The Supreme Court upheld a Texas anti-pornography law…that is nearly identical to a federal law it struck down more than two decades ago. Rather than overruling the previous case — Ashcroft v. ACLU (2004)…
Category: Genetics
One Gene Rewires Fear Circuits and Fuels Anxiety
Summary: Researchers have uncovered how losing the autism-linked gene PTEN in a specific set of inhibitory neurons reshapes brain circuits tied to fear and anxiety. Using advanced circuit-mapping techniques, they…
How should we regulate human-created stem-cell embryos
The stem cell-based embryo model (SCBEM) takes advantage of the flexibility of pluripotent stem cells (non-reproductive cells that can give rise to many different types of cells) to resemble that…
Medicine vs. MAGA: Doctors and Insurers Scramble as RFK Jr. Dismantles U.S. Vaccine System
Professional medical societies, pharmacists, state health officials and vaccine manufacturers, as well as a new advocacy group, are mobilizing behind the scenes to preserve access for vaccines as Health Secretary…
Kraft, Pepsico and Tyson move to remove synthetic food dyes
Major food company Kraft Heinz said it will remove all chemical, artificial dyes from its food products following Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push. … Kraft Heinz said the removal for…
GLP podcast: Science of reproduction—what does evolution tell us about the ‘sex spectrum’?
Over the last decade, a growing chorus of scientists has declared that biological sex is not binary. Properly assessing human diversity requires us to apply a broader definition of this…
Viewpoint: Controversy heats up over ‘informed consent’ for trans-identifying teenagers seeking a sex change operation
In the U.S., the mainstream medical (and legal) community strongly supports gender-affirming care for young people. Most American doctors “maintain… that “gender-affirming care is essential, life-saving medical treatment that supports individuals…
Different Autism Genes, Same Brain Signature
Summary: New research shows that different genetic forms of autism may produce a shared brain activity pattern, revealing a potential common neural signature despite distinct genetic origins. Using brain-wide recordings…
Viewpoint: Here’s why farmers use pesticides like atrazine and glyphosate—and why they are safe
Corn growers need access to all types of pesticides. [Glyphosate was] developed more than 50 years ago to control a wide range of problematic weeds. Atrazine is another valued herbicide…
Genetic Sensitivity to Environment May Shape Mental Health Traits
Summary: A large international study of over 21,000 identical twins has identified genetic variants that influence how individuals respond to life experiences, affecting traits such as anxiety, depression, and autistic…
