A study found that Amphotericin B, a widely used anti-fungal medicine, neutralizes an important anti-viral protein IFITM3, making cells more susceptible to flu infection. This increases the risk of flu infections in patients with already compromised immune systems.
UMMS researchers used advanced techniques to study the 3D structure of mitotic chromosomes, resolving a century-old debate. They found that chromosomes assemble into linearly organized, compressed chromatin loops during the metaphase stage of cell division.
A new study reveals that rising rates of obesity among young adults are contributing to an increase in knee replacement surgeries. Younger patients are more obese and experience the same level of pain and functional disability as older patients, according to researchers at UMass Chan Medical School.
A new study from UMass Medical School reveals that human cytomegalovirus rapidly evolves as it spreads from mother to fetus, providing genetic targets for new therapeutics. The researchers found a specific window of gestation during which CMV is most vulnerable, suggesting an opportunity for preventative treatments.
Scientists at UMass Chan Medical School discovered that knocking out a gene important for mRNA translation restores memory deficits and reduces behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome. The study suggests that the prime cause of the disease may be a translational imbalance, and restoration of this balance may be neces...
Researchers found that re-activating normal aging in tumor cells can inhibit proliferation, offering a potential new therapeutic target for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The study identified Smurf2 as a key player in this process and suggests that increasing its expression may lead to improved treatment outcomes.
A new study finds that most popular mobile weight loss apps fail to implement effective behavioral strategies, leaving users with limited support. Despite this, top-rated apps like MyNetDiary PRO and MyNetDiary include useful features such as barcode scanners and social networks.
Dr. Vivian Budnik is studying a novel mechanism of communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm, called nuclear envelope budding, which may lead to new understandings for various tissue dystrophies and aging disorders. Understanding this process could provide insights into diseases such as muscular dystrophies and Herpes virus-type ...
A new UMass Medical School study reveals that all postmenopausal women with diabetes, irrespective of their racial or ethnic background, are at a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The research underscores the importance of prevention strategies to reduce disparities in diabetes-related mortality...
Researchers found that the average American can expect to live 2.4 more years with a healthy life, while a 65-year-old person gains 1.7 quality years. The study also identified troubling trends, including an increase in anxiety and problems with walking among younger Americans.
Researchers establish proof-of-principal for silencing extra chromosome 21 in cells, advancing translational research and surmounting major obstacle to 'chromosome therapy'. This breakthrough paves the way for studying cell pathologies and identifying genome-wide pathways implicated in Down syndrome.
Researchers have discovered a pair of neurons, called Fdg neurons, that control feeding behavior in fruit flies by integrating internal and external stimuli. These neurons are responsible for synthesizing cues about available food and hunger to initiate the feeding mechanism.
A recent study found that postmenopausal women who experience depression or take antidepressant medication have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study, led by Dr. Yunsheng Ma, found associations between elevated depressive symptoms, increased insulin levels, and higher waist circumference.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School reveal the molecular mechanism behind the roundworm's escape response, linking two separate actions coordinated by tyramine and its interaction with fast- and slow-acting receptors.
Researchers at UMMS found that small amounts of junk foods can trigger significant changes in gene expression and physiology, potentially impacting human health. The study used C. elegans as a model organism and identified a genetic regulatory network facilitating rapid responses to internal and external cues.
Researchers discover exosomes shuttle protein Syt4 from neurons to muscle cells, enabling cell-to-cell signaling mechanisms. This finding may lead to loading therapeutic agents like RNAi into exosomes to target disease-carrying cells.
Researchers found that stimulating bitter taste receptors in some airway cells can lead to improved treatments for asthma attacks. Bitter substances act by shutting down calcium channels, allowing bronchodilation and ending the asthma attack.
A study led by Katherine Luzuriaga and Deborah Persaud shows that early ART can curtail the formation of hard-to-treat viral sanctuaries. Five HIV-infected teenagers who started ART within two months of exposure had lower copy numbers of viral DNA compared to those who started later.
A team of researchers describes the first case of a functional HIV cure in an infant, achieved through prompt antiviral therapy within 30 hours of birth. The infant remained virus-free for over a year without treatment.
Research reveals that cold temperatures trigger the return of monarch butterflies to their northern habitats, highlighting vulnerability to climate change. The study suggests that the monarch migration cycle is reliant on a specific thermal stimulus, which is critical for completion of the migration cycle.
A study by UMass Chan Medical School scientists has discovered that the retrovirus HERV-H is extremely active in human embryonic stem cells, making up to 2% of total RNA. This finding may aid in the development of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and transform current stem cell therapies.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert W. Finberg are working on a $12 million project to improve flu vaccine effectiveness by predicting the influenza virus's evolution in response to anti-viral drugs and human immune systems. The approach could potentially boost protection rates, reducing severe illness cases.
Researchers have shown that transplanted neural stem cells slow ALS onset and progression, improving motor function and survival time. The study also found that these cells promote the production of protective molecules and reduce inflammation.
Researchers have discovered a key link between inflammation and Alzheimer's disease progression. The study suggests that drugs targeting IL-1 beta production may provide benefits for patients with Alzheimer's. The findings point to the possibility of developing new treatments by disrupting the production of this pro-inflammatory cytokine.
The UMass Medical School is enrolling expectant mothers from Worcester County in a pilot program of the National Children's Study. The study aims to determine how environmental factors impact children's growth, development, and disease onset. Data collectors will meet participants at home twice during pregnancy and again after birth.
