A UCI-led study reveals that the oldest-old, those living up to 90 years old, exhibit similar levels of brain pathology as Alzheimer's patients but with lower levels of pathology from other neurodegenerative diseases. This finding suggests these individuals may be resistant to these age-related cognitive decline.
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published a report establishing evidence-based recommendations for orthogonal confirmation practices of germline variants detected by next-generation sequencing. The guidelines aim to promote standardization, transparency, and quality improvement among laboratories.
Cocaine use disorder has been rising for over a decade, with no robust treatment available. Researchers are using cocaine contingency management to provide cash or value in exchange for drug-free urine samples, aiming to change an individual's temporal horizon and reduce consumption. The study aims to guide innovative interventions tha...
New research from UC Berkeley suggests that deep sleep can act as a protective factor against memory decline in individuals with existing high amounts of Alzheimer's disease pathology. This study provides hope for alleviating some of dementia's most devastating outcomes.
Researchers used fluid dynamics to model blood drop behavior during secondary atomization, finding smaller droplets are easier to sweep up by firearm gases. This discovery could explain how short-range shooters remain clean from blood stains.
A North Carolina State University-led study found that household dust can contain DNA from residents and non-occupants over 90% of the time. This could aid investigators in finding clues in difficult cases, particularly in establishing ancestry and physical characteristics.
A new forensic science study investigates the decay of infant and juvenile bones, providing insights into decomposition rates and bone degradation. The research helps forensic scientists estimate the time elapsed since remains were at a location and identify suitable bones for DNA sampling.
The article explores the role of forensic genetics in solving crimes using DNA analysis, familial DNA searching, and genealogical research. Forensic genetic genealogy has been successfully used to generate investigative leads for unsolved cases, leading to increased solved case rates and development of new investigative tools.
Researchers found that gene therapy approach and small molecule treatment can calm the destructive cells of ALS by preserving upper motor neurons. Improving mitochondrial health also reduces astrocyte attack on diseased neurons, offering new hope for treating ALS.
This special issue explores the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil through various perspectives, including personal identification initiatives, forensic data management, and case reports. The articles shed light on best practices for procedures related to evidence chain of custody in forensic anthropology in Brazil.
Researchers at Flinders University and Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit developed a new DNA tracking technique to identify counterfeit antimalarial medicines. The 'pharmabiome' method analyzes environmental DNA (eDNA) found in fake medicine packaging, revealing differences between genuine and substandard tablets.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers found that inefficient risk assessment and digital forensic analysis processes are causing police tensions and slowing down investigations. The study highlights the need for updated understanding of risk and prioritization to address growing demand for digital forensics.
Astronomers using Hubble observed a star's final moments as it was gobbled up by a black hole, creating a donut-shaped torus. The event provides forensic clues to the black hole homicide, with details on the debris's behavior and the accretion rate.
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) published a report assessing the clinical adoption, classification inconsistencies, and implementation barriers of the 2017 guidelines for sequence variant interpretation and reporting in cancer. The study found that 86% of participants correctly differentiated clinically significant varian...
The Aston University Institute for Forensic Linguistics is part of the AUTHOR research consortium, which aims to infer authorship of uncredited documents based on writing style. The project will focus on feature discovery and has promising applications in identifying counterintelligence risks and combating misinformation online.
A novel technique using stable isotopes can accurately determine whether wood turtles are wild-caught or captive-bred, helping combat the illegal pet trade. The method was tested on 71 turtles and achieved a success rate of over 97%, providing conservation law enforcement officials with a valuable forensic tool.
Researchers have identified optimal blood tests to detect Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stages. The study found that phospho-tau217 is a reliable marker for monitoring disease progression and selecting individuals for novel trials.
A team of scientists has identified three new biomarkers for detecting the consumption of emerging synthetic cannabinoids like OXIZID. These biomarkers will facilitate work by drug enforcement agencies worldwide in monitoring OXIZID abuse, enabling more accurate identification of abusers and potentially preventing overdoses.
A new diapsid reptile species has been discovered in Oklahoma with evidence of dental pathology, providing insights into its biology and evolution. The fossil, dated to the early Permian period, was analyzed using neutron tomography and revealed abnormalities in its teeth.
