Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New method to identify genes that can drive development of brain tumors

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a method to identify functional mutations in non-coding regions that contribute to the development of glioblastoma. The study reveals that specific mutations in these regions can disrupt gene regulation and lead to cancer progression.

SourceUppsala University·JournalGenome Biology·DateJun 9, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Using electrical stimulus to regulate genes

Researchers at ETH Zurich create implant that uses electrical signals to stimulate insulin production in diabetic mice, offering potential breakthrough for real-time glycemic control. The system is designed to be connected to the internet and controlled via an app, paving the way for a more integrated approach to diabetes management.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMay 28, 2020

Scientists discover a gene to stay thin

Researchers identify ALK as a candidate gene for thinness by studying Estonian population cohort and finding it is involved in regulating energy expenditure and sympathetic tone. ALK deficient mice exhibit reduced fat mass and protected against diet-induced obesity.

SourceIMBA- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2020

MUSC researchers link gene mutation to autism behaviors

Researchers at MUSC have found a connection between a defective copy of the MEF2C gene and autism behaviors. This rare form of autism is caused by one of two MEF2C genes in each cell being nonfunctioning, leading to issues such as language difficulties, epilepsy, and breathing problems.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 19, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Dock and harbor: A novel mechanism for controlling genes

PML bodies are found to physically restrict access to DNA methylation enzymes, suppressing gene activation. The study sheds light on a new role of PML bodies in regulating gene expression by manipulating 3D nuclear organization.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 12, 2020

St. Jude awarded federal grant for Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation

St. Jude awarded a National Science Foundation grant to develop new tools for studying pediatric diseases by integrating biology and engineering at the molecular level. The collaboration will provide St. Jude faculty with a new chemical and engineering toolbox to address gene regulation disorders, including childhood cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·DateMay 7, 2020

Combining mouse and human data uncovers new gene regulating cholesterol

Researchers have discovered a new gene, Sestrin1, that regulates cholesterol levels by shutting off cholesterol production in the liver when food provides enough essential nutrients. The study combines fine-grained detail from animal studies with statistical power of genetic studies involving hundreds of thousands of human genomes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 4, 2020

Boosting levels of good fats with an experimental drug that acts on two newly characterized genes

Researchers at Salk Institute discover two genes that regulate levels of healthy fats called FAHFAs, which decrease inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity. An experimental drug successfully increases FAHFA levels by blocking the activity of these genes, offering new insights into therapies for metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 1, 2020

Histones and their modifications are crucial for adaptation to cell stress

A study by IRB Barcelona's Cell Signaling laboratory found that histone modifications regulate response to cellular stress, including heat and salt stress. The researchers identified over 200 amino acid regions in histones that undergo modifications under stress, allowing for personalized adaptation.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateApr 17, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Transposable elements play an important role in genetic expression and evolution

A new study reveals that transposable elements contribute to cell-specific chromatin looping, gene regulation, and species divergence. The researchers developed software MapGL to track physical gain and loss of genetic sequences across species, shedding light on the evolutionary influences of structural variations.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2020

UC San Diego researchers move closer to producing heparin in the lab

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered the critical gene ZNF263, which regulates heparin biosynthesis in human cells. This breakthrough could enable the production of heparin in well-controlled cell culture, providing a safer and more sustainable alternative to current methods.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

The discovery of a new gene that 'supervises' strawberry ripening

A new transcription factor (FaPRE1) has been identified as a key regulator of strawberry ripening, controlling the expression of genes related to color, aroma, and texture. The gene plays a twofold role in regulating expression, silencing development genes and beginning ripening genes.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalPlant Biology·DateMar 13, 2020

Disturbed retinal gene function underlying canine blindness

A study by University of Helsinki researchers identified a gene variant in the regulatory region of the retina responsible for canine blindness in Miniature Schnauzers. The finding provides valuable insights into retinal biology and offers a new model for understanding related diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 10, 2020

Copy/paste and delete -- or how to thrive without gene regulation

Researchers at IST Austria find that bacteria can copy genes as an adaptive strategy, creating genetic diversity and tuning gene expression levels. This mechanism allows for quick adaptation on ecological timescales, potentially impacting antibiotic resistance.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 9, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Researchers identify novel anti-aging targets

Conserved epigenetic regulators BAZ2B and EHMT1 identified as novel anti-aging targets in aging research. The study reveals a mechanism for regulating cognitive aging by reducing mitochondrial function.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature·DateFeb 26, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

First genetic evidence of resistance in some bats to white-nose syndrome, a devastating fungal disease

A new study from the University of Michigan presents the first genetic evidence of resistance in some bats to white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that has decimated some North American bat populations. Genetic differences were found in genes associated with regulating arousal from hibernation and breakdown of fats.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 20, 2020

Parkinson's and the immune system

Researchers have identified a link between the nervous system and immune system in Parkinson's disease, finding that genes like Parkin and PACRG protect nerve cells from cell death. These proteins regulate a signalling pathway that also plays a role in innate immunity, which prevents bacterial infections.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScience Signaling·DateFeb 5, 2020

A fundamental discovery about how gene activity is regulated

Scientists have discovered a fundamental process that regulates gene activity by destroying tangled RNAs. This discovery may lead to powerful new medical treatments and shed light on the development of human disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 3, 2020
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Finally, machine learning interprets gene regulation clearly

Researchers have developed a custom artificial neural network that can analyze molecular signals controlling gene function, enabling biologists to understand complex mechanisms of gene regulation. This breakthrough enables the creation of machine learning algorithms that reflect common concepts in biology.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·DateDec 26, 2019

New tool reveals DNA structures that influence disease

A new algorithm called OnTAD rapidly identifies and elucidates the functions of topologically associating domains (TADs), which are disrupted in diseases like cancer. The tool reveals increased gene expression in hierarchical TADs, associated with active epigenetic states.

