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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa yesterday

Microplastics found in a third of surveyed fish off the coasts of remote Pacific Islands
Microplastics were detected in about one-third of coastal fish from Pacific Island Countries and Territories, with Fiji showing contamination in nearly 75% of sampled fish—well above the global average. Reef and bottom-dwelling species, especially those feeding on invertebrates, had higher contamination rates. The findings highlight vulnerabilities in remote regions and underscore the need for stronger global plastic regulations.

Dehm J, et al. Considering ecological traits of fishes to understand microplastic ingestion across Pacific coastal fisheries, PLOS One (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0339852

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa yesterday

Neuron position found less crucial for brain connectivity than once thought

The human brain contains billions of connected neurons that collectively support different mental functions, including the processing of sensory information, the encoding of memories, attention processes, and decision-making. For a long time, neuroscientists have assumed the position of specific neurons in the brain plays a key role in the brain's connectivity and proper functioning.

Researchers recently gathered evidence that contradicts this long-standing assumption, showing misplaced neurons can still retain their "identity," connect with other neurons and support the processing of sensory information.

Their paper, published in Nature Neuroscience, could reshape the present understanding of developmental disorders and other conditions linked to the rearrangement of neurons or cortical malformations.

When they were conducting experiments focusing on brain malformations known as cortical heterotopias, the researchers were surprised to discover that alterations in the brain's structural organization did not appear to alter neurons or prevent them from connecting with other neurons.

This inspired them to widen the scope of their investigation, to determine if the position of neurons contributes to the brain's connectivity and function.

Contrary to their original expectations, the researchers observed that the rearrangement of neurons does not impair the brain's connectivity and functions. This finding could have important implications for the understanding and treatment of developmental disorders linked to brain malformations.

Contrary to their original expectations, the researchers observed that the rearrangement of neurons does not impair the brain's connectivity and functions. This finding could have important implications for the understanding and treatment of developmental disorders linked to brain malformations.

This shows that spatial organization is not critical for neuronal identity acquisition and maturation.

Sergi Roig-Puiggros et al, Position-independent emergence of neocortical neuron molecular identity, connectivity and function, Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-02142-7.

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Scientists once thought the brain couldn't be changed. Now we know different
The adult brain retains the capacity for neuroplasticity, allowing structural and functional changes in response to experience, learning, and injury. This adaptability is shaped by factors such as practice, physical exercise, sleep, and stress, but operates within biological limits. Neuroplasticity is experience-dependent, value-neutral, and persists throughout life, though meaningful change requires sustained effort.

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Menopause linked to loss of gray matter in the brain, poorer mental health and sleep disturbance
Menopause is associated with reduced gray matter volume in key brain regions, increased anxiety and depression, and more frequent sleep disturbances. Hormone replacement therapy does not prevent gray matter loss or mental health issues but may slow age-related decline in reaction times. No significant differences in memory performance were observed among groups.

Zühlsdorff, K et al. Emotional and cognitive effects of menopause and hormone replacement therapy, Psychological Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1017/S0033291725102845

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Smoke from wildfires linked to 17,000 strokes in the US alone

Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke, measured by PM2.5 levels, is associated with an increased risk of stroke in older adults, with each 1 µg/m3 rise linked to a 1.3% higher risk. Wildfire smoke may be more harmful than other pollution sources and is estimated to contribute to about 17,000 strokes annually in the US, with no clear safe exposure threshold identified.

Long-term exposure to wildfire smoke particulate matter and incident stroke: a US nationwide study, European Heart Journal (2026). DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf875

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

"By mapping these connections, we can begin to pinpoint which cells and molecular pathways may be affected by disease risk genes, potentially opening new avenues for more targeted therapies."

The findings demonstrate the unique and substantial influence of both nature and nurture on immune cell identity and immune system performance. Furthermore, the catalog offers an exciting jumping-off point for creating new personalized treatment plans.

Wenliang Wang et al, Genetics and environment distinctively shape the human immune cell epigenome, Nature Genetics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02479-6

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

How your life story leaves epigenetic fingerprints on your immune cells

Our immune cells carry a molecular record of both our genes and our life experiences, and those two forces shape the immune system in very different ways

The COVID-19 pandemic gave us tremendous perspective on how wildly symptoms and outcomes can vary between patients experiencing the same infection. How can two people infected by the same pathogen have such different responses? It largely comes down to variability in genetics (the genes you inherit) and life experience (your environmental, infection, and vaccination history).

These two influences are imprinted on our cells through small molecular alterations called epigenetic changes, which shape cell identity and function by controlling whether genes are turned "on" or "off."

Researchers are debuting a new epigenetic catalog that reveals the distinct effects of genetic inheritance and life experience on various types of immune cells. The new cell type-specific database, published in Nature Genetics, helps explain individual differences in immune responses and may serve as the foundation for more effective and personalized therapeutics.

