L. Becker

Context-dependent roles for autophagy in myeloid cells in tumor progression

This study shows that autophagy in myeloid cells can either promote or suppress tumor growth depending on the tumor context, highlighting the need for targeted autophagy inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Stability of the Wheat Seed Mycobiome Across North Carolina's Longitudinal Gradient

The paper examines wheat seed fungal community structure across North Carolina's geographic gradient, finding stable mycobiome composition across cultivars and years.

Comparative phenotyping of mice reveals canonical and noncanonical physiological functions of TRα and TRβ

This study compares TRα and TRβ knockout mice with DNA-binding-deficient mutants to show noncanonical TR signaling contributes to physiological functions beyond canonical genomic pathways.

Deep Phenotyping and Lifetime Trajectories Reveal Limited Effects of Longevity Regulators on the Aging Process in C57BL/6J Mice

This study uses large-scale phenotyping in mice to show that longevity regulators affect age-sensitive phenotypes before detectable aging begins, rather than slowing aging rates.

Tubular lysosomes harbor active ion gradients and poise macrophages for phagocytosis

This study identifies tubular lysosomes in macrophages as having ion gradients that prepare them for phagocytosis without activating the cells.

Schistosoma haematobium extracellular vesicle proteins confer protection in a heterologous model of schistosomiasis

The paper identifies extracellular vesicle proteins from Schistosoma haematobium and shows that vaccinating mice with recombinant tetraspanins reduces egg burdens in a heterologous schistosomiasis model.

Dietary intervention improves health metrics and life expectancy of the genetically obese DU6 (Titan) mouse

The study characterizes the Titan mouse as a model for metabolically unhealthy obesity and shows that dietary intervention improves its health and extends lifespan.

Vaccination with Schistosoma mansoni cholinesterases reduces parasite burden and egg viability in a mouse model of schistosomiasis

This study shows that vaccinating mice with Schistosoma mansoni cholinesterases reduces parasite burden and egg viability, suggesting their potential as vaccine targets for schistosomiasis.

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis in response to a verbal fluency task and associations with task performance

The paper examines if a verbal fluency task alone triggers HPA axis responses and finds it increases cortisol and subjective stress, independent of task performance.

Hookworm-derived small molecule extracts suppress pathology in a mouse model of colitis and inhibit secretion of key inflammatory cytokines in primary human leukocytes

This study identifies anti-inflammatory small molecules from hookworms that reduce colitis pathology in mice and inhibit cytokine secretion in human leukocytes.

Time course of the physiological stress response to an acute stressor and its associations with the primacy and recency effect of the serial position curve

This study examines how stress responses via the SNS and HPA axis relate to working memory and long-term memory performance in humans after an acute stressor.

In-depth proteomic characterization of Schistosoma haematobium: towards the development of new tools for elimination

This study characterizes the proteomes of Schistosoma haematobium and identifies potential diagnostic markers for infection intensity.

Metabolically activated macrophages in mammary adipose tissue link obesity to triple-negative breast cancer

This study shows that obesity-induced metabolically activated macrophages in mammary adipose tissue promote triple-negative breast cancer stemness and tumorigenesis through GP130 signaling.

BCL11A interacts with SOX2 to control the expression of epigenetic regulators in lung squamous cell carcinoma

This study identifies BCL11A as an oncogene in lung squamous cell carcinoma, showing its interaction with SOX2 to regulate epigenetic factors and demonstrating potential therapeutic targets.