Scientists have noticed a reduced incidence of cancer in patients suffering from the hereditary neurodegenerative condition Huntington’s disease. Now a team has uncovered how the disease could also be killing cancer cells, and how this could be harnessed for a new cancer treatment.
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A study has generated molecular profiles for several psychiatric disorders by examining RNA in brain tissue samples from 700 subjects. The research revealed fascinating physical similarities, and differences, in the patterns of gene expression across disorders including autism and schizophrenia.
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Many modern opioid-based painkillers don't target the specific site of pain but instead interfere with the brain's sensation of that pain. Researchers have now revealed a novel method for reducing our responsiveness to pain and it involves tricking our body’s pain-signaling processes.
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Researchers have uncovered a new target in the quest to extend the lifespan of mammals. Inhibiting a common enzyme found in all mammals, including humans, has been shown to extend the lifespan of flies and worms, suggesting it could be a promising new mechanism for anti-aging therapies to target.
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CRISPR has revolutionized science affecting everything from medicine to agriculture. Two studies have just been published describing methods that make the process more precise and efficient paving the way for scientists to safely alter mutations that cause thousands of different human diseases.
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A few years ago we saw the launch of a video game called Eterna, which was designed to harness the brain power of thousands of gamers. A new follow-up challenges players to create a new RNA molecule that can function as an on/off switch for the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing process.
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A new gene-silencing drug that can lower cholesterol levels is proving promising in its initial clinical test results. The treatment was shown to reduce the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients' blood by up to 51 percent in the month following one single treatment.
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Aflatoxins in fungi have been linked to stunted growth in children, liver cancer, and immune suppression. Now, researchers have genetically modified corn plants to fight back, by letting them send “Trojan horse” molecules into the fungus to neutralize its ability to produce the toxins.
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Humans have never lived longer than we do right now, but longer doesn’t necessarily mean healthier. A Harvard team has discovered a link between aging and a core biological process known as RNA splicing, which may be manipulated to not only increase our lifespan, but help us stay healthy for longer.
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Scientists are reporting the discovery of a drug-like molecule that could be used to combat all RNA viruses, by triggering an innate immune response that suppresses and control the resulting infections.
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