This work shows that infections and environmental exposures leave lasting epigenetic fingerprints that influence how immune cells behave. By resolving these effects cell by cell, we can begin to connect genetic and epigenetic risk factors to the specific immune cells where disease actually begins.

All the cells in your body share the same DNA sequence. And yet, there are many specialized cell types that look and act entirely differently. This diversity is due, in part, to a collection of small molecular tags called epigenetic markers, which decorate the DNA and signal which genes should be turned on or off in each cell. The many epigenetic changes in each cell collectively make up that cell's epigenome.

Unlike the base genetic code, the epigenome is far more flexible—some epigenetic differences are strongly influenced by inherited genetic variation, while others are acquired experientially across a lifetime. Immune cells are no exception to these forces, but it was unclear whether these two types of epigenetic changes—inherited versus experiential—affected immune cells in the same way.

Ultimately, both genetic inheritance and environmental factors impact us.

 By collecting and analyzing blood samples from 110 individuals, the researchers were able to observe the effects of a variety of genetic profiles and life experiences, including flu; HIV-1, MRSA, MSSA, and SARS-CoV-2 infections; anthrax vaccination; and exposure to organophosphate pesticides.

The researchers then compared the epigenetic profiles of four major immune cell types: T and B cells, known for their long-term memory of past infections, and monocytes and natural killer cells, which respond more broadly and rapidly. From these many samples and cells, the team built a catalog of all the epigenetic markers, or differentially methylated regions (DMRs), in each cell type.

They found that disease-associated genetic variants often work by altering DNA methylation in specific immune cell types.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

How gut bacteria share antibiotic resistance genes and fuel dangerous hospital infections

Researchers have uncovered how a high-risk class of genetic vectors can efficiently spread antibiotic resistance within the gut, enabling even highly virulent bacteria to acquire drug resistance under real-world conditions.

A distinct group of plasmids, PTU-P2, efficiently transfer antibiotic resistance genes between gut bacteria, especially under oxygen-poor conditions typical of the intestine. This enables highly virulent bacteria to acquire resistance, fueling persistent, hard-to-treat infections in hospitals. Standard laboratory conditions may underestimate this risk, highlighting the need for surveillance targeting high-risk plasmids.
Crucially, once these plasmids entered a new bacterial host, they could continue spreading even when the original donor bacteria were no longer present, allowing resistance to persist and amplify within the gut microbial community.
The team discovered that a distinct group of plasmids, known as PTU-P2 plasmids, are particularly well adapted to the oxygen-poor (anaerobic) environment of the gut. These plasmids transferred resistance genes far more efficiently than closely related plasmids under gut-like conditions, mirroring their much higher prevalence in human and clinical bacterial isolates worldwide.

The findings shed new light on how so-called "superbugs," bacteria that are both highly virulent and antibiotic-resistant, can emerge and persist, particularly in health care settings.

Melvin Yong et al, Differential gut transmission of IncP plasmid clades involving hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae reveals plasmid-specific ecological adaptation, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66413-4

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Red flowers have a 'magic trait' to attract birds and keep bees away

Evolution: UV-absorbing pigments decide between bee or bird pollinators

For flowering plants, reproduction is a question of the birds and the bees. Attracting the right pollinator can be a matter of survival—and new research shows how flowers do it is more intriguing than anyone realized, and might even involve a little bit of magic.

A single genetic trait in some flowering plants reduces UV reflection, making red flowers less visible to bees while enhancing their visibility to birds, which have different color vision. This adaptation helps attract bird pollinators and deter bees, improving pollination efficiency for larger flowers that benefit from bird visits.

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(25)01550-7?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982225015507%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on Wednesday

Scientists develop technique to identify malfunctions in our genetic code
An international team of researchers have developed a way to reveal the smallest of malfunctions in the biochemical machinery that makes proteins in our bodies. According to the researchers, these malfunctions, however small, can trigger neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as cancer and developmental disorders.

A new technique enables real-time detection of structural malfunctions in individual tRNA molecules by analyzing them as they pass through nanopores in a silicon membrane. Mutations in tRNA can cause abnormal shapes, disrupting protein synthesis and contributing to diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer. This approach may facilitate early diagnosis and drug screening targeting tRNA stability.
The technique, which works by squeezing molecules through tiny holes in a silicon-based membrane, helps scientists understand how a mutation in a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule—tRNA is a molecular messenger essential for building proteins—affects the molecule's real-time structure.

Shankar Dutt et al, Solid-state nanopore sensing reveals conformational changes induced by a mutation in a neuron-specific tRNA^Arg, Nucleic Acids Research (2026). DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaf1411

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