Renowned scientist Dr. Cathy Barr reveals groundbreaking insights into the genetic underpinnings of childhood psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Her innovative research at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and Krembil Research Institute combines molecular techniques with stem cell studies to understand how genetic variations influence brain development.

Distinguished McGill University Professor Emeritus Dr. Michael Meaney shares groundbreaking insights into how environmental factors influence genetic expression and brain development. His research bridges molecular biology and public health, revolutionizing our understanding of early-life experiences' impact on long-term health outcomes.

A new species of black, slender moray eel has chosen the road less traveled, thriving in dim and muddy river mouths, unlike most of its marine relatives. It is found across the Central Indo-Pacific, including within the cave of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. This new moray eel is named after the underworld god Hades for its distinctive habitat, unique behaviors, and most notably, its deep, dark coloration. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys.

A team from Osaka University has reported a Raman microscopy technique that produced images up to eight times brighter than those achieved with conventional Raman techniques. Imaging of frozen biological samples reduced the noise introduced by the motion of material over long acquisition times. The technique is expected to broaden understanding in many areas of the biological sciences by allowing high-quality images and chemical information to be captured without the need for staining.