Researchers have unraveled a mechanism to reactivate 'back-up genes' on the inactive X chromosome, which could help treat Rett syndrome and other X-linked disorders. The study found that different genes require varying amounts of time to become active again, with location and proteins playing key roles.
Researchers have developed a technique to make sheep produce new antibodies by injecting DNA building blocks, offering a cheaper and more efficient approach than industrial production. This breakthrough brings the study of antibody gene therapy closer to clinical use.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a new technique to insulate microchips using metal-organic frameworks, enabling the creation of powerful and energy-efficient chips. The method involves applying nanoporous crystals to separate wires and signals.
A large international study found that 24-hour blood pressure recordings are the best predictor of heart and vascular disease. The study, published in JAMA, followed 11,135 individuals for 14 years and showed that nighttime blood pressure measurements were closely associated with cardiac and vascular illness.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a non-invasive biomarker for detecting kidney transplant rejection symptoms after a transplant due to antibody-mediated rejection. The new blood test can identify patients with rejection symptoms earlier and more accurately than current methods, which often rely on invasive biopsies.
Biomedical researchers have created three-dimensional cell structures from diseased tissue of patients to study endometrial diseases like endometriosis and cancer. This new biobank can help unravel disorders and test drugs for effective treatments.
A study by KU Leuven researchers has successfully stabilized perovskites, a promising type of semiconductor material for harnessing solar energy. By binding the crystals to a glass substrate and heating them to high temperatures, the black perovskite state is achieved, enabling efficient sunlight absorption and electricity generation.
The UNA Europa alliance, consisting of seven leading European universities, has received a €5M grant to launch a European university ecosystem. The project will focus on innovative education and research collaboration, with an aim to address societal challenges.
Researchers developed a new approach to improve matches between DNA samples and face databases by reversing the process from DNA to face. The method uses software to measure faces and check for compatibility with unique DNA patterns, allowing for more accurate identifications.
Researchers discovered that almost all blue supergiants shimmer in brightness due to waves on their surface, enabling the study of their internal physics and chemistry. This breakthrough enables astronomers to probe the progenitors of supernovae from a novel perspective.
Researchers from KU Leuven and SciSports analyzed nearly 7,000 matches to see how players perform under mental pressure. They found that players like Cristiano Ronaldo are immune to pressure, while others like Neymar crumble under it.
A study by KU Leuven reveals that red giants lose less mass than previously thought, as their stellar winds are affected by an overlooked partner star. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption of high mass loss rates for these stars.
Researchers used advanced brain scans to map the visual cortex in Old World monkeys, finding complex topographic organisation unlike previously thought. This improved understanding will enable more precise navigation of the brain and potentially reveal human visual cortex organization.
Scientists have developed a new vaccine against the Zika virus, which can prevent microcephaly and other serious conditions in unborn babies. The vaccine is based on the yellow fever vaccine and offers complete protection.
Researchers at KU Leuven devised an elegant way to use sound waves to keep chemicals flowing in miniature reactors. The technology improved efficiency by forcing particles into the center of channels, mixing them, and stopping clogging.
Research unravels mechanism of defective ribosomes causing cellular damage, including DNA mutations and increased cancer protein levels. The discovery provides a solution to Dameshek's Riddle and turns ribosome defects into an attractive target in the fight against cancer.
A recent outbreak of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa remains undetected for five years due to the failure of WHO-endorsed diagnostic tests. Researchers discovered two strains with a specific DNA mutation associated with resistance to Rifampicin, which were not detected by commercial tests.
Bioscience engineers at KU Leuven have created a roadmap for producing cellulose gasoline, a second-generation biofuel, by converting plant waste into hydrocarbon chains. The process involves adding cellulose to the petroleum refining process, resulting in a strongly bio-sourced gasoline.
A new study by KU Leuven reveals the hidden costs of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including high levels of cobalt in children's urine and increased DNA damage. The research highlights the need for sustainable cobalt mining practices to mitigate environmental and health impacts.
A new lab-on-a-chip device developed by KU Leuven researchers can detect infections and viruses in blood with high accuracy, making it ideal for diagnosing people in developing countries. The device is simple, cheap to produce, and can be activated with a finger touch, allowing anyone to use it.
KU Leuven scientists found long-lived macrophages in mice intestines that can survive for at least eight months, vital for nerve cell survival. These macrophages play a critical role in maintaining intestinal health, and their dysfunction leads to digestive problems.
Researchers discovered that only small clusters of four silver atoms in a tetrahedral shape surrounded by water molecules emit light. This is due to the movement of two free electrons, which decay from higher to lower energy levels and produce a specific shade of green light.
Researchers at KU Leuven discovered a breach in Intel's modern security technology, Foreshadow, which can hack into enclaves and compromise personal data and cloud systems. The attack uses speculative execution to retrieve sensitive information, putting millions of processors and cloud platforms at risk.
A recent study by KU Leuven researchers reveals that the lifespan of transplanted kidneys has stagnated despite improvements in the past. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 recipients across Europe and found that the average lifespan of a transplanted kidney is now around 15-20 years.
