CELL PRESS To date most research on obesity has focused on studying those with a high body mass index (BMI), but a research group in China is taking a different approach. In a study published July 14 in the journal Cell Metabolism, the scientists looked at individuals with a very low BMI. Their findings reveal that...
Month: <span>July 2022</span>
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A type of ‘step therapy’ is an effective strategy for diabetic eye disease
NIH/NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE IMAGE: DR. CHIRAG JHAVERI WITH A PATIENT. CREDIT: IMAGE COURTESY OF CHIRAG JHAVERI. Clinical trial results from the DRCR Retina Network suggest that a specific step strategy, in which patients with diabetic macular edema start with a less expensive medicine and switch to a more expensive medicine if vision does not improve...
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New stem cell mechanism discovered in the gut
by Institute of Science and Technology Austria Stem cells divide at the bottom of the intestinal crypts and the resulting cells are pushed upwards to the top pf the villi where they are discarded. Credit: © Shutterstock A special layer of cells that coats the insides of the small and large intestines takes in nutrients and...
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Study results challenge current thinking about autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF NEPHROLOGY Highlight New research indicates that the polycystin-2 protein in cells’ endoplasmic reticulum is important for maintaining kidney health, and its lack can contribute to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Washington, DC (July 12, 2022) — Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic condition that can lead to kidney failure...
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Microparticles could be used to deliver ‘self-boosting’ vaccines
by Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT researchers have developed microparticles that can be tuned to deliver their payload at different time points, which could be used to create “self-boosting” vaccines. Credit: Second Bay Studios, edited by MIT News Most vaccines, from measles to COVID-19, require a series of multiple shots before the recipient is considered...
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Genetic discovery to improve lung cancer treatment
by Edith Cowan University Associate Professor Elin Gray. Credit: Edith Cowan University Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer, accounting for an estimated 1.8 million deaths worldwide. Treatment for the condition has improved in recent years—and a new Edith Cowan University study has found how to make it even more effective. Immunotherapy has emerged...
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CRISPR technology highlights genes that contribute to the development of emphysema and COPD
by Boston Medical Center Overview of CRISPRi platform to interrogate COPD GWAS genes. (A) Gene editing strategy to generate inducible CRISPRi iPSC/ESC lines with an NKX2-1–GFP and/or SFTPC-tdTomato reporter. (B) Schematic representation of dox-inducible dCas9-KRAB expression and lentiviral-delivered gRNA targeted to the transcriptional start site (TSS) of genes of interest (GOI) to mediate knockdown. (C)...
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US regulators OK new COVID-19 shot option from Novavax
by LAURAN NEERGAARD In this image provided by the Serum Institute of India, vials of freshly manufactured Novavax COVID-19 vaccines wait to be labeled in 2022, in Pune, India. The U.S. is getting another COVID-19 vaccine choice as the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, cleared Novavax shots for adults. Credit: Serum...
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Virtual Reality App trial shown to reduce common phobias
by University of Otago Adam Hutchinson (left) and Associate Professor Cameron Lacey. Credit: University of Otago Results from a University of Otago, Christchurch trial suggest fresh hope for the estimated one-in-twelve people worldwide suffering from a fear of flying, needles, heights, spiders and dogs. The trial, led by Associate Professor Cameron Lacey, from the Department...
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Established drug for symptoms of angina pectoris also protects vascular system
by Johannes Angerer, Medical University of Vienna Plaque burden and morphology in ranolazine-treated LDL receptor knockout mice. Plaque burden and composition was analyzed in 25 LDL-R knockout mice (n = 12 ranolazine and n = 13 control). Overall plaque burden was evaluated using en face staining of the total aorta (A). Aortic roots were stained...