ScienceDaily
Scientists discover a hidden problem with this popular sugar substitute
Sorbitol, a sugar alcohol commonly used in sugar-free candy, gum, and other low-calorie foods, may not be as harmless as it seems. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that the body can convert sorbitol into a form of fructose in the liver, potentially triggering some of the same harmful metabolic effects linked to fructose.
ScienceDaily
Scientists find a weak spot in one of the deadliest brain cancers
Researchers may have found a new way to weaken glioblastoma’s defenses against treatment. Blocking a protein called SET prevented tumors from forming in preclinical models, while targeting related proteins made cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation. The strategy works by restoring activity of PP2A, an enzyme that glioblastoma cells appear to suppress. Human testing will be needed to determine whether the approach is safe and effective.
ScienceDaily
Scientists find breast cancer cells hiding behind protective “shields”
Researchers have mapped breast tumors in striking detail and uncovered hidden pockets of dormant cancer cells that may help explain why cancer can return after treatment. Unlike rapidly dividing cells, these quiet cells can essentially hibernate, allowing them to evade chemotherapy and reactivate later. The team found that they are often surrounded by immune cells and connective tissue cells that may act like a protective shield.
Faculty of Science
Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station: a hub for environmental sciences
Tucked away on the peaceful shores of Lake Memphremagog, the Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station blends a serene atmosphere with scientific discoveries. Operated by McGill University’s Faculty of Science and managed by the Gault Nature Reserve, the station provides a base for research and teaching in limnology, aquatic ecology, and environmental science. Whether for long-term studies, student projects, or short sampling campaigns, the station offers researchers and students a central hub for fieldwork. Comfortable on-site lodging, a workspace for basic sample preparation and analysis, and direct access to the lake make it easy to deploy instruments, collect data, observe, and experiment, all within a protected natural environment. Moreover, with roughly 100 hectares of adjoining forest, as well as streams, rivers and over thirty nearby lakes and ponds in the vicinity, the station provides a wide range of research sites. From the field A Professor in the Department of Biology, Irene Gregory-Eaves and her students have been regulars at the field station for the past 20 years. As a Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Ecology, Gregory-Eaves and her research team focus on understanding how human activities since the Industrial Revolution have affected lake structure and function by studying ecological changes in freshwater lakes. “The Penfield station is a great spot to do research, particularly with all of the upgrades that the Gault staff have done over the past few years,” she said. “With direct access to Lake Memphremagog and many other lakes nearby, it’s a paradise for an aquatic scientist.” Over the years, students ranging from undergraduates to post-doctoral fellows have contributed to research led Gregory-Eaves’ lab at the station, producing over a dozen publications and counting. “The Penfield station provides a very multi-functional space that not only houses field teams but also provides the lab space to do basic initial processing of samples and storing of equipment,” said Gregory-Eaves. “Its relative proximity to Montréal means that I can easily go and train students, and afterwards they can carry on by themselves while still being supported by me and others.” Open seasonally from May to October, the site provides a gateway to the rich ecosystems of the Eastern Townships. For more information, visit the Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station website. Interested in planning a research project at the station? Find out how to submit your research permit application. Looking to find out more about its history? Read more here about its founding in 1975 and its development in becoming a significant site for research in limnology and aquatic ecology.
newswise.com
SLAC Researchers Make Movie of the First Steps in a Chemical Reaction
All chemistry starts with a push from electrons. Now, researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have created a movie of early electron motion to map the early steps of a photochemical reaction.
