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New reference models track lifespan changes in brain wiring

Researchers at the USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (Stevens INI) at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have created one of the largest reference models ever developed for the human brain, using diffusion MRI scans from more than 54,000 people to chart how the brain's communication pathways develop, mature, and decline across the lifespan.

2 Jun 2026

Tissue rigidity actively regulates cell polarity and embryonic development

Embryonic development is one of the most dynamic biological processes in nature. Cells and tissues organise and reorganise themselves following incredibly precise patterns, while remaining flexible and robust.

2 Jun 2026

New ultrasound pacemaker design promises minimal recovery time for cardiac patients

MIT engineers have developed a noninvasive pacemaker that stimulates the heart using ultrasound. The design could one day provide a surgery-free alternative to traditional cardiac implants.

2 Jun 2026

New blood test tracks real time gene expression inside living brain tissue

Cell function is determined by how DNA is expressed into proteins. That process includes two main steps - transcription, when messenger RNA (mRNA) makes copies of active genes, and translation, when mRNA guides protein assembly.

2 Jun 2026

E-cigarette flavors and device type drive the biological effects of vaping

People who vape regularly show altered activity in 3,124 genes across the genome compared with people who do not smoke or vape.

1 Jun 2026

Pediatric experts reveal the 10 research areas set to shape child health

Pediatric research leaders identified 10 high-promise areas likely to shape child health over the next 5 to 10 years, including genomics, mental health, vaccines, artificial intelligence, perinatal medicine, precision therapeutics, health equity, nutrition, environmental health, and cancer treatment. The paper argues that these opportunities will only translate into better outcomes if pediatric research receives sustained funding, public trust, workforce support, advocacy, and equitable implementation.

1 Jun 2026

Genetic testing identifies cause of pancreatic agenesis in infants

The DNA changes responsible for a rare genetic condition causing babies to be born without a pancreas can now be identified in almost all affected children through genetic testing.

1 Jun 2026

Genetic testing finds breast cancer risks that standard screening models miss

Population-based pathogenic variant testing identified breast cancer susceptibility gene carriers who would often be missed by clinical risk models, even when polygenic risk scores were added. In the WISDOM Study analysis, fewer than 1% of high-penetrance variant carriers would have received the same high-risk screening recommendation using clinical plus polygenic risk alone.

1 Jun 2026

Brazilian study links TP53 mutations to poor lung cancer prognosis

Lung cancer is the most common and deadly form of cancer worldwide. It is increasingly understood to be a complex genetic disease with different mutations that vary according to factors such as smoking and ethnicity.

1 Jun 2026

Study shows how HIV leads to chronic pain

Over half of the people carrying HIV experience chronic pain at some point, which is difficult to treat. In a new JNeurosci paper, Hui-Lin Pan, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and colleagues used mice to explore how HIV leads to chronic pain.

1 Jun 2026

New SMArT platform improves safety of CRISPR gene editing

A team of researchers led by Luigi Naldini at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) has developed a new strategy to significantly improve the precision and safety of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in human blood stem cells, potentially overcoming one of the major barriers limiting broader clinical application of genome editing therapies.

1 Jun 2026

Lower Alzheimer’s amyloid levels in Black and Latinx adults

Findings show lower amyloid PET positivity in Black and Latinx adults with cognitive impairment, highlighting disparities in dementia diagnosis and treatment.

1 Jun 2026

Why new Alzheimer’s drugs are dividing regulators worldwide

The Lancet World Report examines why regulators in the US, UK, and Europe have reached different decisions on new amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s drugs despite evidence that they can modestly slow clinical decline. It highlights the unresolved balance among benefits, safety risks, costs, access, and the need for broader, earlier, and more patient-centered treatment strategies.

31 May 2026

Tick protein discovery could help prevent disease transmission

Few creatures inspire as much universal dislike as ticks. Though small, these parasites have an enormous impact on human and animal health. Each year, ticks spread viruses and bacteria that infect people, livestock, wildlife and pets around the world.

29 May 2026

RNA therapy targets genetic cause of heart failure in the Netherlands

Using patient-derived cardiac tissue and stem cell-based models, the team of translational researchers demonstrated that targeting the genetic cause of disease improved cellular abnormalities and identified the biological pathways involved.

29 May 2026

Grant funds research into molecular memories behind exaggerated fear

Experiencing a traumatic event sometimes produces long-lasting biological changes that can lead to an exaggerated fear response to future stressful events, such as what occurs in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

29 May 2026

4basebio launches high-performance enzymatic ssDNA platform to accelerate next-generation gene editing

4basebio PLC, a specialist in synthetic DNA manufacturing and nucleic acids for next-generation therapeutics, announces the commercial launch of its high-capacity single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) product line to accelerate the development of safer, more precise genetic therapies by enabling targeted gene editing, advanced cell engineering, and innovative nucleic acid-based medicines.

From 4basebio PLC 29 May 2026