the toxin that causes whooping cough, according to new research. The findings, which will be published in the Sept. 8 issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry, could aid in the development of new vaccines.

Was the Primordial Soup a Hearty Pre-Protein Stew?

How proteins evolved billions of years ago, when Earth was devoid of life, has stumped many a scientist. A little do-si-do between amino acids and their chemical lookalikes may have done the trick. Evolutionary chemists tried it, and got results by the boatload.

New Fluorescent Dyes Could Advance Biological Imaging

Scientists at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus have developed a new method for fine-tuning the structure of rhodamine dyes, and can now create a colorful palette of fluorescent molecules.

Heart Hormones Protection, Psychotic Disorders, Self Regulation, and More in the Obesity News Source

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X-Ray Footprinting, Brain Development, Sleep Research, and More in the Cell Biology News Source

The latest research and features in cell biology in the Cell Biology News Source

Scientific Explanation Behind The Explosion in Texas at the Arkema Plant