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Researchers develop powerful tools for microbiome research advancement

The microscopic organisms that fill our bodies, soils, oceans and atmosphere play essential roles in human health and the planet's ecosystems. Yet even with modern DNA sequencing, figuring out what these microbes are and how they are related to one another remains extremely difficult.

13 Dec 2025

Hypertrophic chondrocytes play a crucial role in bone growth and repair

Normal, regulated growth of skeletal bones is a crucial part of the growth of mammals. This is a complex process involving the growth of cartilaginous cells or chondrocytes, their transformation into bone-building cells or osteoblasts, and the formation of new blood vessels to supply the newly formed bone tissue.

13 Dec 2025

Indoor environments expose people to a growing mix of new contaminants

Indoor dust, air and everyday products are exposing people to a growing mix of "new contaminants" inside homes, schools and workplaces, according to a new perspective published in the journal New Contaminants.

13 Dec 2025

Engineering muscle stem cells for sustainable cultured meat production

The production of cultured meat depends on the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of animal stem cells into edible tissues. Muscle stem cells, or satellite cells, are central to this process due to their ability to regenerate and form muscle fibers.

13 Dec 2025

New research reveals underestimation of food insecurity

Before you can address a problem, you need to understand its scope. That's why the United Nations developed the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification System. Aid organizations rely on analyses from this global partnership, which monitors and classifies the severity of food insecurity to help target assistance where and when it is most needed.

13 Dec 2025

Cryo-EM reveals NPFFR1 activation and guides novel ligand design

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand recognition, subtype selectivity, and activation of neuropeptide FF receptor 1 (NPFFR1)-a Gi/o-coupled receptor that responds to endogenous RF-amide peptides (RFRP-3 from pro-NPFFB, NPFF from pro-NPFFA) and regulates physiological processes like opioid function, pain, and energy homeostasis.

13 Dec 2025

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals FBLN7's role in adipose tissue fibrosis

Fibrosis, resulting from excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is a feature of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and obesity-related insulin resistance.

13 Dec 2025

External signals control oncolytic bacteria for precise cancer therapy delivery

Engineered oncolytic bacteria have emerged as a promising therapeutic platform for precision cancer treatment, offering tumor-specific colonization, immune activation, and controllable therapeutic delivery. This review summarizes recent advances in the design and application of synthetic biological strategies that enhance bacterial precision, safety, and efficacy in tumor therapy.

13 Dec 2025

New research reveals the impact of DNA-histone cross-links on genome stability

DNA–protein cross-links (DPCs) represent a severe form of DNA damage that can disrupt essential chromatin-based processes. Among them, DNA–histone cross-links (DHCs) occur frequently within nucleosomes, yet their structural and functional consequences remain poorly understood due to their instability and low natural abundance.

13 Dec 2025

New CMS models could reshape the landscape for lifestyle medicine practice and reimbursement

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) applauds two new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) models that could significantly reshape the landscape for lifestyle medicine practice and reimbursement.

12 Dec 2025

Lowering blood sugar reduces heart risk in prediabetes

Lowering blood sugar levels halves the likelihood of serious heart problems in people with prediabetes.

12 Dec 2025

Genetic differences in surfactant proteins influence retinopathy of prematurity risk

A new study from the University of Oklahoma suggests that small genetic differences in two proteins – previously known for their role in premature infants' lungs – may also influence how their eyes develop, potentially affecting the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

12 Dec 2025

Dinutuximab beta plus chemotherapy shrinks neuroblastoma tumors in children

Children with a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma which hasn't responded to initial treatment or that has relapsed may benefit from adding antibody treatment to usual chemotherapy, according to new results from a clinical trial.

12 Dec 2025

UC Irvine receives funding for clinical trial of neural stem cell therapy for Huntington's disease

Leslie M. Thompson, Donald Bren Professor of psychiatry and human behavior as well as neurobiology and behavior at the University of California, Irvine, has received an $11,999,933 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for an unprecedented clinical trial of a novel neural stem cell therapy for Huntington's disease.

12 Dec 2025

Etomidate proves safer than ketamine for emergency intubations

Doctors treating seriously ill patients in an emergency setting may want to give the sedative etomidate, rather than ketamine, while placing a breathing tube, according to a randomized trial published Dec. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

12 Dec 2025

Bioluminescent tool illuminates single-cell activity in living brains

A decade ago, a group of scientists had the literally brilliant idea to use bioluminescent light to visualize brain activity.

12 Dec 2025

Virus shells use asymmetry to control RNA release and infection

Viruses are typically described as tiny, perfectly geometric shells that pack genetic material with mathematical precision, but new research led by scientists at Penn State reveals a deliberate imbalance in their shape that helps them infect their hosts.

12 Dec 2025

SN101 iPSC-derived therapy relieves chronic pain and preserves joints

SereNeuro Therapeutics, a preclinical biotechnology company developing non-opioid pain therapies, unveiled new data today on a novel approach to chronic pain management and joint tissue preservation.

12 Dec 2025

Over-contracted gut muscles drive gastrointestinal symptoms in myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, affecting about 1 in 8,000 people. While it is well known for causing muscle weakness and stiffness, DM1 also affects other organs, including the brain, heart and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

12 Dec 2025

Young tanning bed users show accelerated genetic aging in the skin

Tanning bed users are known to have a higher risk of skin cancer, but for the first time researchers have found that young indoor tanners undergo genetic changes that can lead to more mutations in their skin cells than people twice their age.

12 Dec 2025