Diabetes is a troublesome disease that causes complications that increase the chances of contracting other serious health conditions. A study published on April 27 provides proof that diabetes, along with excess weight, damages the brain. The study suggests that people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should keep their weight at normal levels because overweight diabetics are more at risk for...
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Men with prostate cancer can now be saved by a ‘wonder drug’ which boosts survival rates for women battling breast tumours
Research suggests a new ‘wonder drug’ could help men with prostate cancer The pill boosts survival in women battling genetic breast and ovarian cancer American actor Ben Stiller, 51, revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease A ‘wonder drug’ that boosts survival in women battling genetic breast and ovarian cancer may also be a...
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Single gene encourages growth of intestinal stem cells, supporting ‘niche’ cells, and cancer
Finding in mice could lead to new therapies for damaged organs, cancer A gene previously identified as critical for tumor growth in many human cancers also maintains intestinal stem cells and encourages the growth of cells that support them, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers. The finding, reported in the...
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CRISPR gene-editing tool targets cancer’s “command center”
Researchers have used CRISPR-Cas9 to target DNA sequences specific to cancer, shrinking tumors and improving the survival rates of cancer-stricken mice The CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system can do some pretty amazing things, giving us new ways to fight muscular dystrophy, blindness, and even HIV. But at the top of its hit list is cancer, and now researchers...
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Nanoparticles activate cellular memory to fight future tumors
The new method not only enlists the body’s immune system to destroy tumors, it teaches it to be on the lookout for their return The super-small objects known as nanoparticles are playing a big role in combating cancer. They’ve been used to deliver cancer-fighting drugs, to glow in the body to indicate chemotherapy’s efficacy; and to bring powerful...
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Unraveling the mystery of DNA attacks in cells’ powerhouse could pave way for new cancer treatments
The energy generators in cells, mitochondria, have their own genetic material (green circles) which is maintained by a repair toolkit (red circle) unraveled in this study. New research has unravelled the mystery of how mitochondria—the energy generators within cells—can withstand attacks on their DNA from rogue molecules. The findings could pave the way for...
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Molecule identified that helps give resident T cells in the skin their anti-cancer punch
Mouse showing signs of vitiligo. Photograph courtesy of Medical University of South Carolina cancer immunologist Dr. Chrystal M. Paulos and Dartmouth’s Dr. Mary Jo Turk. The molecule CD103 is key to the long-term residence of T cells in the skin and to their anti-tumor function, report a team of researchers at the Medical University...
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Chronic fatigue syndrome linked to imbalanced microbiome
Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have discovered abnormal levels of specific gut bacteria related to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, in patients with and without concurrent irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Findings are published in the journal Microbiome. The study is among the...
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Mitochondrial protein-linked DNA breaks perturb mitochondrial gene transcription and trigger free radical–induced DNA damage
Abstract Breakage of one strand of DNA is the most common form of DNA damage. Most damaged DNA termini require end-processing in preparation for ligation. The importance of this step is highlighted by the association of defects in the 3′-end processing enzyme tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) and neurodegeneration and by the cytotoxic induction of...
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Engineering cells to make immunotherapy more effective
Microscopy image of cells within nanowell array chips. Immunotherapy, in which cells from the human immune system are unleashed to fight disease, has been the big story in cancer treatment over the past few years. When it works, it can spur long-lasting remission in patients for whom other treatments have failed. But most patients...