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Mathematical theory predicts self-organized learning in real neurons

Researchers used a mathematical theory called the free energy principle to predict how real neural networks learn and organize themselves. The study successfully mimicked this process in rat embryo neurons grown in a culture dish, demonstrating the principle's guiding force behind biological neural network learning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 7, 2023

Automated, accurate reporting for NGS-based clonality testing

Researchers have developed an automated calling algorithm for determining B and T cell clonality from NGS data with greater sensitivity than previous models. The new model increases the assay's sensitivity in detecting clonality, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of lymphoproliferative disorders.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 16, 2023

Machine learning algorithms for diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation for atopic dermatitis

Researchers developed six prediction models using machine learning algorithms to distinguish between atopic dermatitis lesions and non-lesions, achieving high AUC values. The models showed a positive correlation between sample quality and SCORAD scores, indicating improved treatment efficacy.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalFundamental Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 16, 2023

How old are your bones?

Researchers developed a 'Skeletal Age' metric to assess impact of fractures on mortality, revealing a loss of one to seven years of life depending on gender, age, and bone site. The online calculator measures bone fragility to help doctors and patients understand fracture risks.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournaleLife·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 15, 2023

UC Santa Cruz to lead data collection center for major federal project on genetic underpinnings of neurological conditions

The UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute will run the Data Coordination Center for the Scalable and Systematic Neurobiology of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Risk Genes (SSPsyGene) Consortium. The team will coordinate an initial selection of 250 relevant genes from nearly 30,000 protein coding genes in the human genome.

Researchers discover new class of ribosomal peptide with hemolytic activity

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a novel class of ribosomal peptides called daptides, which exhibit hemolytic activity. This discovery opens up new avenues for therapeutic development and highlights the vast potential of undiscovered RiPP classes.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2023

A new model predicts the flexibility of DNA movement at the molecular scale

A new model of DNA flexibility has been developed, providing results of unprecedented quality and characterizing precision and efficiency at the computational level. The study presents a systematic and comprehensive analysis of DNA movement correlations and introduces a new method to capture them.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 31, 2023

Rice U.’s Todd Treangen wins NSF CAREER Award

Rice University's assistant professor of computer science, Todd Treangen, has been awarded a $599,943 National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop a comprehensive computational platform for detecting yet-unseen microbial pathogens. The project aims to characterize previously unseen pathogens that could pose a risk to humans.

Fast and low-cost computational method can monitor spread of antibiotic resistance over time

A new computational technique analyzes bacterial genetic sequences to monitor the spread of antibiotic resistance over time. The study found that resistance genes most likely to spread are those on conjugative plasmids and targeting specific antibiotics, with many coming from a single source.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County·JournalAntibiotics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 27, 2023

Richard McIndoe, PhD, will direct Coordinating Unit for new, national research initiative in diabetes, obesity

Richard McIndoe is leading a national research initiative to advance understanding of diabetes and obesity through the National Centers for Metabolic Phenotyping in Live Models of Obesity and Diabetes (MPMOD). The MPMOD initiative provides access to advanced testing services, including bariatric surgery on mice, to enable new insights ...

CABBI/GLBRC team explores leaf microbiome in perennial bioenergy crops

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that microbes living on the leaves of perennial crops like miscanthus and switchgrass play a crucial role in plant resilience. The research identifies specific microbial functions that could be targeted for future management, promoting crop growth and reducing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2023

Team of sister scientists identifies a possible genetic culprit for uterine corpus endometrial cancer

A team of scientists has identified Myo5b as a potential genetic driver of uterine corpus endometrial cancer (UCEC), a fourth deadliest cancer in women. Elevated levels of Myo5B were found in UCEC samples, suggesting its role in transporting nutrient-absorbing transporters to the surface of cancer cells.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 14, 2023

Statistics remove bias from debate about how well mouse models mimic human disease

A team of biostatisticians created a framework to evaluate the congruence and discordance of laboratory animals with specific human diseases. The tool removes bias from scientific interpretation of animal data for human conditions, revealing that some models mimic biological mechanisms well while others poorly.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2023

UTHSC team’s COVID data system highlighted as model for public health preparedness, population health surveillance

A UTHSC team developed a unique community-focused COVID-19 data registry, MEMPHI-SYS, to guide public health policies and interventions nationwide. The registry collects demographic information, geographic locations, medical history, and risk factors, providing insights into the spread and presentation of COVID.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center·JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·DateJan 23, 2023

Scientists sequence and annotate majority of Red Perilla’s genome, a step toward harnessing more of its medically valuable bioactive chemicals

Hiroshima University researchers have generated a high-quality genome assembly of red perilla, allowing scientists to harness its abundance of potentially useful bioactive chemicals. The study enables targeted gene editing for enhanced phytochemical production, paving the way for new medical applications.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalDNA Research·DateJan 11, 2023

Two-billion-year-old enzyme reconstructed

Researchers successfully reconstructed a two-billion-year-old enzyme, shedding light on an ancient evolutionary mechanism that enables modern enzymes to work efficiently despite interruptions. The study reveals the ancestral enzyme is processive, removing correctly added nucleotide building blocks, and shows how bioinformatics and bioc...

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022

Brain aging is not one-size-fits-all: Chronological age, biological age and gender affect the shrinkage of different brain areas

Research reveals that brain function networks are affected differently by aging, gender, and blood immune factors. The study found correlations between cytokine clock, brain shrinkage, and gender, with females having a faster ticking cytokine clock.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 2, 2022

Integrated platform promises to accelerate drug discovery process

Researchers developed an integrated approach to accelerate drug discovery by combining complex datasets from two screening platforms and next-generation metabolomics analysis. The new framework identified known compounds, confirmed mechanisms of action, and discovered novel compounds with unique biological signatures.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2022

Improvements for Man and Machine in Scientific Publishing

The use of Frictionless Data enhances both machine readability and human engagement with scientific outputs, turning articles into dynamic entities. Interactive figures enable readers to directly interact with data points, making the publication process more efficient and reproducible.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 5, 2022