A new study reveals that a combination of common and rare genetic variants contribute to hypertriglyceridemia. Researchers found that patients with high triglycerides had excess rare variants in four genes, adding up to 28% of cases.
The CSIRO Australia team has found the remains of a massive 6 kg rat, which survived until around 1000-2000 years ago. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity among rodents, such as rats, which play key roles in ecosystems.
A study of 872 individuals found that more education reduces dementia risk by improving brain coping mechanisms. Individuals with higher education levels exhibited similar brain pathology but better compensation for dementia effects.
Researchers discovered a non-human sialic acid sugar in biotech drugs that can provoke a strong immune response in some individuals, worsening chronic inflammation. A simple modification to the drug-making process could solve this problem by adding human sialic acid.
Unaccounted ecosystem feedbacks could significantly impact future climate change due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands, soils, and fires. These biogeochemical cycles may counteract the cooling effect of carbon uptake by plants, contributing to increased warming.
Researchers have witnessed how a key enzyme called photolyase works at the atomic level to repair sun-damaged DNA in a few billionths of a second. The discovery holds promise for future sunburn remedies and skin cancer prevention by allowing scientists to design drugs or lotions that heal sun damage.
Moreton Bay has shown coral survival and flourishing in about half of the past 7000 years, but human activities have negatively affected corals. The study's findings suggest that improving water quality and regrowing mangroves are essential for making Moreton Bay a suitable 'lifeboat' for corals.
A new diagnostic technique called microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) has been shown to be significantly more sensitive and faster than conventional culture tests, diagnosing 70% more cases of pulmonary TB among children under 12. This is the best available test for confirming paediatric pulmonary tuberculosis in resourc...
Researchers have collected venom from Antarctic octopuses for the first time, discovering four new species and uncovering unique properties. The study provides insight into the adaptation of venom to sub-zero temperatures, which could lead to breakthroughs in pain management, allergies, and cancer treatment.