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Study reveals genetic and developmental differences in people with earlier versus later autism diagnosis

Researchers found distinct genetic profiles for early- and late-diagnosed autism, with earlier diagnosed groups showing more social interaction difficulties in infancy and behavioral problems in adolescence. Later diagnosed individuals experienced increased social and behavioral difficulties during adolescence and higher rates of menta...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2025

Gene linked to rheumatic disease controls cell movement

A recent study from Karolinska Institutet reveals how a gene associated with several rheumatic diseases affects cell movement. The researchers discovered that the DIORA1 gene regulates cell movement by interacting with MRCK kinases, which are important for the cell's skeleton and ability to move.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 29, 2025

Snapdragon secrets

Researchers collect snapdragon flowers and leaves to study their genetic diversity, revealing how color genes keep two varieties distinct. In hybrid zones, magenta and yellow snapdragons blend, but bees prefer one over the other, reducing fitness and offspring.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalMolecular Ecology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 22, 2025

King’s College London researcher advances psychiatric genomics through pioneering polygenic scoring innovations

Dr Oliver Pain develops GenoPred platform advancing personalized mental healthcare worldwide through accessible genetic tools, democratizing access to cutting-edge genomic methodologies. His work aims to reduce global health inequities by developing inclusive polygenic scoring methods that perform accurately across all ancestry groups.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateSep 9, 2025

Genomic techniques can streamline breeding for grain quality

Researchers developed a strategy to predict multiple traits at once based on the whole genome, increasing predictive ability by 2-10 times. This method, called multi-trait genomic selection (MT-GS), combines genetic markers with known trait links for more accurate predictions, making it a promising tool for efficient and cost-effective...

Study identifies genes that can predict response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients

A recent study identified four genes associated with treatment resistance to immunotherapy in melanoma patients. The genes, CD24, NFIL3, FN1, and KLRK1, were found to be linked to mechanisms of immune evasion and suppression of the inflammatory response. Patients with high expression of these genes had significantly lower overall survi...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Molecular Medicine·DateJul 30, 2025

Historical and current population DNA reveals that there are at least 12 species of rocket frogs, three of which are already extinct

Researchers have identified a new genus of frog, Dryadobates, comprising at least 12 species, with three already declared extinct. The study utilized historical DNA analysis to clarify the taxonomic classification of previously single-species frogs, revealing hidden diversity and extinctions in the Atlantic Forest.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBulletin of the American Museum of Natural History·DateJul 17, 2025

Following the tracks of an extremely adaptive bacterium

The study identified two new families of natural compounds, syrilipamides and secimides, produced by the bacterium. These molecules show remarkable toxicity against competing microorganisms, particularly fungi and amoebae. The discovery also highlights the importance of the SecA enzyme in expanding the chemical repertoire of Pseudomona...

New 3D genome mapping technology sheds light on how plants regulate photosynthesis

Chinese researchers developed a groundbreaking 3D genome mapping technology that reveals how the 3D organization of plant genomes influences gene expression, especially in photosynthesis. The innovation provides a precise tool for understanding long-range chromatin interactions and their role in regulating biological processes.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2025

Hey vespids, what's for dinner? DNA analysis of wasp larvae’s diverse diet

A study by Kobe University found that Japanese wasp larvae feed on a diverse range of species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. The research used DNA metabarcoding to identify the gut contents of larvae from wild and reared nests, revealing significant differences in prey composition between the two.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Insects as Food and Feed·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2025

A tale of two hummingbird bills

Researchers found that a narrow island separating the two species suggests recent speciation or extensive gene flow. The study proposes sexual selection as a key driver of species differentiation.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateApr 15, 2025

Groundbreaking study reveals changes in brain cell composition and gene activity in Tourette syndrome

Researchers analyzed brain tissue from individuals with severe Tourette syndrome and identified three key changes: altered gene activity, regulatory element modifications, and interneuron loss. These findings provide unprecedented insights into the disorder's biology and may explain why individuals experience involuntary movements and ...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

NUS Medicine study: Breaking antibiotic-resistant bacteria’s protective shields opens door for immune system response, offers insights for managing pneumococcal diseases

Researchers have made progress in understanding how Streptococcus pneumoniae constructs its capsule, a critical target for vaccine development. The study identified three categories of transporters that facilitate sugar building block transport, with relaxed specificity transporters posing potential risks to bacterial growth.

Mayo Clinic researchers identify a measurable genetic mutation as a significant predictor of metastasis and survival in pancreatic cancer

Researchers found that detectable mutant KRAS circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) indicates a higher risk of cancer spread and worse survival rates for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The study suggests that ctDNA assays should be performed prior to treatment to have the highest yield.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateMar 19, 2025

Small molecules, big role: snoRNAs in gene regulation

Researchers at ELTE have created an online database of snoRNAs in zebrafish, revealing 67 previously unknown snoRNAs and providing a comprehensive analysis of their expression during development and in adult tissues. The findings may help create better zebrafish disease models and aid understanding of complex human diseases.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalNAR Genomics and Bioinformatics·DateMar 18, 2025

WIN Consortium leading the future of precision cancer medicine

The WIN Consortium is transforming cancer care through personalized medicine, leveraging AI, molecular profiling, and clinical trials. The organization's innovations, including N-of-1 clinical trials and WINTHER and WINGPO trials, are helping clinicians make more precise treatment decisions and improving outcomes for cancer patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeNews article·DateMar 18, 2025

New CRISPR-based diagnostic test detects pathogens in blood without amplification

Researchers developed a CRISPR-based diagnostic test that rapidly detects low levels of pathogen genetic material in blood without nucleic acid amplification. The test demonstrated unprecedented sensitivity and could be used to develop highly sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic tests for detecting pathogens in minutes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2025

Researchers in Brazil discover a gene that may afford protection against COVID-19

A study on six serodiscordant couples found that women who were immune to SARS-CoV-2 had elevated expression of the gene IFIT3 compared to their male partners. This suggests that overexpression of IFIT3 may offer protection against COVID-19 by inhibiting viral replication and preventing cell invasion.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateJan 29, 2025

KAIST develops foundational technology to revert cancer cells to normal cells​

Researchers at KAIST have developed a technology that can treat colon cancer by converting cancer cells into normal-like cells. The breakthrough involves creating a digital twin of the gene network associated with normal cell differentiation, leading to significant promise for reversible cancer therapies.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 22, 2024

Ancient maize genomes reveal the early evolutionary history of commercially important flint and dent varieties

Researchers reconstructed the journey of maize into eastern North America, tracing its dispersal routes and history of selection. Ancient genomes reveal a genetic link between Northern Flints and 1,000-year-old Ozark maize, highlighting early adaptations for local climates and culinary preferences.