Neurogenomics – News and Features

News
Oxytocin Neurons Key to Social Deficits in Autism
RIKEN neuroscientists found oxytocin-secreting neurons are selectively impaired in an autism mouse model, affecting social behavior. Stimulating these neurons postnatally restored oxytocin levels and improved social traits into adulthood.

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Neurons Optimize Energy for Synaptic Efficiency
Neurons balance energy efficiency by regulating protein synthesis based on molecular properties like stability and size. Instead of transporting short-lived proteins, neurons produce them in dendrites to reduce waste.

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Yerba Mate Genome Links Caffeine to Plant Survival
Analysis of the yerba mate plant genome reveals that caffeine was key for the evolution of its metabolic complexity and production of bioactive compounds.

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Generative AI Speeds Up 3D Genomic Structure Predictions
A generative AI-based technique can predict thousands of 3D genomic structures in just minutes, enabling researchers to more easily study how 3D organization affects gene expression.

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How the Maternal X Chromosome Impacts Memory and Aging
A UCSF study reveals that maternal X chromosome expression may accelerate brain aging and cognitive decline. Female mice with silenced paternal X genes showed faster hippocampal aging, but CRISPR reactivation reversed deficits.

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Long Read Sequencing Speeds Up Rare Disease Diagnosis
UC Santa Cruz researchers showcase how long-read sequencing can diagnose rare genetic diseases in days instead of years. Using a new pipeline and telomere-to-telomere reference genomes, they identified hidden genetic variants.

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Boosting a Molecule Could Help Retain Muscle While Losing Fat
A protein, BCL6, has been identified as a key molecule for maintaining healthy muscle mass while losing fat, suggesting that pairing weight loss drugs with a BCL6-booster could improve outcomes.

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"Super" Enzyme Rapidly Breaks Down Testosterone
Researchers have shown how ruffs, a shore bird, eliminate excess testosterone with a "super enzyme".

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Tourette Syndrome: Why Do Females Face Diagnostic Delays?
A study reveals that females with Tourette syndrome (TS) are diagnosed later than males and often experience lower tic severity but higher rates of co-occurring OCD. The findings highlight sex-based disparities in TS diagnosis.

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New Type of Stem Cell Discovered in the Brain
UCSF scientists have discovered a new type of stem cell that helps young brains grow but is also capable of forming the cells found in tumors.
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