A team of researchers led by University of California, Riverside biomedical scientists has identified a small, previously overlooked small RNA molecule that plays a major role in controlling the body’s cholesterol production and the development of heart disease. The molecule, named tsRNA-Glu-CTC, could be a potential new target for future therapies aimed at lowering high cholesterol.

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a novel artificial intelligence tool that not only identifies disease-causing genetic mutations but also predicts the type of disease those mutations may trigger. The method, called V2P (Variant to Phenotype), is designed to accelerate genetic diagnostics and aid in the discovery of new treatments for complex and rare diseases. The findings were reported in the December 15 online issue of Nature Communications [DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66607-w].

A new model predicts, minute by minute, how individual cells will fold, divide, and rearrange during a fruit fly’s earliest stage of growth. The method may help scientists predict the development of more complex tissues or identify early signs of diseases such as asthma and cancer.