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Harvard

·November 18, 2024·5 min read

Dual-Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Hearing and Vision Loss

Researchers have developed a dual-gene therapy approach to treat Usher syndrome type 1F, a rare condition causing deafness and progressive blindness. By splitting the large PCDH15 gene into two halves, delivering them via adeno-associated viruses, and reassembling them in cells, the therapy restored hearing and balance in mice. Tests in human retinal organoids and primate retinas showed increased levels of protocadherin-15 in light-sensing cells, offering hope for vision preservation.

This shows a diagram of HACE gene editing.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 17, 2024·6 min read

New Gene-Editing Tool Targets Mutations with Unmatched Precision

A breakthrough tool called Helicase-Assisted Continuous Editing (HACE) allows scientists to create precise genetic mutations in specific genes without affecting the rest of the genome. By combining helicase enzymes with CRISPR technology, HACE introduces mutations into targeted DNA sequences, advancing our ability to study gene functions and disease mechanisms. The tool has already identified drug resistance mutations in cancer-related genes and splicing defects in blood cancers, showcasing its potential for therapeutic discovery.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·November 9, 2024·6 min read

AI Tool Reveals Long COVID May Affect 23% of People

A new AI tool identified long COVID in 22.8% of patients, a much higher rate than previously diagnosed. By analyzing extensive health records from nearly 300,000 patients, the algorithm identifies long COVID by distinguishing symptoms linked specifically to SARS-CoV-2 infection rather than pre-existing conditions. This AI approach, known as "precision phenotyping," helps clinicians differentiate long COVID symptoms from other health issues and may improve diagnostic accuracy by about 3%.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 14, 2024·6 min read

Cerebellum Plays Crucial Role in Skill Retention and Memory

New research uncovers that the cerebellum is critical for long-term motor skill memory formation, distinguishing it from short-term memory systems. Patients with cerebellar damage showed normal performance on motor tasks over short intervals but were impaired with longer gaps, linking the cerebellum directly to long-term sensorimotor memory. These findings resolve inconsistencies in prior studies and highlight the importance of time intervals in understanding motor memory degradation in cerebellar degeneration.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 14, 2024·6 min read

Persistent Virus May Drive Long COVID

A study found people with long COVID symptoms were twice as likely to have lingering SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, suggesting a persistent viral reservoir may drive some ongoing symptoms. Researchers analyzed blood from 706 individuals and found that 43% of those with multisystem long COVID symptoms had viral proteins present months post-infection, compared to 21% of those without symptoms. This discovery hints at potential benefits from antiviral treatments for those with persistent symptoms. However, the study also reveals that not all long COVID cases show persistent viral proteins, indicating other causes may contribute to this complex condition.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·October 6, 2024·5 min read

Study Finds Wegovy Reduces COVID-19 Death Risk by One-Third

A new trial reveals that weekly injections of the weight-loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide) lowered the risk of death from COVID-19 by about a third and reduced overall mortality by 19%. The study followed more than 17,000 participants with heart disease and obesity, showing that Wegovy decreased the likelihood of death from cardiovascular disease by 15% and other causes by 23%.

This shows researchers standing around a computer monitor.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 25, 2024·7 min read

AI Revolutionizes Drug Discovery for Rare Diseases

AI tool has identified drug candidates for over 17,000 rare and untreated diseases, offering hope for millions of affected individuals. This tool, TxGNN, stands out as the first model developed specifically to repurpose existing drugs for neglected conditions. It predicts which drugs may work and potential side effects, providing new avenues for treatment. The AI model is free to use and aims to expedite therapeutic discoveries for patients in need.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 8, 2024·4 min read

Are Smokers Really Less Likely to Develop Parkinson’s?

Low doses of carbon monoxide, similar to levels experienced by smokers, can protect against neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease models. Researchers discovered that carbon monoxide reduced the accumulation of the Parkinson’s-associated protein alpha-synuclein and activated pathways that limit oxidative stress.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 11, 2024·5 min read

Virtual Rat with AI Brain Mimics Real Rodent Movement

Researchers created a virtual rat with an AI brain to study how real rats control movement. Using data from real rats, they trained the AI to mimic behaviors in a physics simulator. The virtual rat's neural activations closely matched those of real rats, offering new insights into brain function. This innovation could revolutionize neuroscience and improve robotic control systems.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 26, 2024·7 min read

Gut Bacteria Gas Linked to Pregnancy Hormone, Mood Regulation, and PPD

Researchers discovered that gut bacteria produce a hormone involved in pregnancy and postpartum depression treatment by modifying steroids in bile. This research highlights the microbiome's role as an endocrine organ influencing human health.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 19, 2024·4 min read

Aging’s Science Explored: Is Immortality Possible?

Researchers explore the science behind aging and the ongoing quest for human longevity. They examine the vast variations in lifespans across species and attributes aging primarily to accumulated chemical damage within cells. The findings highlight promising research areas like rapamycin and cellular reprogramming, while emphasizing the need for caution in the face of hyped claims and potential conflicts of interest within the growing anti-aging industry.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 9, 2024·6 min read

Microscopic Brain Tissue Map Reveals Vast Neural Networks

Researchers created the largest 3D reconstruction of human brain tissue at synaptic resolution, capturing detailed images of a cubic millimeter of human temporal cortex. This tiny piece of brain contains 57,000 cells, 230 millimeters of blood vessels, and 150 million synapses, which amounts to 1,400 terabytes of data.

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Harvard

Dual-Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Hearing and Vision Loss

New Gene-Editing Tool Targets Mutations with Unmatched Precision

AI Tool Reveals Long COVID May Affect 23% of People

Cerebellum Plays Crucial Role in Skill Retention and Memory

Persistent Virus May Drive Long COVID

Study Finds Wegovy Reduces COVID-19 Death Risk by One-Third

AI Revolutionizes Drug Discovery for Rare Diseases

Are Smokers Really Less Likely to Develop Parkinson’s?

Virtual Rat with AI Brain Mimics Real Rodent Movement

Gut Bacteria Gas Linked to Pregnancy Hormone, Mood Regulation, and PPD

Aging’s Science Explored: Is Immortality Possible?

Microscopic Brain Tissue Map Reveals Vast Neural Networks

New Drug Aims to Block Pain Without Addiction Risks

How Zepbound Targets the Brain and Pancreas

Brain Study Reveals Circuit Controlling Depression and Anxiety

How Stress Types Differently Impact Brain and Behavior

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