Researchers led by Ohio State's Jonathan Davis say they developed a protein engineering approach to preserve heart function, tailoring the heart's ability to respond to calcium, which is the signal for contraction. They successfully tested this approach on mice. "Essentially, it's like adjusting a radio dial to tune in the music you want to hear. If you don't adjust the radio, or receptor, the signal just passes by undetected," Davis said. "When we modify, or tune the receptor, it's able to get the right message to tell the heart muscle how hard to contract." Release
> Uppsala investigators say they successfully slipped an antibody through the blood-brain barrier, opening up a new approach that could aid in diagnosing Alzheimer's at an early stage. The antibody works as a tracer for PET imaging. Release
> UC San Diego researchers say they have spotlighted a new mechanism of action behind HIV replication. They note a big increase in methylation, a chemical modification, which aids in viral replication. Release