Science Today

Cannabis has played a critical role in human societies for over ten millennia. Although contemporary attention often centers on its psychoactive component, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), historically this plant served as an essential source of seed oil, textiles, and nourishment. Despite its longstanding significance, cannabis remains relatively underexplored and underexploited in modern agriculture. Recent legislative changes in the United States—most notably the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills—have spurred renewed interest in cultivating cannabis for medicinal, grain, and fiber purposes. A team at the Salk Institute has now produced the most exhaustive and precise genetic atlas of cannabis to date. By examining 193 distinct cannabis genomes, researchers uncovered remarkable genetic diversity and complexity within this foundational crop. This collaborative effort involved Oregon CBD, Oregon State University, and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, and culminated in findings published i...

Recent research published in  The Journal of Immunology  has revealed important insights into how Plasmodium falciparum infection, which causes malaria, contributes to the development of Burkitt lymphoma (BL). This finding helps explain why BL is the most prevalent childhood cancer in equatorial Africa and New Guinea. Long-Standing Connection Finally Explained Scientists have recognized an association between BL and P. falciparum malaria since the late 1950s, but until now, researchers couldn't explain the biological mechanism behind this connection. "The discovery that malaria directly increases childhood cancer risk suggests that efforts to reduce P. falciparum malaria in Africa could simultaneously decrease Burkitt lymphoma cases," explained the study's lead researcher, Dr. Rosemary Rochford from the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, where she serves as Distinguished Professor of Immunology and Microbiology. Cancer of the Immune System Burkitt lym...

Bacteria employ sophisticated defensive strategies against viral threats, with CRISPR-based immunity systems standing at the forefront of microbial protection mechanisms. Recent research has uncovered an innovative component of these systems called Cat1, which demonstrates remarkable complexity in its approach to cellular defense. Advanced CRISPR Immunity Mechanisms While CRISPR-Cas9 has gained fame as a revolutionary genetic editing tool, scientists continue to discover that bacterial CRISPR systems utilize multiple defensive strategies beyond the well-known "genetic scissors" approach. Researchers at the Laboratory of Bacteriology and the Structural Biology Laboratory have been investigating specialized immune components called CARF effectors, which represent cutting-edge developments in our understanding of microbial immunity. These CARF effectors function as defensive weapons within CRISPR systems, each employing distinct methods to achieve a common goal: halting cellular...

Healthy hearts are adaptable, and heartbeats exhibit complex variation as they adjust to tiny changes in the body and environment.  Mass General Brigham  researchers have applied a new way to measure the complexity of pulse rates, using data collected through wearable pulse oximetry devices. The new method, published in  Journal of the American Heart Association ,  provides a more detailed peek into heart health than traditional measures, uncovering a link between reduced complexity and future cognitive decline. “Heart rate complexity is a hallmark of healthy physiology,” said senior author  Peng Li, PhD,  of the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), both founding members of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system. “Our hearts must balance between spontaneity and adaptability, incorporating internal needs an...

People who eat more ultra processed foods like cold breakfast cereal, cookies and hot dogs are more likely to have early signs of Parkinson’s disease when compared to those who eat very few ultra processed foods, according to a study published in the May 7, 2025, online in  Neurology ® , the medical journal of the  American Academy of Neurology . The study does not prove that eating more ultra processed foods causes early signs of Parkinson’s disease; it only shows an association. Researchers looked for signs of prodromal Parkinson’s disease, which is the earliest stage, when neurodegeneration begins, but more characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, like tremors, balance problems and slow movement, have not yet begun. These early symptoms can begin years or even decades before the typical symptoms start. “Eating a healthy diet is crucial as it has been associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases and the dietary choices we make today can significantly inf...

Journal: Pediatric Research.  10.1038/s41390-025-03968-4 An observational  study  among 2,272 mother-child pairs in Finland found that infants had 44% lower odds of developing food allergies at 12 months if their mother consumed fresh avocado during pregnancy, after adjusting for other lifestyle, delivery, and maternal health factors. Decades of research have explored the relationship between maternal diet and allergic outcomes in infants, but this is the first published study to link avocados in the maternal diet to a lower risk of infant food allergies—a growing public health concern that affects nearly one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom, according to Food Allergy Research and Education(FARE).   Given food allergy has reached epidemic levels, the Avocado Nutrition Center supported this research to grow the world’s understanding of how avocado, a food with nutrients that support fetal and infant development, may further benefit children....

During the early stages of the pandemic, healthcare professionals observed that certain individuals with compromised immune systems were experiencing persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, sometimes lasting for weeks or even months. This raised concerns about the potential for a viral variant to emerge that could take advantage of an extended battle with the immune system. A recent prospective study published in the Lancet Microbe, led by Dr. Adam Lauring from the Division of Infectious Disease at Michigan Medicine, explores which patient populations are at a heightened risk of prolonged infections. This study, part of the CDC-sponsored IVY Network based at Vanderbilt University, closely monitored 150 immunocompromised COVID-19 patients across five U.S. health systems in 2022. The diverse group of participants included individuals with various immunocompromising conditions, such as those with B-cell cancers or undergoing anti-B cell therapy, solid organ or stem cell transplant recipients, i...