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Fastest DNA sequencing technique helps undiagnosed patients find answers in mere hours

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A research effort led by Stanford scientists set the first Guinness World Record for the fastest DNA sequencing technique, which was used to sequence a human genome in just 5 hours and 2 minutes.

A new ultra-rapid genome sequencing approach developed by Stanford Medicine scientists and their collaborators was used to diagnose rare genetic diseases in an average of eight hours – a feat that’s nearly unheard of in standard clinical care.

“A few weeks is what most clinicians call ‘rapid’ when it comes to sequencing a patient’s genome and returning results,” said Euan Ashley, MB ChB, DPhil, professor of medicine, of genetics and of biomedical data science at Stanford. [Read more…] about Fastest DNA sequencing technique helps undiagnosed patients find answers in mere hours

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    Could all your digital photos be stored as DNA?On Earth right now, there are about 10 trillion gigabytes of digital data, and every day, humans produce emails, photos, tweets, and other digital files that add up to another 2.5 million gigabytes of data. Much of this data is stored in enormous facilities known as exabyte data centers (an…
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Our brains take a little while to update – like our social media feeds

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Like our social media feeds, our brains are constantly uploading rich, visual stimuli. But instead of seeing the latest image in real time, we actually see earlier versions because our brain’s refresh time is about 15 seconds, according to new UC Berkeley research.

The findings, appearing today, Jan. 12, in the journal Science Advances, add to a growing body of research about the mechanism behind the “continuity field,” a function of perception in which our brain merges what we see on a constant basis to give us a sense of visual stability.

“If our brains were always updating in real time, the world would be a jittery place with constant fluctuations in shadow, light and movement, and we’d feel like we were hallucinating all the time,” said study senior author David Whitney, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology, neuroscience and vision science. [Read more…] about Our brains take a little while to update – like our social media feeds

‘Simple’ bacteria found to organize in elaborate patterns

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Genetic mechanism found that enables communities of bacterial cells to organize into surprisingly sophisticated segments, revealing a similarity to how plants and animals develop

Over the past several years, research from University of California San Diego biologist Gürol Süel’s laboratory has uncovered a series of remarkable features exhibited by clusters of bacteria that live together in communities known as biofilms.

Biofilms are prevalent in the living world, inhabiting sewer pipes, kitchen counters and even the surface of our teeth. A previous research study demonstrated that these biofilms employ sophisticated systems to communicate with one another, while another proved biofilms have a robust capacity for memory. [Read more…] about ‘Simple’ bacteria found to organize in elaborate patterns

Exercise alters brain chemistry to protect ageing synapses

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When elderly people stay active, their brains have more of a class of proteins that enhances the connections between neurons to maintain healthy cognition, a UC San Francisco study has found.

This protective impact was found even in people whose brains at autopsy were riddled with toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

“Our work is the first that uses human data to show that synaptic protein regulation is related to physical activity and may drive the beneficial cognitive outcomes we see,” said Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, an assistant professor of Neurology and lead author on the study, which appears in the January 7 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. [Read more…] about Exercise alters brain chemistry to protect ageing synapses

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    Is sitting always bad for your mind? A new study suggests maybe notIt's generally accepted health advice that adults of all ages should sit less, move more, and engage in regular exercise to feel better and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, when it comes to the brain and cognition, a new study of older adults from Colorado State University suggests…
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  • Human molecule blocking toxic forms of Parkinson's-related protein identified
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    Human molecule blocking toxic forms of Parkinson's-related protein identifiedThe death of neurons specialised in the synthesis of dopamine, one of the brain's main neurotransmissors, deteriorates the motor and cognitive capacities of those with Parkinson's disease. The loss of these neurons is related to alpha-synuclein aggregation. Recent studies show that oligomers, the initial aggregates of this protein, are the…
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Ancient DNA reveals the world’s oldest family tree

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Analysis of ancient DNA from one of the best-preserved Neolithic tombs in Britain has revealed that most of the people buried there were from five continuous generations of a single extended family.

By analysing DNA extracted from the bones and teeth of 35 individuals entombed at Hazleton North long cairn in the Cotswolds-Severn region, the research team was able to detect that 27 of them were close biological relatives.

The group lived approximately 5700 years ago – around 3700-3600 BC – around 100 years after farming had been introduced to Britain. [Read more…] about Ancient DNA reveals the world’s oldest family tree

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    Ancient Islamic tombs cluster like galaxiesSudanese Islamic burial sites are distributed according to large-scale environmental factors and small-scale social factors, creating a galaxy-like distribution pattern, according to a study published July 7, 2021 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Stefano Costanzo of the University of Naples "L'Orientale" in Italy and colleagues. The Kassala region of eastern…
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Study shows hormone therapy not associated with an increased risk of developing dementia

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New research, led by experts at the University of Nottingham, shows that the use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT – also known as hormone replacement therapy, HRT) is not linked to an increased risk of developing dementia.

The study, which was led by Dr Yana Vinogradova from the School of Medicine at the University and is published today in the BMJ, provides the most comprehensive and reliable risk estimates to date, and the findings should reassure women in need of MHT.