The NATURE FIRST project combines forensic intelligence and remote sensing technologies to monitor protected areas and detect human activities threatening biodiversity. The project aims to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity in Europe by using predictive, proactive, and preventative capabilities.
A comprehensive study compared the accuracy of human speaker identification with that of an automatic-speaker-recognition system. The forensic-voice-comparison system performed better than all tested listeners, including judges and jurors. This finding has significant implications for courtroom proceedings.
The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published consensus recommendations for using in silico approaches to validate Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis pipelines. The guidelines provide expert opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of in silico data and offer general recommendations for s...
Researchers aim to understand the role of FAK in promoting key changes in vascular smooth muscle cells that contribute to atherosclerosis. Preliminary evidence suggests that inhibiting FAK may block VSMC transdifferentiation and promote plaque stability.
A new study from San Francisco State University suggests that forensic DNA profiling may indirectly reveal medical information, including that of crime victims. Researchers found six associations between CODIS markers and gene expression in white blood cell lines.
A new AI algorithm, SISH, uses self-supervised learning to find similar cases in large pathology image repositories, assisting with the diagnosis of rare diseases. The algorithm outperforms other methods in retrieving interpretable disease subtype information from vast databases, even at large scales.
A mouse study found that female brains express higher levels of an X-linked enzyme called USP11, leading to greater accumulation of tau protein and increased vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease. The results suggest that excessive activity of USP11 drives this increased susceptibility in females.
Researchers identified increased incidence of early-onset cancers globally, linked to dietary changes and lifestyle factors. The study found that factors like highly processed foods, sugary beverages, and sedentary lifestyles contribute to the rising cancer rates among adults under 50.
The Association for Molecular Pathology has published consensus recommendations for clinical TPMT and NUDT15 genotyping assays, promoting standardization across laboratories. The report identifies a minimum set of alleles to include in clinical tests, enabling healthcare professionals to provide high-quality patient care.
A recent study found that microplastics in agricultural soils can cause a decrease in germination rate and changes to seed production, which could have negative consequences for food production. The presence of microplastics also alters soil characteristics such as its structure and microbial communities.
Researchers found 560 proteins were differentially expressed, with 32 significantly altered, in reductive stress hearts. The proteome signature revealed oxidative stress-related pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that the unique shape of the frontal sinuses, used in forensic anthropology to identify human remains, is influenced by both ancestry and sex. The research analyzed over 300 CT images, revealing that when considering both factors together, they significantly affect sinus dimensions
A retrospective study found that patients with multiple architectural distortions on digital breast tomosynthesis were more likely to have high-risk pathology, but not significantly different frequencies of malignancy. Biopsy of all areas may be warranted for these patients.
Computer scientists have developed a system to analyse noise produced by individual cameras, linking videos or images to specific cameras. The tool extracts camera-specific noise from video frames, achieving high accuracy rates and potential practical use for law enforcement.
A proteomic study of 2,002 tumors identified 11 distinct molecular subtypes across 14 tissue-based cancer types, including breast, lung, and brain cancers. These subtypes provide new insights into the deregulated pathways and processes in tumors that make them cancerous.
Researchers analyzed 140 complete autopsies of COVID-19 patients and found the most frequent profile is men aged 60-77 with acute lung injury, often accompanied by vascular disease, heart disease, and diabetes. This profile was associated with a shorter time to death.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital studied mRNA vaccine safety in pregnant women, finding no Spike protein expression in placentas. The study provides further evidence of mRNA vaccine safety, supporting expanded vaccination efforts for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have developed a novel AI algorithm, Graph Transformer (GTP), to classify lung cancer subtypes based on whole slide images. The framework outperforms current state-of-the-art methods and has implications beyond digital pathology for computer vision applications.
Researchers analyze viral video of musicians covering Michael Jackson song to understand how it alleviated collective grief during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies key traits that allow empathy and resilience in the face of trauma, highlighting the value of music as a non-pharmacological strategy.
A study published in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that people with certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, may display behaviors that are commonly associated with deception. These behaviors, including gaze aversion and flat affect, can lead to unfair judgments in the criminal justice system...
Researchers have discovered a way to suppress a specific protein that promotes resistance to drugs commonly used to treat AML patients. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize treatment and prolong survival for those affected by the disease.
