#Chemical weapon

[jcmarchi]

Atomic-Level Study Captures Frog Toxin In Action - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/atomic-level-study-captures-frog-toxin-in-action-technology-org/

Atomic-Level Study Captures Frog Toxin In Action - Technology Org

Cryo-electron imaging studies of poison dart frog toxin molecules in action are helping to solve the mystery of why this is among the deadliest natural poisons.

Graphic abstract of Nature Communications paper on binding of poison dart frog toxin to sodium ion channels. Image credit: George Wisedchaisri, University of Washington

Some tiny Amazon frogs defend themselves when threatened by releasing a substance that quickly incapacitates a predator. For centuries, a few Indigenous tribes in Colombia have siphoned this toxin from skin glands on the frogs’ backs to coat blow darts for hunting, because of its power to take down big game.

The poison instantly cramps the muscles in the body and forces the heart into a chaotic rhythm that ends in cardiac arrest. The bright coloring of the frogs warns animals to stay away. Their chemical weapon is called batrachotoxin, a name based on the Greek root word for frog. 

“Predators that attack these dendrobatid frogs are paralyzed so rapidly that they can’t clamp down on the frogs to kill and eat them,” said one of the senior researchers on a recent batrachotoxin study, William Catterall, a professor of pharmacology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

He noted that “it is so toxic that wiping the toxin secretion from the back of a single frog is sufficient to poison several blow darts, which will each immobilize or kill large prey.”

What makes their irreversible toxin more severe, compared with others that also target the signal-producing pores of nerve and muscle cells? 

It has long been known that batrachotoxin affects sodium ion channels, which control electrical pulses by regulating the flow of charged sodium particles through the membranes of these cells. 

“The toxin acts by hyperactivation of the sodium channel that generates action potentials in nerve and muscle, thereby causing a lethal storm of hyperactivity of nerves, synapses and muscle cells,” Catterall said. 

By using high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy, a research team led by pharmacologists at the University of Washington School of Medicine have determined, at the atomic level, the structure of the toxin derivative batrachotoxin-A benzoate when it is bound to its receptor site on the cardiac sodium channel. 

Unexpectedly, the researchers discovered that, unlike other toxins, batrachotoxin actually binds to two separate but similar receptor sites in the cardiac sodium channel. This dual-receptor action, and its multifaceted effects, provide unprecedented insights into why this poison is so effective, powerful and deadly. 

The toxin’s unique mechanism for high potency and lethality might also establish a new paradigm that helps to explain the actions of other toxins with high lethality, the researchers suggested. 

Such studies might also lead to better therapies for conditions resulting from certain electrical signaling problems in excitable cells and tissues, such as those in the heart, muscles, nerves and brain that are caused by malfunction of a sodium channel. 

For example, Catterall suggested, drugs designed to be robust inhibitors at both dual-receptor sites discovered in this study might also be valuable therapeutic agents in the treatment of disorders of hyperexcitability of nerve and heart cells. Such disorders include epilepsy, chronic pain and arrhythmias.

Source: University of Washington

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[tranzombie]

enough of girl math what about boy division

[darbydraws]

Burn Bright // My Chemical Romance X

[gay-vampire-with-a-violin]

[disarmamentawarenessday]

Strengthening partnerships for disarmanent.

Weapons of mass destruction, in particular nuclear weapons, continue to be of primary concern, owing to their destructive power and the threat that they pose to humanity. The excessive accumulation in conventional weapons and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons jeopardizes international peace and security and sustainable development, while the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is seriously endangering civilians. New and emerging weapon technologies, such as autonomous weapons, pose a challenge to global security and have received increased attention from the international community in recent years

[digitalcarcrash]

can we talk about how insane burn bright is. kissed all the boys in your city lights. not ashamed of what i am. they always told me that you'll never get to heaven with a love like yours. cause it makes me who i am. and you made me who i am. be afraid of what i am.

[cellphonehippie]

you made me who I am be afraid of what I am

prints available

[demolitionw0man]

I think my favorite song is The World Is Ugly!

[sososososososomething]

continuing my arc as a conventional weapons truther

[destielmemenews]

"Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who headed Russia’s radiological, biological and chemical protections forces, was killed by an explosive device planted in an electric scooter.

Ukraine’s security services were behind the assassination, a source told CNN, calling Kirillov a “war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target.”"

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[reisogei]

HeavyMedic Demolition Lovers

[pierce-mustdie]

some things never change

[bread2000yeat]

silly goofy autism moment (new mcr iceberg)

if you think smth should be moved or removed reblog lol id love to hear comments

[invisiblhoax]

the day yall appreciate conventional weapons is the day i’ll know peace

[fangirlinc]

HELP WANTED! Where/when is this photo from?

The origins of this Gerard Way photo have alluded me too long. I’ve seen it all over Pinterest and tumblr and I’ve scoured the internet and My Chemical Romance archives and cannot find it.

Posted my query on Reddit but no one knew on there either. Some assumptions about it being pre-2004(due to haircut, proximity, and possible booger sugar nosebleed). Could also NOT be a live performance photo. I’m desperate for My Chemical Romance experts to help me in my quest PLEASE HEAR MY PLEAS.

I’m gonna tag some of my favorite My Chemical Romance archive/expert blogs that I love so so dearly <3. Please tag more in the comments if you guys have any more blogs that have expert knowledge!

@earlycuntsets <3

@callmeblake <3

@mcroutfits <3

@mcrchivemedia <3

(Love y’all)

[midnightcatharsis]

I still think it's crazy that Caitlyn has been using chemical weapons on innocent civilians from Zaun for months fully knowing it will cause the death of hundreds or even thousands and cause dangerous diseases to others only to spread terror and catch one girl and in the end she not only got 0 repercussions but also got to play the role of a hero.... She has been doing it for a prolonged period of time she is bound to have a super high kill count.

She is like Singed only nobody is defending Singed.