Latest news with #C.elegans
Hans India
a day ago
- Health
- Hans India
Neurogrit Gold opens new avenues for curing Parkinson's
Haridwar / Hyderabad: Novel research conducted by Patanjali's scientists on C. elegans confirms that the Ayurvedic formulation Neurogrit Gold not only helps improve memory loss caused by Parkinson's disease, but it also increases the lifespan; however, it does not hamper the growth and progeny of these organisms. This exemplary study has been published in the world-renowned Wiley's publication journal, CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. On this occasion, Acharya Balkrishna stated that in Parkinson's disease, not only does a person suffer mentally, but their social interactions also shrink significantly. But is there a way for such individuals to recover and resume their daily activities independently? Yes, indeed, it is possible! Acharya further stated that Neurogrit Gold is a remarkable fusion of our ancient wisdom, Ayurveda and modern science. This research demonstrates that if natural herbs are analysed through a scientific lens, they can bring revolutionary solutions to modern-day health challenges. Neurogrit Gold is a composition of natural herbs like Jyotishmati and Giloy, along with traditional Ayurvedic Bhasma such as Ekangveer Ras, Moti Pishti, Rajat Bhasma, Vasant Kusumakar Ras, and Rasraj Ras, all of which are considered beneficial for neurological disorders.
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Science
- Arabian Post
Tiny Worms Erect 'Living Towers' to Catch Insect Rides
Scientists have observed that under intense environmental pressure, nematode worms assemble into towering collective structures to disperse by hitching rides on passing insects. This phenomenon, documented in decaying orchard fruit in Germany, represents the first natural evidence of cooperative 'towering' behaviour among nematodes. Field researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior and the University of Konstanz spent months scanning fallen apples and pears with digital microscopes, capturing worms forming vertical towers several millimetres tall. Once attached to an insect such as a fruit fly, the entire column would detach and ride off, a strategy to reach new habitats. The towers consist exclusively of a single species in the stress-resistant 'dauer' larval stage, suggesting selective group assembly rather than random aggregation among various worm genera. Postdoctoral researcher Daniela Perez describes these towers as 'a coordinated structure, a superorganism in motion'. ADVERTISEMENT Laboratory experiments using Caenorhabditis elegans confirmed these findings. In vitro tests placed starved worms on nutrient-deprived agar fitted with a vertical bristle. Within hours, worms climbed one another, forming towers that remained stable for over 12 hours and even extended 'arms' to bridge gaps. When touched or when an insect passed by, the structures would reorient and attach en masse. Unlike ants or slime moulds, nematode towers display no evident division of roles. Each worm, whether atop the structure or at its base, shares similar mobility and reproductive potential in the lab. This egalitarian dynamic reflects clonal origin; however, wild towers may harbour more complex genetic interactions, pointing to open questions about cooperation, conflict and even cheating. The study positions nematodes among a rare group of organisms—such as fire ants, slime moulds and spider mites—that link bodies for coordinated movement. Given nematodes' global prevalence, this discovery opens new avenues for research into collective motion, ecological dispersal and bio-inspired design, especially with the genetic tools available for the C. elegans model. Senior author Serena Ding emphasises the novelty: with the right field tools, 'natural worm towers existed only in our imaginations. But … they were hiding in plain sight'.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Arab Times
Anti-aging breakthrough? Old blood pressure drug offers new hope for longer, healthier lives
LONDON, June 14: As people continue to outlive their parents and grandparents, those added years often bring a burden of chronic illnesses. Now, scientists are exploring ways to ensure those later decades feel less like overtime and more like prime time—by delaying the biological decline that typically accelerates after age 65. One promising avenue in longevity research is the search for drugs that mimic the benefits of caloric restriction, a method long known to extend lifespan in mice, worms, and monkeys. Though effective, the regimen — which requires reducing calorie intake by 20 to 40 percent over years — is difficult to sustain and can cause adverse effects like dizziness, brittle bones, and hair loss. Instead, researchers are seeking "caloric-restriction mimetics" (CRMs), drugs that could provide similar anti-aging effects without forcing people to drastically cut their food intake. The idea is to activate the same metabolic pathways that animals use during times of food scarcity, prompting cells to clean up damaged proteins, improve energy use, and strengthen their defenses against stress. A standout candidate in this emerging field is rilmenidine, a drug used for over 30 years to treat high blood pressure. Identified by machine-learning models screening for CRMs, the compound drew attention from a research team led by molecular biogerontologist Dr. João Pedro Magalhães at the University of Birmingham. 'For the first time, we have been able to show in animals that rilmenidine can increase lifespan,' Magalhães said. Experiments in the tiny soil worm Caenorhabditis elegans showed that the drug extended life even when administered later in life—an encouraging sign that humans might not need to begin treatment in middle age. The study revealed that rilmenidine binds to imidazoline receptors on cell membranes, particularly one called nish-1. When the receptor was removed, the life-extending effects disappeared, but reintroducing it restored the benefits. Treated worms also displayed increased autophagy—the cell's waste management system—and were better able to withstand heat stress. Importantly, the drug did not affect the worms' development or fertility, suggesting it targeted aging-specific pathways. Given C. elegans shares many genes with humans, the team extended their research to mice. The animals exhibited gene-expression changes in liver and kidney tissues that closely resembled those seen in classic caloric restriction. Metabolic biomarkers also shifted toward more youthful levels, bolstering hopes that the drug engages conserved survival mechanisms across species. Since rilmenidine is already approved for human use and has a solid safety profile—its side effects are rare and include mild symptoms like palpitations, drowsiness, or insomnia—it may offer a shortcut to early-stage human trials. These trials could focus on biological indicators of aging, such as inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and muscle strength, before proceeding to long-term health outcomes. 'This is a very practical compound. It's taken orally and doesn't require a complex regimen,' said Dr. Magalhães. 'With a global aging population, the benefits of delaying aging—even slightly—are immense.' Public health experts agree that shaving just a few years off late-life disability could dramatically reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life for millions. Yet the concept of targeting aging itself, rather than individual diseases, remains a relatively new frontier. Regulatory agencies will eventually need new frameworks to evaluate drugs like rilmenidine, which aim to delay aging rather than treat a specific illness. Ethical questions also loom around fair access and societal impact. Still, many researchers believe the momentum is growing. 'If rilmenidine or similar drugs continue to prove safe and effective,' said Magalhães, 'we may soon see a future where living healthy into your eighties and beyond becomes less of a genetic fluke and more a product of everyday science.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
