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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.

Research breakthrough dispels concerns that human stem cells contain cancer-causing mutations

Pioneering new research has made a pivotal breakthrough that dispel concerns that human stem cells could contain cancer-causing mutations.

14 Dec 2020

Networks of genes involved in congenital heart disease revealed

Over two million babies, children, and adults in the United States are living with congenital heart disease--a range of birth defects affecting the heart's structure or function.

14 Dec 2020

Emergence of resistant SARS-CoV-2 variant in immunocompromised patient following therapeutic antibody use

The focus is increasingly moving towards vaccine roll-out as the world faces the real possibility of the second year of social and economic restrictions.

14 Dec 2020

Less sensitive rapid tests may miss asymptomatic/presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

The rapid transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 has posed a significant challenge to COVID-19 containment measures.

14 Dec 2020

Prior T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 unlikely to be the result of seasonal coronavirus infection

Scientists have suggested that a proportion of the population have pre-existing immunity to COVID-19 because of T cells primed against SARS-CoV-2 antigens.

14 Dec 2020

D614G mutation promotes lysosomal trafficking of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

In the current COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has led to millions of infections worldwide, with over 1.5 million deaths.

14 Dec 2020

SARS-CoV-2 Nsp3 protease activity and nanobody inhibitor development

A new study published in the pre-print server bioRxiv* explores the viral enzyme PLpro, encoded in the nonstructural protein nsp3, and its inhibitors. T

14 Dec 2020

RNA editing within host linked to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2, has undergone several mutations.

14 Dec 2020

Wastewater testing can detect COVID-19 cases weeks before people show clinical signs

A new study from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the University of Queensland provides further evidence that wastewater (untreated sewage) testing can detect COVID-19 in communities weeks before people display symptoms, suggesting this testing could provide a targeted early detection system as economies re-open and people become more mobile.

14 Dec 2020

Study unlocks some muscle cell secrets

A muscle fiber consists of just one cell, but many nuclei. A team at the MDC led by Professor Carmen Birchmeier has now shown just how varied these nuclei are.

11 Dec 2020

Research provides new insights into Glioblastoma invasiveness

One of the hallmarks of Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive type of brain cancer, is its high invasive capacity, which leads to its expansion into the normal brain tissue.

11 Dec 2020

Saliva-based smartphone COVID-19 testing platform provides results within 15 minutes

Offering an ultrasensitive yet accessible approach to COVID-19 testing, a portable saliva-based smartphone platform provides results within 15 minutes without the resource-intensive laboratory tests the current gold standard requires, according to a new study.

11 Dec 2020

Monocytic tRNA fragments play key role in poststroke immune reactions

Sebastian Lobentanzer of Goethe University, Frankfurt, has been studying small RNA dynamics in various contexts using bioinformatic methods. Recently, small RNAs have become more and more interesting for researchers, primarily because of their extensive regulatory functions.

11 Dec 2020

Research shows how epithelial cells ward off viruses

A team led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich Researcher Veit Hornung has shown that a protein found in skin cells recognizes a specific nucleic acid intermediate that is formed during virus replication. This recognition process subsequently induces a potent inflammatory response.

11 Dec 2020

High-intensity workouts improve heart function, increase work capacity

High-intensity interval training strengthens the heart even more than moderate exercise does. Now researchers have found several answers to what makes hard workouts so effective.

11 Dec 2020

Rapid lateral flow immunoassay enables fluorescence detection of SARS-Cov-2 RNA

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid and accurate nucleic acid detection at the point of care. To meet this need, scientists from the Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology have developed a novel amplification-free rapid SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection platform based on hybrid capture fluorescence immunoassay (HC-FIA).

11 Dec 2020