MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Ben Orlando and Lee Kroos's research groups at Michigan State University used cryo-EM to determine the high-resolution structure of SpoIVFB, an intramembrane protease crucial for bacterial sporulation. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal SpoIVFB's interaction with its substrate through beta-sheet augmentation, linking this mechanism to all four classes of intramembrane proteases across life. This discovery has implications for microbiology, structural biology, enzymology, and human disease, including neurodegenerative diseases and cancers.

CVI visuospatial deficits involve differential recruitment of dorsal and ventral visual streams, with ventral stream showing greater activation in CVI patients, suggesting a complex clinical profile.

Researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring the role of pets in the lives of LGBTQ cancer patients, aiming to understand how pets contribute to wellbeing, connectedness, and care during treatment and recovery. The study involves a multidisciplinary team and includes pilot data collection, with plans for focus groups to delve deeper into the impact of pet ownership on social isolation and health outcomes.

Orbus Therapeutics’ eflornithine failed primary endpoint in Phase III STELLAR trial for recurrent IDH mutant astrocytoma, but showed clinically meaningful improvements in OS and PFS compared to lomustine monotherapy.

By 2030, 10.8 million Californians will be older adults, prompting focus on aging population. Black experts advocate for African American seniors' inclusion in research and clinical trials, highlighting underrepresentation and disparities in gerontology and Alzheimer's research. Efforts to improve diversity and trust in medical research are crucial for equitable healthcare.

UND's Department of Psychology, with support from the College of Arts & Sciences, is conducting Pediatric Eye Disease Group (PEDIG) clinical trials for children's eye conditions like strabismus and amblyopia, using virtual reality headsets. The trials, led by David Biberdorf and coordinated by Dmitri Poltavski, are the first in North Dakota and funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Eye Institute.

Michigan State University researchers, in collaboration with experts from Karolinska Institute and UC Berkeley, have developed a method to detect diseases earlier by analyzing proteins in plasma, reducing the masking effects of highly abundant proteins and enhancing the detection of low-abundance proteins crucial for early diagnosis.

Researchers from MSU, Karolinska Institute, and UC Berkeley developed a method to enhance early disease detection by improving plasma proteome profiling, significantly increasing the detection of critical low-abundance proteins, with potential implications for precision medicine.

Gene-edited microbes can supply a significant portion of corn farmers' nitrogen needs, reducing synthetic fertilizer use and environmental impact, according to peer-reviewed research in Scientific Reports.

Agricultural science integrates technology, biotechnology, and sustainability to address global challenges like food security and climate change. Top universities for agricultural science include UC Davis, Cornell, Texas A&M, Wageningen, Florida, Purdue, and Guelph, offering diverse programs, research opportunities, and industry connections. Aspiring students should consider faculty expertise, hands-on learning, and career support when choosing a university.