eLife Science Digests

Latest

1. 

   Vascularizing the brain (organoids)

   Integrating blood vessels into brain organoids grown in the lab leads to a better recapitulation of brain development.
2. 

   Untangling sleep spindles

   Rhythmic brain waves called ‘sleep spindles’ important for learning and memory occur in more complex patterns than previously thought.
3. 

   Controlling neurogenesis

   New research sheds light on the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of DDX3X syndrome.
4. 

   Staying in shape

   A protein called CAMSAP2 helps form and stabilize the microtubules that give cells their shape in highly polarized cells lacking γ-TuRC, the complex that normally performs these roles.
5. 

   Recognizing a gap in cancer screening programmes

   A woman-centric approach to cervical cancer and bowel cancer screening may encourage more women aged 50–64 to receive these screens.
6. 

   Persistent resistance

   Antibiotic resistance evolved decades ago in bacteria infecting European livestock and persists when the bacteria jump to humans.
7. 

   Growing microtubules, losing brain folds

   Mutations in tubulin proteins that stabilize structures called microtubules alter how brain cells move, leading to severe malformations that affect the development of ridges and folds in the brain.
8. 

   Building the nervous system

   The gene cd59 allows nerve cells and their supporting cells to develop normally by balancing the level of inflammation in zebrafish embryos.