The Journal Club13 Huhti 2025

Latest news on Dire Wolves from the journals of Science and Nature

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and controversial tale of the dire wolf—Canis dirus—once one of the most dominant predators of Pleistocene America. New genomic research published in Nature reveals that dire wolves were not close cousins of the modern gray wolf as long assumed, but instead a highly divergent species that split off more than 5.7 million years ago, likely evolving in complete isolation in the Americas.

Despite their striking morphological similarity to gray wolves, dire wolves never interbred with them, likely due to long-term reproductive isolation. This evolutionary backstory sets the stage for today's bioethical dilemma.

Fast forward to 2025—Colossal Biosciences announces the birth of gene-edited animals resembling dire wolves, using gray wolf DNA altered with just 20 edits to mimic the ancient beast’s appearance. The animals, named Romulus and Remus, were born from surrogate dogs. The company sparked both media buzz and scientific backlash.

We unpack the science behind the evolutionary findings, question whether Colossal’s recreation is truly a dire wolf or just a genetic cosplay, and explore the ethical implications of de-extinction efforts. Is this science fiction creeping into real life, or are we simply rebranding selective breeding with a high-tech flair?

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Jaksot(250)

The Science of Chocolate

Gopaulchan, D., Moore, C., Ali, N. et al. A defined microbial community reproduces attributes of fine flavour chocolate fermentation. Nat Microbiol (2025). https://doi-org.ccmain.ohionet.org/10.1038/s...

20 Elo 202520min

Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Fear Learning and Memory

mWAKE in the Central Amygdala Regulates Fear Learning and MemoryJiali Xiong, Anuradha Mehta, Qiang Liu, Anna X. Luo, Pan P. Li, Patricia H. Janak, Mark N. WuJournal of Neuroscience 20 August 2025, e02...

20 Elo 202512min

Your Brain's Invisible Shield: How Anticipation Primes Your Immune System

Trabanelli, S., Akselrod, M., Fellrath, J. et al. Neural anticipation of virtual infection triggers an immune response. Nat Neurosci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-02008-y

11 Elo 202517min

Pancreas-Brain Feedback in Bipolar and Depression

Liu, YN., Wang, QW., She, XY. et al. A pancreas–hippocampus feedback mechanism regulates circadian changes in depression-related behaviors. Nat Neurosci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-0204...

11 Elo 202516min

AMPA Receptor Activity and Myelinated Axon Loss in Neuroinflammation

Reduction of AMPA receptor activity on matureoligodendrocytes attenuates loss of myelinated axonsin autoimmune neuroinflammation

20 Heinä 202513min

Targeting AMPA Receptors to Restore Synapses in Autoimmune Demyelination

Mey GM, Evonuk KS, Shelestak J, Irfan M, Wolfe LM, Laye SE, Schafer DP, DeSilva TM. Inhibiting AMPA receptor signaling in oligodendrocytes rescues synapse loss in a model of autoimmune demyelination. ...

19 Heinä 202513min

The use of behavioral test batteries: effects of training history

McIlwain KL, Merriweather MY, Yuva-Paylor LA, Paylor R. The use of behavioral test batteries: effects of training history. Physiol Behav. 2001 Aug;73(5):705-17.

1 Heinä 202514min