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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

How zinc deficiency could worsen heart inflammation and what that means for patients

This review examines how zinc regulates inflammatory and redox signaling pathways involved in myocarditis and pericarditis, highlighting mechanisms such as NF-κB inhibition and the redox zinc switch. The authors conclude that maintaining optimal zinc status may support cardiovascular resilience, while emphasizing that clinical translation requires further targeted trials.

1 Mar 2026

Study maps how NF-κB regulates gene expression in cells

To further the quantitative understanding of cellular decision making, Dr. Gregory Reeves and his team in the chemical engineering department have worked to interpret how a transcription factor dictates the alteration of gene expression in cells.

27 Feb 2026

Blood biomarker guides bladder-sparing treatment decisions for cancer patients

Circulating tumor DNA, or ctDNA, can predict metastatic risk in patients who receive bladder-sparing treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but it is not a good predictor of local recurrence within the bladder, according to new data presented today by Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers.

27 Feb 2026

Fe₃O₄@mPEG-Ag nanoparticles offer non-antibiotic strategy to combat drug-resistant bacteria

A collaborative study by Guangzhou Medical University and South China University of Technology, published in BME Frontiers, introduces Fe₃O₄@mPEG-Ag nanoparticles (NPs) as a groundbreaking non-antibiotic strategy to combat drug-resistant bacteria.

27 Feb 2026

Genomic landscape and clinicopathologic significance of POLE mutant colorectal carcinoma

DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit A (POLE) gene plays a crucial role in DNA repair and chromosomal replication.

27 Feb 2026

New approach to reducing radiation toxicity

Radiation therapy is highly effective at killing cancer cells, but it often harms healthy skin around the treatment area, a common side effect experienced by up to 95% of cancer patients undergoing treatment. In worst-case scenarios, it can result in delayed or halted treatment.

26 Feb 2026

Serial liquid biopsies reveal evolution in advanced prostate cancer

A new study using serial liquid biopsies to track how metastatic prostate cancer evolves under treatment pressure showed that androgen receptor (AR) alterations consistently emerged and were linked to poorer outcomes across therapies.

26 Feb 2026

Extra copies of chromosome 1q may play key role in the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Ludwig Center uncovered new evidence that extra copies of a specific chromosome segment - chromosome 1q - may play a key role in the earliest stages of pancreatic cancer development.

26 Feb 2026

Smoking triggers epigenetic damage linked to macular degeneration

Through a series of experiments supported by the National Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) researchers say they have advanced understanding of how smoking damages the eye and contributes to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading worldwide cause of visual impairment and blindness among people 50 and older.

26 Feb 2026

New method clarifies whether NOTCH1 variants cause congenital heart defects

One to two out of every 100 newborn babies are born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), yet the exact cause remains unclear.

26 Feb 2026

Neanderthal DNA loss tied to ancient interbreeding dynamics

The human genome is a rich, complex record of migration, encounters, and inheritance written over thousands of millennia.

26 Feb 2026

Jumping DNA fragments found to destabilize cancer genome

A study published today in the journal Science reveals how jumping fragments of human DNA, a type of genetic parasite, destabilise the cancer genome. Unstable genomes are a fertile playground for cancer evolution, giving malignant cells more opportunities to grow, adapt and evade treatment.

26 Feb 2026

Middle-aged men most vulnerable to aging effects of new PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – 'forever chemicals' in common parlance – are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals often used in non-stick coatings, water-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packages, cleaning products, and plastics.

26 Feb 2026

Study reveals hidden internal structure within biomolecular condensates

Cells rely on biomolecular condensates to coordinate essential biological processes without surrounding membranes.

25 Feb 2026

Could a rare gene variant help reduce smoking? New study suggests it might

An exome-wide association study of nearly 38,000 smokers from the Mexico City Prospective Study identified rare coding variants in CHRNB3 that are associated with substantially fewer cigarettes smoked per day. Cross-ancestry analyses in European and East Asian datasets support a role for the β3 nicotinic receptor subunit in modulating smoking intensity.

25 Feb 2026

Unexpected behavior observed during interactions between immune cells and dying cells

Over the years, cell biology has built a detailed picture of how cells compartmentalize their internal functions. Central to this organization is the nucleus, which houses the genetic material and is separated from the cytoplasm by a robust nuclear envelope.

25 Feb 2026