SourcePenn State·JournalGenome Biology·DateDec 17, 2019

Genetic brain disorder fixed in mice using precision epigenome editing

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used targeted gene epigenome editing to reverse a genetic mutation causing WAGR syndrome, a condition leading to intellectual disability and obesity. The study suggests the potential for developing epigenome editing therapies to prevent brain developmental disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Study sheds new light on role iron biology plays in disease

New research from the University of Alberta sheds light on iron biology's role in three human diseases: porphyria, Andersen disease, and Wolfram syndrome. The study finds that a protein called aconitase regulates genes in the nucleus to control iron levels.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2019

New method takes analysis of genetic libraries to next level

Uppsala researchers developed a new method to investigate dynamic processes in large genetic libraries using DuMPLING. This approach enables the examination of thousands of living cells in a single microfluidic chip, linking genetic information to complex cell behavior. The study focuses on bacterial cell cycle regulation and aims to i...

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 18, 2019

MicroRNA comprehensively analyzed

Researchers from MIPT explored microRNA interactions with mRNA in two human cell lines, finding that microRNA does not strongly regulate all genes and its regulation potential does not directly depend on its expression level. The study also identified differences between microRNA interactions in the two cell lines.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·DateNov 14, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Genetics of species-specific birdsong revealed

Scientists uncover genetic differences in gene expression that underlie species-specific songs, revealing a key role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in song learning. The study sheds new light on the evolution of animal behaviors.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 13, 2019

Songbirds sing species-specific songs

Researchers found that gene activity in brain regions called song nuclei is associated with species-specific patterns of singing in songbirds. The study identified a signaling molecule called BDNF as a mediator of changes in trans-regulated genes, which disrupted the structures of learned songs in adult zebra finches.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 12, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Evolution of butterfly wing pattern mimicry

Researchers identified genomic elements regulating optix gene expression in Heliconius butterflies, found to be necessary for normal pattern development. These elements evolved in parallel in distantly related species with similar patterns, highlighting the complexity of butterfly wing patterning.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Obesity-related genetic variants

A study identified two types of genetic variants in the PM20D1 gene that regulate its expression in adipocytes, with one variant acting as an on/off switch and another similar to a dimmer switch; these variations are associated with obesity risk.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2019

How human brain development diverged from great apes

Researchers analyzed human and chimpanzee cerebral organoids to understand dynamic gene expression and regulation in early brain development. They identified human-specific gene expression patterns and developmental differences in the adult prefrontal cortex.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalNature·DateOct 16, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Discovered new regulation for infant growth

Researchers at the University of Bergen identified new genetic signals regulating infant growth, which may help combat growth-related diseases like obesity and malnutrition. The study found that different BMI-signals exist for children and adults, with varying genetic influences during childhood.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2019

Gene regulators work together for oversized impact on schizophrenia risk

Researchers discovered that gene expression regulators work together to raise an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia. The study found that modeled gene expression changes matched those found in patients' brains, highlighting the importance of considering complex genetic interactions in psychiatric disorders.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 23, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Like an instruction manual, the genome groups genes together for convenience

Scientists identified over 11,000 families of grouped genes in genomes of different species, with a third being part of conserved clusters. The study found that natural selection favors gene organization, making it easier to regulate genes, and that horizontal transfer may be less common than previously thought.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 16, 2019
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

'Malaria cell atlas' reveals gene clusters, possible drug targets

Researchers have created the first high-resolution atlas of malaria parasite gene expression, revealing new insights into gene function and regulation. The Malaria Cell Atlas provides potential targets for future treatments and a better understanding of the spread of drug resistance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 22, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Balancing data protection and research needs in the age of the GDPR

The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) complicates data sharing in research, with participants' consent withdrawal rights and limited data retention posing challenges. Researchers advocate for GDPR-compliant repositories and adaptable funding policies to ensure safe data sharing.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Genetics·DateJun 16, 2019

Artificial intelligence detects a new class of mutations behind autism

A Princeton University-led team used AI to decode the functional impact of non-coding DNA mutations in people with autism. The researchers analyzed 1,790 family genomes and found thousands of potential genetic contributors. This breakthrough method is applicable to discovering genetic contributions to any disease.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 27, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Researchers discover how three-dimensional organization of the genome regulates cell differentiation

Researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School discovered that large loops form between DNA sequences where a key protein Pax3 binds, and these loops are essential for the development of skeletal muscle. The study shows how 3D genome organization regulates cell differentiation in skeletal muscle formation.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 24, 2019

More than a protein factory

Researchers discovered that ribosomes in human cells destroy healthy mRNAs, affecting protein production and regulating gene expression. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of gene misregulation in human diseases.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·DateMay 24, 2019

Researchers discover 'daywake,' a siesta-suppressing gene

A Rutgers discovery identified a siesta-suppressing gene in fruit flies that helps creatures balance the benefits of napping against getting important activities done during the day. The 'daywake' gene regulates behavioral flexibility, allowing flies to seek food or mates when temperatures are cool.

SourceRutgers University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 9, 2019
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

The mystery behind cleft palate and lips: Study shines a light on genetic factors

Researchers have identified over 100 new genes that could contribute to the development of cleft lip and palate (CL/P), a condition affecting 1 in 700 live-born babies. The study suggests that genetic variants near these genes are regulated by 'enhancers' in the genome, which play a crucial role in maintaining proper cell identity.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 1, 2019