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Nature’s Armor: Scientists Uncover Gene Behind Aussie Skinks’ Immunity to Deadly Snake Venom

In a groundbreaking study led by the University of Queensland, scientists have discovered the genetic secret behind Australian skinks’ remarkable ability to withstand deadly snake venom. The research, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, reveals that these small lizards have evolved a molecular armor to protect themselves from the toxic effects of neurotoxins.

Professor Bryan Fry from UQ’s School of the Environment explained that the skinks’ defense mechanism involves tiny changes in a critical muscle receptor called the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. This receptor is normally targeted by snake venom, which blocks nerve-muscle communication and leads to rapid paralysis and death. However, in a stunning example of evolutionary adaptation, researchers found that skinks independently developed mutations on 25 occasions to block venom from attaching.

“It’s a testament to the massive evolutionary pressure exerted by venomous snakes after their arrival and spread across the Australian continent,” Professor Fry said. “The same mutations evolved in other animals like mongooses, which feed on cobras.”

Researchers confirmed that Australia’s Major Skink (Bellatorias frerei) has developed exactly the same resistance mutation as the honey badger, famous for its immunity to cobra venom.

To validate these findings, scientists conducted functional testing at UQ’s Adaptive Biotoxicology Laboratory. Dr. Uthpala Chandrasekara led the laboratory work and reported that the data was “crystal clear.” The modified receptors simply didn’t respond to toxins, demonstrating their remarkable ability to repel deadly snake venom.

This research has significant implications for biomedical innovation, particularly in the development of novel antivenoms or therapeutic agents. Dr. Chandrasekara emphasized that understanding how nature neutralizes venom can provide valuable clues for designing more effective treatments.

The project involved collaborations with museums across Australia and offers a promising example of interdisciplinary research, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and potential applications.

The article “Unlocking the Gut-Brain Connection: Scientists Discover Hidden ‘Neurobiotic Sense’ that Talks to Your Brain” reveals a groundbreaking discovery in the field of neuroscience. Researchers at Duke University School of Medicine have uncovered a previously unknown system, dubbed the “neurobiotic sense,” which enables the brain to respond rapidly to signals from microbes living in the gut.

The study, led by Diego Bohórquez, PhD, and M. Maya Kaelberer, PhD, centers on neuropods – tiny sensor cells lining the colon’s epithelium. These cells detect a common microbial protein called flagellin, which is released by some gut bacteria when we eat. The neuropods then send rapid messages to the brain through the vagus nerve, helping curb appetite.

The researchers propose that this neurobiotic sense may be a broader platform for understanding how the gut detects microbes, influencing everything from eating habits to mood and even how the brain might shape the microbiome in return. This could have significant implications for conditions like obesity or psychiatric disorders.

The team tested their hypothesis by fasting mice overnight and then giving them a small dose of flagellin directly to the colon. The mice that received flagellin ate less, while those missing the TLR5 receptor (a crucial component of the pathway) continued to eat and gained weight. This suggests that flagellin sends a “we’ve had enough” signal through TLR5, allowing the gut to tell the brain it’s time to stop eating.

The discovery was guided by lead study authors Winston Liu, MD, PhD, Emily Alway, both graduate students of the Medical Scientist Training Program, and postdoctoral fellow Naama Reicher, Ph.D. Their experiments reveal that disrupting the pathway altered eating habits in mice pointed to a deeper link between gut microbes and behavior.

As Bohórquez notes, this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes. A clear next step is to investigate how specific diets change the microbial landscape in the gut – a key piece of the puzzle in conditions like obesity or psychiatric disorders.

Breaking the Cycle of Overmedication: A Digital Tool to Safely Reduce Harmful Prescriptions in Seniors

For seniors, taking multiple medications can be a daily routine. However, this can often lead to adverse effects such as brain fog, falls, and fatigue. Researchers at McGill University have developed an innovative digital tool called MedSafer, which helps clinicians identify and safely reduce unnecessary or even harmful medications in seniors.

MedSafer is designed to work alongside the clinical review process, scanning a patient’s medication list and health conditions to flag potentially inappropriate drugs. In a recent trial involving 725 residents in long-term care homes in New Brunswick, the software helped deprescribe such medications in 36 percent of participants – nearly triple the number when reviews were done without MedSafer.

“We often blame aging for memory loss or mobility issues when the real culprit is the medications,” said Dr. Emily McDonald, lead author and Associate Professor at McGill’s Department of Medicine. “I’ve seen patients go from barely responsive to having conversations again after stopping a sedating medication.”

According to Dr. McDonald, nearly two-thirds of Canadian seniors take five or more medications a day, with an even higher number in long-term care. This phenomenon is known as a “prescribing cascade,” where medications often accumulate over time and are prescribed to counteract the side effects of other drugs.

MedSafer co-developer Dr. Todd Lee explained that this can lead to increased risks of falls, confusion, and hospitalizations, with more interactions and side effects occurring with each additional medication.

The researchers’ ultimate goal is to integrate MedSafer into primary care, addressing overmedication before patients enter long-term care. As Dr. McDonald put it, “This should be the new standard of care for older adults – no one should be on a medication that’s doing more harm than good.”

The study was funded by the Healthy Seniors Pilot Project, a joint initiative between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of New Brunswick.

With MedSafer, clinicians can now have a powerful tool to help their patients break free from the cycle of overmedication. By reducing unnecessary medications, seniors can regain control over their lives, feel more empowered, and live healthier, happier lives.