Ancient Humans Evolved New Blood Types After Leaving Africa
Unveiling the Evolution of Blood Groups From a gene’s-eye view, blood types are so much more than the markers for transfusions; they act like an intricate map of human evolution and immune adaptation. A new genetic study, recently published in Scientific Reports, shines light on how blood types came to be in early modern humans […]
A ‘Ticking DNA Clock’ in Brain Cells Drives Huntington Disease Progression
Understanding the Genetic Culprit of Huntington Disease For more than three decades, the defective HTT gene has been blamed by scientists for Huntington disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively destroys brain cells. The genetic defect causes debilitating symptoms such as cognitive decline, psychological problems, and uncontrolled movements. But one thing has poorly been understood-the reason […]
Is Open-Access Publishing Sustainable for All Scientists
Authors are increasingly paying to publish their papers open-access (OA). But is it fair or sustainable? This growing trend raises questions about the financial implications and the impact on researchers worldwide. The Case of Alicia Kowaltowski When Alicia Kowaltowski, a biochemist at the University of São Paulo, sought to publish her research on pancreatic […]
Can Infections Cause Alzheimer’s?
Investigating the Connection Between Pathogens and Alzheimer’s Disease A small yet determined group of researchers is diving into a potentially groundbreaking area of study: the link between infections and Alzheimer’s disease. This exploration seeks to uncover whether pathogens could be a contributing factor to this debilitating condition. The search for causal evidence is gaining momentum, […]
Chimpanzee Talks Like Us?
A new study finds the average chimpanzee response time in gestured conversations is 120 milliseconds, which isn’t that far from the human average of 200 milliseconds. Introduction When humans have conversations, we take turns speaking, sometimes even interrupting each other. Now, a study published in Current Biology on Monday reports that chimpanzees follow a […]
SHINE CEO Innovates Cancer-Killing Tech
SHINE Technologies, a trailblazer in the field of nuclear fusion, is on a mission to generate clean and abundant power from fusion. However, before they can achieve this ambitious goal, SHINE is focusing on revolutionizing the production of medical isotopes, which are essential for cancer treatment and various medical imaging procedures. By leveraging their advanced […]
Is Mimicking Hemoglobin Cells the Key to a Blood Substitute?
Introduction: The Quest for a Blood Substitute In the 19th century, Theodore Gaillard Thomas, a renowned gynecologist in New York City, championed an unusual idea: transfusing milk as a substitute for blood. Despite initial trials, including one where cow’s milk was injected into a patient with severe uterine bleeding, the practice was short-lived due to […]
FDA Expands Approval of Groundbreaking Gene Therapy
A New Hope for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently broadened its approval of Elevidys, a revolutionary gene therapy developed by Sarepta Therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This rare genetic muscle disease, primarily affecting boys, has long been a challenging condition to treat. Elevidys, costing $3.2 million per […]
Biologist Aims to Solve Cell’s Biggest Mystery: Vaults
The Discovery of Vaults Leonard Rome switches off the overhead light in a small room, leaving it illuminated only by a computer monitor and the fluorescent screen at the base of a towering electron microscope. Qing Lou, a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), points to some ovoid smudges within the […]
The Emergence of Quantum Computing in Chemistry
Practical Uses for Quantum Computers In the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing, practical applications are beginning to surface, particularly in the realm of chemistry. These advancements promise to accelerate the development of new materials, catalysts, and drugs. A visit to Quantinuum in Broomfield, Colorado, reveals a fascinating glimpse into the future of this technology. […]
