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Researchers from the University of Cologne have found a new use for cnicin, a substance produced in blessed thistle. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant in the family Asteraceae and also grows in our climate. For centuries, it has been used as a medicinal herb as an extract or tea, e.g. to aid the digestive system. Researchers at the Center for Pharmacology of University Hospital Cologne and at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne have now found a completely novel use for cnicin under the direction of Dr. Philipp Gobrecht and Professor Dr. Dietmar Fischer. Animal...

Nerve fibers (axons) transmit brain and spinal cord signals through nerves to target muscles or skin, and vice versa. Damage to these fibers thus leads to a disruption of connections and, consequently, to paralysis or numbness. The chances of recovery depend mainly on the speed at which the severed fibers regenerate as this process is time-limited, so usually only short distances can be overcome. Consequently, nerve injuries in the legs and arms often lead to permanent damage, which later may be accompanied by neuropathic pain. Therefore, a key therapeutic goal of research is the development of therapies to accelerate nerve...

Widely used for modern biomedical research, zebrafish share more than 70 percent of the human genome and possess the impressive power of regeneration. Dr. Sandra Rieger's research on appendage regeneration and nerve damage at the University of Miami has utilized zebrafish for years. Now, in a study, Rieger uses these natural marvels with innate healing capacity once more to expand her research on the regenerative potential of hydrogen peroxide in wound repair and nerve regeneration. As a postdoctoral researcher, Rieger made the groundbreaking discovery that hydrogen peroxide is produced in the epidermis and is responsible for promoting nerve regeneration following...

Research shows people with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may also have larger brain volumes in old age This would be the equivalent to preserving one or two years of brain health. Eating more fish could give you a bigger brain - and greater protection against diseases such as Alzheimer’s, claim researchers. They found people with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may also have larger brain volumes in old age. This would be the equivalent to preserving one to two years of brain health, says a new study...