

ELAVL2 is dynamically expressed with altered alternative splicing and subcellular localization in mushroom bodies, but not in other brain regions. RNAi knockdown demonstrates that ELAVL2 is required for learning and memory in bees. Honey bees Apis mellifera have only one elav/Hu family gene elavl2, that has functionally diversified by increasing alternative splicing including an evolutionary conserved microexon. Prototype RNA binding proteins of the neuronally expressed ELAV/Hu family are candidates for roles in learning and memory, but their capacity to cross-regulate and take over each other’s functions complicate substantiation of such links. Little is known about how alternative mRNA processing, particularly abundant in neuron-specific genes, contributes to these processes. Everything appeared to be running smoothly, that is until the project hit an unexpected dead-end, much to the dismay of the VR community.Changes in gene expression are a hallmark of learning and memory consolidation. The team even received an official blessing from Valve. This included additional locomotion mechanics, an optimized user interface, and other helpful changes. In 2017, however, a spark of hope was ignited when the original creators announced plans to bring the mod to modern headsets alongside a suite of improvements designed specifically with VR in mind. Unfortunately, advancements in VR technology would eventually render the mod useless on modern headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, much to the dismay of the early VR community. Originally released in 2013 on the original Oculus Rift DK1, the HL2VR mod allowed early adopters to play through the entirety of Half-Life 2’s single-player campaign in VR with support for the Razer Hydra motion controllers. A popular VR mod for Valve’s legendary first-person shooter is set to return years after losing compatibility with modern headsets.
