A recent study in the field of neurobiology, presented in Science China Life Sciences, uncovers a pivotal role for the protein RGS22 (regulator of G-protein signaling 22) in maintaining brain health. The study links the loss of RGS22 to the development of hydrocephalus, a serious condition where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates abnormally in the brain's ventricles.

In a recent publication in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, the team, led by Prof. Ying Cai from the Department of Rehabilitation at Xiangya Hospital and Prof. Mingchun Zhao from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Central South University, reviewed the use of porous tantalum for 3D printing of bone implants. This review focuses on the material design aspects that relate the morphology, structure, and modification of porous tantalum (pTa) to its bioactivity.

Their work represents a significant step in understanding the relationship between the design and biological performance of porous tantalum materials, providing crucial directions for using porous tantalum in orthopedic implants.

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are an established therapy for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. Researchers from Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine have found that babies given ACS had notably smaller volumes of two key brain regions, the bilateral amygdalae and caudate nuclei, which are essential for emotion processing and motor control, respectively. The findings suggest that doctors should adjust ACS use to reduce potential risks to brain development.

A team from Osaka University has developed a large-scale drug screening technique that can track target molecule behavior within cells. The researchers verified their technique by testing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a known target for cancer drugs. Their drug screening resulted in the identification of the known drugs, as well as others that were not previously known to affect EGFR. This new method can potentially help develop new drugs and repurpose existing drugs.

A new portal linking Japanese genetic variant information with protein sequence and structure date has been launched by Protein Data Bank Japan (PDBj) and Tohoku University Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization (ToMMo). The portal simplifies the mapping of genetic variants to 3D protein structures and includes tools for visualization and analysis. It aims to advance medicine and drug discovery, particularly in precision medicine.

In a groundbreaking study, the regulatory role of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Gm20257 in pathological cardiac hypertrophy has been elucidated, offering new insights into potential therapeutic targets. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy, a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in heart muscle size, can lead to heart failure if left unchecked. The research delves into how lncRNA Gm20257 interacts with PGC-1α to modulate the mitochondrial complex IV axis, thereby influencing the development of cardiac hypertrophy.