Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Seth W. Donahue, Samantha J. Wojda, Meghan E. McGee-Lawrence, Janene Auger, Hal L. Black
Summary: Disuse osteoporosis is caused by lack of physical activity, which leads to increased bone resorption, decreased bone mass, and higher risk of fractures. Hibernating animals have evolved compensatory mechanisms to preserve skeletal muscle and bone during periods of prolonged inactivity.
Article
Cell Biology
Laura Cussonneau, Christian Boyer, Charlotte Brun, Christiane Deval, Emmanuelle Loizon, Emmanuelle Meugnier, Elise Gueret, Emeric Dubois, Daniel Taillandier, Cecile Polge, Daniel Bechet, Guillemette Gauquelin-Koch, Alina L. Evans, Jon M. Arnemo, Jon E. Swenson, Stephane Blanc, Chantal Simon, Etienne Lefai, Fabrice Bertile, Lydie Combaret
Summary: Muscle atrophy is a serious condition with detrimental consequences, and there is currently no proven treatment. Research has shown that hibernating brown bears have a natural resistance to muscle atrophy, with an opposite expression pattern of TGF-β/BMP pathways in muscle compared to unloaded mice. Therefore, concurrent activation of the BMP pathway may be a new approach to prevent muscle atrophy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manuela Thienel, Johannes B. Mueller-Reif, Zhe Zhang, Vincent Ehreiser, Judith Huth, Khrystyna Shchurovska, Badr Kilani, Lisa Schweizer, Philipp E. Geyer, Maximilian Zwiebel, Julia Novotny, Enzo Luesebrink, Gemma Little, Martin Orban, Leo Nicolai, Shaza El Nemr, Anna Titova, Michael Spannagl, Jonas Kindberg, Alina L. Evans, Orpheus Mach, Matthias Vogel, Steffen Tiedt, Steffen Ormanns, Barbara Kessler, Anne Dueck, Andrea Friebe, Peter Godsk Jorgensen, Monir Majzoub-Altweck, Andreas Blutke, Amin Polzin, Konstantin Stark, Stefan Kaab, Doris Maier, Jonathan M. Gibbins, Ulrich Limper, Ole Frobert, Matthias Mann, Steffen Massberg, Tobias Petzold
Summary: This study identified a mechanism of thromboprotection in immobilized brown bears and spinal cord injury patients, involving the down-regulation of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in platelets. This resulted in attenuated immune cell activation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation, providing potential therapeutic targets for antithrombotic treatments.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Babar Zahoor, Xuehua Liu, Basharat Ahmad, Lalit Kumar, Melissa Songer
Summary: Approximately 20%-30% of plant and animal species are at risk of extinction by the end of the 21st century due to climate change, impacting the distribution and survival of animal species relying on plants. Climate change is projected to alter species composition and distribution in the forested landscapes of the northern highlands of Pakistan, potentially affecting the Asiatic black bear.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ellie E. Armstrong, Blair W. Perry, Yongqing Huang, Kiran Garimella, Heiko T. Jansen, Charles T. Robbins, Nathan R. Tucker, Joanna L. Kelley
Summary: This study reports a chromosome-level assembly of a male North American brown bear, which has a highly contiguous genome and supports the currently proposed species tree for Ursidae. The research provides support for future studies on the evolutionary history of the bear family and the physiological mechanisms behind hibernation, with broad medical implications.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Babar Zahoor, Xuehua Liu, Pengfen Wu, Wanlong Sun, Xiaodong Jia, Zixin Lv, Xiangyu Zhao, Xiangbo He, Baishuo He, Qiong Cai, Melissa Songer
Summary: Studying activity patterns is crucial for understanding animals' behavior adaptation based on habitat conditions. Monitoring Asiatic black bear activity patterns in the Qinling Mountains, researchers found higher activity levels from June to October, with a shorter hibernation period. Bears were mainly active during the daytime in spring and summer, while more active at twilight in autumn. Food preferences and availability due to regional climate conditions are suggested as factors influencing these activity patterns.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lucas Givre, Claire Crola Da Silva, Jon E. Swenson, Jon M. Arnemo, Guillemette Gauquelin-Koch, Fabrice Bertile, Etienne Lefai, Ludovic Gomez
Summary: The study found that bear serum has a potential therapeutic effect in reducing cardiomyocyte death, with a certain dosage and toxic effect. Therefore, bear serum may be a potential source for identifying new therapeutic molecules to fight against myocardial reperfusion injury and cell death in general.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andres Abellan-Borja, Iram P. Rodriguez-Sanchez, Rogelio Carrera-Trevino, Olga Karina Villanueva-Segura, Patricio Adrian Zapata-Morin, Laura E. Martinez-de-Villareal, Luis Javier Barboza-Aranda, Mayra A. Gomez-Govea, Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Ivan Delgado-Enciso, Gabriel Ruiz-Ayma, Jose Ignacio Gonzalez-Rojas, Antonio Guzman-Velasco
Summary: The study characterized the amino acid and acylcarnitine profiles of black bears in Mexico and identified metabolites with age-related variability, which could serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of metabolic disorders in endangered species. This is the first study of its kind in black bears and the findings can be used as reference for future studies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mitsunori Miyazaki, Michito Shimozuru, Toshio Tsubota
Summary: This study found that treatment with hibernating bear serum had an effect on protein metabolism in human skeletal muscle cells. After treatment with hibernating bear serum, the total protein content in the cells significantly increased, while the expression of MuRF1 protein decreased and Akt/FOXO3a signaling was activated. In addition, increased levels of IGF-1 were observed in the hibernating bear serum.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael W. Saxton, Blair W. Perry, Brandon D. Evans Hutzenbiler, Shawn Trojahn, Alexia Gee, Anthony P. Brown, Gennifer E. Merrihew, Jea Park, Omar E. Cornejo, Michael J. MacCoss, Charles T. Robbins, Heiko T. Jansen, Joanna L. Kelley
Summary: Understanding how metabolic reprogramming occurs in cells is crucial for the treatment of metabolic disorders. By analyzing brown bear adipocytes and serum, researchers found that seasonal shifts have a significant impact on insulin sensitivity, identifying several circulating proteins related to this shift.
