α-Synuclein Deletion Impairs Platelet Function: A Role for SNARE Complex Assembly.

Granule secretion is an essential platelet function that contributes not only to haemostasis but also to wound healing, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Granule secretion from platelets is facilitated, at least in part, by Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor (NSF) Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) complex-mediated granule fusion. Although α-synuclein is a protein known to modulate the assembly of the SNARE complex in other cells, its role in platelet function remains poorly understood.

Strontium isoscape of sub-Saharan Africa allows tracing origins of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

Strontium isotope (Sr/Sr) analysis with reference to strontium isotope landscapes (Sr isoscapes) allows reconstructing mobility and migration in archaeology, ecology, and forensics. However, despite the vast potential of research involving Sr/Sr analysis particularly in Africa, Sr isoscapes remain unavailable for the largest parts of the continent. Here, we measure the Sr/Sr ratios in 778 environmental samples from 24 African countries and combine this data with published data to model a bioavailable Sr isoscape for sub-Saharan Africa using random forest regression.

Ethnic disparities in lung cancer incidence and differences in diagnostic characteristics: a population-based cohort study in England.

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality, yet disparities in lung cancer across different sociodemographic groups in the UK remain unclear. This study investigates ethnicity and sociodemographic disparities and differences in lung cancer in a nationally representative English cohort, aiming to highlight inequalities and promote equitable access to diagnostic advancements.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using health care records from QResearch, a large primary care database in England.

Vesicle Picker: A tool for efficient identification of membrane protein complexes in vesicles.

Electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) has recently allowed determination of near-atomic resolution structures of membrane proteins and protein complexes embedded in lipid vesicles. However, particle selection from electron micrographs of these vesicles can be challenging due to the strong signal contributed from the lipid bilayer. This challenge often requires iterative and laborious particle selection workflows to generate a dataset of high-quality particle images for subsequent analysis.