Latest news with #TexasA&MAgriLifeResearch
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Metallic nanoflowers heal brain cells and extend lifespan in stunning new research
A team at Texas A&M AgriLife Research has developed a new way to protect and potentially heal brain cells, using microscopic particles shaped like flowers. The so-called 'nanoflowers,' metallic nanoparticles engineered at the molecular scale, appear to restore the function of mitochondria, the cellular engines that power our bodies. The study suggests this could lead to a new class of neurotherapeutic drugs. Instead of just masking symptoms of conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, nanoflowers may target the root cause, mitochondrial dysfunction. 'These nanoflowers look beautiful under a microscope, but what they do inside the cell is even more impressive,' said Dr. Dmitry Kurouski, associate professor at Texas A&M and lead investigator on the project. The research was led by Charles Mitchell, a doctoral student in the university's biochemistry and biophysics department, and Mikhail Matveyenka, a research specialist. Both work in Kurouski's lab at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture. Molecular fix for brain health Mitochondria convert food into energy for cells. But in the process, they also generate harmful byproducts like reactive oxygen species, unstable molecules that can accumulate and cause damage. To test the therapeutic potential of nanoflowers, the team exposed neurons and astrocytes, supportive brain cells, to two different types of nanoflowers. After 24 hours, cells showed improved mitochondrial structure and quantity, along with a significant drop in oxidative stress. 'Even in healthy cells, some oxidative stress is expected,' Kurouski said. 'But the nanoflowers seem to fine-tune the performance of mitochondria, ultimately bringing the levels of their toxic byproducts down to almost nothing.' According to Kurouski, healthier mitochondria could lead to better brain function overall. 'If we can protect or restore mitochondrial health, then we're not just treating symptoms—we're addressing the root cause of the damage,' he added. Worm model shows lifespan boost The team expanded the study beyond isolated cells and into live organisms using Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm commonly used in brain research. Worms treated with nanoflowers not only lived several days longer than untreated ones, but also showed lower mortality early in life. The findings strengthen the case for nanoflowers as neuroprotective agents. Kurouski's team now plans to test their safety and distribution in more complex animal models before considering human trials. Despite years of research, drugs that protect neurons from degeneration remain rare. Most treatments focus on reducing symptoms rather than halting disease progression. Kurouski believes this work could flip that script. 'We think this could become a new class of therapeutics,' he said. 'We want to make sure it's safe, effective and has a clear mechanism of action. But based on what we've seen so far, there's incredible potential in nanoflowers.' Texas A&M Innovation has filed a patent application for the use of nanoflowers in brain health treatments. Kurouski's team plans to collaborate with the Texas A&M College of Medicine to explore further applications, including stroke and spinal cord injury recovery. The study is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Here's what you need to know: Sahara dust is making its way to East Texas
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Every year around this time, the Sahara Desert in Africa experiences peak emissions that sends dust particles across the Atlantic Ocean, causing air quality changes in East Texas. Here's what we know about this phenomenon and how it could effect East Texans. Dust from Sahara brings hazy skies to East Texas Although allergy season is wrapping up, East Texans could still experience higher dust levels from the annual Sahara air layer that is heading this way. Its unknown exactly how much dust East Texans should anticipate, but they will likely see changes in visibility and air quality. KETK sat down with Professor and Center Director for Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Amarillo Brent Auvermann Ph.D. to talk about this environmental occurrence. 'It really is more of a general haze, things will change colors, sunlight will look different. the sun itself may look more red,' Auvermann said. 'At various times of the day, the clouds will be dingier in all likelihood and visibility will be somewhat reduced, depends on the intensity of the event. It is likely that air monitors that are monitoring air pollution at the ground level in East Texas will pick something up this time around,' Auvermann said. According to Google Maps, Texas and the Sahara Dessert are separated by over 7,000 miles of Atlantic Ocean water, which prompts people to question exactly how all this dust could travel that far without settling in the ocean. Babysitter's Club returning to Harrison County later this month Auvermann said these dust particles in the Sahara are small enough to rise high into the air through convection and travel long distances. Once some of these particles reach humid air, they can absorb water which makes them become heavier and settle in more humid areas like East Texas. 'They might absorb water from the atmosphere in response to changes in relative humidity,' Auvermann said. 