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Wildlife species show high SARS-CoV-2 exposure linked to human activity

Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 RNA in six wildlife species and higher seroprevalence in high human activity areas. Seven new human-to-animal transmission events of the Omicron variant were identified.

30 Jul 2024

Genetic variants associated with Parkinson's more common than estimated

New research has found that genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) are more common than researchers previously believed. Investigators in the Parkinson's Foundation-backed PD GENEration study – which reached its goal of 15,000 participants ahead of schedule this spring – found that 13% of participants have a genetic form of PD, which is a significant observation compared to long-standing estimates. Results from the first 3.5 years of the study, which examined a broad North American cohort, were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Brain.

30 Jul 2024

DNA repair gene mutations predict bladder cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

An analysis of pre-treatment tumor specimens from 105 patients with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer found that the presence of a mutation in any one of three genes, all known to be involved in DNA damage repair, was associated with complete pathologic response to cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy as measured by pathological downstaging at the time of bladder surgery.

29 Jul 2024

Dogs with gallbladder disease shed light on human cystic fibrosis

A canine gallbladder disease that involves the accumulation of abnormal mucus similar to that seen in human cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is caused by improper expression of the gene associated with CF in humans.

29 Jul 2024

New guidelines expand BRCA testing and screening for men

More and more studies show that men face risks of cancer from BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations that are most often associated with breast and ovarian cancers in women.

27 Jul 2024

Tiny titin mutation linked to developmental heart defects and adult atrial fibrillation

Millions of adults have atrial fibrillation - an irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart that yields increased risk of heart failure, stroke and death.

25 Jul 2024

WashU study reveals key mechanisms of biological clocks

In humans and other animals, signals from a central circadian clock in the brain generate the seasonal and daily rhythms of life.

24 Jul 2024

New preclinical model offers a unique platform for studying Parkinson's disease process

A new preclinical model offers a unique platform for studying the Parkinson's disease process and suggests a relatively easy method for detecting the disease in people, according to a new study led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.

23 Jul 2024

High mutation count in new COVID-19 variants does not increase immune evasion, study finds

New research from UNC Charlotte's Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) has found that the two recent and prevalent strains of the virus that cause COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1, are not significantly better than their predecessor Omicron at evading immune responses and causing infections despite having a high number of mutations compared to Omicron.

19 Jul 2024

Fox Chase Cancer Center researchers identify new targets for mesothelioma prevention

A new research perspective was published in Oncoscience (Volume 11) on May 23, 2024, entitled, "Targeting inflammatory factors for chemoprevention and cancer interception to tackle malignant mesothelioma."

19 Jul 2024

Elite Controllers: Do their genomes hold the key to curing HIV?

Although South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV worldwide, strides have been made in controlling the epidemic, especially in the reduction of HIV incidence, testing, and treatment. Equipped with MGI’s advanced sequencing tools and technologies, researchers from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) are inching closer to finding the answer to the natural control of HIV infection, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life amongst South Africans.

From MGI 19 Jul 2024

Spinal Muscular Atrophy patients are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease

An international study has discovered that people living with the neurodegenerative condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are at higher risk of developing fatty liver disease, suggesting that SMA patients may face additional health problems over time.

17 Jul 2024

E. coli genomic analysis uncovers antibiotic resistance mechanisms in dogs

Researchers studying antimicrobial-resistant E. coli – the leading cause of human death due to antimicrobial resistance worldwide – have identified a mechanism in dogs that may render multiple antibiotic classes ineffective.

16 Jul 2024

Mitochondrially-targeted antioxidants could reduce SARS-CoV-2 effects across multiple organs

Building upon groundbreaking research demonstrating how the SARS-CoV-2 virus disrupts mitochondrial function in multiple organs, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) demonstrated that mitochondrially-targeted antioxidants could reduce the effects of the virus while avoiding viral gene mutation resistance, a strategy that may be useful for treating other viruses.

15 Jul 2024

One-time prime editing targets common genetic cause of cystic fibrosis

Researchers optimized prime editing for the efficient correction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator F508del mutation in human airway epithelial cells, achieving high correction efficiencies and functional restoration with minimal off-target effects.

15 Jul 2024

Gene editing silences mutant microRNA, restores hearing in adult mice

Researchers have used gene editing to restore hearing in adult mice with a type of inherited hearing loss. They showed that shutting down a damaged copy of a gene called a microRNA (miRNA) enabled the animals to regain hearing. The approach by a research team supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reported in Science Translational Medicine, may eventually lead to potential treatments for inherited hearing loss in people.

13 Jul 2024

ARPP21 gene mutation could be the cause of ALS

Researchers from the Neuromuscular Diseases Group and the Dementia Neurobiology Group of the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) and the Memory Unit of the Sant Pau Hospital, led by neurologist Dr. Ricard Rojas-García, have identified a new mutation in the ARPP21 gene that could be the cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a devastating neurodegenerative disease.

11 Jul 2024

New study reveals the genetic cause of Parkinson's disease

According to Science Alert, neuroscientists from Johns Hopkins University have recently discovered a new treatment for Parkinson's disease using an FDA-approved cancer drug.

11 Jul 2024

Prime editing offers promising path to permanent treatment for cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common genetic disorders, causing thick mucus build-up in the lungs and other parts of the body, breathing problems, and infection.

11 Jul 2024

Novel Co-STAR cells show promise in targeting and eradicating cancer

Using genetic engineering techniques, investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Ludwig Center, the Lustgarten Laboratory and Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy have designed a novel type of cell to recognize and fight cancer.

11 Jul 2024