https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/epigenetics/ Read the latest research news on epigenetics, epigenetic influences on disease risk and gene silencing. en-us Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:07:57 EDT Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:07:57 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/epigenetics/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260409101055.htm Cancer drugs known as BET inhibitors once looked like a breakthrough, but in real patients they’ve often fallen short. New research reveals a key reason why: two closely related proteins, BRD2 and BRD4, don’t actually do the same job. Instead, BRD2 acts like a “stage manager,” preparing genes for activation, while BRD4 triggers the final step that turns them on. By blocking both at once, current drugs may be disrupting the process in unpredictable ways. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:42:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260409101055.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193848.htm Researchers have developed a cutting-edge technique that uses RNA “barcodes” to map how neurons connect, capturing thousands of links with single-synapse precision. The method transforms brain mapping into a sequencing task, making it faster and more scalable than traditional approaches. In mice, it revealed surprising new connections between brain cells that were previously unknown. This could open the door to earlier detection and targeted treatment of neurological diseases. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:37:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260407193848.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406192919.htm A gene called KLF5 may be a key force behind the spread of pancreatic cancer—but not in the way scientists expected. Rather than mutating DNA, it rewires how genes are turned on and off, helping tumors grow and invade new areas. Researchers found it plays a major role in metastatic cells and even controls other genes linked to cancer progression. The discovery opens the door to new treatments that target cancer’s epigenetic “control system.” Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:19:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260406192919.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260331001107.htm A surprising breakthrough suggests that a drug best known as Viagra could help treat a devastating childhood disease. Researchers found that sildenafil significantly improved symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome—a rare and often fatal disorder that affects the brain and muscles. In a small study, patients showed stronger muscles, fewer seizures, and better recovery from dangerous metabolic crises, with some experiencing dramatic improvements in mobility and daily life. Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:33:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260331001107.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044711.htm Aging men often lose the Y chromosome in a growing number of their cells—and it may be far more dangerous than once believed. This loss has been linked to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and shorter lifespans. Researchers suspect Y-less cells may grow faster and disrupt normal body functions. What seemed like a minor genetic quirk could actually be a major driver of age-related disease. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 20:56:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044711.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309183010.htm Researchers have found hundreds of metabolic enzymes attached to human DNA inside the cell nucleus. Different tissues and cancers show unique patterns of these enzymes, forming a “nuclear metabolic fingerprint.” Some of the enzymes gather around damaged DNA to assist with repair. The discovery reveals an unexpected link between metabolism and gene regulation that could influence how cancers grow and respond to treatment. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:54:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260309183010.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306145621.htm Researchers have discovered a new way to increase a key brain protein damaged in Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects thousands of children worldwide. Early studies in mice and patient-derived cells show the approach can restore normal brain cell function, raising hopes for future therapies. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:18:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260306145621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040608.htm Why does the same virus barely faze one person while sending another to the hospital? New research shows the answer lies in a molecular record etched into our immune cells by both our genes and our life experiences. Scientists at the Salk Institute have created a detailed epigenetic map of human immune cells, revealing how inherited traits and past exposures—like infections, vaccines, or even environmental chemicals—shape immune responses in different ways. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:02:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260210040608.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233844.htm Scientists have discovered that DNA behaves in a surprising way when squeezed through tiny nanopores, overturning a long-held assumption in genetics research. What researchers once thought were knots causing messy electrical signals turn out to be something else entirely: twisted coils called plectonemes, formed as flowing ions inside the pore spin the DNA like a phone cord. These twists can linger and grow as DNA moves through, leaving clear electrical fingerprints. Mon, 09 Feb 2026 07:03:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233844.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083344.htm Cancer doesn’t evolve by pure chaos. Scientists have developed a powerful new method that reveals the hidden rules guiding how cancer cells gain and lose whole chromosomes—massive genetic shifts that help tumors grow, adapt, and survive treatment. By tracking thousands of individual cells over time, the approach shows which chromosome combinations give cancer an edge and why some tumors become especially resilient. Mon, 26 Jan 2026 04:41:20 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260125083344.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093435.htm A new study reveals that super agers over 80 have a distinct genetic edge. They are much less likely to carry the gene most associated with Alzheimer’s risk, even when compared with other healthy seniors. Researchers also found higher levels of a protective gene variant in this group. Together, the findings help explain why some people age with remarkably youthful minds. Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:41:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260122093435.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001001.htm Most U.S. adults have risk factors tied to a little-known condition called CKM syndrome, which connects heart disease, kidney problems, diabetes, and obesity into one powerful health threat. When these issues overlap, the danger rises far more than when they occur alone. Despite low awareness, people are eager to learn how CKM is diagnosed and treated. Experts say understanding how these systems work together could prevent serious, life-threatening events. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:10:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260112001001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260108231411.htm Although the gut renews itself constantly, its stem cells accumulate age-related molecular changes that quietly alter how genes are switched on and off. Scientists found that this “epigenetic drift” follows a clear pattern and appears in both aging intestines and most colon cancers. Some regions age faster than others, forming a patchwork of weakened tissue more prone to degeneration. Encouragingly, researchers showed this drift can be slowed—and partly reversed—by restoring iron levels or key cellular signals. Sat, 10 Jan 2026 08:17:12 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260108231411.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm DNA doesn’t just sit still inside our cells — it folds, loops, and rearranges in ways that shape how genes behave. Researchers have now mapped this hidden architecture in unprecedented detail, showing how genome structure changes from cell to cell and over time. These insights reveal why many disease-linked mutations outside genes can still cause harm. The findings could speed up the discovery of genetic risks and inspire new ways to target diseases. Thu, 08 Jan 2026 21:16:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260107225541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202813.htm A new CRISPR breakthrough shows scientists can turn genes back on without cutting DNA, by removing chemical tags that act like molecular anchors. The work confirms these tags actively silence genes, settling a long-running scientific debate. This gentler form of gene editing could offer a safer way to treat Sickle Cell disease by reactivating a fetal blood gene. Researchers say it opens the door to powerful therapies with fewer unintended side effects. Mon, 05 Jan 2026 05:08:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260104202813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082505.htm A missing brain molecule may be disrupting neural wiring in Down syndrome, according to new research. Replacing it in adult mice rewired brain circuits and improved brain flexibility, challenging the idea that treatment must happen before birth. Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:25:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043057.htm Researchers discovered that a long-misunderstood protein plays a key role in helping chromosomes latch onto the right “tracks” during cell division. Instead of acting like a motor, it works more like a stabilizer that sets everything up correctly from the start. This simple shift in understanding changes how scientists view one of the most important steps in biology. It also highlights a potential weak point that could help explain how some diseases begin. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:19:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043057.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043050.htm New research is challenging one of medicine’s oldest assumptions: that cancer must be attacked to be cured. By treating glioblastoma patients with a simple combination of resveratrol and copper, the researchers found dramatic reductions in tumor aggressiveness, cancer biomarkers, immune checkpoints, and stem-cell–related markers—all without side effects. Their approach focuses on “healing” tumors by eliminating harmful cell-free chromatin particles released from dying cancer cells, which normally inflame and worsen the disease. The findings hint at a future where inexpensive nutraceuticals could transform cancer therapy. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 03:56:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251209043050.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm Researchers studying thousands of canine genomes discovered that wolf DNA is still present in most dog breeds. This ancient genetic influence shows up in traits like body size, behavior, and environmental resilience. Even dogs bred far from wolves, including tiny chihuahuas, carry detectable wolf ancestry. The findings highlight how deeply intertwined the histories of dogs and wolves really are. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:49:53 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251129053351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251113071613.htm Scientists studying aging found that sensory inputs like touch and smell can cancel out the lifespan-boosting effects of dietary restriction by suppressing the key longevity gene fmo-2. When overactivated, the gene makes worms oddly indifferent to danger and food, suggesting trade-offs between lifespan and behavior. The work highlights how deeply intertwined the brain, metabolism, and environment are. These pathways may eventually be targeted to extend life without extreme dieting. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:16:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251113071613.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm EMBL researchers created SDR-seq, a next-generation tool that decodes both DNA and RNA from the same cell. It finally opens access to non-coding regions, where most disease-associated genetic variants lie. By revealing how these variants affect gene activity, scientists can better understand complex diseases and develop improved diagnostic tools. Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:01:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251016223110.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085628.htm Scientists studying tiny roundworms have uncovered how the secrets of a long life can be passed from parents to their offspring — without changing DNA. The discovery shows that when certain cellular structures called lysosomes change in ways that promote longevity, those benefits can travel from body cells to reproductive cells. This information is carried by histones, special proteins that help organize DNA, allowing the “memory” of those changes to be inherited. