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New gene determines whether ultraviolet iridescence shows up in butterfly wings

A team of researchers at the George Washington University has identified a gene that determines whether ultraviolet iridescence shows up in the wings of butterflies.

11 Jan 2022

Neurons derived from human stem cells can predict the cardinal features of psychiatric illness

In a breakthrough that holds significant promise for early diagnosis and better treatment of psychiatric illness, researchers have for the first time used neurons derived from human stem cells to predict the cardinal features of a psychiatric illness, such as psychosis and cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.

11 Jan 2022

Genetic signature of hybrid incompatibilities can be caused by ecology, research shows

You're likely familiar with the idea of the sterile mule: a hybrid animal born of a horse and a donkey that is unable to breed.

11 Jan 2022

Study says plant microbiome influences health, survival, and fitness

The so-called plant microbiome—the microorganisms in a plant and its immediate environment—impacts plant health, survival, and fitness.

11 Jan 2022

Bioenergy sorghum hybrids can improve soil fertility and potentially earn carbon credits

The world faces an increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a shortage of carbon in the soil. However, bioenergy sorghum can provide meaningful relief from both problems, according to a new study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists.

10 Jan 2022

Fingerprints are influenced by the limb development genes, says study

Researchers found that the shape of fingerprints is determined by limb development genes instead of skin patterning genes, in the most thorough analysis to date.

10 Jan 2022

CAR T cells produced in vivo using modified mRNA treat cardiac injury

A new study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania shows that experimental immunotherapy can temporarily reprogram the immune cells of patients.

10 Jan 2022

Research provides novel insights on cancer immunotherapy

UC San Francisco researchers have defined 12 classes of “immune archetypes” to identify cancer tumors based on data from over 300 patient tumors.

10 Jan 2022

Sampling zoo air could help collect enough DNA to identify the animals nearby

The air in a zoo is full of smells, from the fish used for feed to the manure from the grazing herbivores, but now we know it is also full of DNA from the animals living there.

7 Jan 2022

Researchers identify molecules responsible for dangerous neutrophil behavior

Researchers have found that circulating neutrophils—a kind of immune cell—acquire distinct behavior patterns during inflammatory processes.

7 Jan 2022

Research shows how bacteria silence potentially deadly genes

Humans are all made of collections of cells, where each cell contains instructions in the DNA to become another cell.

7 Jan 2022

Experts introduce new gene therapy approach for muscle weakness

Experts at Children’s National Hospital have created a new pre-clinical gene therapy for the rare condition limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2B.

7 Jan 2022

Scientists use fruit fly embryos to study immune cell invasion

To fight infections and heal injuries, immune cells need to enter tissue. They also need to invade tumors to fight them from within.

7 Jan 2022

Researchers use genomics to dig deeper into lychee’s history

Lychees, prickly on the exterior but sweet inside are loved for their iconic pink shells and pearly, fragrance.

7 Jan 2022

Research analyzes horizontal gene transfer between viruses and eukaryotes

The level at which viruses can pick up genes from their hosts to hone their infection process is illustrated by the first analysis of viral horizontal gene transfer.

7 Jan 2022

Researchers fine-tune an additional system for more efficient gene editing

Over the past decade, the CRISPR genome-editing system has revolutionized molecular biology, giving scientists the ability to alter genes inside living cells for research or medical applications. Now, researchers at Gladstone Institutes have fine-tuned an additional system for more efficient gene editing, using molecules called retrons.

6 Jan 2022

NRL scientists apply new methods to analyze cell behavior

Naval Research Laboratory researchers in the Chemistry Division apply their knowledge of biology in conjunction with materials to improve understanding of how cells and tissues organize and apply new methods to affect cell communication.

From United States Naval Research Laboratory 6 Jan 2022

Genetic material found in blood samples can detect women at risk of pre-eclampsia

A study of pregnant women's blood RNA has found specific molecular profiles that identify women at risk of pre-eclampsia. These insights can identify complications before a woman experiences symptoms.

6 Jan 2022

Superbug MRSA emerged in hedgehogs long before the use of antibiotics in humans

Scientists have found evidence that a type of the antibiotic resistant superbug MRSA arose in nature long before the use of antibiotics in humans and livestock, which has traditionally been blamed for its emergence.

6 Jan 2022

Researchers discover a crucial and exploitable vulnerability in diffuse large B cell lymphomas

Aggressive and relatively common lymphomas called diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) have a critical metabolic vulnerability that can be exploited to trick these cancers into starving themselves, according to a study from researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell's Ithaca campus.

4 Jan 2022