In roundworms smuggling case, Chinese citizen to be held in detention for now
A Chinese citizen accused of bringing biological materials related to roundworms into the country for her work at a University of Michigan laboratory has agreed to remain in federal custody. Chengxuan Han is charged with smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements. She appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 13, two days after an initial detention hearing was adjourned so her attorneys could have more time to review material regarding issues pertinent to bond. Han has been detained since she made an initial appearance June 9. One of her attorneys, Sara Garber, told the court that "(t)his is a constantly evolving situation involving a large number of factors" including the criminal charges, implications on Han's professional career, considerations in the U.S. and China, a language barrier and a need for an interpreter. "This situation is fluid. My client consents to detention without prejudice to remain in federal custody at this time," Garber told the court. "We have been working diligently on this matter." Garber had no additional comment after the hearing. A preliminary exam is set for June 30. Han appeared in court wearing an orange jumper with Sanilac County written on the back. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore thin eyeglasses. Her hands were handcuffed in front of her. Han had a Mandarin Chinese interpreter, but spoke some English when answering yes or no questions posed by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Stafford. Han put a tissue to her nose toward the end of the hearing and could be heard sniffling. She is pursing a doctoral degree from the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, according to a court filing. More: Detention hearing adjourned for Chinese citizen accused in fungus smuggling case Feds: Chinese citizens charged with smuggling harmful fungus for research at U-M From September 2024 to March, the records indicated, she was listed as the sender of four packages of concealed or mis-manifested biological material addressed to two people associated with a lab at U-M. The packages did not contain the correct documentation and were not imported per U.S. Department of Agriculture or U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations, according to an affidavit. Han arrived at Detroit Metro Airport from Shanghai on a J-1 visa June 8 and customs officers conducted an inspection and interview. She denied sending the packages to members of the lab, according to the affidavit, but when pressed, admitted to shipping them, with the materials from her research lab at the Chinese university. It indicated the packages contained plasmids and petri dishes of C. elegans (nematode worms).In a separate case earlier this month, Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements and visa fraud. They are accused of smuggling a fungus that causes a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice so that Liu could research the pathogen at a U-M lab where Jian works. Jian agreed June 13 to be detained during a detention hearing in federal court. Liu is accused of smuggling the fungus, identified as Fusarium graminearum, into the country at the airport in clear plastic baggies in his backpack July 27. Customs officers denied him entry and processed him for expedited removal back to China, according to an affidavit. Contact Christina Hall: chall@ Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In roundworms smuggling case, Chinese citizen to be held in detention
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
‘Superorganisms' were just seen in the wild for the first time ever
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. For years, scientists have watched nematodes build massive superorganisms in the form of writhing towers. But, they've only seen it happen in the lab. Now, though, researchers write that they've observed these massive, disturbing towers writhing in the wild for the first time ever. Previously, researchers believed that the behavior was meant to be an attempt to escape from the rest of the group. However, new images of the writhing towers appear to suggest they're actually used cooperatively, to benefit many worms instead of just one. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 The researchers reported their findings in a report published in Current Biology, writing that these towering superorganisms only existed naturally in their imaginations for the longest of times. Observing the towers also taught researchers quite a bit about how different species of nematode work together. While watching the towers, the scientists note that while many different species crawled through the worm towers, only one species, a tough larval stage known as a dauer, actually participated in building up the writing masses. This specificity in the construction of the tower points to something more than just random cooperation. These towers are truly superorganisms, then, and not just piles of writing worm bodies. This discovery also got researchers thinking: could other worms form writhing towers like this, too? To test that hypothesis, they stuck a toothbrush bristle into a food-free agar plate, then unleashed a bunch of roundworms from the species Caenorhabditis elegans into the structure. Immediately, the worms began to work together and build up a tower. Within two hours, the researchers say the C. elegans had formed a tower using the bristle as its spine. The researchers watched as some worms along the superorganism writhed and acted as exploratory arms. Others acted as bridges between gaps. To see how the superorganism would respond, the researchers tapped the top of the tower with a glass pick. Almost immediately, the worms began to wriggle and move toward the area. This, they say, shows that these towers are always growing and moving toward stimulus. It's an intriguing show of cooperation between the worms, and just one more way that worms continue to astound scientists. It also raises more questions about why these superorganisms form in the first place. Even more interesting, though, is that the roundworms didn't appear to hold any kind of class system in place. Where the nematodes only relied on the larval stage worms to create the tower, all the roundworms chimed in to help build up the mass. Researchers will need to dig deeper to see exactly why worms form these writhing superorganisms. Hopefully other species, like the parasitic hairworm, aren't capable of this same kind of behavior. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