Researchers discovered a novel mutation in the alpha-synuclein gene that causes severe Lewy body pathology, revealing distinct mechanisms of neurodegeneration. The E83Q mutation influences alpha-synuclein's structure and aggregation properties, leading to increased pathology formation and toxicity.
Researchers at UToledo validated geoelectrical methods for detecting anomalies related to disturbed ground and human decay. Ground-penetrating radar showed stronger signals for mass graves than individual ones.
A new study found that DNA evidence significantly improves prosecution outcomes, with 75% of cases with a match resulting in a guilty plea or trial. The study highlights the importance of quality forensic medical exams, DNA analysis, and prosecutor training to effectively use DNA evidence.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed more accurate special aerosol fluorescent dye 'marker' to find touch DNA, and found that some people shed more or less DNA on their thumbs. This new study helps understand the difference between high, intermediate and low skin 'shedders', which will aid in crime scene investigation.
Dr. Elaine S. Jaffe is being recognized for her pioneering work in hematopathology, including the discovery of novel pathological entities and her development of standardized diagnostic criteria for lymphoma and leukemia. She has also made significant contributions to advancing cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
A new study proposes a 'population-inclusive' method for estimating assigned sex at birth from 3D volume-rendered computed tomography (CT) scans of skulls, without relying on ancestry or population affinity. This approach shows statistically similar results to existing methods and can be used in cases where population affinity is unknown.
Researchers found that biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as amyloid-beta and tau proteins, were associated with increased anxiety and apathy in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Higher levels of apathy were also linked to a more rapid cognitive decline.
Researchers observed that chandelier cells, which regulate cortical circuit activity, communicate with other neurons shortly after birth, influencing brain development. This interaction is crucial for normal brain function and may be disrupted in neurological disorders.
A new study found that metabolomic analysis of postmortem blood can identify biomarkers for diabetes mellitus, enabling accurate forensic diagnosis. This breakthrough has the potential to improve the quality of forensic investigations and public health.
Researchers performed forensic anthropological analysis on a Baroque-period marble sculpture, revealing precise anatomical features that could be examined like real skulls. The study provides insights into the working methods of great artists of the past, including Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
A genetic database has been created in El Salvador to help identify missing persons and victims of the country's civil war. The database, which includes 400 individuals, uses advanced sequencing technologies to assess genetic relationships between remains and relatives.
A team of researchers developed an enhanced version of a modern forensic test to solve a 5000-year-old cold case. The test confirmed the cause of death for a Neolithic man whose remains were found in a mass grave on the coast of Northern Chile, suggesting he died by drowning in shallow saltwater.
Researchers found that 37% of lions and 22% of leopards in Zambia have wire snare injuries, while 27% of lions have shotgun pellet embeds. The study suggests poaching and land protection threats are significant in protected areas.
Ronald M. Przygodzki, MD, has been appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, succeeding Barbara Zehnbauer, PhD. Dr. Przygodzki brings extensive experience in genomic medicine and molecular diagnostics to the position.
This special issue explores research integrity in forensic science, discussing the importance of acknowledging cognitive bias, responsible authorship, and exemplary training. Key findings include the need for thoughtful consideration of relevance to advance forensic science, as well as challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new model using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics has been developed to accurately determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) in human skeletal remains. This non-destructive technique provides valuable information for forensic medicine and anthropology, improving reliability and accuracy.
A new species of angel shark, Squatina mapama, has been identified in the Central American Caribbean, shedding light on the region's biodiversity. Genetic analyses reveal distinct characteristics from other related species, emphasizing the importance of forensic science in understanding cryptic species within the genus.
A new study suggests there are likely to be rare individuals in the general population who possess a natural talent for visual comparison, comparable to expert forensic scientists. These 'super-matchers' may not even realise they have this skill, but researchers aim to identify and recruit them for future studies.
The article highlights the importance of addressing systemic racism in forensic sciences by engaging with descendant communities and institutions. Forensic researchers advocate for repatriation and interment of remains collected without consent, emphasizing the need for uncomfortable conversations and criticism on issues related to race.
Researchers have identified NDUFS1 and ATP5O as novel markers of aggressive prostate cancer, associated with poorer survival rates. The study's findings provide new insights into the disease's molecular mechanisms and potential targets for therapy.