Some people spring into action at dawn, while others prefer a slower start to their day. Whether you rise with a grin or a groan, scientists say your internal clock — known as the circadian rhythm — might influence that behavior and much more. These biological clocks regulate not only sleep-wake cycles but also a wide range of daily physiological and metabolic functions. A growing body of research suggests that circadian rhythms are fundamental contributors to health and resilience. Now, a new University of Florida Health study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, or NIA, shows that the timing…

A series of experiments led by Southwest Research Institute’s Dr. Ujjwal Raut support spectral data recently collected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that found evidence that the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa is constantly changing. Europa’s surface ice is crystallizing at different rates in different places, which could point to a complex mix of external processes and geologic activity affecting the surface. Water ice can be divided into two broad categories based on its structure. On Earth, crystalline ice occurs when water molecules arrange into a hexagonal pattern during the freezing process. But on the surface of…

In a major leap forward for genetic and biomedical research, two scientists at the University of Missouri have developed a powerful new artificial intelligence tool that can predict the 3D shape of chromosomes inside individual cells — helping researchers gain a new view of how our genes work. Chromosomes are the tiny storage boxes that hold our DNA. Since each cell has about six feet of DNA packed inside it, it must be folded up tightly to fit. This folding not only saves space — it also controls which genes are active or inactive. But when the DNA doesn’t fold…

Recent research points to the potential utility of a familiar sounding foe-herpes virus-in the fight against cancer. The idea: the virus has evolved to commandeer cellular machinery in order activate signaling pathways inside cells and these strategies can be repurposed to bolster immunotherapy against diseases like cancer. T cells are front line defenders against pathogens, like viruses, and cancer because they can kill infected or malignant cells. Scientists have for years been trying different techniques to direct these immune cells to protect against disease. CAR-T therapy is one such example of prompting the body’s own immune system to attack certain…