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Written by Sam Sholtis, Pennsylvania State University , on September 14, 2026 edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan Credit: Molecular Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel. 2026.07.012 A new 3D structure of a cancer-linked protein bound to its cellular partner reveals details of how the protein binds to chromosomes and could offer insights for future disease treatments . The protein— BRD4 —plays a critical role in how cells read, copy and repair DNA and helps determine how different kinds of cells are made ; it has been linked to many types of cancer and is considered a promising target for future therapies . The study, led by scientists at Penn State and published in the journal Molecular Cell , found that BRD4 can attach to DNA-packaging structures in cells even without a molecular signal long believed to be necessary for the interaction. Read more

Originally summarised and published by Walter Beckwith on April 16, 2026 Peer-Reviewed Publication American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Sex differences in the human brain at cell type resolution.  [Figure created with BioRender.com]   A new analysis of individual brain cells across several human brain regions reveals subtle but widespread differences in gene activity between male and female brains. This may help explain why some psychiatric and neurological disorders appear to affect the biological sexes differently, researchers report. Males and females, as defined by individuals with an XY and XX chromosomes, respectively, show marked differences in risk, prevalence, and progression of many psychiatric and neurological disorders.  Read more

Fuente: earth.com Published by Andrei Ionescu (Earth.com staff writer) in earth.com on 20 March 2026 Birch tar has long appeared at Neanderthal sites as a black, sticky residue – usually explained as a kind of prehistoric glue used to hold tools together. However, that simple picture may be missing something important. A new study from the  University of Cologne  and the  University of Oxford   suggests the same substance that helped Neanderthals build their tools may also have helped them treat wounds . When researchers recreated birch tar using ancient methods, they found it could slow the growth of bacteria linked to infection . The findings don’t prove Neanderthals practiced medicine . But they add to a growing body of evidence that these early humans were more than skilled hunters – they may also have been practical caregivers , using the materials around them to manage injury and disease. Read more

Brain Activity Reveals How Well We Mentally Size Up Others Originally published by Univeristät Zürich on 9 March 2026 Humans often adapt their behavior to that of other people with lightning speed. A new study by the University of Zurich reveals what brain networks govern social mentalization and adaptatio n, making it possible to predict how flexibly one person reacts to others . The findings of the study could provide new approaches to gaining a better understanding of social disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder or borderline personality disorder . In the interaction with other people, we constantly assess what they think and intend. A new study by the University of Zurich (UZH) shows which brain networks are involved. (Image: iStock / DrAfter123) How quickly do we perceive whether a person we are interacting with is clever or predictable ? Be it in a game, a conversation or a negotiation, we constantly infer what others are thinking and size up their intentions , a...

Originally written by  University of New Mexico   and published in phys.or  on March 17, 2026 Edited by  Lisa Lock , reviewed by  Robert Egan Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain  Networks exist in both nature —such as biological systems like food webs and gene regulatory networks— and in engineered systems as seen in power grids. Though natural and engineered systems share an overarching goal —providing a mechanism for interacting components to transmit information— one system appears to have a clear advantage, according to f indings published recently by a University of New Mexico-led team . In this case, the team found that nature does its best when it comes to networks. New study compares natural and man-made networks "The Frequency Response of Networks as Open Systems,"  published  in  Nature Communications , was authored by former UNM graduate student Amirhossein Nazerian , now at Colorado State University; Malbor Asilani, Florid...

Proteins assume complex 3D shapes even faster than does DNA , which is a simpler molecule. Originally wri tten By  Katherine Bourzac and published in Nature on 9 March 2026 It can take less than a microsecond for proteins (artist’s impression) to fold into their 3D shapes. Credit: Christoph Burgstedt/Science Photo Library Scientists say they have made some of the first direct measurements of how long it takes an individual, ordinary protein to fold . The results were surprising: they found no relationship between a protein’s sequence or size and how long it takes to  fold into its 3D shape . And proteins seem to fold more efficiently than do other biomolecules, such as DNA — despite proteins having a more complex set of ingredients. The work was published today in  Physical Review Letters 1 . Read more