Curious Now

Life Sciences

Biology from molecules to ecosystems.

Latest

Cost-benefit analysis of deceased donor organ transplantation: an economic evaluation
Life SciencesEconomicsPublic HealthIn Focus

Cost-benefit analysis of deceased donor organ transplantation: an economic evaluation

A study found that organ transplants, despite high upfront costs, can save money in the long run by reducing the need for other expensive medical interventions for patients.

preprint
At dusk in Kenya’s caves, scientists study the hidden lives of bats
Life SciencesEcology & ConservationMicrobiology

At dusk in Kenya’s caves, scientists study the hidden lives of bats

Kenyan scientists are studying bats emerging from coastal caves to learn more about these little-known creatures and how they interact with their environment, which could have implications for conservation.

news
Comprehensive detection of genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer using long reads with TumorLens
Life SciencesCancerGenetics & Genomics

Comprehensive detection of genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer using long reads with TumorLens

Researchers developed a new technique called TumorLens that can detect a wide range of genetic and epigenetic changes in cancer cells using long-read sequencing. This could lead to more accurate cancer diagnosis and personalized treatments.

preprint
Light-based technique creates artificial structures that mimic the scaffolding of cells
Life SciencesOptics & PhotonicsBiotechnology

Light-based technique creates artificial structures that mimic the scaffolding of cells

Researchers developed a laser-based system that can create artificial structures resembling the scaffolding inside cells. This advance could help scientists better study how proteins interact with cellular structures.

news
Pregnancy Desire and Pregnancy Attempt: Why Words Matter in Reproductive Research -- A Nationwide cross-sectional Cohort Study
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsPsychology

Pregnancy Desire and Pregnancy Attempt: Why Words Matter in Reproductive Research -- A Nationwide cross-sectional Cohort Study

A study found a gap between pregnancy desire and actual attempts among young women, with and without breast cancer history. This highlights the need to consider the nuances of reproductive decision-making for diverse populations.

preprint
How DICER cuts microRNAs with single-nucleotide precision
Life SciencesMolecular & Cell BiologyGenetics & Genomics

How DICER cuts microRNAs with single-nucleotide precision

Researchers discovered how the DICER enzyme precisely cuts microRNA molecules, a key process in gene regulation. This advance could lead to better understanding of how gene expression is controlled in the body.

news
Submerged bumblebee queens breathe underwater
Life SciencesEcology & ConservationMicrobiology

Submerged bumblebee queens breathe underwater

Bumblebee queens can breathe underwater, which may help them survive floods and natural disasters that threaten their hives and colonies.

news
Platypus fur has a surprising feature seen only in bird feathers
Life SciencesMolecular & Cell Biology

Platypus fur has a surprising feature seen only in bird feathers

Platypuses have a surprising feature in their fur - hollow structures similar to those found in bird feathers. This discovery suggests these mammals share an unexpected evolutionary connection with birds.

news
Glyphosate found in South African baby cereal; watchdog group calls for ban
Life SciencesAgriculture & Food SystemsPublic Health

Glyphosate found in South African baby cereal; watchdog group calls for ban

A watchdog group found the weed-killing chemical glyphosate in South African baby cereal, which raises concerns about the safety of common food products for infants.

news
New DNA base editor minimizes bystander edits while maintaining high efficiency
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsBiotechnology

New DNA base editor minimizes bystander edits while maintaining high efficiency

Scientists have created a new gene editing tool that can make targeted changes to DNA with fewer unwanted edits, advancing the potential for safe and effective genetic treatments.

news
Local agricultural transition, crisis and migration in the Southern Andes
Life SciencesAgriculture & Food SystemsEcology & Conservation

Local agricultural transition, crisis and migration in the Southern Andes

Farmers in the Andes had to adapt or migrate when their maize-based agriculture faced crisis, revealing the vulnerability of local food systems to environmental changes.

peer reviewed
War exacerbates long-standing irrigation crisis for Sudan farmers
Life SciencesAgriculture & Food SystemsClimate Impacts & Extremes

War exacerbates long-standing irrigation crisis for Sudan farmers

War disrupted Sudan's major irrigation system, leaving farmers without water to grow vital food crops.

news
Detection of pancreatic beta cell mass in vivo in humans: studies in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes and in individuals with obesity
Life SciencesMolecular & Cell BiologyDiagnostics & Imaging

Detection of pancreatic beta cell mass in vivo in humans: studies in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes and in individuals with obesity

Researchers developed a new imaging technique that can measure pancreatic beta cell mass in living humans, which could help diagnose and monitor diabetes.

preprint
Dishwashing with side effects: Kitchen sponges release microplastics
Life SciencesPollution & SustainabilityMicrobiology

Dishwashing with side effects: Kitchen sponges release microplastics

Kitchen sponges release microplastics during use, which can contribute to household pollution and end up in the environment, raising concerns about potential health and environmental impacts.

news
Two marsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found alive in Indonesian Papua
Life SciencesEcology & ConservationGenetics & Genomics

Two marsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found alive in Indonesian Papua

Scientists discovered two mammal species in Indonesia that were thought extinct for 6,000 years, giving hope for uncovering more hidden biodiversity.

news
Predicting RNA activity expands therapeutic possibilities
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsPharmaceuticals & Therapeutics

Predicting RNA activity expands therapeutic possibilities

Researchers developed AI that can predict how RNA and DNA molecules behave inside cells, which could expand treatments for diseases affected by these molecules.

