High-risk genes for schizophrenia discovered
Study identifies 104 high-risk genes for schizophrenia. One gene considered high-risk is also suspected in the development of autism.... Read More...
Genetics
Skin discovery may help explain why women get autoimmune diseases far more often than men
Skin cells may hold the key to explaining why women are more prone to developing autoimmune diseases, such as lupus than men. Researchers found women have more VGLL3 in their skin cells than men. VGLL3 pushes the immune system into overdrive, resulting in the 'self-attacking' autoimmune response, the mouse study revealed. Findings strongly implicate VGLL3 as a pivotal catalyst in sex-based autoimmunity.... Read More...
Two studies explore whether time of day can affect the body’s response to exercise
Two new studies report the time of day is a major modifier of exercise capacity, amplifying the impact exercise has on metabolic pathways and energy homeostasis. Evening exercise, researchers report, has the most productive effect.... Read More...
Study links fluorescent lighting to inflammation and immune response
Studies in fish and mice found genome-wide changes in the gene expression of patterns in the skin, brains and liver following exposure to white fluorescent light. Both the skin and brains exhibited increased inflammation and immune response following exposure. ... Read More...
Study shows promise in repairing damaged myelin
A study in mouse models of multiple sclerosis demonstrates a compound called sobetirome promotes remyelination, and a derivative of the compound can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to enable a tenfold increase in infiltration to the CNS. Researchers are confident their research will translate from mice into humans, providing a new avenue of treatment for MS.... Read More...
Gender identity leaves imprint on human brains
Gender identity, rather than sex, may cause the epigenome of the brain to differ in males and females.... Read More...
Scientists ‘reverse engineer’ brain cancer cells to find new targets for treatment
Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, researchers identified actionable pathways responsible for the growth of glioblastoma stem cells. By reverse engineering brain cancer cells, multiple potential new targets for cancer treatments have been uncovered.... Read More...
Researchers discover crucial link between brain and gut stem cells
The insulin-like growth factor II gene plays a critical role in adult stem cell maintenance of both the intestine and the brain. Findings suggest IGF-2 is essential for multiple stem cell types, including those implicated in cognitive function and renewing the lining of the small intestine.... Read More...
This gene could play a major role in reducing brain swelling after stroke
The TRIM9 gene may help to resolve neuroinflammation and promote recovery following ischemic stroke.... Read More...
NASA’s Landmark Twins Study Reveals Resilience of Human Body in Space
NASA scientists have published the results of the Kelly Twin Study, which revealed how the body adapts to life in space, compared to life on Earth. The findings revealed that, in space, telomeres are unexpectedly longer, the immune system responds appropriately, and variability in gene expression alters.... Read More...
38 new genes involved in hearing loss identified
38 new genes have been implicated in hearing loss. One of the genes, SPNS2, has been linked to childhood deafness.... Read More...
Shutting down deadly pediatric brain cancer at its earliest moments
Dysregulation of Zfp36l1 causes neural lineage progenitor cells to grow rapidly, taking on the properties of fast growing stem cells as they become cancerous.... Read More...