FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 21, 2025·4 min readPlant-Based Diet Could Turn Back Biological AgingA new study suggests that eating more plant-based foods rich in natural compounds called methyl adaptogens—like turmeric, berries, garlic, and green tea—may slow the body’s biological aging process. Researchers analyzed DNA methylation, a cellular marker of aging, in men aged 50 to 72 who followed a nutrient-rich, plant-forward lifestyle.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 18, 2025·7 min readParents’ Age, Ancestry, and Habits Shape New DNA MutationsA massive genomic study has revealed that parental age, ancestry, and smoking habits subtly influence the number of new genetic mutations (de novo mutations) passed from parents to children. By analyzing whole-genome data from 10,000 parent-child trios, researchers found that most variation in mutation rates comes from parental age, especially the father’s.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·April 26, 2025·4 min readPrenatal Stress Leaves Lasting Molecular Imprints on BabiesA new study reveals that stress during pregnancy can molecularly reprogram newborns' stress response systems, with significant differences between boys and girls. Researchers found that maternal stress altered entire families of tRNA fragments in umbilical cord blood, particularly those regulating acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·April 24, 2025·7 min readMaternal Childhood Trauma Linked to Rapid Weight Gain in Baby BoysA new study reveals that maternal childhood trauma—such as neglect or abuse—can trigger rapid weight gain in male infants as early as the first two months of life. Researchers found that boys born to mothers who experienced early-life adversity gained significantly more weight per day than average, despite being full-term, healthy, and mostly breastfed.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·April 12, 2025·5 min readBrain Enzyme Limits Risk of Drug RelapseNew research reveals that the enzyme HDAC5 plays a critical role in suppressing a gene (Scn4b) that regulates brain activity associated with drug-related memories, which are central to relapse in substance use disorders (SUDs). By limiting expression of Scn4b, HDAC5 reduces the excitability of neurons in the brain’s reward system, weakening the formation of powerful drug-environment associations.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·March 20, 2025·4 min readSchizophrenia Risk May Begin in the PlacentaA new study highlights the placenta’s role in neuropsychiatric development, showing that DNA methylation influences gene expression tied to psychiatric disorders. Researchers found strong links between placental DNA methylation and conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 21, 2025·5 min readMutations Drive Aging and Shape Epigenetic ClockA new study has uncovered a direct link between somatic mutations and epigenetic modifications, challenging established views on aging. Researchers found that random genetic mutations drive predictable changes in DNA methylation, offering new insights into the relationship between mutation accumulation and epigenetic clocks.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·January 9, 2025·4 min readEarly Stress Alters Sperm DNA, Impacting Offspring’s Brain DevelopmentChildhood stress may leave lasting marks on sperm, altering epigenetic profiles and potentially influencing brain development in offspring. Researchers found that men with high levels of childhood maltreatment had changes in DNA methylation and non-coding RNA levels in their sperm.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·December 31, 2024·3 min readHow Early Experiences Shape Genes, Brain Health, and ResilienceNew research in epigenetics reveals how early-life experiences influence gene expression and brain development. By bridging the gap between nature and nurture, this work shows that environmental factors leave lasting biological imprints, shaping long-term health and resilience.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·December 4, 2024·3 min readLeaded Gas Exposure Linked to Mental IllnessA new study estimates that childhood lead exposure, peaking between 1960 and 1990 due to leaded gasoline, caused 151 million excess cases of mental illness by 2015. Researchers linked historic lead exposure data to mental health symptoms, finding that personality changes and mental health disorders were most pronounced among Generation X.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscience·November 21, 2024·5 min readMaternal Inflammation May Shape Offspring’s Alzheimer’s RiskMaternal immune activity during pregnancy influences memory circuitry in offspring, with sex-specific effects extending into midlife. Elevated immune markers like IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory regions, particularly in postmenopausal women, and lower cognitive performance in children.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·November 15, 2024·6 min readCannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, Cancer RiskResearch indicates that cannabis use causes cellular damage that increases the risk of highly cancerous tumors by disrupting mitochondria and damaging DNA. This genotoxicity can result in mutations, accelerated aging, and birth defects, with potential to be passed on to future generations through egg and sperm. Insights from broader mitochondrial research provide a mechanistic understanding of how cannabis affects genetic stability.Read More
