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Fruit flies steal bacterial defense to survive parasitic wasps

In the continual arms race between parasites and their hosts, innovation was thought to be the key to a successful attack or defense that one-ups the competition.

24 Dec 2024

The "Goldilocks" zone: A key to cellular adaptability and resilience

In a discovery that could redefine how we understand cellular resilience and adaptability, scientists at Scripps Research have unlocked the secret interactions between a primordial inorganic polymer of phosphate known as polyphosphate (polyP), and two basic building blocks of life: DNA and the element magnesium.

24 Dec 2024

New insights into the developmental trajectory of social behaviors in fragile X syndrome

In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Hirosaki University have uncovered critical new insights into the developmental trajectory of social behaviors in fragile X syndrome, the leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder.

24 Dec 2024

WHO TAG-CO-VAC reviews COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and antigen composition

The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants.

24 Dec 2024

SPLICER shows promise in Alzheimer's and other diseases

A new gene editing tool that helps cellular machinery skip parts of genes responsible for diseases has been applied to reduce the formation of amyloid-beta plaque precursors in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign report.

23 Dec 2024

Twelve factors to protect brain health in the New Year

Improving your brain health in the new year can start with a simple step, talking with your neurologist or primary care physician about 12 factors to protect your brain.

23 Dec 2024

Linker histones found to regulate DNA transcription in apple cells

A cell protein previously believed only to provide a scaffolding for DNA has also been shown to directly influence DNA transcription into RNA – the first step of the process by which an organism's genetic code expresses itself.

23 Dec 2024

Study uncovers how cancer builds molecular bridges to evade the immune system

"Build your enemy a golden bridge to retreat across" is a piece of advice offered by Sun Tzu in his ancient military treatise, The Art of War.

23 Dec 2024

Lithium shows promise as a potential therapy for autism spectrum disorder

A groundbreaking discovery has highlighted lithium - a drug long used to treat bipolar disorder and depression - as a potential therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

23 Dec 2024

Advancing personalized nutrition through microbiome research

When making decisions about nutrition and diet, the focus is often on the potential impacts to the heart or brain; and gut health can frequently end up an afterthought despite a whole industry revolving around probiotics and digestive aids. With its direct link to those two important organs, should gut health be prioritized more?

23 Dec 2024

Study reveals potential Alzheimer’s risk in women using hormone replacement therapy

Hormone Replacement Therapy involves giving women synthetic oestrogen to replace depleting hormone levels and thus alleviate menopausal symptoms.

23 Dec 2024

New formula predicts oxygen delivery ability of red blood cells

SCIENTISTS have developed a way of assessing the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen by measuring their shape. This test could improve specialist transplant and transfusion practice as well as blood banking.

22 Dec 2024

UC Davis surgeon pioneers dual chamber leadless pacemaker in 13-year-old patient

UC Davis Director of Pediatric Electrophysiology Dan Cortez has set another world record: He is the first to implant a dual chamber leadless pacemaker in a child.

20 Dec 2024

Unexpected discovery opens doors for improved siRNA therapies

In everyday life, when things turn out the opposite of what you expect, it's usually cause for frustration. In science, it's often the starting point for discovery.

20 Dec 2024

New insights into respiratory syncytial virus and prevention strategies

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections, particularly in infants, children under 5 years, and older adults. Its rapid spread makes RSV a serious public health concern. Currently, there are no effective medications for RSV, and current treatment focuses on providing supportive care and preventing its spread.

20 Dec 2024

New synthetic biology breakthrough improves genetic circuit integration

The research team led by Professor Jongmin Kim from the Department of Life Sciences at POSTECH, along with graduate students Hyunseop Goh and Seungdo Choi, has successfully developed the 'Synthetic Translational Coupling Element (SynTCE),' significantly enhancing the precision and integration density of genetic circuits in synthetic biology.

20 Dec 2024

Pioneering research identifies three subtypes of osteosarcoma for better treatment

Researchers have been able to identify at least three distinct subtypes of a rare type of bone cancer for the first time, which could transform clinical trials and patient care.

20 Dec 2024

Insights into LKB1's role in tumorigenesis

A new publication from Genes & Diseases; DOI 10.1016/j.gendis.2024.101402, discusses insights into targeting LKB1 in tumorigenesis.

20 Dec 2024

A scaffolded vaccine approach for broader influenza protection

Most people who get the seasonal influenza vaccine – which contains strains of viruses from distinct virus subtypes – mount a strong immune response to one strain, leaving them vulnerable to infection by the others, and researchers have long wondered what impacts such variable responses more – host genetics or prior exposure to virus strains.

19 Dec 2024

New insights into glioblastoma resistance to temozolomide

In spite of intensive research, glioblastoma remains one of the most lethal types of brain cancer. Temozolomide (TMZ) is used as the front-line medicine in its treatment.

19 Dec 2024