🧬 biology

Can Machine Learning Identify Meaningful Patterns in DNA Sequences? A Computational Study of DNA Motifs Associated with Transcription-Factor Binding

This independent computational study demonstrates that machine learning classifiers, particularly Random Forest, can effectively distinguish CTCF-associated DNA sequences from dinucleotide-shuffled backgrounds using short k-mer frequency features, thereby establishing a transparent and reproducible end-to-end workflow for integrating molecular biology with applied machine learning.

Hafsa Asmatullah2026-09-16
🧬 biology

Metazoan-wide phylogenomics supports the emergence of recognisable canonical prostanoid-receptor family structure across the vertebrate transition

This metazoan-wide phylogenomic study demonstrates that the canonical eight-family structure of prostanoid receptors is a vertebrate-specific innovation, revealing that previously proposed non-vertebrate homologs are actually distinct receptor lineages whose apparent similarity to vertebrate EP4 receptors stems from phylogenetic proximity rather than true orthology.

Sebastiano Scibelli2026-09-16
🧬 biology

Network pharmacology and experimental evidence implicate ERα-associated β-catenin regulation in the osteoprotective effects of sea buckthorn fruit extract

This study demonstrates that sea buckthorn fruit extract exerts osteoprotective effects in ovariectomized mice by promoting bone formation and suppressing bone resorption through an ERα-mediated upregulation of β-catenin signaling.

Liangliang Wei, Yong Wang, Zhihao Xia, Lei An, Kai Zhou, Shaobo Wu, Jiajia Ji, Yuxing Ye, Leyi Zhao, Junming Liang, Dage (…)2026-09-16
🧬 biology

Beyond aquatic and terrestrial: a multitaxon, large-scale perspective reveals the distinct biodiversity of non-perennial rivers

Through a large-scale, multitaxon analysis using environmental DNA, this study demonstrates that non-perennial rivers host unique and diverse communities distinct from both perennial rivers and terrestrial soils, challenging the view of them as merely transitional systems and highlighting their critical role in global biodiversity.

Naiara López-Rojo, Arnaud Foulquier, Romain Sarremejane, Daniel von Schiller, Klement Tockner, Rachel Stubbington, Aitor (…)2026-09-16
🧬 biology

ViroNEXT: A multilayer hybrid system for high-precision detection of known and divergent viruses in metagenomics

ViroNEXT is a fully automated, open-source multilayer hybrid pipeline that combines reference-based and machine-learning approaches to achieve high-precision detection of both known and highly divergent viruses in metagenomic data while significantly reducing false-positive classifications.

Markus Santhosh Braun, Gibran Horemheb Rubio Quintanares, Martin Machyna, Janice Durschang, Csaba Miskey, Xiang-Jun Lu (…)2026-09-16