FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 18, 2020Aging neurons accumulate DNA damageRestoring HDAC1 could have potential benefits for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and people with age-related cognitive decline. Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 18, 2020Autism risk estimated at 3 to 5% for children whose parents have a sibling with autismChildren whose mothers had a sibling on the autism spectrum were three times as likely to be diagnosed with ASD than those whose mothers had no siblings with autism. Fathers with one or more siblings diagnosed with ASD were twice as likely to have a child diagnosed as autistic. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 18, 2020Smokers more likely to express ACE2 protein that coronavirus uses to enter human cellsSmoking increases the gene expression of ACE2, a protein that binds to SARS-CoV-2, increasing the risk of coronavirus infection. Findings suggest long-term smokers could have an increase of ACE2 in the lungs, leading to higher rates of morbidity in COVID-19 patients. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceneurotech·May 17, 2020Designing vaccines from artificial proteinsUsing computational methods, researchers created artificial proteins that triggered immune responses and produced infection specific antibodies. The findings indicate it will be possible to design vaccines that contain artificial antibodies, expediting the process of vaccine development. Read More
AutismFeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 15, 2020Group of Genes Have Altered Expression in AutismStudy points to a common gene expression profile, regardless of DNA mutations, applicable to any person on the autism spectrum. The dysregulation occurs in neural progenitor cells. While the genetic cause of ASD may be different between individuals, the behavior of the genes is similar in people with autism, and differ from those who are not on the autism spectrum. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·May 13, 2020Tiny RNA that should attack coronavirus diminish with age and diseaseMicroRNAs that should attack SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, diminish with age, and due to chronic health problems. The findings shed light on why those who are older, and those with health conditions are more susceptible to coronavirus. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 11, 2020Men’s blood contains greater concentrations of enzyme that helps COVID-19 infect cellsMen have higher concentrations of ACE2 in their blood than women. As ACE2 enables coronavirus to infect cells, the findings may explain why men are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than women. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 11, 2020Why some people are more prone to anxietyIncreased levels of serotonin transporters in the amygdala may explain why some people are more prone to anxiety than others. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 11, 2020Researchers pinpoint genes behind sex biases in autoimmune disorders and schizophreniaA new study reveals why women are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions like lupus and Sjögren's syndrome, and men are more likely to develop schizophrenia. Researchers implicated the C4 gene in sex-based risk factors for autoimmune and psychiatric disorders. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurologyNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 5, 2020Genetic variation in a brain-cleansing water channel affects human sleepFindings support the current theory that sleep may be involved in the regulation of metabolic waste clearance and highlights the link between sleep and fluid flow in the human brain. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 4, 2020A new and unique mutation in coronavirusA new genetic sequencing study reveals SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for coronavirus, originated from a single source in Wuhan, China. However, many of the localized cases in the US show Europe as the most likely source of infection. The study also identified a SARS-CoV-2 mutation that has never been seen before, where 81 of the letters have been permanently deleted from the genome. The mutation mirrors a large deletion that occurred during the 2003 SARS outbreak. During the mid-to-late phases of the 2003 SARS infection, the accumulated mutations attenuated the virus, leaving a weakened form of infection that resulted in less severe symptoms. Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeurosciencePsychology·May 4, 2020Extinguishing fearful memories depends on the flexibility of your DNAThe ability to extinguish fear memories may rely on the flexibility of a person's DNA. Read More
