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Scientists open new atlas of genetic diversity with advanced sequencing

A global team mapped over 100,000 structural variants in human genomes by applying Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing and a novel graph-based analytical approach to samples from 26 populations. The study reveals the extraordinary complexity and diversity of human DNA, providing an open-access atlas that will accelerate discoveries in genetic disease and human evolution.

24 Jul 2025

AI identifies novel gene variants linked to Alzheimer’s risk

This study reveals how machine learning models uncover new genetic variants linked to Alzheimer’s, advancing predictive accuracy in genetic epidemiology.

24 Jul 2025

New genetic marker improves kidney transplant match predictions

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a new way of predicting whether a kidney donor and recipient are a good match for transplantation.

17 Jul 2025

Brain's tiny region dictates how memories are formed and separated

Life may unfold as a continuous stream, but our memories tell a different story. We do not recall the past as one long, unbroken text. Instead, we remember it as a series of meaningful events, like how sentences are structured with grammar and punctuation.

16 Jul 2025

Mindfulness meditation boosts attention across all age groups

A new study from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that just 30 days of guided mindfulness meditation can significantly enhance key aspects of attentional control - especially how quickly and accurately people direct their focus - regardless of age.

9 Jul 2025

Scientists trace leprosy’s roots in South America back 4,000 years

Researchers have recovered and sequenced Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from 4,000-year-old human remains in Chile, providing the first molecular evidence of ancient leprosy in the Americas. The findings reveal the deep evolutionary roots and complex spread of Hansen’s disease long before European contact.

1 Jul 2025

Aging brain adapts to read ambiguous facial expressions

Because aging weakens cognitive skills, older people can struggle to read difficult social cues. A brain region involved in attention and arousal-the locus coeruleus (LC)-helps with complex tasks, and its connections to the cortex may adapt as humans age to support cognition.

30 Jun 2025

Why Alzheimer’s DNA tests don’t treat all populations equally

A major global study tested whether European-derived polygenic risk scores (PGS) for Alzheimer’s disease can predict risk across diverse populations. While PGS performed well in many groups, it was less accurate in individuals of sub-Saharan African and Indian ancestry, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive genetic data.

19 Jun 2025

Estrogen-responsive cells found to heighten gut pain in females

Researchers uncovered how estrogen heightens gut sensitivity in females by activating PYY-secreting L-cells, which stimulate serotonin release from EC cells. This paracrine circuit intensifies pain signaling and may explain the sex bias in conditions like IBS.

16 Jun 2025

RNA steps up to protect the genome from DNA knots

Not all DNA looks like the familiar twisted ladder. Sometimes, parts of our genetic code fold into unusual shapes. One such structure, the G-quadruplex (G4), looks like a knot.

13 Jun 2025

Protein ELAV identified as key regulator of circular RNAs in the brain

Deep within our nerve cells, a molecule is at work that has no beginning and no end. Instead of a straight chain, as is it common for most RNA strands, it forms a closed loop.

10 Jun 2025

When old diseases find new ways in: Europe’s latest diphtheria outbreak explained

A large multicountry outbreak of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae occurred among migrants entering Europe in 2022, driven primarily by cutaneous infections and involving multiple genetic lineages. Despite the unprecedented surge, transmission to resident populations was limited, but rising antimicrobial resistance and delayed treatment highlight ongoing public health risks.

10 Jun 2025

Study reveals 15 hidden genetic risk factors for celiac disease

This comprehensive GWAS reveals 15 new genetic variants linked to celiac disease, offering insights for earlier detection and tailored treatment strategies.

9 Jun 2025

How does norepinephrine influence anxiety-related behaviours?

Discover how microscopy revealed the influence norepinephrine has on anxiety.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 3 Jun 2025

Researchers show cannabis dependence drives links to psychiatric disorders

Research uncovers genetic connections between cannabis addiction and psychiatric disorders, urging a reevaluation of cannabis legalization and treatment.

2 Jun 2025

Building Bridges to Scalable Allogeneic Cell Therapy

Rui Tostoes, Chief Technology Officer at ImmuneBridge, shares how his team is redefining preclinical development and large-scale manufacturing for allogeneic cell therapies.

From Hanson Wade Group - 7th Allogeneic Cell Therapies Summit 27 May 2025

Stress-induced sleep may hold the key to faster recovery

A new Neuron perspective reveals that stress can both disrupt and promote sleep, with specific brain circuits making stress-induced sleep a potential tool for recovery. This insight may lead to innovative approaches for building resilience and treating stress-related disorders.

25 May 2025

FOXP4 gene variants reveal new genetic link to long COVID risk

Researchers have identified genetic variants in the FOXP4 gene that significantly increase the risk of developing long COVID, independently of COVID-19 severity. The study also reveals that ancestry, smoking, and other factors contribute to the complex genetics of long COVID.

23 May 2025

Metabolite profiles in spinal fluid predict mortality in tuberculous meningitis

Radboudumc researchers Kirsten van Abeelen, Edwin Ardiansyah, Sofiati Dian, Vinod Kumar, Reinout van Crevel and Arjan van Laarhoven used metabolomics to study cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from tuberculous meningitis patients in Vietnam and Indonesia, with long-standing collaborators from Bandung and Jakarta (Indonesia), the Broad Institute (Boston) and the Oxford University Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam).

22 May 2025

MIT researchers discover new potential drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease

By combining information from many large datasets, MIT researchers have identified several new potential targets for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

20 May 2025