Yale researchers delve into diverse realms of scientific exploration, from uncovering ancient atmospheric river patterns to decoding the mysteries of Parkinson’s disease and examining the accessibility of liver transplants. Additionally, a multidisciplinary team explores real-time neural patterns related to spontaneous behavior.
Mutations in the LRRK2 gene are a major contributor to familial Parkinson’s disease, characterized by symptoms like shaking and muscle stiffness. Yale’s Pietro De Camilli and his team propose that these mutations may impact the protein’s ability to regulate cellular membrane remodeling. This disruption, if confirmed in living cells, could lead to the death of dopamine-secreting neurons, a hallmark of Parkinson’s. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, with postdoctoral associate Xinbo Wang as the lead author.
Scientists studying atmospheric rivers, the concentrated pathways of moisture transport, have turned to the past to predict future trends. Analyzing climate conditions 16,000 years ago, researchers found a link between atmospheric rivers and a weakened Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Juan Lora, an assistant professor of Earth & planetary sciences at Yale, suggests that understanding past climates aids in predicting future atmospheric river behavior.
Yale researchers, led by Shirin Bahmanyar, have uncovered the intricate process of nuclear envelope assembly in the early embryo of the worm C. elegans. The study, published in the Journal of Cell Science, identifies the master regulator BAF and the ESCRT-II/III protein CHMP-7 as key players in this process. Understanding these mechanisms could shed light on failures in nuclear envelope sealing, which has been linked to cancer progression. Postdoctoral associate Sarah Barger is the first author of the study.
Chronic liver disease is a leading cause of mortality in the U.S., and liver transplantation is a life-saving option. However, access to transplants varies, with disparities in gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Yale researchers, including pulmonary and critical care fellow Peter Kahn, found that around a quarter of the U.S. population lives more than two hours from the nearest liver transplant center. The study suggests potential solutions, including telemedicine expansion and adopting new liver preservation techniques.
A Yale team, merging neuroscience and mathematics, has made strides in capturing real-time neural events during spontaneous behavior in mice. Led by Michael Higley, an associate professor of neuroscience, the study reveals that transitions between states of rest and arousal are coordinated across widespread areas of the neocortex. Understanding these neural signatures in real time could provide insights into human behavior. The work was led by Hadas Benisty and Daniel Barson of the Department of Neuroscience.
