Regina's Biology Blog

Scientists from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have genetically sequenced the Steno bacterium.

Steno is a quickly emerging hospital superbug that is extremely drug resistant.

There are no known drugs capable of combating these microorganisms.

Researchers hope that this genome sequence can give clues as to how Steno resists antibiotics. With that information, possible ways of combating these germs can be developed.

For additional information, see:

• Superbug Genome Sequenced: Steno Has Remarkable Capacity For Drug Resistance (Science Daily)

Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org

Researchers have discovered that the hormone ghrelin plays an important role in overeating by stimulating the brain's pleasure center.

Ghrelin stimulates our appetite and also increases our desire for food.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers were able to measure brain responses in people who viewed pictures of food and nonfood images.

The study showed that people who were given ghrelin had an increased response to food images in several areas of the brain.

For additional information, see:

• Gut Hormone Makes Food Look Even Yummier (Science Daily)

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown cancer causing gene.

This gene, RBM3, also contains a protein with the same name. They are both important to the process of normal cell division.

In the study, researchers discovered that the RBM3 protein is present in many cancer cells. Too much of this protein causes cells to become cancerous by inhibiting cell death and allowing the cancerous cells to grow.

When levels of the RBM3 protein were reduced, the cancerous cells died.

For additional information, see:

• New Cancer Gene Found (Science Daily)

Papillomavirus © Linda M. Stannard University of Cape Town

At one time or another, we have all most likely been infected with a virus.

For instance, colds and the chicken pox are two common ailments that are caused by viruses.

There are several types of animal viruses. They are commonly grouped into families according to the type of genetic material present in the virus.

Like all viruses, animal viruses are intracellular obligate parasites. This means that they can only reproduce after invading the host animal cell.

For additional information, see:

• Viruses

Studies have shown that eating too much fast food can lead to liver damage.

A diet high in fat and sugar can cause serious diseases of the liver such as cirrhosis.

However, doctors believe that liver damage due to a high fat and sugar diet can be reversed through improved eating habits and exercise.

For additional information, see:

• Fast-Food Liver Damage Can Be Reversed, Experts Say (Science Daily)

Cilia and flagella are protrusions from some cells that aid in cellular locomotion.

If the protrusions are short and numerous they are termed cilia. If they are longer and less numerous (usually only one or two) they are termed flagella.

Both cilia and flagella are found in many types of cells. The sperm of many animals, algae, and even ferns have flagella.

Cilia can be found in areas such as the respiratory and female reproductive tracts.

For more information, see:

• Journey into the Cell

Molecular analysis of a dinosaur protein has linked dinosaurs to modern birds.

These findings, published in the journal Science, show that dinosaurs share a common ancestor with chickens and ostriches.

Researchers were able to retrieve the dinosaur protein from the fossilized leg of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

In addition, researchers also confirmed a link between mastodons and modern elephants through collagen protein analysis.

For additional information, see:

• Molecular Analysis Confirms Tyrannosaurus Rex's Evolutionary Link To Birds (Science Daily)

Northern Leopard Frog Credit: Mike Lannoo (USGS)

Frogs have a very interesting anatomy. They have highly specialized structures, such as a long, sticky tongue.

They also have other structures however, that appear useless. Their weak teeth are an example of this.

Frogs breathe through their skin when underwater. They also have a pair of lungs that allow them to breathe on land.

Frogs have a three-chambered heart and a vertebral column that consists of nine vertebrae.

Learn more about male and female frog anatomy, visit the Frog Anatomy page.

For additional information, see:

• Virtual Frog Dissection Quiz

What is biology? Simply put, it is the study of life.

From the very small algae to the very large elephant, life has a certain wonder about it. With that in mind, how do we know if something is living? Is a virus alive or dead?

Visit the Biology 101 page to learn about the basic characteristics of living things.

MRI Brain Scan Credit: NIH

Research with Alzheimer's patients has linked greater cognitive ability and memory retention to brain size.

In studies, researchers have performed autopsies on the brains of patients who died with Alzheimer's disease.

Some of these Alzheimer's patients had developed dementia, while others maintained their cognitive and thinking ability until death.

The studies showed that Alzheimer's patients that maintained their cognitive ability had a larger hippocampus than did Alzheimer's patients with dementia.

The researchers believe that a larger hippocampus may serve to protect people from some of the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

For additional information, see:

• How Big Is Your Brain? Its Size May Protect You From Memory Loss (Science Daily)