The large UK study, based on clinical records over many years of women representative of the general population, has shown that this is true regardless of hormone type, dose, or duration of use. [Read more…] about Study shows hormone therapy not associated with an increased risk of developing dementia

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  • Light therapy helps burn injuries heal faster by triggering growth protein
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    Light therapy helps burn injuries heal faster by triggering growth proteinLight therapy may accelerate the healing of burns, according to a University at Buffalo-led study. The research, published in Scientific Reports, found that photobiomodulation therapy – a form of low-dose light therapy capable of relieving pain and promoting healing and tissue regeneration – sped up recovery from burns and reduced inflammation…
    Tags: therapy, study, treatments, researchers, findings, period, features, health

Secret garden: Drug-resistant pathogen strains meet and evolve on plant bulbs

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Just when we thought it was safe to go to the local garden center, researchers from Japan have discovered that fungicide-resistant strains of a nasty pathogen have been getting up to no good among the tulip bulbs.

In a study published in August in Environmental Microbiology researchers from the University of Tsukuba and Chiba University have revealed that plant bulbs harboring a potentially lethal pathogen also make the perfect lab for evolving fungicide-resistant strains.

The risk associated with fungal infections is increasing, with occurrences of pulmonary aspergillosis (PA), a deadly fungal infection caused by the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, rising globally. Of particular concern are influenza-related PA and Covid-19-related PA, the case numbers of which are growing quickly. [Read more…] about Secret garden: Drug-resistant pathogen strains meet and evolve on plant bulbs

Study shows tiger sharks have social preferences for one another

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Scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM) and the Institute of Zoology at the Zoological Society London (ZSL) found that tiger sharks, often considered a solitary nomadic species, are social creatures, having preferences for one another.

A first of its kind, the study also evaluated if exposure of the tiger shark to baited dive tourism impacted their social behavior.

The study was conducted at a site named Tiger Beach, located off the north-west side of Little Bahama bank in the Bahamas. The area is known for hosting shark diving encounters, where the sharks are attracted with chum and often fed in front of dive tourists. [Read more…] about Study shows tiger sharks have social preferences for one another

New study suggests falcons have natural ‘eye makeup’ to improve hunting ability

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Dark “eyeliner” feathers of peregrine falcons act as sun shields to improve the birds’ hunting ability, a new scientific study suggests.

Scientists have long speculated that falcons’ eye markings improve their ability to target fast-moving prey, like pigeons and doves, in bright sunlight. Now research suggests these markings have evolved according to the climate; the sunnier the bird’s habitat, the larger and darker are the tell-tale dark ‘sun-shade’ feathers.

The distinctive dark stripes directly beneath the peregrine falcon’s eyes, called the malar stripe or ‘moustache’, likely reduce sunlight glare and confer a competitive advantage during high-speed chases. It’s an evolutionary trait mimicked by some top athletes who smear dark makeup below their eyes to help them spot fast-moving balls in competitive sports. [Read more…] about New study suggests falcons have natural ‘eye makeup’ to improve hunting ability

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  • New study suggests falcons have natural 'eye makeup' to improve hunting ability
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    New study suggests falcons have natural 'eye makeup' to improve hunting abilityDark “eyeliner” feathers of peregrine falcons act as sun shields to improve the birds' hunting ability, a new scientific study suggests. Scientists have long speculated that falcons' eye markings improve their ability to target fast-moving prey, like pigeons and doves, in bright sunlight. Now research suggests these markings have evolved…
    Tags: peregrine, malar, study, falcons, dark, stripe, sunlight, bird, solar, hypothesis

Eating more plant foods may lower heart disease risk in young adults, older women

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Eating more nutritious, plant-based foods is heart-healthy at any age, according to two research studies published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access journal of the American Heart Association.

In two separate studies analyzing different measures of healthy plant food consumption, researchers found that both young adults and postmenopausal women had fewer heart attacks and were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease when they ate more healthy plant foods.

The American Heart Association Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations suggest an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry and fish, nuts and legumes and non-tropical vegetable oils. It also advises limited consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, red meat, sweets and sugary drinks. [Read more…] about Eating more plant foods may lower heart disease risk in young adults, older women

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    One cup of leafy green vegetables a day lowers risk of heart diseaseNew Edith Cowan University (ECU) research has found that by eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables each day people can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. The study investigated whether people who regularly ate higher quantities of nitrate-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens and beetroot, had lower blood…
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  • Déjà brew? Another shot for lovers of coffee
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    Déjà brew? Another shot for lovers of coffeeLong black, espresso, or latte, whatever your coffee preference, drink too much and you could be in hot water, especially when it comes to heart health. In a world first genetic study, researchers from the Australian Centre for Precision Health at the University of South Australia found that that long-term,…
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  • Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetes
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    Go (over) easy on the eggs: ‘Egg-cess’ consumption linked to diabetesScrambled, poached or boiled, eggs are a popular breakfast food the world over. Yet the health benefits of the humble egg might not be all they're cracked up to be as new research from the University of South Australia shows that excess egg consumption can increase your risk of diabetes.…
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  • Reducing sugar in packaged foods can prevent disease in millions
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    Reducing sugar in packaged foods can prevent disease in millionsCutting 20 percent of sugar from packaged foods and 40 percent from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the US over the lifetime of the adult population, according to micro-simulation study published in…
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