181 articles from WEDNESDAY 10.8.2022

Nearly a hundred genes have been lost during the woolly mammoth's evolution

A new study shows that 87 genes have been affected by deletions or short insertions during the course of the mammoth's evolution. The researchers note that their findings have implications for international efforts to resurrect extinct species, including the woolly mammoth. The study was published today in the journal iScience by researchers at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm, a...

New study reveals computation-guided approach to suppressing cancer tumor growth

A new study, led by researchers from the University of California, Irvine and the University of California, San Diego, reveals a new computation-guided approach to identify small molecules that can restore aspects of wild-type p53 tumor suppression function to mutated p53, which play an important role in many human cancers. This approach was successful both in vitro and in vivo. This strategy can...

Scientists identify mechanism crucial for COVID-19 virus replication

A team led by UT Southwestern researchers has identified how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, builds a structure called the RNA cap that's critical for successful viral replication. The finding, published in Nature, could lead to new strategies to attack COVID-19, which has sickened nearly 600 million and killed more than 6 million worldwide thus far.

Which leisure activities are linked to lower risk of dementia?

Leisure activities, such as reading a book, doing yoga and spending time with family and friends, may help lower the risk of dementia, according to a new meta-analysis. The meta-analysis reviewed available studies on the effects of cognitive activities, physical activities, and social activities and the risk of dementia.

Secret behind 'nic-sickness' could help break tobacco addiction

Nicotine activates the dopamine reward network in the brain, but at high doses it also activates a parallel aversive dopamine network. This discovery and identification of the nicotine receptor responsible for the negative effects of high-dose nicotine provides a target for drug developers. In the future, therapeutics could tweak the network to make nicotine aversive at lower doses in order to...

Scientists discover antibodies that induce broad immunity against SARS viruses, including emerging variants

Scientists have identified antibodies that are effective against many different SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as other SARS viruses like SARS-CoV-1, the highly lethal virus that caused an outbreak in 2003. The results showed that certain animals are surprisingly more able to make these types of 'pan-SARS virus' antibodies than humans, giving scientists clues as to how to make better vaccines.

One more clue to the Moon's origin

Researchers discover the first definitive proof that the Moon inherited indigenous noble gases from the Earth's mantle. The discovery represents a significant piece of the puzzle towards understanding how the Moon and, potentially, the Earth and other celestial bodies were formed.

New target identified for treatment of premature aging disease

A stretch of DNA that hops around the human genome plays a role in premature aging disorders, scientists have discovered. In people with early aging, or progeria, RNA encoded by this mobile DNA builds up inside cells. What's more, the scientists found that blocking this RNA reverses the disease in mice. The findings focus on a piece of RNA known as LINE-1.

Extreme heat and drought events require more systematic risk assessment

Simultaneous extreme heat and drought events have consequences in a variety of areas -- for example the economy, health and food production. In addition, due to complex socio-economic connections, such extreme events can cause knock-on effects, researchers have shown. More systematic risk assessments are needed to make affected regions more resilient.