Lifeboat Foundation

Researchers from NYU Abu Dhabi’s (NYUAD) chemistry program and colleagues from the University’s biology program have developed and studied the biological activity of five new, metal-organic hybrid knotted molecules, termed metal-organic trefoil knots (M-TKs). These molecules can effectively deliver metals to cancer cells, demonstrating the potential to act as a new category of anti-cancer agents.

In a study published in the journal Chemical Science, NYUAD Research Scientists Farah Benyettou and Thirumurugan Prakasam from the Trabolsi Research Group, led by NYUAD Associate Professor of Chemistry Ali Trabolsi, report that these nanoscale, water-soluble M-TKs showed high potency in vitro against six cancer cell lines and in vivo in zebrafish embryos. Zebrafish-related studies were performed by NYUAD Postdoctoral Associate Anjana Ramdas Nair from the Sadler Lab.

The M-TKs, generated by metal-templated self-assembly of a simple pair of chelating ligands, were well tolerated in vitro by non-cancer cells but were significantly more potent than cisplatin, a common chemotherapy medication, in both human cancer cells—including those that were cisplatin-resistant—and in zebrafish embryos. In cultured cells, M-TKs introduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage the mitochondria of cancer cells, but not the nuclear DNA or the plasma membrane.

Continue reading “Newly discovered hybrid molecules could serve as a novel category of anti-cancer agent” »

Researchers analyze secondary school curricula from 15 countries, revealing common themes and a need for emphasizing process over facts.

So-called supercapacitors, AKA ultracapacitors, are amazing devices. While they don’t store as much total energy as a comparable battery, they can discharge this energy extremely quickly. They can also charge rapidly, as demonstrated by Mike Rigsby’s “Little Flash.” As described in his project write-up, the mini rover “runs for twenty minutes, charges in ten seconds.”

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An international consortium of scientists has analyzed protein-coding genes from nearly 46,000 people, linking rare DNA alterations to type 2 diabetes. The study, one of the largest known of its type, includes data from people of European, African American, Hispanic/Latino, East Asian, and South Asian ancestries.

From this large cohort—roughly 21,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 25,000 healthy controls—the researchers identified four genes with rare variants that affect diabetes risk. The data suggests that hundreds more genes will likely be identified in the future.

These genes and the proteins they encode are potential targets for new medicines, and may guide researchers to better understand and treat disease.

Continue reading “Massive sequencing study links rare DNA alterations to type 2 diabetes” »

Superbugs are bacteria that can beat modern medicine’s most powerful drugs. So doctors are racing to find new ways to fight back, such as developing “living antibiotics.”

Researchers have made a breakthrough that could eventually lead to a more effective treatment for tuberculosis.

Virtual humans are now coming for models’ jobs.

Continue reading “One of these models doesn’t exist” »

Hey Meatbags! Here you go, just what you’ve all been waiting for…

Meet “Mega-Wattson” the new singer and “Hellga Tarr” the new guitarist and backing vocalist.

Continue reading “Compressorhead-Ace of Spades-Now with 350kg Singer” »

If we’re successful, this revolutionizes the treatment of infections.