A team of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators have uncovered a connection between Down syndrome and the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during childhood. The study found that an extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to abnormal B cells that grow uncontrollably, increasing the risk of ALL.
Researchers pinpoint normal cell type that can give rise to invasive bladder cancers, explaining recurrence after therapy and potential therapeutic targets. Most bladder cancers arise from a corrupted lining with high probability of progression.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland developed a new method, Sailfish, that dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression from RNA sequencing data. The method can complete its analysis in a few minutes, with accuracy equal to or exceeding previous methods.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that embryonic stem cell nuclei exhibit auxeticity, a property allowing them to 'sponge up' essential materials. This unusual behavior has potential applications in soundproofing, super-absorbent sponges and bulletproof vests.
Researchers identified a new class of compounds, called pharmacologic chaperones, that can increase retromer levels and decrease amyloid-beta levels in cultured hippocampal neurons. The study found these compounds to be relatively non-toxic and showed promise in treating neurologic disease.
A study published in Nature Climate Change found that using corn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil carbon but generates more greenhouse gases than gasoline, casting doubt on its climate benefits. Researchers suggest planting cover crops or alternative feedstocks to mitigate emissions.
Scientists have identified a molecule called CD61 on the surface of drug-resistant tumors that induces tumor metastasis by enhancing cancer cell properties. The findings suggest that existing drugs can exploit this pathway to reverse drug resistance and re-sensitize tumors.
A new study reveals that gut microbes play a crucial role in fostering the rapid production of infection-fighting white blood cells in newborns. Exposing mothers and neonatal mice to antibiotics reduced diversity of beneficial gut bacteria, leading to impaired resistance to infection.
A study found that certain genes, such as DRD1 and COMT, are associated with low, moderate, or high pain perception. The discovery may lead to new therapies and better understanding of chronic pain.
The emergence of big data presents both challenges and opportunities for databases, necessitating the development of new technologies and systems to handle vast amounts of complex data. Various distributed processing frameworks and systems have been proposed to address these issues.