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A hidden mechanism changes what we know about cell division

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  A companion study showed that centromeres, small structures on chromosomes once believed to work on their own, play a guiding role in directing CENP-E so it can help the division process unfold correctly. Together, these results overturn two decades of accepted teaching and carry major implications, since mistakes in chromosome attachment are linked to many cancers and genetic disorders. Why Early Chromosome Positioning Matters Every moment, in countless cells across the body, division takes place with extraordinary precision. A single cell duplicates three billion DNA letters and manages to distribute perfect copies to both daughter cells. When that delicate process fails, the consequences can be serious. Even one chromosome in the wrong place can disrupt development, contribute to infertility, or trigger cancer. Cell division offers little room for error. For many years, researchers believed they understood one of the central players: CENP-E, often described as a motor protein ...
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GlowCas9 Breakthrough Enables Real-Time Tracking Of Gene Editing

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  A team of scientists at the Bose Institute, Kolkata, has engineered a glowing CRISPR protein that allows real-time observation of genome editing inside living cells. The innovation, named GlowCas9, marks a major advance in the field of gene therapy , where visualising gene-editing machinery has long been a scientific challenge. Limitations Of Traditional CRISPR Monitoring CRISPR-Cas9 technology revolutionised gene correction by enabling precise DNA cutting and repair. However, researchers could not observe Cas9 activity as it occurred because existing detection methods required cell fixation or destruction. This prevented real-time tracking of editing events, limiting understanding of how the molecular machinery behaves within living systems. Design And Function Of GlowCas9 The new system fuses Cas9 with a split nano-luciferase enzyme derived from deep-sea shrimp proteins. When Cas9 folds correctly, the luciferase fragments reunite and emit light, creating a built-in indicator o...
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Simple light trick reveals hidden brain pathways in microscopic detail

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  Many diseases disrupt these delicate networks. In the brain, damage to fiber connections appears across nearly all neurological disorders, where it contributes to changes in neural communication. Although these microscopic structures play essential roles, they have long been challenging to study. Researchers have struggled to determine how fibers are oriented inside tissues, which has made it difficult to fully understand how they change in health and disease. A Simple Method for Revealing Hidden Microstructure A research team led by Marios Georgiadis, PhD, instructor of neuroimaging, has now introduced an approach that makes these hard-to-see fiber patterns visible with exceptional clarity and at a relatively low cost. Their technique, described in Nature Communications, is known as computational scattered light imaging (ComSLI). It can reveal the orientation and organization of tissue fibers at micrometer resolution on virtually any histology slide, regardless of how it was st...
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Why the H3N2 Influenza Strain Hits Harder — Causes, Symptoms, Risks and How It Spreads

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  H3N2, a major subtype of influenza A, is once again driving significant flu waves across multiple countries. Known for its rapid mutation rate and ability to evade immunity, H3N2 disproportionately affects young children, older adults and people with chronic illnesses. Here is a clear, in-depth explainer on what makes this flu strain particularly challenging. What Exactly Is H3N2 and Where Did It Come From? H3N2 is one of the most common influenza A strains responsible for seasonal flu epidemics worldwide. It first jumped to humans in 1968 through an antigenic shift involving avian viruses. Since then, it has become a dominant seasonal flu subtype, accounting for 10–20% of global infections each year and up to 50% of hospitalizations in severe seasons. Its tendency to mutate quickly leads to frequent “antigenic drift,” weakening population immunity and reducing vaccine effectiveness. How the Virus Enters and Hijacks Human Cells H3N2 is wrapped in a fatty envelope studded with hem...
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New Semi-Aquatic Spider Species Dolomedes indicus Found in Western Ghats

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  A research team in Kerala has identified a new species of semi-aquatic spider, Dolomedes indicus, marking the first confirmed record of a fishing spider from this genus in India. The discovery from the rainforests of Wayanad underscores the ecological richness of the Western Ghats and highlights the need for continued biodiversity research. Discovery in the Pristine Streams of Wayanad Researchers from the Kerala Forest Research Institute located the species in the forested areas of Lakkidi and Periya. Unlike web-building spiders, Dolomedes indicus is an active predator that hunts on water. The spider uses the surface tension of streams to detect vibrations caused by insects or small fish and darts across the water to seize its prey. Researchers also observed exceptional diving abilities, with one female remaining submerged for nearly ninety minutes by trapping a layer of air with specialised hydrophobic hairs. Scientific Confirmation and Distinguishing Features The team verifie...
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This tiny microbe may be the key to fighting forever chemicals

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  This discovery offers an early look at how natural microbes might eventually be guided or engineered to help reduce PFAS pollution, potentially supporting efforts to protect water quality and public health. Early Experiments Reveal Promise and Limitations During controlled lab tests, the researchers noted that R. palustris removed about 44% of PFOA from its surroundings within 20 days. Much of that absorbed chemical later returned to the environment, most likely because the cells broke apart -- a result that underscores both the usefulness and the challenges of relying on living microorganisms to capture or alter PFAS . "While R. palustris didn't completely degrade the chemical, our findings suggest a stepwise mechanism where the bacterium may initially trap PFOA in its membranes," said Saha, Richard L. and Carol S. McNeel Associate Professor. "This gives us a foundation to explore future genetic or systems biology interventions that could improve retention or even...
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Scientists Find New Way To Rejuvenate Ageing Human Cells

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  Researchers have unveiled a promising technique that revives ageing human cells by enhancing mitochondrial activity, offering a potential pathway to treat degenerative and age-related diseases. The breakthrough centres on improving the energy-producing ability of cells that naturally weaken over time. Focus on Mitochondria and Ageing The study by Texas A&M University highlights how mitochondria, the cell’s energy generators, decline in efficiency with age, contributing to heart, brain and metabolic disorders. Restoring mitochondrial function has long been considered key to slowing biological ageing at the cellular level. Nanoflower Technology Boosts Cellular Energy Scientists developed microscopic “nanoflowers” from molybdenum disulfide. These particles, shaped like tiny blossoms, contain pores that absorb harmful reactive oxygen species. By reducing oxidative stress, the nanoflowers activate genes that trigger the formation of new mitochondria in human stem cells, significan...
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