Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision impairment and irreversible blindness among individuals over the age of 55 in developed countries [1, 2, 3]. It is characterized by progressive damage to the macula, a key component of the eye’s retina. Since the retina is responsible for converting light into neural signals essential for vision, any damage can severely impair both central and peripheral vision, significantly impacting the quality of life for millions of people.
Ultraviolet radiation is a wavelength of light invisible to the human eye, but responsible for catastrophic damage to our DNA. Although our bodies have built-in mechanisms to repair DNA damage, these systems are not perfect. Essential genes in our skin cells still experience mutations as a result of UV radiation (UVR), and in some cases, this results in skin cancer. Melanoma is the deadliest form, responsible for thousands of deaths a year, and although its causes aren’t fully understood, it is clear that UV exposure is a key player in melanomagenesis. To fully understand how best to protect against melanoma, it is important to elucidate exactly how UV radiation causes the mutations that ultimately result in our melanocytes becoming cancerous. This paper will examine the current understanding of the mechanisms of UV-generated DNA damage, mutations, and tumor formation to determine what causes melanoma.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by underlying cognitive features such as early-onset deficits in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and highly restricted interests [1, 2]. Autism is often diagnosed and characterized on a spectrum, as its range of severity is wide and can co-occur with other symptoms such as intellectual disability, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, epilepsy, delayed motor development, and more [3].
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic hormonal and metabolic disorder that affects 15% of reproductive-aged women globally [1]. In the recent decade, there has been on average a 10% increase in the proportion of women around the world diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome [2]. Women with PCOS experience a cascade of sexual hormone imbalances, menstrual abnormalities, and fertility complications [3]. These conditions are most commonly due to insulin resistance and excess androgen production, or hyperandrogenism.
Climate change threatens crops and agriculture worldwide, bringing uncertainty and demanding investigation into how plants might respond. One of the most important plant systems to study in this context is the cellular communication pathway, which is responsible for signaling potential threats and transporting important materials from cell to cell. In this study, we investigate how temperature stress and light affect callose deposition in the plasmodesmata of Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) seedlings. We hypothesized that heat shocks would increase callose deposition while differences in light would have no effect on callose deposition. We planted A. thaliana seedlings in solid media, left them to germinate in a growth room, and imaged them using a microscope under fluorescent light to illuminate callose depositions. We then counted and analyzed callose levels, with data supporting both our temperature and light hypotheses.
The use of insects as a tool in investigations is a popular topic as any new evidence allows for a more accurate retelling of a crime, leading investigators to the criminal or to identifying the victim. Forensic entomologists are exploring them as vectors of human DNA, as the ability to collect and extract DNA from various sources is essential for investigations since DNA has increasingly become the standard in forensic science. Despite their potential in forensic science, previous work has yet to compare the effectiveness of certain bugs in their ability to be used as DNA sources. The scope of this review was limited to hematophagous (blood-eating) and necrophagous (carrion-eating) insects. Papers from only the last five years were reviewed, with a preference for more recent research articles. Databases that were consulted included PubMed, Forensic Science International, and the International Journal of Legal Medicine with searches including the words “insect”, “forensic”, and “Human DNA”. When comparing the insects, human DNA lasts the longest post-feeding inside bed bugs allowing for more accurate DNA profiles. Mosquitoes and flies showed promise as DNA vectors.
Endometriosis affects a diverse group of women around the world [1-9]. American women have more options, access to treatment, and medications in comparison to women in low-income countries. However, in the US, factors such as age, race, income, and geography may lead to healthcare disparities. By evaluating the quality of life for diverse groups of women with endometriosis in the United States, we can identify possible solutions for women around the world.
Would you take a drug, knowing there was a risk of developing secondary cancer, for a chance to beat the cancer you have now? This gamble is a difficult reality thousands of people face each year when they don’t respond favorably to conventional cancer treatments.
In Drosophila melanogaster, the highest number of novel gene expression phenotypes have been observed in male reproductive tract tissues. Recent discovery of a novel testis expression by a gene, CG14662, in D. melanogaster but not sister species suggests a possible newly-evolved association with male fecundity. This study examined whether CG14662 is associated with reduced male fertility in D. melanogaster. with the use of RNAi knockdown.
Plants, which are sessile organisms, are extremely vulnerable to climate change, which is pushing plants out of their desired temperature range. One particular consequence is increased mutation rates, which is a known consequence of heat that has wide-ranging implications from conservation to breeding, to agricultural practice through its impact on genetic variation. This review will discuss past and current studies into this subject matter future paths of research that could be explored in regard to the effect of heat on the mutation rate in plants.
