microcephaly News and Research

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Measuring head circumference (also known as occipito-frontal circumference) is a significant part of the proper evaluation of a child’s growth and development, as it represents a direct indication of head growth. Therefore deviations from normal head growth may reveal certain congenital or acquired problem.

New Platform Reveals Individual Sensitivity to Disease-Causing Mutations

In humans, the exact same mutation in a specific gene can produce widely different outcomes. It's a bit like adding the same amount of salt to different recipes-;the effect on the finished dish can be quite different, depending on the mix of other ingredients.

4 Apr 2024

Scientists Develop First Full Model of Early Human Central Nervous System with Stem Cells

The first stem cell culture method that produces a full model of the early stages of the human central nervous system has been developed by a team of engineers and biologists at the University of Michigan, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the University of Pennsylvania.

27 Feb 2024

Scientists Capture Microtubule Birth in Human Cells

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona and the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) in Madrid have captured the world's first high-resolution images of the earliest moments of microtubule formation inside human cells.

2 Feb 2024

Study Reveals How the Formation of Microtubules Drives Cell Division

Cellular life hinges on a network of hollow cables called microtubules dynamically lengthening and shortening according to the needs of the moment.

2 May 2023

Research identifies the main gene that causes developmental disability syndrome

A single gene that was previously discovered to be the main factor in a rare disease associated with epilepsy, autism, and developmental delay has been named as a key player in the development of healthy neurons.

1 Jul 2022

A single mutation can enhance the virulence of Zika virus

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have found that Zika virus can mutate to become more infective-;and potentially break through pre-existing immunity.

13 Apr 2022

Researchers determine major protein complexes that cause ribosome production

Scientists at UT Southwestern have discovered a four-protein complex that seems to play a significant function in the formation of ribosomes, which serve as protein factories for cells, as well as a surprise role in neurodevelopmental diseases.

1 Apr 2022

Review: Transmission, origin, pathogenesis, animal model and diagnosis of Zika virus

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. Dallas Vue and Qiyi Tang from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA review transmission, origin, pathogenesis, animal model and diagnosis of Zika Virus.

10 Dec 2021

Earlier known protein complex acts as a centriole stabilizer, says study

Microtubules are fibers in cells that construct a network to offer shape and structure to cells along with mediating transport mechanisms.

4 Nov 2021

Researchers unravel impacts of protein BRD4 on how DNA folds

Recent research enhances the understanding of certain cancers and complex congenital disorders.

8 Oct 2021

Study finds a correlation between zika-induced neurological complications and Gas6 protein

An article by Brazilian researchers published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity elucidates one of the mechanisms whereby zika virus causes neurological complications in adult patients and microcephaly in fetuses. The discovery paves the way for future research to develop drugs that combat the virus.

4 Oct 2021

Study identifies a signaling protein that controls the assembly of mitochondria

Scientists from the University of Freiburg have identified a signaling protein that regulates the assembly of human cellular “power plants.”

21 Jul 2021

Enzyme in fruit fly larvae plays key role in waking up brain stem cells

Researchers studying an enzyme in fruit fly larvae have found that it plays an important role in waking up brain stem cells from their dormant 'quiescent' state, enabling them to proliferate and generate new neurons.

12 Feb 2021

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe abnormalities in the fetus

Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause severe abnormalities in the fetus, including malformations such as microcephaly. In a small proportion of cases, the disease may lead to miscarriage and perinatal death.

4 Sep 2020

Virginia Tech scientists reveal molecular cause underlying rare genetic disorder

Virginia Tech scientists have revealed how a nonfunctioning version of an ordinary gene impairs brain structure and function. The findings help explain a genetic form of microcephaly -- a condition where babies' heads are small and grow more slowly than their peers.

28 Jul 2020

Discovering a Protein that Controls Brain-Blood Vessel Development

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Professor Long Nam Nguyen about his research which led to the discovery of a protein that controls brain-blood vessel development.

From National University of Singapore (NUS) 15 May 2020

Study finds impact of specific gene on neurodevelopment, causing ASD and macrocephaly

During the developmental phase of brains, a number of moving parts occur—and if mutations occur during the early neurodevelopment, it can result in disorders such as autism and macrocephaly.

12 Mar 2020