Latest

Genetics

·May 19, 2023·5 min read

AI Unlocks Custom-Tailored DNA Sequences

Researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to dig deep into the mechanisms of gene activation, a crucial process in growth, development, and disease. Utilizing machine learning, the team identified “synthetic extreme” DNA sequences that play specific roles in gene activation. These sequences were discovered by testing millions of DNA sequences and comparing gene activation elements in humans and fruit flies.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 19, 2023·4 min read

Pivotal Protein in Female PTSD Identified

Researchers discovered an exciting new role for a widely known protein, ubiquitin, particularly in its K-63 form. They found K-63 ubiquitin selectively influences fear memory formation in female brains, potentially contributing to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This discovery sheds light on why women are more likely to suffer from PTSD and paves the way for developing female-specific therapeutic treatments.

This shows a child's head surrounded by wavy lines.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 18, 2023·5 min read

Prenatal Brain Genes Tied to Childhood Mental Illness Risk

The expression of certain genes in the brain before birth could influence the risk of developing various mental illnesses during childhood. Researchers found genetic patterns linked with adult psychiatric illnesses also correspond with psychiatric symptoms in children.

This shows the outline of a head and a brain.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·May 15, 2023·5 min read

Schizophrenia Risk Genes: Placenta’s Role May Outweigh Brain’s

In a paradigm shift, researchers found over 100 genes associated with schizophrenia risk operate primarily through their role in the placenta, rather than the developing brain. The research emphasizes the placenta's significance in illness development, challenging the century-old assumption that genes for schizophrenia risk primarily affect the brain.

This shows the outline of a head and DNA.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 15, 2023·10 min read

Unraveling Alzheimer’s Mystery: Rare Gene Variant Offers New Hope for Treatment

A rare gene variant that may offer protection against Alzheimer's disease has been discovered. The breakthrough came from studying a patient with a predisposition for early-onset Alzheimer's who remained cognitively healthy until his late 60s.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 10, 2023·7 min read

Global Genomic Diversity: Unveiling the New Pangenome Reference

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium has released a comprehensive collection of human genome sequences that captures remarkable diversity across global populations. The new "pangenome" reference includes 94 distinct genome sequences from 47 individuals, with plans to increase this to 700 sequences from 350 people by mid-2024. This expanded reference will better represent the genetic diversity of the human species and help reduce health disparities in genomic analyses. It also introduces over 100 million new DNA bases, and can more accurately identify larger genomic variants.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Researchers discovered new genetic risk factors for non-Alzheimer's dementia, specifically Lewy body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The team identified large-scale DNA changes, known as structural variants, that could increase the risk of these diseases. Notably, a previously unknown variant in the gene TCPN1 was linked to a higher risk for LBD, highlighting the significance of genetic research in combating neurodegenerative diseases.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·May 9, 2023·4 min read

Shared Genetic Defects in ALS and FTD: New Insights Into Neurodegeneration

Some patients with ALS/motor neuron disease (MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) carry the same rare genetic defects that cause other neurodegenerative diseases. These defects, known as short tandem repeat expansions, are the cause of more than 20 neurodegenerative diseases including spinocerebellar ataxias and myotonic dystrophy.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·May 8, 2023·5 min read

High-Resolution Image of the Human Retina Reveals Stunning Details

Researchers developed a new imaging technique to visualize several dozen proteins in a thin tissue section at high resolution using fluorescence microscopy.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 8, 2023·5 min read

Neanderthal DNA Shapes Human Nose

A specific gene inherited from Neanderthals may be responsible for the shape of our noses. The researchers found the gene contributes to nasal height and may have been inherited from the ancient human ancestor to help humans adapt to colder climates as our ancestors moved out of Africa.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 6, 2023·4 min read

Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration

Researchers discovered a way to reactivate dormant cells in the retina of mice to restore vision, without the need for transplantation. The team discovered dormant glial cells can be transformed into cells sharing properties with cone photoreceptors, which enable color perception, reading and driving. The approach, which uses two genes to transform Müller cells into retinal neurons, could offer new hope for developing regenerative therapies to replace lost cells in retinal degeneration.

Featured Neuroscience Pain

·May 4, 2023·6 min read

Underlying Mechanism of Neuropathic Pain Revealed

The enzyme Tiam1 in dorsal horn excitatory neurons of the spinal cord is responsible for initiating and maintaining neuropathic pain. Targeting spinal Tiam1 with anti-sense oligonucleotides injected into the cerebrospinal fluid effectively alleviates pain hypersensitivity.

1 2 3 4 … 399

Genetics

AI Unlocks Custom-Tailored DNA Sequences

Pivotal Protein in Female PTSD Identified

Prenatal Brain Genes Tied to Childhood Mental Illness Risk

Schizophrenia Risk Genes: Placenta’s Role May Outweigh Brain’s

Unraveling Alzheimer’s Mystery: Rare Gene Variant Offers New Hope for Treatment

Global Genomic Diversity: Unveiling the New Pangenome Reference

Mapping Dementia’s DNA: New Genetic Risk Factors Identified

Shared Genetic Defects in ALS and FTD: New Insights Into Neurodegeneration

High-Resolution Image of the Human Retina Reveals Stunning Details

Neanderthal DNA Shapes Human Nose

Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration

Underlying Mechanism of Neuropathic Pain Revealed

Hitching a Ride: mRNA’s Transport System in Brain Cells Revealed

Shaping Young Minds: Neurodevelopment Interventions for Psychiatric Disorders

Ultra-Processed Foods: AI’s New Contribution to Nutrition Science

Aging Myelin: A New Perspective in Alzheimer’s Disease Progression

Subscribe