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Wild tomatoes still hold the flavor we bred away: new map shows breeders where to look

A new study by the Boyce Thompson Institute has created a detailed map of the genetic controls behind tomato flavor and traits, allowing breeders to target specific genes for developing tastier and more nutritious tomatoes. The research used hybrid plants to compare gene activity in cultivated tomatoes and three wild relatives, pinpoin...

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalGenome Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2026

Thirty years later: A reappraisal of Alzheimer’s disease risk in Japanese APOE-e4 homozygotes

Researchers at Niigata University conducted the first comprehensive reappraisal of Alzheimer's disease risk in Japanese APOE-e4 homozygotes, finding a substantially lower risk than previously cited estimates. The study suggests that the risk is comparable to estimates reported in large studies of people with European ancestry.

SourceNiigata University·JournalMolecular Neurodegeneration·DateJun 29, 2026

Mapping DNA's hidden switches: A methylation atlas

The study identified over 34,000 genomic regions with distinct ON/OFF methylation patterns, including novel imprinted regions and tissue-specific variability. This atlas provides valuable insights into epigenetic regulation and may help explain the inheritance patterns of genetic diseases such as CHARGE syndrome.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 11, 2025

Determining sex in ants

A noncoding gene has been identified as the deciding factor in determining sex in Argentine ants, with a specific genomic region being crucial to this process. The gene does not encode a protein but rather produces an RNA that influences sex determination.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 6, 2024

APOE genetic variants linked to Alzheimer disease are also associated with the development of subclinical aterosclerosis

The study found that APOE4 carriers have elevated LDL cholesterol levels, increasing their risk of developing subclinical atherosclerosis. In contrast, APOE2 carriers have lower cholesterol and reduced atherosclerosis prevalence.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalCirculation Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 23, 2024

Revisiting gene dosage

A study by Max Planck researchers has discovered an epigenetic regulator MSL2 that ensures the expression of both alleles of haploinsufficient genes, crucial for human health. This mechanism allows for tissue- and cell-type specificity in gene dosage, opening new directions for understanding diseases and developing potential treatments.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Oncotarget | Extreme phenotype approach identifies rare ATR variants as potential male breast cancer susceptibility alleles

Researchers have identified three novel pathogenic variants of the ATR gene as predisposing to male breast cancer. These variants were found in a cohort of individuals with early onset and familial breast cancers, using a combination of exome sequencing and functional investigations. The study suggests that extended genetic analysis ca...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023

Weiss-Kruszka syndrome and the failure to establish neuronal identity

Researchers identified the molecular mechanism underlying Weiss-Kruszka syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by craniofacial anomalies and autistic features. The study reveals that the ZFP462 gene mutation leads to a failure to safeguard neural lineage specification during early embryonic development.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2023

Increasing crop yields by breeding plants to cooperate

A simple breeding experiment identified genes that promote cooperation and higher yields in plant populations. Plants with specific alleles were found to produce 15% more biomass when grown in close proximity, while reducing root competition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2022

Evidence for new theory of genetic recombination

Researchers found evidence supporting a new theory on how chromosome recombination is regulated during sexual reproduction. By manipulating protein expressions in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, they discovered that boosting HEI10 levels significantly increased crossovers, while disrupting ZYP1 expression had a similar effect.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

New study published in The Crop Journal cracks the code to increasing grain size and reducing chalkiness in rice

A new study published in The Crop Journal has identified the gl9 gene variant as a key factor in increasing grain size and reducing chalkiness in rice. By introducing this allele into elite rice varieties, scientists have improved grain length, width, and weight, leading to enhanced appearance quality and yield.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalThe Crop Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2022

Spinal fluid sampling used to track treatment response in pediatric glioma

Researchers collected hundreds of cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma, tracking changes in cell-free tumor DNA over time. The findings suggest that this method could provide data about tumors sooner than MRIs alone, allowing clinicians to address aggressive brain cancer more effectively.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNeuro-Oncology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Gene important in soybean protein content found after 30-year search

University of Illinois researchers found a key gene responsible for increasing soybean protein content by approximately 2%. The discovery could lead to significant increases in protein production, addressing global food security issues. However, the gene's function is unclear and may involve the plant's circadian machinery.

Shorter weekly course of rifapentine-isoniazid associated with much higher treatment completion rates compared to longer daily course

A randomized trial found that a shorter course of rifapentine-isoniazid therapy resulted in significantly higher treatment completion rates compared to a longer daily course. The findings suggest that this regimens can be more effective for preventing tuberculosis disease in individuals with HIV, particularly in high-transmission areas.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 23, 2021

A video game aids in research on Alzheimer's disease

Researchers developed a video game to study spatial orientation and navigational abilities, finding that virtual navigation performance is comparable to the real world. The game was played by 4 million people and showed changes in navigational habits before clinical Alzheimer's symptoms appear.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2019

Rice plants evolve to adapt to flooding

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a key gene responsible for deepwater rice's ability to thrive in flood conditions. The SD1 gene enables the plant to increase its height and accumulate ethylene, allowing it to ride out lengthy floods.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 2018