The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded $15 million to the Earth Institute at Columbia University to advance scientific research and efforts to end poverty, disease, and hunger in Africa. The grant supports a dynamic strategy for achieving sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries.
Researchers found that Vax2 protein shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm in response to Sonic hedgehog signaling molecule. In its nuclear state, Vax2 represses Pax6, allowing optic nerve development. In contrast, Pax6 regulates retinal fate. This coordination is crucial for proper eye development.
Adults with autism exhibit differences in coordinated neural activity, suggesting inefficient communication between brain regions. Researchers found abnormal connectivity patterns in the left hemisphere and decreased connections between frontal lobes and rest of autistic brain.
Researchers at Duke University have devised a new way to prolong the effects of an anti-inflammatory drug, potentially making it useful for providing longer-lasting treatment for osteoarthritis. The modified drug could last for several weeks rather than just hours, offering a significant clinical gain and fewer negative side effects.