Latest news with #RockefellerUniversity
Sustainability Times
2 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Human Gene Makes Mice Speak': Scientists Alter Rodents With Language DNA and Trigger Startling Changes in Vocal Behavior
IN A NUTSHELL 🧬 Scientists inserted the human-specific NOVA1 gene into mice, revealing significant changes in their vocalizations . gene into mice, revealing significant changes in their . 🔊 Modified mice produced higher-pitched squeaks and different sound mixes, providing insight into communication evolution. evolution. 🧠 The NOVA1 gene plays a crucial role in brain development and influences genes associated with vocalization . gene plays a crucial role in brain development and influences genes associated with . 🌍 This research enhances our understanding of human evolution and the genetic basis of advanced language skills. In a stunning leap for genetic research, scientists have managed to insert a human gene into mice, resulting in unexpectedly altered vocalizations. This groundbreaking experiment, conducted at Rockefeller University, has revealed that a small genetic change can have significant effects on communication. By introducing the human-specific NOVA1 gene into mice, researchers have opened new avenues for understanding the evolution of vocal communication, shedding light on how humans may have developed their advanced language skills. A Genetic Change That Alters Communication The NOVA1 gene is crucial for brain development and is present across many species, including mammals and birds. A unique variation of this gene is found only in humans, producing a protein vital for vocalization. At Rockefeller University, scientists introduced this human version of NOVA1 into mice to explore its role in communication. The findings were remarkable. Baby mice with the humanized NOVA1 gene exhibited different vocalizations compared to those with the typical mouse version. When calling to their mothers, these modified mice produced higher-pitched squeaks and a different mix of sounds. These changes are not just minor; they provide critical insights into how complex vocal communication might have evolved over time. This experiment underscores the potential for genetic modifications to influence communication patterns, offering a glimpse into the genetic basis of language evolution. 'Time Was Here First': Mind-Blowing Discovery Reveals the Universe Was Born from Time Itself, Not from Space at All The Role of NOVA1 in Mice Vocalization In their natural state, baby mice use ultrasonic squeaks to communicate with their mothers. Scientists categorize these sounds into four basic 'letters': S, D, U, and M. When the human version of NOVA1 was inserted, the modified mice's sounds differed significantly from wild-type mice. Some 'letters' in their squeaks changed entirely, indicating that the genetic modification influenced their ability to produce and potentially understand vocalizations. As these mice matured, the changes became more pronounced. Male mice, in particular, produced a wider variety of high-frequency calls during courtship. These alterations in vocal patterns suggest that genetic expression changes could impact the evolution of communication and behavior, providing a window into how complex communication systems might arise within a species. 'Google Just Changed Everything': This Ruthless New AI Reads 1 Million Human DNA Letters Instantly and Scientists Are Stunned NOVA1: A Key Player in Evolutionary Communication The NOVA1 gene encodes a protein involved in RNA binding, essential for brain development and movement control. While the human and mouse versions of NOVA1 function similarly, the human version uniquely affects genes related to vocalization. The study revealed that many genes associated with vocalization are binding targets of NOVA1, indicating the gene's direct role in regulating vocal communication. This ability to influence specific genes might explain why humans developed advanced language skills compared to other species. Human-Specific Genetic Variants and Evolution Interestingly, the human version of NOVA1 is absent in other hominin species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. These extinct relatives shared a similar NOVA1 version but lacked the human-specific variant causing the I197V amino acid change. This discovery enriches our understanding of human evolution and the origins of speech. 'Like a Floating Magic Carpet': Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Creature Stuns Scientists With Its Surreal, Otherworldly Movements Professor Robert Darnell, who led the study, speculated that this genetic shift may have given early humans an evolutionary advantage. Darnell noted, 'We thought, wow. We did not expect that. It was one of those really surprising moments in science.' This genetic change might have been crucial in allowing Homo sapiens to develop sophisticated communication skills, distinguishing them from other species. This insight prompts intriguing questions: Could enhanced communication abilities have been decisive for the survival and success of Homo sapiens? The researchers suggest that this NOVA1 shift could have been pivotal in our species' ability to thrive, while other hominins, lacking this trait, eventually declined. This groundbreaking research on the NOVA1 gene not only opens new paths for scientific inquiry but also raises critical questions about our own evolution. How might further understanding of such genetic shifts illuminate the path of human development, and could these insights lead to revolutionary advances in genetic medicine and therapy? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (26)