Researchers found that cancer cells produce excessive BCL-2 protein due to a ribosome defect, helping them survive chemotherapy. A drug suppressing this protein has shown promise in treating T-cell leukaemia with similar defects.
Researchers created a genetic family tree of the Ebola epidemic, revealing its spread between 2013-2016. Closing international borders proved effective in slowing down the virus, while local measures had little impact.
Male and female cells behave differently after being reprogrammed into stem cells due to their number of X chromosomes. This affects DNA methylation, a process that changes DNA activity without changing its sequence.
Geologists from KU Leuven have found that magmas split into two separate liquids under specific conditions, leading to the formation of Kiruna-type iron ore deposits. These discoveries may help identify new iron ore deposits globally.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a protein, LIpA bacteriocin, that targets and kills the deadly Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The protein's mechanism of action involves binding to the bacterial cell wall protein BamA, effectively shutting it down and allowing the bacteria to die quickly.
Neuroscientists at KU Leuven developed an EEG-based method to objectively and automatically assess speech understanding. The technique, which uses 64 electrodes, can measure brainwaves while a person listens to a sentence and determine whether they have understood it.
Researchers have identified 15 new genes that play a crucial role in shaping our facial features. The discovery was made using a novel approach that analyzed DNA data from large databases of faces. The findings could lead to breakthroughs in forensic analysis and reconstructive surgery, enabling doctors to use DNA to recreate lost faces.
Researchers found a connection between oxygen deprivation in bone cells and abnormally heavy bones, as well as low glucose levels. This discovery may lead to new treatments for conditions like osteoporosis, diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers at KU Leuven unravelled how the cell division timer is switched on and off, potentially leading to effective cancer therapy. The discovery involves a biochemical clock that gives cells time to fix attachment-related problems, allowing for more efficient cell division.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified specific ion channels in airway cells that recognize lipopolysaccharide molecules from bacteria, triggering a rapid response mechanism against infections. This early defence mechanism is essential for combating bacterial invasion and could lead to the development of more effective treatments.
Researchers at KU Leuven have created a new membrane that significantly enhances the separation of methane and CO2 in natural gas and biogas. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of renewable fuels and chemicals.
A new computer program called SCENIC enables researchers to quickly and accurately identify different cell types in the human body. The method helps understand how cell fate is regulated and could lead to the discovery of master regulators and potential drug targets.
Researchers at KU Leuven discovered that humans no longer have the Argonaute proteins that help insects and plants fight viruses. This loss explains why RNAi is less effective in humans than in insects.
Researchers at KU Leuven found that slow motion videos make fouls appear more serious, leading to harsher judgments from referees. This has implications for the use of video technology in football.
Post-operative ileus or bowel paralysis occurs when intestinal contents pass slowly or not at all. New research shows that monocytes help restore bowel function, contrary to initial assumptions.
A recent study found that domesticated cats descend from the African wildcat or Felis silvestris lybica subspecies. The origins of cat domestication are attributed to the Near East and ancient Egypt around 10,000 years ago, where farmers welcomed wildcats to control rodents.
Researchers found that childhood chemotherapy affects skills like quick task switching and remembering new information, but not long-term memory or concentration. High p-Tau levels predict future cognitive problems.
The TET1 protein helps prevent congenital defects such as spina bifida by marking DNA for proper development. Its loss may also lead to late-onset diseases like mental retardation and cancer, as it controls the speed of embryonic development.
Researchers at KU Leuven found that blind individuals, including those without eyeballs, use the ventral-temporal cortex to categorize visual observations. This region is divided into smaller areas, each recognizing a particular category, such as faces, body parts, and objects.
Researchers developed a process that purifies polluted air while generating power as hydrogen gas, which can be stored and used as fuel. The device uses specific nanomaterials and is triggered by sunlight, offering a promising solution for clean air and alternative energy production.
Researchers found that activating or deactivating a hormone in roundworms stimulates or stunts growth, mirroring human TRH regulation. This discovery offers new possibilities for research into human growth mechanisms.
The FRAME project offers 40 policy recommendations to protect human rights in the EU, focusing on migration, austerity measures, and social rights. The proposals include broadening access to humanitarian visas and family reunification to reduce smuggling incentives.
Stevia stimulates the ion channel TRPM5, which is involved in taste perception and insulin release, helping to prevent abnormally high blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes. The study opens up new possibilities for treating diabetes, but further research is needed before new treatments can be developed.
A cheap, temperature-stable, and easy-to-produce vaccine against both diseases is being developed by the RABYD-VAX consortium, led by KU Leuven. The vaccine has the potential to protect against two deadly diseases: rabies and yellow fever.
Researchers discovered PERK protein's role in coordinating cell communication between the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. This finding opens up promising therapeutic avenues for diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, and diabetes.
Researchers have gained insight into the atomic and nuclear structure of heavy, radioactive elements for the first time. The technique involves laser ionization, which significantly increases sensitivity and accuracy, allowing for measurements of atoms per second.