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Bipolar Disorder and Epilepsy Share Genetic Roots

A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered compelling evidence of a genetic link between bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) and epilepsy, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of these complex neuropsychiatric conditions.

1 Oct 2024

Two Alzheimer’s Genetic Risk Factors Trigger Harmful Inflammation in Females

Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have found that two genetic variants that confer high risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) together trigger a harmful inflammatory response in the brain's immune cells, particularly in females, in a preclinical model.

1 Oct 2024

A Novel Genetic Inference Method for Detecting Rare Disease Variants

Undiagnosed cases of Long QT syndrome have been found, thanks to an inventive examination of shared genomic sequences, which is a sign of distant “relatedness” and can cause irregular heart rhythms, fainting, and sudden cardiac death.

30 Sep 2024

Hydrogen Sulfide Plays a Crucial Role in Bacterial Survival

Two crucial biological processes that support the growth of bacteria, particularly pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, are antibiotic resistance and the oxidative stress response.

30 Sep 2024

Huntington's Disease Protein Disrupts DNA Repair

Researchers at McMaster University have found that the mutated protein in Huntington's disease patients disrupts DNA repair as it should, which affects the capacity of brain cells to regenerate.

30 Sep 2024

Mosquitoes use Salivary Protein to Aid Malaria Parasite Transmission

The study identifies AgApyrase as a key protein in mosquito saliva, enhancing Plasmodium transmission by regulating blood clot breakdown and immune response.

30 Sep 2024

Motor And Extracellular Matrix Proteins Play A Critical Role In Cleft Palate Formation

The study reveals 44 differentially expressed proteins in cleft palate models, shedding light on molecular mechanisms and potential prenatal diagnostic markers.

30 Sep 2024

Study Confirms Comparable Efficacy of Lamotrigine and Mexiletine in Muscle Channelopathy

The study, published in Lancet Neurology, detailed the "head-to-head" trial implemented by the researchers to test two drugs, mexiletine and lamotrigine, on people with the condition.

30 Sep 2024

The Role of Macrophages in Shaping the Inflammatory Environment in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Currently there are no cures for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which affects 40,000 people in Ireland. The disease costs an estimated €20,000 per patient, per year with an overall cost to the health system of ~€544 million. Only 1 in 4 patients achieve remission and a significant proportion of patients have suboptimal responses or no response at all to current available therapies.

30 Sep 2024

Macrophage-Specific MAFB Deficiency Leads to Poor Prognosis in Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a poor prognosis, and no effective treatment has been established to date. Understanding the mechanisms that prevent the progression of AKI is crucial. In AKI, immune cells known as macrophages produce lipid mediators (LMs), which are lipids with significant physiological activity and play a pivotal role in promoting and suppressing inflammation. Thus, elucidating their function is of paramount importance.

30 Sep 2024

Novel Approach Enhances Speech Recognition for People with Neuromotor Disorders

As Mark Hasegawa-Johnson combed through data from his latest project, he was pleasantly surprised to uncover a recipe for Eggs Florentine. Sifting through hundreds of hours of recorded speech will unearth a treasure or two, he said.

30 Sep 2024

Circadian Rhythm Disrupts Gut Barrier in Cancer

Research from the University of California, Irvine has revealed how disruption of the circadian clock, the body's internal, 24-hour biological pacemaker, may accelerate the progression of colorectal cancer by affecting the gut microbiome and intestinal barrier function. This discovery offers new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies.

30 Sep 2024

Insights into the Formation of Nascent Membrane Structures in Yeast Sporulation

Sexual reproduction, a common mode of reproduction among numerous species, involves gametogenesis in which offspring are produced through fertilization, conjugation, or mating. In plants and animals, eggs and sperm differentiate from germ cells to form gametes.

30 Sep 2024

Genomic Insights Reveal Path Forward for Inbred Red Fox Populations

A rescue effort can take many forms – a life raft, a firehose, an airlift. For animals whose populations are in decline from inbreeding, genetics itself can be a lifesaver.

27 Sep 2024

29 Novel Antibodies Targeting Drug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Identified

Research at UMC Utrecht has identified 29 novel antibodies against the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, an important cause of drug-resistant infections.

27 Sep 2024

Human Cells Exhibit Dormant State Similar to Embryonic Diapause

In some mammals, the timing of the normally continuous embryonic development can be altered to improve the chances of survival for both the embryo and the mother.

27 Sep 2024

Gut Bacteria Influence Hormonal Balance and Hypopituitarism Symptoms in Mice

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that the balance of bacteria in the gut can influence symptoms of hypopituitarism in mice.

27 Sep 2024

Study: Vaping Alters DNA in Ways Similar to Smoking

Young adults who vape show chemical changes in their DNA similar to those found in young adults who smoke -; changes known to be linked to the development of cancer -; according to a new study just published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology.

26 Sep 2024

New AI Tool Revolutionizes Prediction of Rare Genetic Variant Effects

Whether we are predisposed to particular diseases depends to a large extent on the countless variants in our genome.

26 Sep 2024

Research Reveals How the Brain Encodes Time and Experiences at the Neuronal Level

A landmark study led by UCLA Health has begun to unravel one of the fundamental mysteries in neuroscience – how the human brain encodes and makes sense of the flow of time and experiences.

26 Sep 2024