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Development of Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance in Drosophila melanogaster and Characterization of the Anti-Diabetic Effects of Resveratrol and Pterostilbene

Dhar et al. | Jul 02, 2018

Development of Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance in Drosophila melanogaster and Characterization of the Anti-Diabetic Effects of Resveratrol and Pterostilbene

Dhar and colleagues established a Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model in fruit flies, using this model to induce insulin resistance and characterize the effects Resveratrol and Pterostilbene on a number of growth and activity metrics. Resveratrol and Pterostilbene treatment notably overturned the weight gain and glucose levels. The results of this study suggest that Drosophila can be utilized as a model organism to study T2DM and novel pharmacological treatments.

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Fire and dry grass: Effects of Pennisetum villosum on a California native, Nassella pulchra, in drought times

Chang et al. | Jan 23, 2022

Fire and dry grass: Effects of <i>Pennisetum villosum</i> on a California native, <i>Nassella pulchra</i>, in drought times

Invasive species pose a significant threat to many ecosystems, whether by outcompeting native species and disturbing food webs, or through increasing risks of natural disasters like flooding and wildfires. The ornamental grass species Pennisetum villosum R. Br. was previously identified by the California Invasive Plant Council as being potentially invasive; this experiment was conducted to determine if P. villosum displays characteristics of an invasive species when grown in a California chaparral environment. Reults found that in both conditions, the two species had similar germination rates, and that P. villosum grew significantly larger than N. pulchra for around 95 days.

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Peptidomimetics Targeting the Polo-box Domain of Polo-like Kinase 1

Jang et al. | Aug 19, 2016

Peptidomimetics Targeting the Polo-box Domain of Polo-like Kinase 1

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a master regulator of mitosis, initiating key steps of cell cycle regulation, and its overexpression is associated with certain types of cancer. In this study, the authors carefully designed peptides that were able to bind to Plk1 at a location that is important for its proper localization and function. Future studies could further develop these peptides to selectively target Plk1 in cancer cells and induce mitotic arrest.

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Eye color, visual acuity and photophobia: How eye color affects light sensitivity

Spencer et al. | May 20, 2026

Eye color, visual acuity and photophobia: How eye color affects light sensitivity

This study examined whether eye color affects photophobia and vision in elementary school students and staff, finding no significant relationship between eye color, light sensitivity, or visual acuity. However, photophobia was common across age groups, highlighting the need for greater awareness of light sensitivity in learning environments.

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The growth of bacteria on everyday objects and the antimicrobial effects of household spices

Daehan Yi et al. | Apr 29, 2026

The growth of bacteria on everyday objects and the antimicrobial effects of household spices
Image credit: Daehan Yi, Boughaleb Hassani and Ribeiro

The study investigates the antibacterial properties of household spices on bacteria isolated from everyday objects, aiming to address the limited understanding of bacterial resilience on surfaces and the potential of spices as antibacterial agents. Researchers hypothesized that bacteria would grow faster on some surfaces than others and that spices like honey, chili powder, turmeric, and sumac would inhibit bacterial growth at varying rates. The findings suggest that household spices possess significant antibacterial properties and could be used as emergency disinfectants, particularly in under-resourced settings. However, they cannot replace medical treatments but offer insights into alternative health solutions using common ingredients.

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