The Lupus Research Institute has awarded $1 million to University of Massachusetts Medical School faculty for research on toll-like receptors in lupus. The award will explore the role of TLR proteins in the disease and identify new targets for therapies.
The ENCODE project has assigned biochemical functions to 80% of the human genome using data from 1,649 experiments. The team identified over 4 million sites that affect biological function through binding specific proteins. These findings provide a critical map of tens of thousands of genes and regulatory switches.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have discovered a gene that influences survival time in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found that blocking the activity of EphA4 receptor substantially extends the lifespan of people with the disease. Additionally, a new ALS gene (profilin-1) identified last month works in conjun...
Researchers at UMass Medical School have identified a new genetic mutation that causes familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurological disorder. The discovery points to defects in a neuron's cytoskeleton structure as a potential common feature among diverse ALS genes.
New research establishes a link between postoperative delirium and prolonged loss of cognitive function in cardiac surgery patients. Interventions to prevent delirium may help cardiac patients avoid long-term cognitive consequences.
Researchers identified a mechanism related to RNAi that scans for intruders by comparing foreign sequences to a memory of previously expressed native RNA, creating an 'epigenetic memory' that silences the gene. This memory can be passed on from one generation to the next.
Fuxman Bass, a postdoctoral scholar, received the fellowship to study the complex immune system and its regulation by transcription factors. The research could lead to new treatments for cancer, infection, and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have identified the first gene, dSarm/Sarm1, responsible for promoting axon destruction after injury. The discovery provides a new therapeutic target to delay or stop axon decay in neurodegenerative diseases.
New evidence published in Cell reveals a novel budding mechanism capable of exporting large ribonucleoprotein particles from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, fundamentally changing our understanding of mRNA export from the nucleus. This study has implications for diseases such as muscular dystrophies and herpes-type infections.
Scientists have discovered that chromosomes fold into a series of contiguous 'yarns,' grouping genes and regulatory elements together to facilitate coordinated development. This domainal organization allows for the precise orchestration of gene activity, but also creates a challenge when mutations disrupt this structure.
The iHeal device detects physiological stressors associated with drug cravings, using sensors to measure physiological changes and body activity. The device delivers user-tailored behavioral interventions via smartphone software, aiming to prevent substance use and reduce health risk.
Researchers used Hi-C technology to generate a 3D model of a mouse genome and mapped chromosomal breaks to explore the impact of spatial proximity on reassembly. The study found that breaks near each other were more likely to be incorrectly attached to neighboring chromosomes.
Researchers discovered that when a new transposon is introduced, it triggers a response that disrupts the piRNA machinery, leading to a massive destabilization of the genome. However, as the hybrids aged, they learned to shut down the new transposon and restore fertility.
A community-based diabetes prevention project in Lawrence, MA, taught healthy food choices and reduced pre-diabetes indicators in a Latino population. Participants who received lifestyle intervention had significant weight loss and clinically meaningful reductions in insulin resistance.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School have sequenced the monarch butterfly genome, revealing an estimated 16,866 protein-coding genes involved in its seasonal migration. The study provides new insights into the genetic and regulatory elements underlying this remarkable journey.
Researchers mapped epigenetic changes in neurons from individuals with autism, finding hundreds of sites affected by histone methylation alterations. The study reveals considerable overlap between genetic and epigenetic risk maps for developmental brain disorders.
A human monoclonal antibody significantly suppressed hepatitis C virus (HCV) levels in liver transplant patients, delaying viral rebound. The treatment also reduced HCV-related liver damage and improved patient outcomes.
Scientists deciphered the 3D structure of Caulobacter crescentus's chromosome using high-throughput chromatin interaction detection and next-generation DNA sequencing. Analysis revealed novel characteristics of the parS site, which helps define the chromosome's shape, and showed that altering its position can lead to a large-scale reor...
Scientists at UMass Chan Medical School discovered a novel DNA-sensing pathway that contributes to the triggering of an innate immune response in malaria. This pathway leads to the production of excessive type-1 interferon, causing inflammation and fever in patients.
New research reveals how C. elegans nematodes suppress exploratory head movements to evade predacious fungi, increasing survival chances. The study suggests a biological and ecological link between genes, molecules, neural circuits, and behavior.
Research by UMass Chan Medical School shows that the human retina protein CRY2 can function as a light-sensitive magnetic sensor in Drosophila. This finding may pave the way for further investigation into human magnetoreception and its potential applications.
Researchers at UMMS have developed a novel technique called EMPIRIC to produce all possible individual mutations and analyze their impact on cells. This approach enables the systematic screening of viral genomes for likelihood to develop drug resistance.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School discovered a new function of the cilia protein IFT88 in mitosis, which could contribute to ciliopathies such as primary ciliary dyskinesia and polycystic kidney disease. IFT88 plays a transport role during mitosis, similar to its function in cilia formation.
A new gene called SETDB1 has been found to promote melanoma growth and invasion in a zebrafish model. The researchers also discovered that SETDB1 is present at high levels in 70% of human melanoma samples, suggesting its potential role in the formation of most cases.
A new imaging approach allows scientists to watch spliceosome assembly in motion, revealing a surprise: the process is reversible and has 'dead ends'. This breakthrough helps understand alternative splicing, crucial for gene expression and protein diversity.