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Cellular competition determines X chromosome usage in female bodies

A new study published in Nature Genetics by the Lymphoid Development Group at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences has reveals that the contribution of cells expressing maternal or paternal X chromosomes can be selectively skewed in different parts of the body. The study leverages human data from the 1000 Genomes Project combined with mouse models of human X chromosome-linked DNA sequence variation to advance our fundamental understanding of development in biologically female individuals who have two X chromosomes.

26 Jul 2024

Alarming spread of H5N1 bird flu in US dairy cattle reveals cross-species transmission dangers

Researchers discovered that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has spilled over into dairy cattle in the US, posing significant cross-species transmission risks. Their multidisciplinary study reveals the virus's evolution and its zoonotic potential, emphasizing the need for heightened biosecurity measures.

25 Jul 2024

Experimental cancer drug could make thinking easier for individuals with Rett syndrome

An experimental cancer drug could make thinking easier for individuals with Rett syndrome, a rare disorder linked to autism, according to new research from the University of California San Diego -; a discovery that could lead to therapies for patients with other neurological conditions.

25 Jul 2024

Could a Mediterranean diet be the secret to avoiding gestational diabetes?

The Mediterranean diet significantly reduces the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis. Higher adherence to this diet correlates with lower GDM incidence.

25 Jul 2024

FAU researcher wins $701,000 grant to revolutionize cancer treatment

While chemotherapy has advanced in personalization, personalized radiation therapy for cancer remains underdeveloped.

25 Jul 2024

Texas Heart Institute and BiVACOR achieve milestone with total artificial heart implantation

The Texas Heart Institute (THI) and BiVACOR, a clinical-stage medical device company, announced today the successful first-in-human implantation of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Early Feasibility Study (EFS) on July 9, 2024.

25 Jul 2024

Study identifies genes increasing risk of severe COVID-19

Whether or not a person becomes seriously ill with COVID-19 depends, among other things, on genetic factors. With this in mind, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn, in cooperation with other research teams from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, investigated a particularly large group of affected individuals.

25 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

Comprehensive analysis of Alzheimer’s brain tissue identifies novel biomarkers

From studying the human genome, to analyzing the way proteins are encoded, or monitoring RNA expression, researchers are rapidly gaining a far richer understanding of the complex genetic and cellular mechanisms that underpin dementia. But there's a catch: While new technologies are revealing myriad avenues for Alzheimer's research, it's impossible to know in advance which research pathways will lead to effective treatments.

25 Jul 2024

Gene variant predicts cognitive decline after stroke

New research led by UCLA Health has found that specific genes may be related to the trajectory of recovery for stroke survivors, providing doctors insights useful for developing targeted therapies.

25 Jul 2024

Cord blood banking industry faces scrutiny over unproven claims and high costs

Some private UK biobanks may be misleading expectant parents about the value of storing umbilical cord blood to treat life-threatening diseases that may arise in their child in the future, reveals an investigation by The BMJ, published today.

25 Jul 2024

Breakthrough gene therapy restores dystrophin protein in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Indiana University School of Medicine researchers have made a significant breakthrough in developing a new gene therapy approach that restores full-length dystrophin protein, which could lead to new treatments for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

24 Jul 2024

Breakthrough in acute myeloid leukemia treatment targets stem cells

Acute myeloid leukemia is one of the deadliest cancers. Leukemic stem cells responsible for the disease are highly resistant to treatment.

24 Jul 2024

Neuroscientists discover a key piece of the placebo effect puzzle

The placebo effect is very real. This we've known for decades, as seen in real-life observations and the best double-blinded randomized clinical trials researchers have devised for many diseases and conditions, especially pain.

24 Jul 2024

'Gene misbehavior' found to be surprisingly common among the healthy population

Scientists have uncovered that 'gene misbehavior' – where genes are active when they were expected to be switched off – is a surprisingly common phenomenon in the healthy human population.

24 Jul 2024

Children with psychiatric disorders face greater challenges today than in the past

Surveys conducted in England in 1999, 2004, and 2017 have revealed that children with a psychiatric disorder in 2017 experienced more severe difficulties and greater impacts on functioning at school, home, and in their daily lives, compared with children with a disorder in earlier decades.

24 Jul 2024

Creating the first genetically susceptible mice for late-onset Alzheimer's

Mice don't get Alzheimer's-;and while that's good news for mice, it's a big problem for biomedical researchers seeking to understand the disease and test new treatments.

24 Jul 2024

Kaempferol's promise in fighting triple-negative breast cancer

Review highlights kaempferol's potential in treating triple-negative breast cancer through various anticancer mechanisms and improving chemotherapeutic efficacy.

24 Jul 2024

Proteomic signatures enhance risk prediction for both common and rare diseases

Researchers have developed sparse prediction models combining plasma proteins and clinical data to predict the 10-year risk of 218 diseases. The study, involving over 41,000 participants, highlights the enhanced predictive power of proteomic signatures.

24 Jul 2024

Comprehensive dataset from A4 study yields key insights about Alzheimer's disease

Data from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) study, the first and largest clinical trial of pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, is now widely available to researchers studying the condition.

24 Jul 2024