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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

Study highlights the link between urinary and vaginal pathogenic E. coli in recurrent cystitis

The human body hosts a diverse array of microorganisms that maintain a delicate balance crucial for overall health.

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

Expanding genetic Horizons: GWAS insights from the VA Million Veterans Program

A large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) using data from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Million Veterans Program (MVP) – one of the largest US-based biobanks – fills crucial gaps in our knowledge of the relationships between genes, traits, and disease across diverse populations, according to a new study.

19 Jul 2024

Tiny animals steal antibiotic secrets from bacteria to fight disease

A group of small, freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes "stolen" from bacteria, according to new research by a team from the University of Oxford, the University of Stirling and the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole.

19 Jul 2024

Ginseng genome unlocks secrets of medicinal benefits

A landmark study has successfully decoded the complete ginseng genome, unveiling the genetic mechanisms that govern saponin biosynthesis. This detailed genetic map illuminates the evolutionary and metabolic pathways of Panax ginseng, a staple in traditional medicine. This pivotal discovery promises to drive forward breeding initiatives and augment the plant's medicinal qualities, unlocking new possibilities for therapeutic applications.

19 Jul 2024

Museum flies and wild specimens help fill gaps in fruit fly evolution

A multitude of new genomic sequence data fills major gaps in the fruit fly tree of life, Bernard Kim from Stanford University, US, and colleagues report in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, publishing July 18th.

19 Jul 2024

New study links cellular health to well-being of dementia caregivers

It's no secret that the caregivers of spouses with memory impairment face enormous amounts of stress.

18 Jul 2024

Type 1 diabetes in children linked to increased risk of mental health problems

Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are at significantly higher risk of a number of mental health issues, including mood and anxiety disorders, a study from a team in the UK and the Czech Republic has found.

18 Jul 2024

CU Boulder research uncovers role of endogenous retroviruses in cancer

Peek inside the human genome and, among the 20,000 or so genes that serve as building blocks of life, you'll also find flecks of DNA left behind by viruses that infected primate ancestors tens of millions of years ago.

18 Jul 2024

Novel method enables RNA detection with Cas12 nucleases

CRISPR-Cas systems, defense systems in bacteria, have become a plentiful source of technologies for molecular diagnostics.

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

Researchers reveal unique characteristics of previously unexplored protein FAM110A

An international research collaboration, led by Prof. Dr. Robert Grosse (Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies and Institute of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg), Dr. Libor Macurek (Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague) and Dr. Zdenek Lansky (Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague) has uncovered a new mechanism of the crosstalk between microtubules and actin cytoskeleton during cell division and revealed unique characteristics of the previously unexplored protein FAM110A.

16 Jul 2024

UChicago expands microbiome research capabilities with new manufacturing facility

The Duchossois Family Institute (DFI) at the University of Chicago can manufacture clinical-grade encapsulated bacteria – catalyzing opportunities to better understand the microbiome and its myriad of roles in human health.

16 Jul 2024

Genetic marker predicts gabapentin response in chronic pelvic pain

Women who carry a particular form of a pain gene are more likely to respond well to a common medication used to treat long-term discomfort, research shows.

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

Study finds dried fruit consumption lowers type 2 diabetes risk

Recent research shows that higher dried fruit intake is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, highlighting potential health benefits despite its sugar content.

14 Jul 2024

Lifestyle changes can greatly reduce heart disease risk in people with high genetic risk

Study highlights the significant impact of genetic risk and lifestyle on early- and late-onset cardiovascular diseases, showing that lifestyle improvements can notably reduce CVD risk, especially in high genetic risk individuals.

14 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

Groundbreaking mRNA vaccine administered to captive elephant to fight EEHV

Colossal, the de-extinction company, announces that the mRNA vaccine it helped to provide research support and acceleration funding for has been administered to the first elephant in captivity.

13 Jul 2024