Bar Harbor, Maine — A new study led by MDI Biological Laboratory identifies ML233 as a potent inhibitor of melanin production, offering promise for development of new treatments for pigment-related skin disorders and one melanoma subtype. The compound showed strong effects at low doses in zebrafish, mouse and and human cell models, highlighting potential for dermatological therapies.

Researchers have completed a comprehensive natural history study of SCN8A-related disorders, which represent a spectrum of neurological symptoms. The study, using retrospective clinical information analyzed through novel data analysis methods, revealed a range of seizure types and neurodevelopmental features, and identifies potential targets for future clinical trials.

Research assistants often face unique challenges when working on emotionally intense topics, particularly if they lack established support systems outside the research team or have not yet learned effective coping strategies, according to a Rutgers Health study.

The study, published in the Journal of Gender-Based Violence, surveyed 27 research assistants involved in a multistate firearm violence research project. While working on the project, research assistants read and coded graphic descriptions of gun violence.