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:56:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251005085628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092858.htm A Weill Cornell Medicine team has found that triple-negative breast cancer depends on the enzyme EZH2 to spread. By silencing key genes, EZH2 drives chaotic cell divisions and fuels metastasis. Blocking EZH2 restored stability and prevented cancer cells from traveling to distant organs. This discovery opens the door to new therapies that may finally tame this aggressive disease. Sat, 04 Oct 2025 11:05:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092858.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm Human fertility hinges on a delicate molecular ballet that begins even before birth. UC Davis researchers have uncovered how special protein networks safeguard chromosomes as eggs and sperm form, ensuring genetic stability across generations. Using yeast as a model, they revealed how crossovers between chromosomes are protected for decades in female eggs, preventing errors that could lead to infertility, miscarriage, or conditions like Down syndrome. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:37:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250928095627.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250921090904.htm New research shows that cancer cells don’t just grow; they adapt when stressed. When squeezed inside tissues, they transform into more invasive, drug-resistant versions of themselves. A protein called HMGB2 helps flip this dangerous switch, giving the cells new powers to escape. The findings reveal how the tumor’s environment itself can drive cancer’s deadly flexibility. Mon, 22 Sep 2025 07:40:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250921090904.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010510.htm New research suggests that exercise may not just make us feel younger—it could actually slow or even reverse the body’s molecular clock. By looking at DNA markers of aging, scientists found that structured exercise like aerobic and strength training has stronger anti-aging effects than casual activity. Evidence from both mice and humans shows measurable reductions in biological age, with benefits reaching beyond muscles to the heart, liver, fat tissue, and gut. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 05:00:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250831010510.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826005229.htm Scientists at Kyoto University have uncovered a hidden protein complex that organizes DNA in sperm stem cells, a discovery that reveals surprising ties between fertility and cancer. When this protein, called STAG3, is missing, sperm stem cells cannot mature properly, leading to infertility in mice. Even more intriguing, the same protein is found in high levels in certain immune cells and cancers, and blocking it slowed tumor growth in the lab. Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:06:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250826005229.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806100753.htm Scientists discovered that jewel wasp larvae that undergo a developmental "pause" live longer and age more slowly at the molecular level by nearly 30%. This slowdown is tied to conserved biological pathways, hinting at possible applications for human aging. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:00:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250806100753.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation. Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:05:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250718031218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250715043351.htm A new study comparing three popular diets—intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, and continuous calorie cutting—found that all can help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight and lower blood sugar. But one diet stood out: the 5:2 intermittent fasting plan, where participants eat normally five days a week and restrict calories on two. It led to better results in fasting blood sugar, insulin response, and sticking with the plan. Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:30:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250715043351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084324.htm A group of scientists studying pregnancy across six different mammals—from humans to marsupials—uncovered how certain cells at the mother-baby boundary have been working together for over 100 million years. By mapping gene activity in these cells, they found that pregnancy isn’t just a battle between mother and fetus, but often a carefully coordinated partnership. These ancient cell interactions, including hormone production and nutrient sharing, evolved to support longer, more complex pregnancies and may help explain why human pregnancy works the way it does today. Sun, 06 Jul 2025 07:22:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250705084324.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231852.htm USC researchers have uncovered a hidden driver behind the early and severe onset of Alzheimer's in people with Down syndrome: iron overload in the brain. Their study revealed that individuals with both conditions had twice the iron levels and far more oxidative damage than others. The culprit appears to be ferroptosis, an iron-triggered cell death mechanism, which is especially damaging in sensitive brain regions. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:18:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250620231852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090901.htm Intermittent fasting might not be a miracle solution, but it stands shoulder to shoulder with traditional calorie-cutting when it comes to shedding pounds and improving metabolic health. A major new analysis reveals that alternate day fasting may have a slight edge, yet none of the methods alone reached clinically meaningful thresholds for weight loss. Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:09:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250619090901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231509.htm A powerful new discovery reveals that Nup98 a protein once thought to only ferry molecules through the nucleus plays a vital role in safeguarding the most vulnerable areas of DNA. By forming droplet-like 'bubbles' around damaged DNA within dense regions called heterochromatin, Nup98 safely escorts the damaged segments to repair zones and times the involvement of risky repair proteins. This precise choreography prevents genetic errors that could trigger cancer or speed up aging. Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:15:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231509.