Protein News and Research

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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

GDF3 protein sustains harmful inflammation in aging immune cells

As people age, their bodies develop a dysfunctional immune system, which can leave older adults more susceptible to conditions like sepsis.

15 Dec 2025

Chemotherapy may reduce HIV-infected T cells

Advancements in HIV/AIDS research, drug development and clinical practice since the 1980s have made it possible for people living with HIV to lead long, productive lives and keep the virus in check at undetectable levels and nontransmissible as long as therapy is maintained.

15 Dec 2025

Researchers uncover how Bartonella causes deadly Oroya fever

The so-called "Oroya fever" is an extremely severe infectious disease, yet it is classified among the so-called neglected tropical diseases.

15 Dec 2025

Researchers block virus entry by targeting key protein interaction

Washington State University researchers have found a way to modulate a common virus protein to prevent viruses from entering cells where it can cause illness, a discovery that could someday lead to new antiviral treatments.

15 Dec 2025

New insights explain the Treg paradox in colorectal cancer

In most solid tumors, high numbers of regulatory T (Treg) cells are associated with poorer outcomes because they dampen the immune system's ability to fight against a tumor.

15 Dec 2025

Australian scientists uncover key genetic drivers behind long COVID

Australian scientists have identified the key genetic drivers behind long COVID, revealing why some people continue to experience debilitating symptoms long after their initial infection.

15 Dec 2025

Using sound waves to soften tumors and boost chemotherapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., second only to heart disease. But a new cancer treatment method from CU Boulder researchers uses sound waves to soften tumors and could be a potent tool against the disease.

15 Dec 2025

Researchers develop nasal antiviral platform using AI technology to block flu and COVID-19

Respiratory viruses that have diverse strains and mutate rapidly, such as influenza and COVID-19, are difficult to block perfectly with vaccines alone.

15 Dec 2025

How brain cells manage long distance genetic instructions

Scientists found that messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that carry genetic instructions to the far reaches of neurons in the brain tend to cluster together mostly because they are abundant, not because they move in coordinated groups.

15 Dec 2025

Unnecessary gluten-free diets may put children at risk

Understanding gluten-related disorders is crucial for pediatric nutrition, as gluten-free diets can pose health risks without appropriate medical supervision.

15 Dec 2025

Swapping high-carb snacks for tree nuts cuts food cravings in young adults at metabolic risk

Daily replacement of typical high-carbohydrate snacks with mixed tree nuts for 16 weeks reduced cravings for sweets and fast foods in young adults with early metabolic syndrome risk. This dietary swap improved overall diet quality, measured by the Healthy Eating Index, without increasing body weight or altering short-term glycaemic markers.

14 Dec 2025

Researchers develop powerful tools for microbiome research advancement

The microscopic organisms that fill our bodies, soils, oceans and atmosphere play essential roles in human health and the planet's ecosystems. Yet even with modern DNA sequencing, figuring out what these microbes are and how they are related to one another remains extremely difficult.

13 Dec 2025

Cryo-EM reveals NPFFR1 activation and guides novel ligand design

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying ligand recognition, subtype selectivity, and activation of neuropeptide FF receptor 1 (NPFFR1)-a Gi/o-coupled receptor that responds to endogenous RF-amide peptides (RFRP-3 from pro-NPFFB, NPFF from pro-NPFFA) and regulates physiological processes like opioid function, pain, and energy homeostasis.

13 Dec 2025

Single-cell RNA-seq reveals FBLN7's role in adipose tissue fibrosis

Fibrosis, resulting from excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is a feature of adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction and obesity-related insulin resistance.

13 Dec 2025

External signals control oncolytic bacteria for precise cancer therapy delivery

Engineered oncolytic bacteria have emerged as a promising therapeutic platform for precision cancer treatment, offering tumor-specific colonization, immune activation, and controllable therapeutic delivery. This review summarizes recent advances in the design and application of synthetic biological strategies that enhance bacterial precision, safety, and efficacy in tumor therapy.

13 Dec 2025

New research reveals the impact of DNA-histone cross-links on genome stability

DNA–protein cross-links (DPCs) represent a severe form of DNA damage that can disrupt essential chromatin-based processes. Among them, DNA–histone cross-links (DHCs) occur frequently within nucleosomes, yet their structural and functional consequences remain poorly understood due to their instability and low natural abundance.

13 Dec 2025

Genetic differences in surfactant proteins influence retinopathy of prematurity risk

A new study from the University of Oklahoma suggests that small genetic differences in two proteins – previously known for their role in premature infants' lungs – may also influence how their eyes develop, potentially affecting the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

12 Dec 2025

UC Irvine receives funding for clinical trial of neural stem cell therapy for Huntington's disease

Leslie M. Thompson, Donald Bren Professor of psychiatry and human behavior as well as neurobiology and behavior at the University of California, Irvine, has received an $11,999,933 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for an unprecedented clinical trial of a novel neural stem cell therapy for Huntington's disease.

12 Dec 2025

Virus shells use asymmetry to control RNA release and infection

Viruses are typically described as tiny, perfectly geometric shells that pack genetic material with mathematical precision, but new research led by scientists at Penn State reveals a deliberate imbalance in their shape that helps them infect their hosts.

12 Dec 2025

Over-contracted gut muscles drive gastrointestinal symptoms in myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, affecting about 1 in 8,000 people. While it is well known for causing muscle weakness and stiffness, DM1 also affects other organs, including the brain, heart and gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

12 Dec 2025