A groundbreaking genomic study in Molecular Biology and Evolution has reshaped our understanding of the evolutionary history of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Led by researchers at the University of Sydney and Texas A&M University, the comprehensive analysis reveals that the iconic Australian marsupial experienced severe population declines long before the arrival of human populations on the continent.

In a new study, Northwestern University scientists developed a 90s-style video game to help chronic stroke survivors regain lost arm function. While wearing a small device on their impaired arm and using a laptop computer, players use their arm muscles to complete tasks such as flying a helicopter around the screen to hit a moving target. The muscle retraining helps separate the brain’s uncoordinated movement signals, enabling muscles to work independently again.

A groundbreaking genomic study has reshaped our understanding of the evolutionary history of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), revealing the iconic Australian marsupial experienced a severe population decline around 100,000 years ago, before the arrival of humans on the continent. All modern koalas descended from a single ancestral population that survived major climate fluctuations, including severe glacial periods.

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) will lead a new national effort to grow and strengthen America’s seafood supply through aquaculture research. After a highly competitive application process, UNH, which has a long history of innovation in the farming of aquatic species, was selected to oversee the first-of-its-kind NOAA Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM). With approximately $13.5 million in initial funding, CIFARM will support research and partnerships that will make it safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce seafood domestically. 

Salk Institute scientists identify YAF9B as a protein activated by DNA damage, acting like an emergency responder to life-threatening genetic alterations in plant tissues containing stem cells. The study reveals how plants leverage specific genomic signals to accurately repair dangerous DNA breaks, and may help improve precision genome editing techniques and guide efforts to boost agricultural resilience.

A fatal genetic brain disorder with no cure may have a promising new therapeutic target. Researchers found that blocking the immune cGAS-STING pathway in a humanized mouse model of Huntington disease reduced brain inflammation, protected vulnerable neurons and improved movement. The findings identify a key driver of disease progression and suggest that targeting this pathway could offer a potential strategy for slowing the neurodegeneration that robs patients of their movement, cognition and independence.

University of Texas at Arlington researcher Yue Liao contributed to an international study showing that changes in people’s physical activity—whether light or moderate—are closely linked to changes in their mood throughout the day.