News Item
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Martin Jastroch, Frank van Breukelen
Summary: The central control mechanisms that regulate entry into torpor in mammals have recently been discovered, fascinating researchers. Yang and colleagues demonstrate that ultrasound can non-invasively induce torpor-like hypometabolic states, offering new possibilities for exploring the underlying mechanisms and biomedical applications in the future.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tianying Lan, Kalle Leppala, Crystal Tomlin, Sandra L. Talbot, George K. Sage, Sean D. Farley, Richard T. Shideler, Lutz Bachmann, Oystein Wiig, Victor A. Albert, Jarkko Salojarvi, Thomas Mailund, Daniela Drautz-Moses, Stephan C. Schuster, Luis Herrera-Estrella, Charlotte Lindqvist
Summary: Research finds that the effective population size of an ancient polar bear lineage experienced a dramatic decline, followed by a modest increase just before its extinction. The ancient polar bear had slightly higher genetic diversity, suggesting severe genetic erosion in modern polar bears during a prolonged bottleneck. The study also suggests the occurrence of a possible ancient introgression event from brown bears dating back over 150,000 years.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Tim Caro
Summary: American black bears exhibit color polymorphism, and a recent study suggests that a gene mutation is responsible for the cinnamon color variant in the southwest USA. However, the adaptive significance of these color variations in this large carnivore remains unclear.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elizabeth Peacock
Summary: The question is raised whether the international conservation agreement can protect these bears.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian B. Heiss, Julia L. Daiss, Philipp Becker, Christoph Engel
Summary: RNA polymerase (Pol) I transcribes the ribosomal RNA precursor in eukaryotes. Here, the authors present three cryo-EM structures of S. pombe Pol I in different functional states, including a dimer structure, and discuss conserved and organism-specific features of Pol I.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Anita N. Vasavada, Derek D. Nevins, Steven M. Monda, Ellis Hughes, David C. Lin
Article
Physiology
Joseph W. Maricelli, Denali R. Kagel, Yemeserach M. Bishaw, O. Lynne Nelson, David C. Lin, Buel D. Rodgers
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sampath K. Gollapudi, David C. Lin
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2013)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Vladimir V. Borisov, David C. Lin
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2014)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph W. Maricelli, Qi L. Lu, David C. Lin, Buel D. Rodgers
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
David C. Lin, Danny Godbout, Anita N. Vasavada
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON HUMAN-MACHINE SYSTEMS
(2013)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Mehrdad Javidi, Craig P. McGowan, David C. Lin
ANNALS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mehrdad Javidi, Craig P. McGowan, Nathan R. Schiele, David C. Lin
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Biology
David C. Lin, Craig P. McGowan, Kyle P. Blum, Lena H. Ting
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Biology
Mehrdad Javidi, Craig P. McGowan, David C. Lin
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biology
Axel J. Fenwick, David C. Lin, Bertrand C. W. Tanner
Summary: Muscle contraction results from force-generating interactions between myosin and actin, with factors influencing cross-bridge kinetics at the molecular level propagating through tissues to modulate whole-muscle function. Researchers found that cross-bridge kinetics vary with whole-muscle length during intact, isometric contraction, suggesting a feedback pathway between muscle function and cross-bridge activity. The study highlights the complexity of muscle contraction and the potential impact of length-dependent cross-bridge kinetics on force generation and energetics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
M. Janneke Schwaner, David C. Lin, Craig P. McGowan
Summary: The study on jumping by kangaroo rats showed that muscles in the knee and ankle joints increased their shortening and activity with higher jumps. Compared to the knee joint, muscles in the ankle joint were more efficient in extending the shortening velocity, leading to increased power output.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Brooke A. Christensen, David C. Lin, M. Janneke Schwaner, Craig P. McGowan
Summary: Recent research on kangaroo rats suggests that despite their relative thickness, the ankle extensor tendons of these small hoppers are considerably more compliant. This increased compliance allows for greater tendon deformation and elastic energy storage and return, particularly at faster hopping speeds.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joseph K. Hall, Craig P. McGowan, David C. Lin
Summary: This study compares the hopping behavior of desert kangaroo rats on solid and granular substrates. The results show that the kinematics of the hop are similar on both types of substrates, despite the fact that sand absorbs mechanical energy. The combination of sand properties, toe-print area, and kangaroo rat weight likely contribute to this similarity.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)