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124849.htm SAVANA uses a machine learning algorithm to identify cancer-specific structural variations and copy number aberrations in long-read DNA sequencing data. The complex structure of cancer genomes means that standard analysis tools give false-positive results, leading to erroneous clinical interpretations of tumour biology. SAVANA significantly reduces such errors. SAVANA offers rapid and reliable genomic analysis to better analyse clinical samples, thereby informing cancer diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:48:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124849.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124615.htm Cohesin is a protein that forms a ring-shaped complex which wraps and alters the DNA molecule shape. It moves through the DNA and creates specific loops in the genetic material which determine the architecture of the genome and gene expression. Some mutations in the genes of the cohesion complex are responsible for rare diseases (cohesinopathies), such as the Cornelia de Lange syndrome (SCdL) or Roberts syndrome, which affect several organs and cause malformations during development. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:46:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124615.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131843.htm Researchers find high-fat diets set off metabolic dysfunction in cells, leading to weight gain, but these effects can be reversed by treatment with an antioxidant. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:18:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131843.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124537.htm A biobank for pediatric kidney tumors plays a key role in identifying hereditary causes of Wilms tumors. New insights gained with its help enable better risk assessment for affected families and could form the basis for targeted screening and improved early detection. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:45:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124537.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125200.htm The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) may have an 'on-off switch' that lets them pause and restart growth, according to a new study. The research helps explain why TB is so hard to treat with antibiotics and could pave the way for better drugs. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:52:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522125200.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124301.htm A study explains how age reshapes the blood system. In both humans and mice, a few stem cells out-compete their neighbors and gradually take over blood production. The loss of diversity results in a blood system that has a preference for producing myeloid cells, immune cells linked to chronic inflammation which underlies many different diseases. Using a new technique, researchers tracked naturally-occurring 'barcodes' in blood cells which can lead to new strategies that spot early warning signs of unhealthy aging long before symptoms appear, helping prevent cancer or heart disease. The technique also opens the door to studying the viability of rejuvenation therapies in humans, efforts which have traditionally been the focus of animal research. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:43:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124301.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124251.htm Scientists have uncovered a startling metabolic twist: mice engineered to lack the amino acid cysteine, and fed a cysteine-free diet, shed nearly a third of their body weight in just a week. The deprivation caused energy pathways to collapse, forcing fat to burn away at a furious pace while vital molecules like coenzyme A dwindled. This set off a cascade of stress responses usually seen only in cancer cells, while also preventing fat stores from being rebuilt. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:42:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124251.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121424.htm A new study provides new insight into height differences between adult men and women, demonstrating that Y chromosome genes contribute more to height than their X chromosome counterparts. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:14:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132454.htm Lymphomas belong to the group of malignant diseases of the immune system and mainly affect the organs of the lymphatic system. Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) belongs to the subgroup of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and is a rare but aggressive form of T-cell lymphoma that usually occurs in children and young adults. Research teams have now been able to demonstrate the function of epigenetic changes in the development of this cancer. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:24:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515132454.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131450.htm Scientists report that they have learned how certain combinations of rearranged genes can promote the progression of a rare type of kidney cancer. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:14:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175429.htm Researchers have revealed insight into why embryos erase a key epigenetic mark during early development, suggesting this may have evolved to help form a placenta. Wed, 14 May 2025 17:54:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514175429.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm Postpartum maternal mental health and mother-to-infant bonding are well-established as critical factors in a child's psychosocial development. However, few studies have explored the combined impact of postpartum maternal depression and early bonding experiences on emotional and behavioral difficulties during middle childhood. A new study reveals significant associations between postpartum depression, mother-to-infant bonding, and child difficulties. Notably, secure early bonding was found to partially buffer the long-term effects of postpartum depression on child outcomes. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:12:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111245.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220929.htm A new study offers fresh insight into trends in maternal mortality in the United States. For the first time, the study disentangles genuine changes in health outcomes from shifts caused by how deaths are recorded. Nevertheless, the study confirms the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal death rates for women of all racial and ethnic groups. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:09:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220929.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm A new study provides new evidence that sensory stimulation of a gamma-frequency brain rhythm may promote broad-based restorative neurological health response. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:34:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250425113441.