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  • How a Y chromosome gene may shape the course of heart valve disease

    How a Y chromosome gene may shape the course of heart valve disease

    A study led by bioengineers at the University of California San Diego sheds new light on how a type of heart valve disease, called aortic valve stenosis, progresses differently in males and females. The research reveals that this sex-based difference can be traced to a gene on the Y chromosome.

    The discovery, published on March 12 in Science Advances, not only showcases the critical need to understand how sex chromosomes influence disease progression, but it also paves the way for treatments…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Starting points for the control of protein synthesis

    Starting points for the control of protein synthesis

    The research field of “cellular IRESes” lay dormant for decades, as there was no uniform standard of reliable methods for the clear characterization of these starting points for the ribosome-mediated control of gene expression. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn, in collaboration with Stanford University in California (USA), have now developed a toolbox as a new gold standard for this field. They hope to discover strong IRES elements that are…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Researchers discover Achilles heel of Lyme disease pathogen

    Researchers discover Achilles heel of Lyme disease pathogen

    Researchers have discovered that an enzyme can serve as an ideal target for developing new therapeutics against Lyme disease, and most likely other tick-borne diseases as well. The finding was reported in mBio, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

    Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States and Europe. Its causative pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, has evolved unique metabolic pathways to cope with its enzootic life cycle, some of which…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Engineer develops new security protocol to protect miniaturized wireless medical implants from cyberthreats

    Engineer develops new security protocol to protect miniaturized wireless medical implants from cyberthreats

    A brain implant designed to help control seizures is hijacked. A pacemaker receives fake signals, disrupting its rhythm. A hacker infiltrates an insulin pump, delivering a fatal overdose. While these scenarios sound like scenes from a sci-fi thriller, such cyberhealth threats are of real concern as medical technology moves toward smart, wirelessly connected implants.

    Smart bioelectronic implants promise to revolutionize healthcare, giving doctors remote access to monitor and adjust…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Why do lymphatic vessels form a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern?

    Why do lymphatic vessels form a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern?

    The lymphatic system plays a key role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance and supporting immune defences. Lymphatic vessels are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells, allowing the transfer of fluids, cells and large molecules from surrounding tissues into the vessels. These vessels must be highly permeable to efficiently absorb and transport fluid, while also being flexible enough to withstand sudden changes in tissue fluid volume, such as swelling, without rupture.

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Could the layout of trees impact human health?

    Could the layout of trees impact human health?

    A long-term Switzerland-wide study has found that neighbourhoods with numerous, well-arranged trees exhibit lower mortality risks than other areas. The reasons behind this, and the factors that play a role, will require further research.

    Beyond creating a serene and open atmosphere in urban areas, trees and parks also contribute to human well-being. There are various reasons for this: trees filter pollutants out of the air, provide shade, lower the ambient temperature in hot weather and…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Scientists use cellular programming to mimic first days of embryonic development

    Scientists use cellular programming to mimic first days of embryonic development

    The earliest days after fertilization, once a sperm cell meets an egg, are shrouded in scientific mystery.

    The process of how a humble single cell becomes an organism fascinates scientists across disciplines. For some animals, the entire process of cellular multiplication, generation of specialized cells, and their organization into an ordered multicellular embryo takes place in the protective environment of the uterus, making direct observation and studies challenging. This makes it…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Adaptive defenses against malicious jumping genes

    Adaptive defenses against malicious jumping genes

    Adverse genetic mutations can cause harm and are due to various circumstances. “Jumping genes” are one cause of mutations, but cells try and combat them with a specialized RNA called piRNA. For the first time, researchers from the University of Tokyo and their collaborators have identified how the sites responsible for piRNA production evolve effective behaviors against jumping genes. This research could lead to downstream diagnostic or therapeutic applications.

    The word mutation can mean…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • How family background can help lead to athletic success

    How family background can help lead to athletic success

    Americans have long believed that sports are one area in society that offers kids from all backgrounds the chance to succeed to the best of their abilities.

    But new research suggests that this belief is largely a myth, and that success in high school and college athletics often is influenced by race and gender, as well as socioeconomic status, including family wealth and education.

    “We often think about sports as level playing fields that reward people who earn their success, but that’s not…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com

  • Breakthrough molecular movie reveals DNA’s unzipping mechanism with implications for viral and cancer treatments

    Breakthrough molecular movie reveals DNA’s unzipping mechanism with implications for viral and cancer treatments

    Scientists at the University of Leicester have captured the first detailed “molecular movie” showing DNA being unzipped at the atomic level — revealing how cells begin the crucial process of copying their genetic material.

    The groundbreaking discovery, published in the journal Nature, could have far-reaching implications, helping us to understand how certain viruses and cancers replicate.

    Using cutting edge cryo-electron microscopy, the team of scientists were able to visualise a helicase…

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    News Source: www.sciencedaily.com