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Estrogen loss after menopause impacts heart health through gene regulation

Virginia Tech scientists at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute say the increased risk of cardiovascular disease after menopause may stem not only from declining hormone levels, but also from how those changes influence gene activity.

27 Apr 2026

Scientists seek to reverse neurodegeneration by eliminating harmful RNA pollution

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, the Salk Institute and Sanford Burnham Prebys have received a four-year, $13 million award from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to investigate how to reverse age-related neurodegeneration by eliminating what the researchers call "RNA pollution" in aging neurons.

27 Apr 2026

Repurposed drugs may provide safer treatments for aggressive childhood leukemia

Three clinically available drugs could pave the way for safer and more effective treatments for one of the most aggressive forms of childhood leukaemia, a new study suggests.

27 Apr 2026

Obesity leaves lasting molecular tags on the immune system

People who live with obesity are 'tagging' a memory of being overweight on a key part of the immune system - leaving people with ongoing risk of obesity-related conditions years after losing weight, according to a 10 year-long study published in EMBO Reports.

27 Apr 2026

Space research accelerates heart disease studies and tissue engineering

By studying and engineering heart tissue in the unique low-gravity environment of space, the laboratory of Arun Sharma, PhD, is uncovering new ways to protect and repair the failing heart.

25 Apr 2026

Engineered cells boost production of gene editing delivery vehicles

Gene editing has emerged as a powerful approach for targeting the genetic causes of disease, but getting the editing machinery into the right cells efficiently, safely, and at the scale needed for therapies remains one of the biggest set of challenges in the field.

25 Apr 2026

Glycocalyx modification boosts immune cell targeting against B lymphoma

A new study published in Engineering provides mechanistic insights into live-cell glycocalyx engineering and supports the rational design of next-generation adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) against B lymphoma, addressing limitations such as high costs and restricted antigen specificity in current treatments.

25 Apr 2026

Shared brain connectivity patterns found across major neurodevelopmental disorders

Differences in brain connectivity are linked to several neurodevelopmental disorders, yet scientists still struggle to determine what changes are shared or unique to each condition.

25 Apr 2026

Bacterial vesicles emerge as powerful tools against antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is making bacterial infections harder to treat, demanding new therapeutic strategies. A new review highlights bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as promising nanoscale tools that can kill pathogens, block infection, enhance vaccines, and deliver drugs.

25 Apr 2026

Molecular map reveals how Down syndrome alters brain development

Scientists at UCLA have created one of the first cellular-resolution molecular maps detailing how Down syndrome alters human brain development before birth - a resource that resolves longstanding contradictions in the field and could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.

25 Apr 2026

Intercellular heme transfer pathway sustains red blood cell production under stress

Scientists have long been puzzled by how maturing red blood cells manage to produce all the hemoglobin they need to carry oxygen to tissues, even after shedding the vital structures they need to produce it.

25 Apr 2026

Molecular gatekeepers in bacteria prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance

A new study finds that bacteria can actively block the transfer of beneficial genes to neighboring cells, using specialized proteins to specifically destroy shared DNA before it spreads.

25 Apr 2026

Researchers uncover new mechanism linking metabolism, immunity, and skeletal health

Obesity alters bone health not only through increased body weight but also by reshaping the bone marrow environment.

25 Apr 2026

New strategy boosts natural killer cells to fight cancer

Scientists have developed a strategy to boost the cancer-fighting power of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the immune system's first line of defense.

24 Apr 2026

Genetic research identifies rare DNA changes causing common heart valve defect

New clues from genetic research may help explain what causes the most common heart defect present at birth.

24 Apr 2026

Elevated Lp(a) levels associated with residual cardiovascular risk

New data analyzing more than 20,000 patients from three major NIH studies show that elevated Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with residual cardiovascular risk and warrants aggressive risk reduction.

24 Apr 2026

New mouse model reveals primary trigger of rare muscle disorder

Myofibrillar myopathy type 6 (MFM6) is a rare genetic muscle disorder that leads to severe muscle weakness and a drastically shortened life expectancy due to a disruption in muscle protein regulation.

24 Apr 2026

Influenza D shows strong potential to spill over to humans

The influenza D virus that researchers say has been flying under the radar since its detection in animals in 2011 can vigorously make copies of itself in human cells and lung tissue samples, a new study shows.

24 Apr 2026

Drinking coffee alters your microbiome, mood, and memory

Coffee consumption influences the microbiota-gut-brain axis, affecting cognitive performance and emotional regulation through complex biological pathways.

24 Apr 2026

New model improves detection of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome risk

In a prospective validation study, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated that a new mathematical model, called LFSPRO, was effective in supporting genetic counselor decision-making and more accurately predicted individuals at higher risk of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), a hereditary condition that carries a higher risk of developing multiple cancers.

23 Apr 2026