Author: admin123TerRe

Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.12.013 Over half of our genomes consist of thousands of remnants of ancient viral DNA, known as transposable elements, which are widespread across the tree of life. Once dismissed as the “dark side” of the genome, researchers at Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) have now revealed their crucial role in early embryo development. The study is published in the journal Cell. Transposable elements, remnants of ancient viral DNA, are reactivated during the first hours and days following fertilization. This dynamic period of early development sees embryonic cells displaying remarkable plasticity, yet the molecular mechanisms…

The rising demand for weight-loss medications has garnered significant attention in recent years, particularly for drugs sold under prominent brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy. A recent study reveals a striking statistic: approximately one in eight Americans has either utilized or is currently utilizing these medications for managing diabetes, heart disease, or obesity. These medications, scientifically classified as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), encompass drugs such as Mounjaro and Zepbound. Their reputation as “miracle drugs” has been solidified by the remarkable weight loss reported by users, although comprehensive understanding of their effects on various organ systems remains limited. The innovative…

The Revival of Ancient Viral DNA: Unmasking Its Vital Role in Mammalian Embryo Development In recent decades, the field of genetics has undergone a profound transformation, especially regarding the enigmatic segments of our DNA known as transposable elements. Once relegated to the status of “junk DNA,” these sequences, originating from ancient viral infections, have been found to wield significant influence over the machinery of gene expression. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) have made groundbreaking discoveries elucidating the roles of these ancient viral remnants in early embryo development. Their studies reveal an intricate interplay between these transposable elements and…

A groundbreaking study published in the prestigious journal Current Biology has unveiled an intriguing and unexpected social phenomenon in our closest animal relatives: chimpanzees. Researchers from Kyoto University observed behaviors that resemble the human tendency for collective action, specifically focusing on what they termed “contagious urination.” This phenomenon entailed that when one chimpanzee urinates, others tend to follow suit, elevating this otherwise mundane behavior to a subject worthy of deep scientific inquiry. The study was conducted at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan, where a cohort of 20 chimpanzees was observed over an extensive period of more than 600 hours. Throughout…

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, in conjunction with the Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital in Sweden, have undertaken a pivotal study focused on the immune responses of children encountering different forms of cancer, with a particular emphasis on age-related variances. The research, recently published in the esteemed journal Cell, reveals profound differences in immune reactions between children and adults battling cancer, a discovery that harbors the potential to revolutionize treatment paradigms for pediatric oncology. Understanding how a child’s immune system interacts with different cancers could lead to markedly more tailored and effective therapeutic options. At the forefront of this groundbreaking research, Professor…

Photo: Rosetta Stone, by RickDikeman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Author’s note: Over the last two months, I’ve been writing and revising a paper titled “The Law of Conservation of Information: Search Processes Only Redistribute Existing Information.” I submitted an earlier draft for publication to the journal BIO-Complexity, but feedback I received on it asked about the appropriateness of the term “conservation of information” for the aspect of search that the paper is examining. The history of the term convinced me that “conservation of information” is the right way to designate what’s at stake here in search. This paper forms an appendix…

Recent research has uncovered significant insights into the relationship between waist circumference and mortality rates, particularly among people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). Waist circumference (WC) has long been associated with various metabolic disorders, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other cardiovascular diseases. However, this recent study provides a more nuanced understanding of how WC correlates with both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, revealing important gender differences that could inform clinical practices and health interventions. The study, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2003 and 2018, specifically focused on a cohort of 6,624 participants, which included…

Newsletter Signup – Under Article / In Page”*” indicates required fields Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are often thought of as being a cornerstone of the biopharma industry, with many deals leading to significant success stories. The sector struggled with a lack of M&A activity in 2024 as the aggregate value of transactions dropped dramatically compared to 2023. Because of this, last year is largely considered by experts to have been a “reset” year, in which companies chose to focus on bolt-ons and other smaller strategic plays. But there is now big hope for biotech M&A in 2025, with a resounding…

The Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM) is inviting applications for group leader positions. We are seeking innovative researchers who aim to address fundamental questions in biology, including the development, function, and dynamics of complex biological systems. Our Mission Research at the IBDM synergistically integrates developmental biology with molecular, cell, and computational biology, as well as evolution, biophysics, neurobiology, physiology, and physiopathology. Affiliated with CNRS and Aix-Marseille University (AMU), the IBDM uniquely fosters interdisciplinarity through strong connections with physicists, computational scientists, and mathematicians (via the CENTURI program). The institute also contributes to major federative programs at AMU, tackling…

Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Bil Clemons. “I found a passion for both biology and chemistry in high school and thought, Well, that must mean I’m a biochemist! Luckily my naïve thought was correct. I am a biochemist,” says Bil Clemons,Ph.D. He’s a professor of biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, where he’s been teaching and running a lab for nearly 20 years. A Path to Research Dr. Clemons doesn’t remember a time when he wasn’t interested in science or curious about the world. “I think, fundamentally, that’s what being a scientist is: being curious about how…