People suffering from diabetic neuropathy often can’t feel the soles of their feet. They can also develop dangerous wounds on those soles that may not be detected early enough, sometimes leading to infections, debridements, and amputations. There aren’t a lot of cheap options for keeping an eye on the bottoms of the feet. Mirrors are...
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Solution to 50-year-old mystery could lead to gene therapy for common blood disorders
UNSW Sydney scientist Professor Merlin Crossley. Credit: UNSW In a landmark study that could lead to new therapies for sickle cell anaemia and other blood disorders, UNSW Sydney-led researchers have used CRISPR gene editing to introduce beneficial natural mutations into blood cells to boost their production of foetal haemoglobin. The research solves a 50-year-old mystery...
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Colon signaling pathway key to inflammatory bowel disease
Upon inflammation, monocytes are recruited into the inflamed colon, where they become colitogenic macrophages expressing TNF-? and iNOS. Regarding the mechanisms, we found that IFN-γ acts on the recruited monocytes and phosphorylated STAT1 …more The intestine encounters more foreign substances and potential toxins than other parts of the body, so it is not surprising that a...
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CRISPR enhances gene therapy to fight inherited diseases
Shown is a transmission electron microscope image of adenovirus particles. A new study, in mice, combined molecular tools — adenovirus and CRISPR — to improve gene therapy. Credit: CDC/G. William Gary Jr Gene therapy has shown promise in treating inherited genetic diseases, but a major issue that has frustrated scientists remains: Replacing a “bad” gene...
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Protein analysis enables precise drug targeting
Researchers from MIPT and several U.S. and Chinese universities have solved the structure of one of the most important nervous system proteins in complex with a number of drug molecules. The discovery opens up opportunities for developing new medications with regulated action and fewer side effects. The paper was published in the journal Cell. Many modern...
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New compound helps activate cancer-fighting T cells
Study identifies mechanisms responsible for improved immune system activity, offering new approaches for more effective cancer treatments and vaccines. UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT IMAGE: THIS IS AN ILLUSTRATION SHOWING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN COMPONENTS OF THE AH10-7 COMPOUND (YELLOW), AN IMMUNE SYSTEM ANTIGEN-PRESENTING CELL (GRAY), AND AN INVARIANT NATURAL KILLER T CELL (GREEN AND BLUE) CREDIT: JOSE GASCON/UCONN Invariant...
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How much will this hurt? Brain waves may hold the answer
We all feel pain, but our experiences are not equal. A new study demonstrates that by measuring brain activity, we might be able to predict who will be more sensitive to pain. Brain waves may help doctors to understand who is more susceptible to pain. Pain is a strange phenomenon. How painful a particular injury...
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No more secrets! New mind-reading machine can translate your thoughts and display them as text INSTANTLY
Researchers say they have developed a machine that can translate our thoughts The astonishing machine will analyse what you are thinking and display it as text Scientists hope that the machine can be used by people who are unable to speak By DANYAL HUSSAIN FOR MAILONLINE Scientists have developed an astonishing mind-reading machine which can translate...
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New drug attacks cancer-causing genes
Two recent papers attack two cancer-related problems using the same drug. They hope that it might improve survival in breast and lung cancer and halt obesity-related cancers. Research gives a deeper insight into the molecular changes associated with cancer. Researchers from Michigan State University in East Lansing are using novel molecular routes to attack cancer. The...
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When you lose weight, your fat cells don’t just let go of fat
Every January, fat’s in the crosshairs of health columnists, fitness magazines, and desperate Americans. This year, PopSci looks at the macronutrient beyond its most negative associations. What’s fat good for? How do we get it to go where we want it to? Where does it wander when it’s lost? This, my friends, is Fat Month. Deposit...