UC San Diego-led team discovers new method for producing large amounts of color-changing, nature-inspired pigment in the lab Scientists at UC San Diego have moved one step closer to unlocking a superpower held by some of nature’s greatest “masters of disguise.” Octopuses, squids, cuttlefish and other animals in the cephalopod family are well known for their ability to camouflage, changing the color of their skin to blend in with the environment. This remarkable display of mimicry is made possible by…

Scientists uncover how support cells, once thought harmless, send damaging signals that weaken the heart Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, affecting millions of people and placing an enormous burden on healthcare systems. The disease occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood efficiently, leaving patients short of breath, fatigued, and at risk of life-threatening complications. For decades, scientists have focused on studying cardiomyocytes—the heart’s muscle cells responsible for pumping blood—believing…

The appearance of a hot sauce or pepper doesn’t reveal whether it’s mild or likely to scorch someone’s taste buds. So, researchers made an artificial tongue to quickly detect spiciness. Inspired by milk’s casein proteins, which bind to capsaicin and relieve the burn of spicy foods, the researchers incorporated milk powder into a gel sensor. The prototype, reported in ACS Sensors, detected capsaicin and pungent-flavored compounds (like those behind garlic’s zing) in various foods. “Our flexible artificial tongue holds tremendous…

European research team presents comprehensive review in Brain Medicine on tDCS, rTMS, and DBS for obsessive-compulsive disorder Lausanne, Switzerland – 28 October 2025. In a peer-reviewed article published today in Brain Medicine, a European research team presents a focused review of emerging neuromodulation techniques for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The article, “Neuromodulation techniques in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current state of the art,” examines how transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are changing…

Lawsonia inermis, widely recognised as the source of henna dye used for colouring skin and fabrics, may soon have a life-saving medical application. Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered that pigments derived from the plant could help combat liver fibrosis — a serious disease that leads to excessive scar tissue formation in the liver due to chronic injury. Understanding Liver Fibrosis Liver fibrosis occurs when prolonged liver damage — often from factors like alcohol abuse or unhealthy lifestyles —…

Study finds the molecule CCL5 is both protective and harmful, suggesting future drugs could target only its damaging effects Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. It is a common health concern that affects an estimated 8–16% of the global population, particularly among older adults. CKD can arise from various causes, including glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that damage the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units…

Chemical found in consumer products and used in dry cleaning shown to triple the risk of liver fibrosis LOS ANGELES — Liver disease is usually caused by one of three factors: alcohol consumption, fat buildup in the liver linked to obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, or hepatitis B and C. Now, a new study published in Liver International from Keck Medicine of USC reveals that tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and found in consumer products such as…

Unless you’ve owned reptiles, you might not know that many of them “pee” crystals. Researchers publishing in the Journal of the American Chemical Society investigated the solid urine of more than 20 reptile species and found spheres of uric acid in all of them. This work reveals how reptiles uniquely package up and eliminate crystalline waste, which could inform future treatments for human conditions that also involve uric acid crystals: kidney stones and gout. Most living things have some sort…

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), once considered an adult-onset disease, is increasing at alarming rates in children and adolescents. Before the mid-1990s, just 1% to 2% of youth with diabetes had T2D. Today, that number has skyrocketed to between 24% and 45%, with the average age of diagnosis hovering around 13 years old. This troubling trend closely tracks with the ongoing rise in childhood obesity. While genetics, diet and physical activity all play roles in T2D risk, new research from Florida…

Enabled by a new high-resolution mapping technique, the findings overturn a long-held belief that the genome loses its 3D structure when cells divide CAMBRIDGE, MA — Before cells can divide, they first need to replicate all of their chromosomes, so that each of the daughter cells can receive a full set of genetic material. Until now, scientists had believed that as division occurs, the genome loses the distinctive 3D internal structure that it typically forms. Once division is complete, it…

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the US space agency NASA have made an unexpected discovery that challenges one of the basic rules of chemistry and provides new knowledge about Saturn’s enigmatic moon Titan. In its extremely cold environment, normally incompatible substances can still be mixed. This discovery broadens our understanding of chemistry before the emergence of life.  Scientists have long been interested in Saturn’s largest, orange-coloured moon as its evolution can teach us more about our…

New technique from Binghamton University could overcome restrictions on size and functionality and prevent necrotic regions of dead cells When biomedical researchers need to test their latest ideas, they often turn to engineered human tissue that mimics the responses in our own bodies. It’s become an important intermediary step before human clinical trials. One limiting factor: The cells need blood circulation to survive, and achieving that can be difficult in three-dimensional cell structures. Without proper vascular systems — even primitive…

Viewpoint examines neuroplasticity and emotional processing mechanisms underlying psychedelic therapy potential CHANGCHUN, Jilin, CHINA, 14 October 2025 — A peer-reviewed viewpoint article published today in Psychedelics by Prof. Xiaohui Wang and colleagues examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances for treating stress-related psychiatric disorders through novel neurobiological mechanisms. The analysis synthesizes current evidence on how compounds like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and MDMA could fundamentally alter treatment paradigms for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Addressing Chronic Stress…

Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Bruce Cohen discusses revolutionary approaches and new results transforming mental health research. BELMONT, Massachusetts, USA, 14 October 2025 — In a compelling Genomic Press Interview published today in Genomic Psychiatry, Dr. Bruce M. Cohen discusses results and insights that are reshaping international approaches to understanding and treating neuropsychiatric disorders. The Robertson-Steele Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Program for Neuropsychiatric Research at McLean Hospital shares remarkable discoveries from nearly five decades of…

Gene therapy successfully reduced epileptic activity, hyperactivity and risk-taking behaviors tied to SYNGAP1-related disorders SEATTLE, WASH. — October 9, 2025 — In an exciting scientific first, researchers at the Allen Institute successfully designed a new gene therapy that reversed symptoms related to SYNGAP1-related disorders (SRD) in mice. These are a class of brain disorders that can lead to severe and debilitating symptoms including intellectual disability, epilepsy, motor problems, and risk-taking behaviors in humans. In most cases, SRDs are caused when…

Kobe University researchers highlight the value of early urinalysis for detecting a rare genetic kidney disease A study from Kobe University has revealed that Japan’s universal urine screening program for 3-year-olds may play a critical role in the early detection of Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leads to kidney failure, hearing loss, and vision changes. The research, published in Kidney International Reports, shows that over 30% of Alport syndrome cases in children were first detected through age-3 urinalysis—and…