GeneticsScience

Single-Cell Analysis Breakthrough Enhances Detection of Genetic Regulation in Immune Responses

Scientists have developed a novel framework that captures cellular response heterogeneity to boost discovery of genetic regulators in immune cells. The approach outperforms traditional methods in identifying context-dependent genetic effects relevant to autoimmune diseases and infections. Researchers demonstrated its utility across multiple pathogen stimulations using single-cell data from hundreds of donors.

Enhanced Detection of Genetic Regulators in Cellular Responses

Researchers have developed a new analytical framework that significantly improves the detection of genetic variants that influence gene expression in response to cellular perturbations, according to a recent study published in Nature Genetics. The approach models expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) using a continuous perturbation score rather than binary states, reportedly increasing statistical power to identify response eQTLs (reQTLs) that change under experimental conditions.

PolicyScience

Federal Climate Science Faces Unprecedented Cuts as Weather Monitoring Systems Degrade

Veteran hurricane hunter Frank Marks has returned from retirement to address critical staffing shortages at NOAA as the agency faces proposed 26% budget cuts. Weather balloon launches have been suspended at multiple sites while international meteorologists warn of deteriorating global forecasting capabilities.

Staffing Crisis Hits Weather Agency

At 73 years old, Frank Marks has resumed his role as a “hurricane hunter” to help address severe staff shortages at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to reports, Marks interrupted his retirement specifically to assist an agency struggling with personnel gaps after what sources describe as a systematic reduction in workforce. The veteran meteorologist, who previously directed NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division during his 45-year career, indicates the situation has become critical.