'So as it gets more humid, they might absorb more water, that makes the particle larger, probably makes it settle out faster.' The dust particles travel toward East Texas because of a natural steering current that causes the wind to blow west from the African coast all the way to eastern parts of the United States depending on latitude. One question that might be on the minds of East Texans is how will this dust effect residents and the environment. TRAFFIC ALERT: Road closures in Henderson County due to flooding Auvermann said it is believed that this dust event has been happening for arounds thousands of years leaving him to suspect that ecosystems have become somewhat used to its effects. As for humans, Auvermann recommends that those with respiratory or other allergy driven issues talk to a doctor about treatment. People who do not suffer from respiratory issues should also stay cautious of this dust event as it could effect anyone. 'Is it possible that somebody that had never been triggered to asthma might be triggered to something like this? Its possible and so again people will always want to be in touch with medical professionals,' Auvermann said. Flooded road, fallen trees in Smith County following severe weather East Texans can expect to see some changes in the air quality index this month and Auvermann suspects these changes will last anywhere from a couple days to almost a week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AgriLife wheat plot tour slated for May 22 in Bushland
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M AgriLife Research will host a wheat field day and plot tour from 8:30 to 11 a.m. May 22 at the AgriLife Research Station, 2301 Experiment Station Road in Bushland. The event will start with a welcome from Brent Auvermann, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Amarillo. It will include the introduction of new AgriLife Extension entomologist Tyler Gilreath and a tour of the station's wheat plot. The program also includes an update from the Texas Wheat Producers Board, as well as the following topics and speakers: Statewide variety testing update and emerging issues, with Brandon Gerrish, Ph.D., an AgriLife Extension statewide small grains specialist and an assistant professor at Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences in Bryan-College Station; Texas A&M AgriLife Wheat Breeding Program update, with Jackie Rudd, Ph.D., an AgriLife Research wheat breeder and professor at the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences in Amarillo; and Emerging disease issues in wheat, with Ken Obasa, Ph.D., an AgriLife Extension pathologist and assistant professor at the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology in Amarillo. For more information, contact Gerrish at 207-432-1481. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced the award of approximately $580,000 in literacy grants to Texas nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. A comprehensive list of grant recipients may be found online at Texas recipients include $10,000 to the Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle in Amarillo and $10,000 to Literacy Lubbock and $3,000 to Communities In Schools of the South Plains, both in Lubbock. The Foundation also plans to launch its sixth annual The Yellow Glasses Project campaign on July 21, in which customers can purchase yellow sunglasses at Dollar General stores for $2 each to benefit the foundation. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Wheat plot tour slated for May 22 in Bushland by Texas A&M AgriLife
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Owl visits KXAN studio. Could it be an omen, or is it looking for love? Maybe both
AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN had a hoot with a certain special visitor Thursday morning. An owl briefly visited the studio early Thursday, landing in front of our KXAN Weather Cam on top of the building before flying away after about 15 minutes. Though owls are not uncommon sightings in Central Texas, it's not every day that we see anything beyond the visual weather conditions over downtown Austin through that camera's view. According to the Travis Audubon, Austin is home to three common owl species — Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl. RELATED | November bird forecast: Do owls live in Austin? Austin has become well-acquainted with one owl in particular — Athena the Owl, a Great Horned Owl who lives and nests over at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She returned to her nest earlier this month for the 13th year in a row. Athena and her mate have nested at the center for more than a decade, with her nestling into a space above the wildflower center's courtyard entrance. The center partnered with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to set up an owl camera feed that can be viewed on the wildflower center's YouTube page. Athena the Owl nesting at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for 13th year We think our Weather Cam Owl could have been another Great Horned, based on descriptions from the Travis Audubon, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department described the Great Horned Owl as the largest species of owl in the state, and according to the Texas Breeding Bird Atlas from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Great Horned Owl is currently at the peak of its breeding season, which extends from December to late July. The atlas recorded nests with eggs between March 20 and May 21 and nests with young between January 31 and June 10. Could our visitor have been some kind of omen? Owls are often associated with different myths and fascinations in various cultures. The nocturnal bird of prey is perhaps most well-known for its ties to Greek mythology, in which it is the symbol of Athena — the goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and handicrafts, per Britannica. Owls are also nocturnal creatures, so maybe it was simply telling us we work too early in the day… Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
