A new class of nonprotein coding genes, known as lincRNAs, has been discovered in mammals with critical regulatory roles in health and disease. The study reveals that these long RNAs play important roles in regulating cellular processes such as cell proliferation, immune signaling, and stem cell biology.
A study published in the journal Sleep found that women with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have higher levels of estradiol during pregnancy, which may contribute to the development of RLS symptoms. The study also found that women with RLS experience more periodic limb movements (PLMs) before and after delivery.
A Penn study found a genetic link between Parkinson's disease genes and manganese poisoning, with the PARK9 protein protecting cells from toxic effects. Manganese poisoning is an environmental risk factor for a Parkinson's-like syndrome.
A new study found that infliximab was effective at preventing endoscopic, clinical and histological postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease. The treatment significantly reduced the rate of endoscopic recurrence (9.1%) compared to placebo (84.6%).
A study using twin data revealed that genetic factors play a significant role in linking sleep problems to later depression in young children. The stability of sleep problems across time is mainly caused by genetic influences, while non-shared environmental influences dominate the development of depressive symptoms.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have developed a new technology tool called DyNeMo that analyzes breast cancer tumors to determine the best treatment options. The tool predicts patient recovery with over 80% accuracy and may be used to analyze other types of cancer.
Researchers have discovered a compound that targets four crucial metabolic pathways of the tuberculosis bacterium, weakening and destroying it. This approach could lead to the development of safer, single-drug treatments that eliminate the need for lengthy medication regimens.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified a key protein involved in pancreatic cancer growth. Blocking its expression slowed or prevented tumor growth in mice and made cultured cancer cells vulnerable to low oxygen conditions.
A recent study published in SLEEP found that inflammation may be the underlying mechanism linking extreme sleep durations to poor health. Short and long sleep durations were associated with changes in inflammatory cytokines, including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.
A tropical, freshwater turtle fossil discovered in Arctic Canada supports the idea of animals migrating from Asia to North America across a freshwater sea floating on top of the warm, salty Arctic Ocean. The find suggests a rapid influx of carbon dioxide led to a super-greenhouse effect creating extraordinary polar heat.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that electrostatic interactions alone can give rise to helical shapes in molecules, shedding light on how nature generates chirality. Their work shows that this phenomenon is a result of simple interactions and has implications for understanding complex phenomena.
The study found that many schools have improved the nutritional quality of their meals, but there is still much work to be done. Schools need to reduce the availability of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and make school meals more nutritious.
A study found that daytime functional impairments in older men with obstructive sleep apnea are largely explained by total sleep time rather than OSA severity. Total sleep time was also associated with measures of sleep disturbances and quality of life.
A team of scientists found that a single gene is enough for bacteria to switch from one host animal to another. The study, published in Nature, reveals the genetic pressure point that could be manipulated to thwart germs that make us sick.