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
How dengue mosquitoes outsmart even scientists
How dengue mosquitoes outsmart even scientists - their secret hunting techniques revealed Chethan Kumar TNN Updated: Jun 23, 2025, 18:12 IST IST While the dengue mosquito is a smarter predator than previously thought — it can detect you with its legs, too — Indian scientists have detected that a stealthy group of immune cells could be the unsung heroes in fighting the infection It's tough to outsmart a mosquito out for your blood. Here's some consolation. The buzzing insect outsmarts even supersmart scientists. 'Aedes aegypti', the mosquito behind dengue , Zika, and yellow fever , hunts down its prey — humans — primarily by its sense of smell. So, when researchers from the Rockefeller University stripped Aedes aegypti of its primary olfactory gene, Orco — knocking out their sense of smell — they reckoned the female mosquito will lose her hunting instinct. But she was smarter than they were. As a new study published in Science Advances details, when deprived of their olfactory power, Aedes use their ability to sense body heat. Typically, it's the mosquito's antennae that detects odours and heat. But Orco mutants deploy their forelegs to detect human skin temperature.
Economic Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Dengue mosquito is a much smarter predator than thought, it uses a stealth mode to hunt humans even without smell, study finds
When smell is gone, heat detection kicks in Live Events Indian scientists find new immune cell type in dengue response Immune memory and the vaccine potential The evolutionary advantage of mosquitoes (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A new study shows that Aedes aegypti , the mosquito responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever and Zika, can still find human targets even after losing its sense of smell. At the same time, Indian scientists have identified a specific group of immune cells that could reshape the understanding of how the body responds to dengue at Rockefeller University experimented with Aedes aegypti by disabling its primary olfactory gene, Orco, which helps the mosquito detect human odours. They expected this would impair the mosquito's ability to hunt the mosquito adapted. According to the study published in Science Advances, even without its sense of smell, the mosquito could still locate humans by sensing body heat. The researchers discovered that Orco mutants used their forelegs, not just their antennae, to detect skin was linked to a heat-sensitive receptor called Ir140. When Orco was removed, the mosquito compensated by increasing the activity of Ir140, a process known as upregulation. This kind of sensory compensation is common in humans, such as improved hearing among people with visual impairments. The same pattern in mosquitoes points to how evolution has shaped them into efficient it was only when both Orco and Ir140 were knocked out that Aedes aegypti lost its ability to sense human a separate study, Indian scientists at the National Institute of Immunology (NII) and AIIMS Delhi, along with international collaborators, have identified a key group of immune cells that play a central role during dengue immune cells — a subset of CD4+ T cells — are known as PD-1+CXCR5–CD4+ T cells. They activate B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies. This process is mediated by a signaling molecule called conventional follicular helper T cells that work within germinal centres of lymph nodes, these newly identified peripheral helper cells operate outside them — in extrafollicular niches — and may even reach inflamed discovery provides new insight into why antibodies behave unpredictably in dengue. Antibodies can protect the body, but in some cases, especially among individuals with past dengue infections, they can worsen the disease through a process known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).The study also found that PD-1+ helper T cells are not uniform. They divide into IL-21-producing helper cells and cytotoxic cells. Some may remain in the body as memory cells, possibly contributing to long-term immune are still trying to determine whether these cells offer protection or increase risk during future dengue infections. If understood better, these cells could help develop targeted vaccines against advancements in science, the mosquito remains one step ahead. Swarnadip Ghosh, a researcher from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru, described the mosquito's ability in verse:'When scent fades out,the mozzie's not beat,She hunts you down bythe stink of your nose? No problem —she's got legs that feel heat,And still thinks yourblood is a five-star treat.'(The article was orignially published in TOI)