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423185925.htm Researchers have discovered that expansion of mutant blood cells, a phenomenon linked to aging, can be found in cancerous tumors, and this is associated with worse outcomes for patients. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:59:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423185925.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423163901.htm Having a larger waistline, high blood pressure and other risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of young-onset dementia, according to a new study. Young-onset dementia is diagnosed before the age of 65. The study does not prove that metabolic syndrome causes young-onset dementia, it only shows an association. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:39:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423163901.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111908.htm Scientists have cracked open some of the most mysterious corners of our DNA, revealing that parts of the human genome mutate at a far faster pace than previously imagined. By studying four generations of one Utah family with cutting-edge sequencing tools, researchers uncovered nearly 200 new genetic changes per person—many in regions once thought too tricky to study. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:19:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111908.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111756.htm An international research team has provided a detailed insight into how the spatial organization of genetic material is established in the cell nucleus of early embryos within the first hours after fertilization. Surprisingly, embryos demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in responding to disruptions in this process. The study reveals that no single master regulator controls this nuclear organization. Instead, multiple redundant mechanisms ensure a robust and adaptable nuclear architecture, allowing embryos to correct errors in the initial organization of their nucleus. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:17:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250423111756.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422155930.htm Genome editing has advanced at a rapid pace with promising results for treating genetic conditions -- but there is always room for improvement. A new paper showcases the power of scalable protein engineering combined with machine learning to boost progress in the field of gene and cell therapy. In their study, authors developed a machine learning algorithm -- known as PAMmla -- that can predict the properties of about 64 million genome editing enzymes. The work could help reduce off-target effects and improve editing safety, enhance editing efficiency, and enable researchers to predict customized enzymes for new therapeutic targets. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:59:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422155930.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131954.htm Researchers have developed a light-induced DNA detection method that enables rapid, PCR-free genetic analysis. Their technique offers ultra-sensitive mutation detection in just five minutes, reducing costs and simplifying testing. The method has significant potential in healthcare, environmental conservation, and personal health monitoring. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:19:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131954.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135745.htm According to new research next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) -- the same technology which is powering the development of tailor-made medicines, cancer diagnostics, infectious disease tracking, and gene research -- could become a prime target for hackers. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:57:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250416135745.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124458.htm Scientists at INRS have identified a family of enzymes, known as Ssn, that can make targeted cuts in single-stranded DNA—a feat never before achieved. This discovery not only fills a major gap in genetic research but also promises new frontiers in gene editing, diagnostics, and biotechnology. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:44:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124458.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411105853.htm A new, error-corrected method for detecting cancer from blood samples is much more sensitive and accurate than prior methods and may be useful for monitoring disease status in patients following treatment, according to a new study. The method, based on whole-genome sequencing of DNA, also represents an important step toward the goal of routine blood test-based screening for early cancer detection. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 10:58:53 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250411105853.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410131011.htm A new study combines genetic data and improved computational tools to look more closely at GWAS results for both adult-onset and childhood-onset asthma. The research identified many genetic variants with a high likelihood of having a causal effect on both types of asthma, paving the way for further studies to target the genes connected to these variants as potential treatments. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:10:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410131011.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154841.htm Researchers have found a new role for the transcription factor (proteins that regulate the transcription, or copying, of genes). In the fruit fly, this transcription factor, named Traffic Jam, activates a non-coding piRNA gene named Flamenco to promote female fruit fly (drosophila) fertility. The discovery solves the 30-year-old mystery of how Flamenco gets activated to protect fruit fly ovaries from a series of genetic parasites called retroviral transposons, and may one day help with infertility issues in humans. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:48:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409154841.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121327.htm In the first comprehensive, cell-by-cell analysis of brain tissue from individuals with Tourette syndrome, researchers have pinpointed exactly which cells are perturbed and how they malfunction, revealing how different types of brain cells are affected by the condition. Findings from this groundbreaking study provide unprecedented insights into the interplay of different brain cell types in Tourette syndrome, suggesting new therapeutic directions. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:13:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250408121327.htm