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Targeted Genetic Testing Revolutionizes Diagnosis of X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School have developed a targeted genetic test to improve diagnosis for X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP), a rare and disabling movement disorder that affects primarily men of Filipino ancestry.

17 Nov 2025

Hidden Role of Biliverdin Reductase A in Fighting Oxidative Damage

According to a new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the enzyme biliverdin reductase A (BVRA) protects neurons directly from oxidative stress, regardless of whether it produces the yellow pigment bilirubin.

5 Nov 2025

Enzyme BVRA Found to Shield Neurons from Oxidative Stress

New research from Johns Hopkins Medicine shows that the enzyme biliverdin reductase A (BVRA) plays a direct protective role against oxidative stress in neurons, independent of its role producing the yellow pigment bilirubin.

4 Nov 2025

Reactivating a Naturally Occurring Gene Promotes Heart Repair and Regeneration

A naturally occurring gene called Cyclin A2 (CCNA2), which turns off after birth in humans, can actually make new, functioning heart cells and help the heart repair itself from injury including a heart attack or heart failure when the gene is turned back on.

4 Nov 2025

Intracellular Compounds Offer Blueprint for Next-Generation Targeted Therapies

New research led by the University of Minnesota Medical School demonstrates that molecules acting as "molecular bumpers" and "molecular glues" can rewire G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, turning the cell's busiest receptors into precision tools - opening the door to a new generation of safer, smarter medicines.

3 Nov 2025

Genetic Variants Reveal Unexpected Link Between Obesity Risk and Cholesterol Levels

Individuals with a genetic profile that puts them at risk of obesity may not necessarily be at risk of having high cholesterol, UTHealth Houston researchers discovered.

31 Oct 2025

Understanding Interplay of Physiological Processes as the Brain Shifts from Wakefulness to Sleep

Findings from Mass General Brigham investigators highlight the intricate interplay of diverse physiological processes as the brain shifts from wakefulness to sleep.

27 Oct 2025

Combating Influenza A Virus with CRISPR and Human Lung Organ Chips

The Influenza A virus (IAV) has been the cause of six major flu pandemics, responsible for 50 to 100 million deaths globally.

16 Oct 2025

Targeting Two Key Proteins to Weaken Pancreatic Cancer's Defenses

Indiana University School of Medicine scientists have identified a new way to weaken pancreatic cancer's defenses by targeting two key proteins that help the deadly disease resist treatment.

22 Sep 2025

Microarray Profiling Identifies LINC00974 as a Sensitive Marker for Breast Cancer Risk

In the post-genomic era, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in various cancers and hold potential as minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers.

16 Sep 2025

Engineered Base Editor Corrects ACTA2 Mutation in Rare Childhood Disease

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is a rare condition associated with stroke, aortic dissection (tearing) and death in childhood.

13 Sep 2025

Metastatic Lung Cancer Cells Cozy Up to Neurons and Form Synapses

Small cell lung cancer cells that metastasize to the brain cozy up to neurons and form working electrical connections, called synapses, according to an upcoming study led by Stanford Medicine researchers.

11 Sep 2025

Microbial Signatures Help Distinguish Colorectal Tumors from Other Cancers

Colorectal cancer is unique in having its own microbial 'fingerprint' – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

4 Sep 2025

Genetic Signatures of Neural Progenitor Cells Uncovered in the Adult Brain

For much of the 20th century it was thought that the adult brain was incapable of regeneration. This view has since shifted dramatically and neurogenesis – the birth of new neurons – is now a widely accepted phenomenon in the adult brain, offering promising avenues for treating many neurological conditions.

22 Aug 2025

Mapping Kidney Cells Opens Path to Precision Medicine

A research team led by Indiana University School of Medicine physician scientists has made significant progress in mapping kidney cells that may one day allow for more accurate disease diagnosis.

22 Aug 2025

New Method Enables Human Cells to Initiate Meiosis Outside the Body

More than one-sixth of adults around the world experience infertility in their lifetime. There is a high unmet need not only for increased access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need but, importantly, also for new biomedical solutions that can address the root causes of infertility.

18 Aug 2025