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Pain signals are transmitted to the brain through neurons similar to these in the spinal cord.Credit: Jose Calvo/Science Photo Library
CRISPR gene therapy dampens pain in mice
A gene-silencing technique based on CRISPR can relieve pain in mice The pain relief seemed to last, in some cases, for as long as 44 weeks after the injection. Although the therapy is still a long way from being used in people, scientists say it is a promising approach for squelching chronic pain that lasts for months or years. Chronic pain is typically treated with opioids, such as morphine, which can lead to addiction.
Reference: Science Translational Medicine paper
Archaea use molecular gymnastics to fold DNA
Single-celled archaea wrap their DNA into flexible, Slinky-like coils that open and close like a clamshell does, possibly providing easy access to their genes. Researchers used computer simulations and electron microscopy to observe this genetic contortion in Methanothermus fervidus for the first time. “My gut reaction was: ‘Wow! So pretty!’” says biochemist Karolin Luger. “My second reaction was: ‘Of course! This makes so much sense!’”
COVID-19 coronavirus update
Antibodies attacking a coronavirus particle (illustration).Credit: Juan Gaertner/SPL/Alamy
Antibody treatments help prevent severe COVID
Two clinical trials suggest that specific antibody treatments can prevent deaths and hospitalizations among people with mild or moderate COVID-19 — particularly those who are at high risk of developing severe disease. But uptake by patients and physicians has been low in the United States, where some therapies have been authorized for months. The drugs could be particularly important for those who cannot mount an immune response to vaccination. “It is not a replacement for vaccines, but it is a plan B,” says infectious-disease physician Jens Lundgren. The study results, both announced on 10 March, come from randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials, but have not yet been published.
Coronapod: COVID and pregnancy
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been many open questions — confounded by a lack of data — about how COVID-19 could impact pregnant people and their babies. Now, studies are starting to provide some answers. It does seem that pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation, but babies seem to be spared from severe illness in most cases. This week’s Coronapod looks at the evidence.
Nature Coronapod Podcast | 13 min listen
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No evidence that Oxford jab causes clots
There is no evidence of an increased risk of blood-clot issues among people who have had the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, says the World Health Organization and European and UK medical regulators. AstraZeneca reports that the rate of blood clots among the more than 17 million people who have had the jab in the United Kingdom and the European Union is much lower than would be expected among the general population. Germany, Ireland and Norway are among a handful of countries that have suspended their roll out of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns about clotting issues, such as deep vein thrombosis.
Features & opinion
Tips to focus, from neuroscience
From writing a paper to making sense of a puzzling result, being a scientist means tackling hard problems. Cognitive neuroscientist David Badre explains strategies that can help you to stay focused when the going gets tough. He recommends setting aside consistent, large blocks of time (and taking regular breaks), engaging in good problem-solving habits and avoiding multitasking.
