SCIENCE AND TECH
Study of malaria parasite genomes paves the way for new, more effective treatments
Researchers at University of California San Diego analyzed the genomes of hundreds of malaria parasites to determine which genetic variants are most likely to confer drug resistance. The findings, published in Science, could help scientists use machine learning to predict antimalarial drug resistance and more effectively prioritize the most promising experimental treatments for further development. The approach could also help predict treatment resistance in other infectious diseases, and even cancer.
“A lot of drug resistance research can only look at one chemical agent at a time, but what we’ve been able to do here is create a roadmap for understanding antimalaria drug resistance across more than a hundred different compounds,” said Elizabeth Winzeler, Ph.D., a professor at UC San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “These results will be useful for other diseases as well, because many of the resistant genes we studied are conserved across different species.”
Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, is a major public health threat in many tropical and subtropical regions. Despite considerable progress toward controlling the disease, malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in Africa, where 95% of malaria deaths occur according to the World Health Organization. First-line drugs have repeatedly failed due to the spread of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria.
“The need for new, more effective malaria treatments is urgent, but funding for malaria research and drug development is very limited,” said Winzeler, who in addition to her role at UC San Diego is director of the Bill and Melinda Gates…
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USS George Washington Returns to Japan
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka,
Austin Brings Holiday Cheer to Deployed Service Members
This week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III reached across the globe to connect
Honeywell and Google Cloud to Accelerate Autonomous Operations With AI Agents for the Industrial Sector
Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and Google Cloud announced a unique collaboration connecting artificial intelligence (AI) agents with assets, people and processes to accelerate safer, autonomous operations for the industrial sector.
This partnership will bring together the multimodality and natural language capabilities of Gemini on Vertex AI – Google Cloud’s AI platform…
Honeywell Awarded $103M Contract by U.S. Army for Next-Generation Radar Altimeter System
Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) has been awarded a $103 million contract by the U.S. Army, through the Defense Logistics Agency, to provide its Next-Generation APN-209 Radar Altimeter (Next Gen APN-209) system on a wide variety of Army aircraft. This contract underscores Honeywell’s ongoing commitment to delivering advanced, reliable technology to…
iAsk Secures $4.2M to Lead the Next Wave of AI Search Innovation
For over two decades, Google has been the undisputed leader in online search, shaping how billions of people access information. But now, artificial intelligence is disrupting its dominance. iAsk AI is stepping up and positioning itself as the future of search innovation that will lead the next wave of…
Lilly Announces $4.5 Billion Investment to Establish Lilly Medicine Foundry for Advanced Manufacturing and Drug Development
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced a $4.5 billion investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development. This unique facility will give Lilly the ability to research new ways of producing medicines, while also scaling up manufacturing of medicines for…
Case Study: DSI Managed Services at Garland ISD – Driving Success and Innovation in the K12 Sector Introduction
Garland Independent School District (GISD), one of the largest school districts in Texas, serving over 55,000 students across 70 campuses, embarked on a transformative journey in 2016 to overhaul its aging IT infrastructure. The district partnered with DISYS Solutions, Inc. (DSI Tech), a leader in managed network services, to…
On college campuses, the Defense Civilian Training Corps aims to bring graduates into the military as civilian employees
Like its sister services, the Space Force has officer, enlisted and civilian members — all called “guardians.” But the Space Force is looking for new ways to recruit civilian employees, which right now make up about 50 percent of the service.
On college campuses, the Space Force is part of a congressionally mandated pilot program, the Defense Civilian Training Corps, or DCTC, which has similarities to ROTC, but which instead aims to bring university graduates into the military as civilian employees rather than uniformed officers, said Katharine Kelley, the Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for human capital.
“Basically, if the college student is interested in the Space Force … they can volunteer to come and work with the Space Force on projects during their summer break,” Kelley said Wednesday, while speaking at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “When they do that, they get an exposure to what is a civilian job in the Space Force, and what does it mean to be a civilian employee, or a federal employee in the Space Force.”
Study finds that heavy drinking among adult Americans increased more than 20% during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and continued for the following two years
Alcohol use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained elevated even after the pandemic ended, according to a large nationally representative Keck Medicine of USC studypublished in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
From pre-pandemic (2018) to the height of the pandemic (2020), heavy alcohol use among Americans rose by 20%, and any alcohol use rose by 4%. In 2022, the increases were sustained.
The rise in drinking was seen across all age groups, genders, race, ethnicities and regions of the country, except for Native Americans and Asian Americans. Adults ages 40-49 had the highest increase in heavy alcohol use.
“These numbers reflect an alarming public health issue that could result in severe health consequences for far too many people,” said Brian P. Lee, MD, MAS, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine of USC and principal investigator of the study. “Our results suggest men and women under 50 are at special risk.”
Excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of illness and death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of all liver-related deaths…
HiPP vs. Holle: A Comprehensive Comparison of Organic Baby Formulas
Parents have become increasingly more aware of the quality of food that goes into their little ones’ bodies and demanding of better. Organic’s Best Shop has emerged as a trusted source of high-quality, safe, and nutritious organic baby formulas. The company has carved a niche in the industry by…
COVID-19 Lockdowns Prematurely Aged Teenage Brains, UW Study Shows
During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world implemented restrictive measures — such as stay-at-home orders and school closures — to mitigate the spread of the respiratory illness. It’s been well-documented that this disruption of daily routines and social activities had a negative impact on the mental health of adolescents.
Adolescence,…
Nathan Guerette on Leading the Way in Pelvic Medicine: A Career of Innovation and Excellence
Pelvic health is a complex issue. Practitioners in this area address many issues impacting patient well-being, such as pelvic pain, incontinence of the bladder and bowel, and prolapsing viscera.
