COVID-19 protein triggers immune attacks on healthy cells — but a common drug can stop it

A new study reveals that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein can spread from infected to uninfected cells, triggering an immune response that mistakenly targets healthy cells. The research identifies how this viral protein binds to cell surfaces and shows that enoxaparin, a common anticoagulant, can block this harmful interaction, pointing to a potential avenue for treatment….

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Ancient carbon ‘burps’ caused ocean oxygen crashes — and we’re repeating the mistake

New research from the University of California, Davis, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Texas A&M University reveals that massive emissions, or burps, of carbon dioxide from natural earth systems led to significant decreases in ocean oxygen concentrations some 300 million years ago. Combining geochemical analyses of sediment cores and advanced climate modeling, the study,…

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How brain cells meant to help may be making depression worse

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that negatively affects the mood of a person and causes a loss of interest in activities that were previously associated with happiness. In addition to cognitive impairments and forgetfulness, MDD can significantly affect social and occupational areas of functioning. Studies investigating the pathophysiology of MDD indicate…

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