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Gene editing breakthrough could offer new hope for people with phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare newborn genetic disease that impacts between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 people, depending on the individuals' genetic ancestry. PKU causes an amino acid-;called phenylalanine (Phe)-;to build up in the bloodstream.

2 Nov 2023

UH researcher awarded $1.2 million grant to unravel mystery of Z-RNA

University of Houston Assistant Professor of Biology and Biochemistry Quentin Vicens has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to unravel the mystery of Z-RNA – an enigmatic RNA structure within our cells that plays a critical role in immune response.

2 Nov 2023

Study provides first characterization of the coral microbiome under hypoxia

A new study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, provides the first characterization of the coral microbiome under hypoxia, insufficient oxygen in the water.

2 Nov 2023

New virus diagnosis device gives lab-quality results within just three minutes

A virus diagnosis device that gives lab-quality results within just three minutes has been invented by engineers at the University of Bath, who describe it as the 'world's fastest Covid test'.

2 Nov 2023

New score predicts risk of postoperative liver failure with high accuracy

Surgical removal of parts of the liver remains the only curative approach for patients with liver-specific cancer.

2 Nov 2023

Study uncovers how sex differences emerge and evolve in animals

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and Heidelberg University in Germany have shown that sex differences in animals vary dramatically across species, organs and developmental stages, and evolve quickly at the gene level but slowly at the cell type level.

2 Nov 2023

Science, Innovation, and Xenotransplantation: A Discussion with Dr. Wenning Qin

In this interview, we delve deep into the pioneering world of xenotransplantation and the evolving landscape of gene editing.

2 Nov 2023

Study finds connection between depression severity and risk of endometriosis

Researchers investigated whether depression was associated with endometriosis.

2 Nov 2023

New treatment breakthrough: Pyrotinib combo demonstrates remarkable efficacy for HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer

The safety and efficacy of treating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer with pyrotinib.

2 Nov 2023

Seaweed symbionts reveal treasure trove of potential drug compounds

Marine macroalgae-associated Bacillota reveal a trove of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological benefits, from antibacterial to anticancer properties. This comprehensive review illuminates the promising yet underexplored therapeutic applications of these marine microorganisms.

1 Nov 2023

Highly sensitive blood test shows promise for early detection of common deadly cancers

Most cancers become deadly by keeping a low profile, causing no symptoms until they're too advanced to treat. Ovarian and gastroesophageal cancers are among the most notorious for this sly disease progression, often leading to late-stage diagnoses.

1 Nov 2023

Women in low- and middle-income countries more likely to have obesity risk

Women in low- and middle-income countries, especially in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, may be 10 times more likely to have obesity or heart health issues than their male counterparts, according to a large meta-analysis published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

1 Nov 2023

How one gene shakes up our understanding of male infertility

The study investigates the role of the ACTL7B gene in sperm formation using genetically modified mice and finds that deficiencies in this gene lead to failed spermatogenesis and structural sperm abnormalities. Given the gene's similarity in humans, the findings suggest ACTL7B could serve as a potential biomarker for male infertility.

31 Oct 2023

Gratitude may buffer the negative consequences of stress and improve cardiovascular outcomes

A study reveals that gratitude may buffer the negative physiological consequences of stress and overall improve cardiovascular outcomes.

31 Oct 2023

New study provides definitive evidence of executive function maturity in late adolescence

At what age does an adolescent start thinking as an adult? A new study published this week in Nature Communications presents some of the first definitive evidence that executive function -; a set of cognitive skills underlying the ability to plan, seamlessly switch from task to task, resist tempting distractions and focus on a task at hand -; usually matures by the time an individual turns 18 years old.

31 Oct 2023

AI may help identify potential gonorrhea vaccine proteins

Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that affects more than 80 million people worldwide every year, has become resistant to almost all known antibiotics.

31 Oct 2023

New drug gets FDA approval for the treatment of common genetic disease in young boys

A new drug developed by professors from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Binghamton University has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a common genetic disease that mostly affects young boys.

31 Oct 2023