news
Life SciencesGenerative AIGenetics & Genomics

The gen AI Kool-Aid tastes like eugenics

Generative AI models are raising concerns about eugenics and biases, as people use the technology in ways that promote genetic discrimination and exclusion of certain groups. This highlights the need for rigorous ethics oversight as gen AI capabilities rapidly evolve.

news
ClinicalTrialsHub: Bridging Registries and Literature for Comprehensive Clinical Trial Access
Life SciencesBiotechnologyClinical MedicineIn Focus

ClinicalTrialsHub: Bridging Registries and Literature for Comprehensive Clinical Trial Access

A new platform helps people find and understand clinical trials by combining trial registry data with relevant research articles. This makes it easier for people to access information about ongoing studies that could affect their health.

preprint
High diversity amongst African Treponema pallidum genomes provides a window into global transmission dynamics of syphilis: A genomic epidemiology study
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsMicrobiologyIn Focus

High diversity amongst African Treponema pallidum genomes provides a window into global transmission dynamics of syphilis: A genomic epidemiology study

A study of syphilis bacteria genomes found high genetic diversity in Africa, providing insights into how syphilis spreads globally - this could help develop better surveillance and vaccines to combat the rise in syphilis cases worldwide.

preprint
Synthetic circuits for cell ratio control
Life SciencesBiotechnologyMolecular & Cell BiologyIn Focus

Synthetic circuits for cell ratio control

Scientists have created synthetic genetic circuits that can precisely control the ratios of different cell types, which could enable new methods for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

peer reviewed
Long-read sequencing with targeted assembly of the opsin locus accurately evaluates genes in expressed positions
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsMolecular & Cell BiologyIn Focus

Long-read sequencing with targeted assembly of the opsin locus accurately evaluates genes in expressed positions

Researchers used advanced sequencing to more accurately analyze a gene cluster key for color vision, which could improve diagnosis and screening for related vision deficiencies.

preprint
Biosynthesis of cinchona alkaloids
Life SciencesBiotechnologyMolecular & Cell BiologyIn Focus

Biosynthesis of cinchona alkaloids

Researchers uncovered the genes behind the production of cinchona alkaloids, compounds found in anti-malarial drugs. This discovery could lead to improved, more sustainable production of these vital medicines.

peer reviewed
Age-dependent Transcriptional Programs Distinguish Pediatric from Adult Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsMolecular & Cell BiologyIn Focus

Age-dependent Transcriptional Programs Distinguish Pediatric from Adult Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Researchers found that the genes regulating heart disease in children are different from those in adults. This could mean current heart disease treatments may not work as well for children as they do for adults.

preprint
Paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation research priorities: results from an international multi-stakeholder Priority Setting Partnership
Life SciencesBiotechnologyGenetics & GenomicsIn Focus

Paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplantation research priorities: results from an international multi-stakeholder Priority Setting Partnership

Researchers worked with patients, families, and doctors to identify top priorities for improving pediatric stem cell transplants, which could lead to better treatments for children with serious blood disorders.

preprint
Observation of self-bound droplets of ultracold dipolar molecules
Life SciencesCondensed MatterMolecular & Cell BiologyIn Focus

Observation of self-bound droplets of ultracold dipolar molecules

Researchers created self-contained droplets of ultracold molecules with strong magnetic properties, opening new ways to study exotic quantum materials.

peer reviewed
Cost-benefit analysis of deceased donor organ transplantation: an economic evaluation
Life SciencesEconomicsBiotechnologyIn Focus

Cost-benefit analysis of deceased donor organ transplantation: an economic evaluation

A study found that organ transplants, despite high upfront costs, can save money in the long run by reducing the need for other expensive medical interventions for patients.

preprint
SCALE: Scalable Conditional Atlas-Level Endpoint transport for virtual cell perturbation prediction
Life SciencesMolecular & Cell BiologyAlgorithms & Theory

SCALE: Scalable Conditional Atlas-Level Endpoint transport for virtual cell perturbation prediction

Researchers developed a new tool that can better predict how cells react to changes, which could aid in developing new medicines and treatments. The tool overcomes key bottlenecks to make large-scale cell modeling more feasible.

preprint
Prediction of confirmed, hospitalized, and severe COVID-19 cases and mechanistic insights from viral concentrations and variant dynamics in wastewater
Life SciencesInfectious DiseasePublic Health

Prediction of confirmed, hospitalized, and severe COVID-19 cases and mechanistic insights from viral concentrations and variant dynamics in wastewater

Wastewater analysis could predict COVID-19 cases and severity even after the public emergency ended, providing an ongoing monitoring tool for public health.

preprint
Sitting time enhances the effect of genetic liability to obesity on hypertension
Life SciencesGenetics & GenomicsPublic Health

Sitting time enhances the effect of genetic liability to obesity on hypertension

People genetically prone to obesity are at even higher risk of high blood pressure if they sit a lot, which increases their chances of heart disease.

preprint
Quantitative High-Frequency Ultrasound Identifies Spermatogenesis in Infertile Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia
Life SciencesDiagnostics & ImagingGenetics & Genomics

Quantitative High-Frequency Ultrasound Identifies Spermatogenesis in Infertile Men with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

New imaging technique can spot patches of sperm production in infertile men, offering hope for targeted treatment.

preprint
Sarcomere Variants of Uncertain Significance identify an Intermediate Clinical Risk Profile in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Life SciencesClinical MedicineGenetics & Genomics

Sarcomere Variants of Uncertain Significance identify an Intermediate Clinical Risk Profile in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Researchers found that certain gene variants linked to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy indicate an intermediate risk level, which could help identify people who need closer monitoring for potential health issues.

preprint