Dr. Nathan Guerette identifies steps that have been made in the advancement of care of this area of the body,…
Fast Fire Watch Guards: A Critical First Line of Defense Against Fire Hazards
Fast Fire Watch Guards, a leading provider of fire watch security services, underscores the critical role these services play in mitigating fire risks and ensuring safety when fire protection systems are compromised.
Fire watch guards act as a vigilant first line of defense, providing 24/7 on-site monitoring…
Can Multilingualism Address the Gender Disparity in STEM Degrees in the USA?
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are the future of the US economy. They are crucial drivers for innovation and economic growth, with a strong push for students to choose STEM subjects at the degree level. STEM subjects have historically been dominated by men, with numerous gender equality initiatives…
Texas A&M AgriLife biochemists identify potential target to regulate gene expression
By Tina Geiger / Staff WriterTexas A&M AgriLife researchers uncovered a promising target for controlling gene expression and other cellular processes, which could lead to advancements in crop resilience and our understanding of certain human diseases.
This target centers on RNA regulation, which, when disrupted in humans, is often linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as many types of cancer. On the other hand, improvements in certain RNA production processes can lead to new therapeutics and improved crop resilience in plants.
With this in mind, a group of researchers led by Xiuren Zhang, Ph.D., Christine Richardson Endowed Professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and jointly appointed professor in the Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biology, aimed to explore how RNA processes are coordinated within cells.
Their study, published in Nature Cell Biology, showed that a protein called Serrate connects RNA modification and microRNA production, two essential cellular functions, in a way previously unknown.
“We found that, instead of working in isolation, certain RNA processes influence each other,” Zhang said. “These new insights could allow us to regulate gene expression more precisely for applications in crop science and human health.”
The study was led by Zhang and performed by postdoctoral researcher Songxiao Zhong, along with support from other scientists within Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M College of Medicine, the University of Nebraska and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development. The project was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and the Welch Foundation.
RNA’s role in plant and human…
MORE ARTICLES
Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Builds Genome Sequencing Team
The Role of Boredom in Fostering Creativity in Early Childhood Education Introduction
Jack D’Angelo on Factors Steering Richmond’s Tech Industry Toward Success
Richmond’s tech sector is at a pivotal stage of development, marked by both challenges and promising opportunities. The city is increasingly recognized for its potential in the tech industry, spurred by innovative startups and strategic partnerships with academic institutions. However, retaining talent and competing with larger tech hubs remain…
The XI Code’s Masati Sheds Light on the Future of Quantum Computing and DNA Studies
Masati, founder and leader of Xponential Intelligence Science (XI), has traversed a remarkable journey to become a visionary architect at the intersection of science and spirituality. His deep understanding of quantum science, coupled with profound insights into human consciousness, has positioned him as a pioneering thought leader. Masati’s…
Dr. Peter Rentrop: How Medical Technology is Changing Diagnoses and Treatments
Medical technology has become a linchpin in the advancement of healthcare, offering unprecedented capabilities in diagnoses, treatments, and patient care. With each passing year, innovations like AI-driven diagnostics, minimally invasive surgery, and personalized medicine are being integrated into everyday medical practice. These technologies address a wide range of health…
Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s appoints leading pediatric genetic experts to enhance genome sequencing and early detection of genetic disorders
Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s has appointed highly respected pediatric physician-scientists Mustafa Khokha, MD, and Saquib Lakhani, MD, to advance knowledge and application of genome sequencing with the goal of improving screening and treatment of genetic disorders and abnormalities.
Khokha and Lakhani, who specialize in rare pediatric genetic diseases and conditions, have published widely in the highest-impact journals and made significant contributions to pediatric development and genetics research.
Khokha will serve as director of the new Guerin Children’s Genetics Research Center, and Lakhani as director of the Guerin Children’s Early Detection Program. Together, they will develop a pediatric genome sequencing program to help identify genetic disorders as early as possible, prompting earlier and more effective screenings and treatments for pediatric diseases.
“The expertise of Dr. Khokha and Dr. Lakhani will help Guerin Children’s detect genetic disorders and inherited diseases earlier, expand our knowledge of these conditions, help parents make more informed healthcare decisions for their children and better tailor treatments,” said Ophir Klein, MD, PhD, executive vice dean of Children’s Health at Cedars-Sinai and executive director of Guerin Children’s. “We look forward to them enhancing innovation and medical care for our patients at Guerin Children’s.”
Khokha and Lakhani will collaborate with David Rowitch, MD, PhD, associate director of Research…
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The Role of Boredom in Fostering Creativity in Early Childhood Education Introduction
Mark Siefring Examines Essential Vaccinations for International Travel
Traveling abroad involves more than securing visas and packing bags; it requires thorough health preparation to handle different medical risks across various regions. Vaccinations play a pivotal role in ensuring travelers’ safety, offering protection against prevalent diseases, and fulfilling the health entry requirements of numerous countries. Aside from vaccinations,…
Scientists Harness Purple Bacteria to Produce Bioplastics as Sustainable Alternative to Petroleum-Based Plastics
In a world overrun by petroleum-based plastics, scientists are searching for alternatives that are more sustainable, more biodegradable and far less toxic to the environment.
Two new studies by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis highlight one potential source of game-changing materials: purple bacteria that, with a…
World Health Organization Declares Public Health Emergency as Clade I MPOX Cases Surge in Africa and Beyond
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about the upsurge of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa. This announcement followed the Africa Centres for Disease Control and…