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RNA Molecules Alter Genome Structure to Silence Critical Neuronal Genes During Stress

What if the brain's response to stress could be read not in fleeting neurotransmitter bursts, but in the quieting of genes deep inside chromatin? Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have now shown that stress hormones may silence crucial neuronal genes through an unexpected class of RNA molecules that operate not by encoding proteins, but by reshaping the genome's architecture.

5 Nov 2025

New Genomic Method Unlocks Diagnoses for Rare Conditions

A new genomic method has enabled multiple people with rare conditions to receive diagnoses that were previously unattainable by identifying complex structural genetic changes that are often missed by standard tests.

4 Nov 2025

Unlocking the Secrets of Neural Ion Channels

As information zings from cell to cell inside the brain, bursts of electricity spur its transmission. At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), scientists have turned their attention to the tiny pores that let charged ions enter a cell-and the molecular gatekeepers that help control them.

30 Oct 2025

Reversible Epigenetic Switches Influence Memory Formation

Our experiences leave traces in the brain, stored in small groups of cells called "engrams". Engrams are thought to hold the information of a memory and are reactivated when we remember, which makes them very interesting to research on memory and age- or trauma-related memory loss.

30 Oct 2025

Salton Sea Dust Causes Immediate Changes to Lung Microbes and Immune Response

Not only does dust from the drying Salton Sea in California smell awful. Researchers at UC Riverside discovered that inhaling the dust might rapidly alter the microscopic environment within the lungs.

23 Oct 2025

Biological Effects of Childhood Abuse Uncovered Through Epigenome-Wide Analysis

Child maltreatment, which includes abuse and neglect, is one of the most serious public health concerns worldwide.

16 Oct 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

Missing Microexons Disrupt Synapse-Related Proteins in Pediatric Glioma

A new study, led by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), identified tiny pieces of messenger RNA that are missing in pediatric high-grade glioma tumors but not in normal brain tissues.

19 Aug 2025

New Genetic Research Reveals Hibernation Secrets Hidden in Human DNA

Animals that hibernate are incredibly resilient. They can spend months without food or water, muscles refusing to atrophy, body temperature dropping to near freezing as their metabolism and brain activity slow to a crawl.

1 Aug 2025

Thalamus Found to Modulate Cortical Sensitivity to Touch

The cerebral cortex processes sensory information via a complex network of neural connections. How are these signals modulated to refine perception? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has identified a mechanism by which certain thalamic projections target neurons and modify their excitability.

31 Jul 2025

Genetic Mapping Uncovers Six New Species of Glasswing Butterflies

Some butterflies can smell others of the same species, allowing them to identify each other in areas where multiple species all look the same, new research finds.

30 Jul 2025

Amino Acids Guide Cell Responses to Drugs Through a Complex Network

Amino acids play a fundamental role in regulating how cells respond to drugs. These molecules, which form proteins, act like bricks that communicate with each other within a structure.

17 Jul 2025

New Platform Technology Promises to Generate Hard-to-Get Human Cells

This study presents a fast method for generating human microglia from iPSCs, paving the way for breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease research.

11 Jun 2025

New Aging Clock Links Intrinsic Capacity to Immune Health and Longevity

A team of international researchers has developed a new biological age "clock" that estimates how well someone is aging, not just how "old" they or their various organs might be.

5 Jun 2025

Infant Gut Bacteria Linked to Long-Term Viral Immunity

Findings reveal that early gut microbiome profiles in infants may protect against respiratory infections, paving the way for personalized health strategies.

5 Jun 2025

Exon-Specific Analysis Uncovers Novel Insights into Psychiatric Disease

This research highlights the role of exons in mental illnesses, offering new perspectives on genetic factors that influence psychiatric disorder development.

3 Jun 2025

Seasonal Light Changes Continue to Shape Human Circadian Rhythms

It’s tempting to think that, with our fancy electric lights and indoor bedrooms, humanity has evolved beyond the natural influence of sunlight when it comes to our sleep routines.

29 May 2025

Study Reveals Epigenetic Clues Behind Autism Development

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition affecting the brain's development and often affects the ability of a person to perceive sensory information and social cues and socialize with others.

22 May 2025

Chimpanzee Parenting in the Wild Offers Clues About Human Child Development

Have you ever wondered how your childhood relationship with your parents shaped the person you are today? Scientists have long known that early attachment to caregivers plays a crucial role in human development, but what about one of our closest relatives, the chimpanzee?

13 May 2025

New Genetic Insights From Long Read Sequencing in a Teen With Complex Psychiatric Conditions

In a manuscript published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry titled Long-Read Genome Sequencing in Clinical Psychiatry: RFX3 Haploinsufficiency in a Hospitalized Adolescent With Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Behavioral Decompensation, authors describe how they leveraged long-read genomic sequencing (LRS) to make a genetic diagnosis in a17-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and acute behavioral decompensation that would not have been possible by standard methods.

12 Apr 2025