Scientists from Max Planck Institute report correlation between impaired RNA editing and epilepsy. Genetic manipulation in mice reveals that correcting the defect can lead to improved brain function and reduced seizures. The study suggests a potential link between human genome sequence and neurological disorders.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $50.3 million to 53 colleges and universities to expand and update laboratories, recruit new faculty members, and provide research opportunities for undergraduates. The grants support interdisciplinary programs linking biology and other fields, as well as programs attracting biology major...
The Blueprint for TB Vaccine Development identifies the TB crisis as a global health priority and encourages an international collaborative effort to develop a vaccine. The report details three different vaccine concepts currently being developed: live, attenuated vaccines; subunit vaccines; and naked DNA vaccines.
A team of scientists at Cornell University has discovered a genetic connection between the evolution of plump fruits and vegetables and the growth of human cancer cells. The study identified a single gene called ORFX that plays a key role in plant fruit development, similar to the human oncogene c-H-ras p21.
A meta-analysis of 23,410 participants found increased left-handedness in gay men and lesbian women compared to heterosexual individuals. This suggests that early developmental factors may play a role in the origins of homosexuality.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that HIV patients require at least 95 percent adherence to antiretroviral therapy for the drugs to work. The study also revealed that physicians often misjudge their patients' adherence, which could have serious consequences.
Researchers from UNC Chapel Hill present new approaches to HIV vaccine development, improved diagnostic training, and a method for identifying high-HIV transmission areas. They also reveal the role of Epstein-Barr virus in mouth disorders associated with AIDS.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new type of electrolyte that increases electrical conductivity while reducing costs and toxicity. This innovation has the potential to improve rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for use in electric and hybrid vehicles, addressing a significant barrier to widespread adoption.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have elucidated the 3-dimensional atomic structure of an enzyme that enables a transposable genetic element to 'jump' between DNA strands. The discovery provides new insights into the mechanism of transposition and its potential implications for HIV-1 treatment.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have clarified the molecular gears that drive biological clocks, revealing a simple model with striking parallels. The study found that light and dark cycles reset the clocks, but are not required to run them, and identified fundamental properties shared among all living clocks.
The Harvard Ocean Prediction System (HOPS) is a modular system that provides forecasts of ocean weather and information about ocean life. HOPS has been used to predict the location of crash debris from EgyptAir Flight 990 and identify promising waters for commercial fishing.