Scientists supercharge natural killer cells to fight aggressive cancers - Science Daily

Psilocybin, the psychedelic substance found in more than 200 species of mushrooms, appears to have an unexpected effect on aggressive fish. Most mushrooms containing this compound belong to the gilled mushroom genus Psilocybe. In mammals, psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, influencing emotions and behaviors such as mood, appetite, and aggression. However, scientists still know relatively little about how the substance affects social interactions among animals. To investigate this question, researchers in Canada examined the effects of psilocybin on the amphibious mangrove rivulus fish (Kryptolebias marmoratus). Their findings, published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, suggest that even a brief exposure to a low dose can significantly reduce aggressive behavior without disrupting normal social interactions.

image: NTU Prof Miao Yansong with the model plants in the lab, where they boosted the plants’ immune response using bioengineering methods. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists have developed a way to “supercharge” a plant’s natural immune response.