Gut cells that regulate electrolyte balance in response to bacterial toxins expand treatment possibilities

Researchers from the Organoid group at the Hubrecht Institute have found that specific gut cells, BEST4/CA7+ cells, regulate electrolyte and water balance in response to bacterial toxins that cause diarrhea. Their findings, published in Cell Stem Cell, show that these cells greatly increase in number when exposed to the cytokine interferon-γ (IFNγ), presenting a promising target for therapeutic strategies.

Model explains menopause timing, shedding light on ovarian aging and fertility

Menopause, driven by ovarian aging and the depletion of ovarian reserves, marks the end of a woman’s fertility, and while many aspects of these processes are well understood, the overall dynamics remain unclear. A new study from Rice University researchers, published in the Biophysical Journal, introduces a novel approach to unraveling the complex patterns of ovarian aging using stochastic analysis, a mathematical approach that examines systems by evaluating all potential outcomes using random probability.