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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Study reveals a complex interplay of genetic and epigenetic changes in Alzheimer’s disease progression

Alzheimer's disease affects more than 6 million people in the United States, and there are very few FDA-approved treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

28 Sep 2023

Fatty liver disease susceptibility: study identifies interaction between estrogen receptor and genetic variant in women

Researchers pursued evidence of whether the interaction between the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 p.I148M variant and the female sex at the genetic and molecular level explains why premenopausal women remain protected against fatty liver disease, while a rapidly progressive disease ensues in some peri- and postmenopausal women.

28 Sep 2023

Examining the cardiac pathology in fatal cases of yellow fever

The characteristics of yellow fever (YF)-related myocardial damage.

28 Sep 2023

Researchers develop new way to boost immune cells' ability to fight TB

Tuberculosis is old - ancient even. The infectious bacterial disease that plagued Old Testament Israelites and took down pharaohs was eventually stunted by vaccinations, antibiotics, and public health measures like isolation, but it hasn't been cured yet.

27 Sep 2023

Blocking Notch signaling pathway could reverse age-related bone loss

A cellular signal essential to the development of the skeleton increases during aging to weaken bones, finds a new study in mice.

27 Sep 2023

Small and precise CRISPR-Cas13bt3 system can be used to shred viruses

Small and precise: These are the ideal characteristics for CRISPR systems, the Nobel-prize winning technology used to edit nucleic acids like RNA and DNA.

27 Sep 2023

As covid infections rise, nursing homes are still waiting for vaccines

"Covid is not pretty in a nursing home," said Deb Wityk, a 70-year-old retired massage therapist who lives in one called Spurgeon Manor, in rural Iowa. She twice contracted the disease and is eager to get the newly approved vaccine because she has chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which weakens her immune system.

27 Sep 2023

Medication and mutations: molnupiravir's impact on SARS-CoV-2 genomes

Researchers discovered molnupiravir-associated mutational signatures in SARS-CoV-2 genomes.

27 Sep 2023

Skin under pressure: tension affects skin's reaction to pollution

Researchers ratified previous findings that ozone (O3) exposure (an air pollutant) alters the antimicrobial peptide expression in the skin with and without tension.

27 Sep 2023

Arrayed CRISPR Screening for Revolutionizing Target Discovery

In this interview conducted at SLAS EU 2023 in Brussels, Belgium, we spoke to Ulrike Kuenzel, Associate Director in the Functional Genomics department at AstraZeneca about the application of arrayed CRISPR screening for target identification and more.

From Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) 27 Sep 2023

Keck School of Medicine of USC to focus on Hispanic patients with NAFLD in multi-omics study

The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received funding from the National Institutes of Health as part of a five-year, $50.3 million "multi-omics" study of human health and disease involving six sites.

26 Sep 2023

Three new projects launched to map neuronal connections in the mouse and macaque brains

A complete map of all the connections in an entire mammalian brain may be in sight. Allen Institute researchers have just launched three new projects to construct large, detailed maps of neuronal connections in sections of the mouse and macaque brains, with an eye toward creating full wiring diagrams of these animals' brains in the future.

26 Sep 2023

Gene-silencer study could pave the way for novel cancer therapeutics

Deep inside our cells - each one complete with an identical set of genes - a molecular machine known as PRC2 plays a critical role in determining which cells become heart cells, versus brain or muscle or skin cells.

26 Sep 2023

Key player in ovarian cancer may have implications for PCOS

Researchers explore the involvement and altered expression of BBOX1-AS1 and microRNA-19b in polycystic ovary syndrome.

26 Sep 2023

Senescent macrophages in the lung promote tumor growth, study finds

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that are among the body's first line of defense against infection. In addition to killing harmful microorganisms, macrophages typically can initiate a response against tumors.

25 Sep 2023

COVID drug molnupiravir appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve

Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat patients with COVID-19, appears to be driving SARS-CoV-2 to mutate and evolve, with some of these new viruses being transmitted onwards, a new study has shown. It is not clear, however, whether these mutated viruses pose an increased risk to patients or are able to evade the vaccine.

25 Sep 2023

Study reveals how a tiny strand of RNA controls T-cell memory to recognize tumors

A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shown that a single, small strand of microRNA, or miRNA, known as let-7, governs the ability of T-cells to recognize and remember tumor cells.

25 Sep 2023

How are SARS-CoV-2 variants outsmarting our immune system and vaccines?

Researchers use multiomics analysis to understand how SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, modulate the host's cellular responses and adapt to evade human immunity. The study highlights the potential for targeted therapies against both adaptive and innate immune responses.

25 Sep 2023

Exercise boosts immune defense in Lynch syndrome patients

Aerobic exercise, specifically cycling, shows promise in reducing inflammation and boosting immune responses in the colonic tissue of Lynch syndrome patients, a group at high risk for colorectal cancer. The study suggests that regular exercise may offer a preventive approach for this patient population, though further randomized trials are needed.

24 Sep 2023

Study provides insights into human 8-cell-like cells and early embryonic development

The onset of embryo-specific gene transcription, also known as embryonic genome activation (EGA), is a crucial step in the developmental journey of an organism.

22 Sep 2023