Pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, found in the human airway, are more varied than previously thought. Higher levels of certain types of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells are linked to sudden infant death syndrome and other breathing-related conditions. The human airway — from the windpipe to the lungs — is lined with epithelial cells, including a type called pulmonary…

Scientists have found intriguing new details about a previously missing critical factor in gene expression. An ancient protein called NDF found in all human tissues enhances gene activation and may be involved in diseases such as cancer. Inside each of our cells, genes serve as the master copies of information in the six-foot-long molecular chain…

A new study brings neural-level evidence that the continuous variation in natural speech makes the discrimination of phonemes challenging for adults suffering from developmental reading-deficit dyslexia. This may compromise the learning of native language phonemes already at an early age for infants at familial risk for dyslexia. Dyslexia is understood to stem from difficulties in…

A study of pregnant women’s blood RNA has found specific molecular profiles that identify women at risk of pre-eclampsia. These insights can identify complications before a woman experiences symptoms. The study, published today in Nature, involved researchers from King’s and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Mirvie. The study examines genetic…

Researchers reveal new details about a key enzyme that makes DNA sequencing possible. The finding is a leap forward into the era of personalized medicine when doctors will be able to design treatments based on the genomes of individual patients. «Enzymes make life possible by catalyzing chemical transformations that otherwise would just take too long…

Dry eye disease (DED) affects up to 50% of the U.S. population, costing the nation’s health care system approximately $50 billion annually. A team recently completed a clinical trial using corneal epithelial stem cells to improve outcomes for DED patients. Many treatments for DED are currently available, including ocular lubricants, topical antibiotics, topical corticosteroids, scleral…

A study of a geographically, clinically, and socioeconomically diverse, nationally-representative sample of US households — including both adult patients and caregivers of children with food allergy — found that 72 percent did not know what oral immunotherapy (OIT) was prior to the survey. Researchers also discovered that current OIT awareness is disproportionately elevated among wealthier,…

Neurons in the brain coexist with and rely on many other cell types to function properly. Astrocytes, which take their name from their star shape, ensure the survival of neurons by feeding and detoxifying them with the help of a multifunctional protein, APOE. One of three forms of this protein, APOE4, significantly increases the risk…

New research shows that in natural vision, visual memory of images is affected by the size of the image on the retina. The findings can have many implications, including on the use of different types of electronic screens and the quality of information processing when we rely on large vs. small screens. A new study…

Researchers used high-resolution technologies to see how dopamine circuitry in mice is affected by addictive drugs. The results answered older structural questions, while raising new ones about plasticity and recovery in the brain. A late 1980s commercial meant to combat drug addiction used a pair of frying eggs as a metaphor for the effects of…