Problems with cranial base growth, which supports the skull’s structure, can lead to several chronic conditions of the face and upper airway. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process remain poorly understood. In a recent study, researchers from the United States use a sophisticated mouse model to understand the role of RUNX2, a master regulator protein, in cranial base growth. Their findings offer new insights into craniofacial malformations and may contribute to identifying potential therapeutic targets.

The use of this test in clinical practice would allow for the avoidance of side effects and the implementation of more effective treatment. "We've found a way to practice precision medicine with standard chemotherapy," says Geoff Macintyre, a researcher at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO). The research has been published in the journal Nature Genetics. The test will now be validated in a hospital setting, thanks to a new project funded by the Spanish Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service.

Research led by Hiromi Shiraishi, researcher at Chuo University, has revealed that, in addition to Japanese Eel (Anguilla japonica), American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is now widely distributed in processed eel products sold at retail stores across Japan. While eel farming in Japan relies primarily on Japanese Eel, two-thirds of eel consumption in the country depends on imports of live adult eels and eel products, which include several species of anguillid eels. As the world’s largest importer and consumer of eel, Japan is in a position to contribute to the sustainable use of anguillids beyond Japanese eel.