Motivation: Advances in DNA sequencing have outpaced advances in computation, making sequence alignment a major bottleneck in genome data analyses. Classical dynamic programming (DP) algorithms are particularly memory-intensive, especially when computing gap-affine and dual gap-affine alignments. Existing strategies to reduce memory consumption often sacrifice either speed or alignment accuracy. Results: We present Singletrack, an efficient […]

Vitronectin (Vn) is a multifunctional blood glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and migration, blood coagulation, and inflammation. It is a component of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) proteome, and often found associated with the calcified, lipid-rich, protein deposits that are a hallmark of age-related macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis and other aging-related diseases. Here we explored […]

RNA recognition by proteins is governed not only by static structure but also by allostery encoded within non-local dynamic motifs. In this study, we systematically identify allosteric communication hubs in RNA and map multiple residue-connected pathways, revealing how these networks are rewired upon mutation and protein binding. To capture these effects under physiological salt conditions, […]

Peer review serves as the cornerstone of scientific quality control. Yet, the current journal-centric system is hindered by long timelines, high publication costs, inconsistent review quality, systemic biases, and editorial gatekeeping. Notably, the system is built around misaligned measures of impact that are tethered to journal branding and conflate scientific rigor (Quality) with perceived significance […]

Background The learning environment strongly influences academic outcomes and wellbeing. This study assessed perception of the preclinical learning environment at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and explored associations with psychological distress. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 187 second and third-year medical and dental students in a tertiary institution in south-western Nigeria […]

Alternative indexes (altmetrics), such as the number of social media posts or news mentions, assess the relevance of a publication beyond academia. At the same time, composite metrics, like Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), gather these indicators to provide an overall measure of the online attention of an article. Communication departments at research institutions aim to […]

Chronic pain is a leading cause of medical consultations, often managed with opioids despite their high risk of addiction. Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (LIFU) neuromodulation has emerged as a promising non-invasive alternative for pain management. However, effective pain modulation often requires prolonged or continuous stimulation, and current LIFU devices are typically bulky and tethered to external […]

The mRNA serves as a crucial bridge between DNA and proteins. Compared to DNA, mRNA sequences are much more concise and information-dense, which makes mRNA an ideal language through which to explore various biological principles. In this study, we present NUWA, a large mRNA language foundation model leveraging a BERT-like architecture, trained with curriculum masked […]

The ability to focus on relevant information while ignoring distractions is critical during childhood, as it supports learning, social interaction, and adaptation to changing environments. This attentional balance is thought to depend in part on arousal regulation, mediated by the activity of the locus coeruleus norepinephrine (LC-NE) system. Moderate levels of arousal are typically associated […]

Brain aging involves synapse decline, with astrocytes playing a key role in synapse homeostasis. However, the impact of astrocyte senescence on synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline remains unclear. Here, we identified a hallmark of aging astrocytes Senescent Astrocytic Deposits (SAD) observed at aged rodents, macaques, and human hippocampal astrocytic processes that is associated with tripartite […]