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dengue mosquito is a much smarter predator than thought, it uses a stealth mode to hunt humans even without smell, study finds
A new study shows that Aedes aegypti , the mosquito responsible for spreading dengue, yellow fever and Zika, can still find human targets even after losing its sense of smell. At the same time, Indian scientists have identified a specific group of immune cells that could reshape the understanding of how the body responds to dengue infection. When smell is gone, heat detection kicks in Researchers at Rockefeller University experimented with Aedes aegypti by disabling its primary olfactory gene, Orco, which helps the mosquito detect human odours. They expected this would impair the mosquito's ability to hunt humans. Instead, the mosquito adapted. According to the study published in Science Advances, even without its sense of smell, the mosquito could still locate humans by sensing body heat. The researchers discovered that Orco mutants used their forelegs, not just their antennae, to detect skin temperature. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo This was linked to a heat-sensitive receptor called Ir140. When Orco was removed, the mosquito compensated by increasing the activity of Ir140, a process known as upregulation. This kind of sensory compensation is common in humans, such as improved hearing among people with visual impairments. The same pattern in mosquitoes points to how evolution has shaped them into efficient hunters. However, it was only when both Orco and Ir140 were knocked out that Aedes aegypti lost its ability to sense human heat. Live Events Indian scientists find new immune cell type in dengue response In a separate study, Indian scientists at the National Institute of Immunology (NII) and AIIMS Delhi, along with international collaborators, have identified a key group of immune cells that play a central role during dengue infection. These immune cells — a subset of CD4+ T cells — are known as PD-1+CXCR5–CD4+ T cells. They activate B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies. This process is mediated by a signaling molecule called IL-21. Unlike conventional follicular helper T cells that work within germinal centres of lymph nodes, these newly identified peripheral helper cells operate outside them — in extrafollicular niches — and may even reach inflamed tissues. This discovery provides new insight into why antibodies behave unpredictably in dengue. Antibodies can protect the body, but in some cases, especially among individuals with past dengue infections, they can worsen the disease through a process known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). Immune memory and the vaccine potential The study also found that PD-1+ helper T cells are not uniform. They divide into IL-21-producing helper cells and cytotoxic cells. Some may remain in the body as memory cells, possibly contributing to long-term immune response. Researchers are still trying to determine whether these cells offer protection or increase risk during future dengue infections. If understood better, these cells could help develop targeted vaccines against dengue. The evolutionary advantage of mosquitoes Despite advancements in science, the mosquito remains one step ahead. Swarnadip Ghosh, a researcher from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru, described the mosquito's ability in verse: 'When scent fades out, the mozzie's not beat, She hunts you down by the stink of your feet. No nose? No problem — she's got legs that feel heat, And still thinks your blood is a five-star treat.' (The article was orignially published in TOI)
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Gene Editing: The Lessons of a Medical Breakthrough
To the Editor: Re 'Custom Gene-Editing Treatment Helps Baby in World's First Case' (front page, May 16): Your article highlighting the remarkable work of Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas in developing a bespoke gene-editing therapy for KJ, a child with a rare disorder, is a powerful testament to translational research that bridges the clinic and the lab. It is no coincidence that Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas is a physician-scientist trained in both medicine and research through a program funded by the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas and I were classmates in the Tri-Institutional M.D.-Ph.D. Program, run jointly by Weill Cornell Medicine, Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Our peers from this program are advancing our understanding of cancer, H.I.V.-AIDS and other illnesses, each drawing on the unique ability to connect patient care with scientific discovery. These dual-degree programs exist to train precisely the kind of visionary thinkers who can identify unmet clinical needs and then return to the lab to devise novel solutions. This is possible only when scientists understand disease at both the molecular and human level. Recent and proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health threaten the pipeline that makes such breakthroughs possible. Without strong federal support, we risk losing a generation of physician-scientists — and with them, the kinds of lifesaving advances described in this incredible story.
