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Study finds protein partnership protects chromosomes

A new study from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals a critical protein partnership that protects chromosome ends, regulating telomerase activity and preventing cell death. The researchers discovered that the CST complex and DNA polymerase α/primase interact to maintain telomere stability, with disruption leading to telomere abnormalities.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateApr 17, 2025

Study shows that Rett syndrome in females is not just less severe, but different

Researchers found that female mouse models of Rett syndrome have a mosaic-like distribution of cells expressing wild-type and mutant MeCP2 protein, leading to dysregulated genes. The study also discovered an unusual disease progression, with females having more dysregulated genes at the pre-symptomatic stage than later on.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2024

Microgravity analog culture profoundly affects microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models, a new study finds

A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.

SourceArizona State University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022

Fighting COVID with COVID

Researchers at Penn State designed a synthetic defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that interferes with the real virus's growth, potentially causing its extinction. The therapeutic may be used as a self-promoting antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

SourcePenn State·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 6, 2021

Cheating slime mold gets the upper hand

A 'cheater' mutation in Dictyostelium discoideum allows it to exploit its social partner by reducing the ability of normal Dictyostelium to form spores. This enables the cheater strain to outcompete wild type for survival and resources, with no observed fitness cost or impairment to lifespan.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 8, 2013

An sRNA controls a bacterium's social life

Researchers have identified a small RNA molecule that controls social behavior in Myxococcus xanthus, a soil bacterium. The mutation of interest, 'Pxr', had previously been found to give an evolved mutant of M. xanthus a competitive edge over both the mutant's immediate parent and its ancestor.

SourceIndiana University·JournalScience·DateMay 20, 2010