Lifeboat Foundation

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A piece of high school genetics, relied on for many sorts of genetic testing, has been found to have exceptions. Although mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is normally received from the mother, three families have been identified where people received some of their mtDNA, three-quarters in the most extreme case, from their father. The finding may change the way we treat mitochondrial diseases and brings genetic testing for maternal ancestry into question.

MtDNA exists separately from the rest of our DNA, inside the thousands of mitochondria within each cell, rather than the cell nucleus. It is so widely accepted as being from the mother’s side it is sometimes known as the Eve Gene, the idea being that it can be traced back to some primeval mother of all living humans. Testing of mtDNA is used to identify maternal ancestry.

Continue reading “In Huge Shock, Mitochondrial DNA Can Be Inherited From Fathers” »

#BREAKING: A case of the new coronavirus strain that spread quickly in the United Kingdom has been confirmed in Florida. 8.wfla.com/385dkxa

TAMPA (WFLA) – A case of the new coronavirus strain that spread quickly in the United Kingdom has been confirmed in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health announced on Twitter Thursday that the individual is a man in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Martin County. The department noted the man has no travel history.

Continue reading “New COVID-19 variant found in Florida, marking nation’s 3rd confirmed case” »

While it’s probably most famous for its role in gene editing, CRISPR does more than just that: its ability to precisely cut and alter DNA could lead to new antibiotics, faster diagnosis tools, and more.

Hosted by: Hank Green.

Continue reading “4 Ways CRISPR Is More Than Just Gene Editing” »

Summary: Treatment with LAU-0901, a synthetic molecule that blocks pro-inflammatory platelet-activating factor, in addition to aspirin-triggered NPD1, reduced the size of damage areas in the brain, initiated repair mechanisms, and improved behavioral recovery following ischemic stroke.

Source: LSU

Research conducted at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence reports that a combination of an LSU Health-patented drug and selected DHA derivatives is more effective in protecting brain cells and increasing recovery after stroke than a single drug.

Eric Green, head of the nation’s top genomics research institute, looks back on how far the field has come and shares his bold vision for the future.

The team focused on cytokines, small proteins released in the body in response to inflammation. They concentrated on the most elevated cytokines in COVID-19 patients and found one duo that stood out.

Turns out, the drugs to treat these cytokine reactions, or cytokine storms, already exist.

When tried on mice, the medication protected them from COVID-19 death and from sepsis, a deadly infection of the blood.

Continue reading “St. Jude scientists make breakthrough and discover possible COVID-19 treatment” »

I have to admit, they really sound “alien-like” if you ask me. 😃

Just when we thought octopuses couldn’t be any weirder, it turns out that they and their cephalopod brethren evolve differently from nearly every other organism on the planet.

In a surprising twist, in April 2017 scientists discovered that octopuses, along with some squid and cuttlefish species, routinely edit their RNA (ribonucleic acid) sequences to adapt to their environment.

Continue reading “Octopus And Squid Evolution Is Officially Stranger Than We Could Have Ever Imagined” »

Scientists are only just starting to unravel why some viruses disappear, while others can linger and cause disease for centuries.

Dr. Nicole Prause, PhD is an American neuroscientist researching human sexual behavior, addiction, and the physiology of sexual response. She is also the founder of Liberos LLC, an independent research institute and biotechnology company.

Dr. Prause obtained her doctorate in 2007 at Indiana University Bloomington, with joint supervision by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, with her areas of concentration being neuroscience and statistics. Her clinical internship, in neuro-psychological assessment and behavioral medicine, was with the VA Boston Healthcare System’s Psychology Internship Training Program. Her research fellowship was in couples’ treatment of alcoholism was at Harvard University.

Continue reading “Dr Nicole Prause — Advancing Research In Sexual Psychophysiology, Sexual Biotechnology, And Sex-Tech” »