Cambridge scientists have developed a urine test for early detection of lung cancer. The test, the first of its kind, detects ‘zombie’ cells that could indicate the first signs of the disease. Researchers hope that early detection, through the simple urine test, could enable earlier treatment interventions, significantly improving patient outcomes and prognosis. Around 36,600...
Category: <span>Research Updates</span>
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A tapeworm-inspired, tissue-anchoring mechanism for medical devices
by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Flow chart illustrating the mechanism of action of the tapeworm-inspired tissue anchoring mechanism. Upon contact with a tissue surface (in this case, the intestinal lining), the small protruding trigger posts (top right image) are depressed, rapidly deploying the curved array of hooks which penetrate the...
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New Barcode Technology Could Help Diagnose Cancer More Precisely
Posted Today A new pathology tool created at Yale harnesses barcode technology and shows potential for use in cancer diagnoses. The technology, Patho-DBiT (pathology-compatible deterministic barcoding in tissue), was discussed in a new study published in the journal Cell. Patho-DBiT reveals cellular level tissue architecture of an aggressive gastric lymphoma sample stored for 3 years. Image credit: Yale...
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Receptor structure reveals novel drug design opportunities for Parkinson’s disease
by Justin Jackson , Medical Xpress Top and side views of GPR6 structures in different conformational states. Credit: Science Signaling (2024). DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.ado8741 University of Southern California-led researchers have discovered the structural details of a brain receptor called GPR6, which could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. GPR6 is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor primarily expressed...
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Molecular zip code draws killer T cells straight to brain tumors
Researchers have found a way to program immune cells to attack glioblastoma and treat the inflammation of multiple sclerosis in mice. The technology will soon be tested in a clinical trial for people with glioblastoma.Peer-Reviewed Publication University of California – San Francisco More information, including a copy of the paper, can be found online at...
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Shaking sensor continuously monitors inflammation
Implantable device works like a tree branch to grab and fling proteinsPeer-Reviewed Publication Northwestern University image: The study’s first author, Hossein Zargartalebi, holds the tiny device. The implantable microdevice with the electrode and sensors inside a thin microneedle, the width of just three human hairs. Resembling a continuous glucose monitor, the device sits on the skin outside...
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Scientists discover new receptor for nerve growth factor—a promising target for treating pain
Cellular studies reveal neuropilin-1 is required for signaling pain and may offer a new approach for developing or repurposing therapies to address chronic painPeer-Reviewed Publication New York University image: Nerve growth factor receptor TrkA (in green) and co-receptor NRP1 (in purple) are coexpressed in the same nerve cells in mice.view more Credit: Bunnett Lab Researchers at...
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Imaging technique allows rapid assessment of ovarian cancer subtypes and their response to treatment
by University of Cambridge These images, from a small-scale unpublished study in human ovarian cancer patients, were created using a technique called hyperpolarized carbon-13 imaging that allows doctors to distinguish between different subtypes of ovarian cancer, to reveal their sensitivities to treatment. The scientists observed different rates of pyruvate conversion into lactate in different tumor deposits,...
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Adults grow new brain cells, and these neurons are key to learning by listening
by Aswathy Ammothumkandy, Charles Liu and Michael A. Bonaguidi, The Conversation Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Your brain can still make new neurons when you’re an adult. But how does the rare birth of these new neurons contribute to cognitive function? Neurons are the cells that govern brain function, and you are born with most of the neurons...
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Genetic risk for schizophrenia linked to a malformed skull
by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Research from the Zakharenko lab, St. Jude Department of Developmental Neurobiology published in Nature Communications revealed a gene deleted in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome results in malformed regions of the cerebellum, but the defect is a result of a local skull deformity. Pictured: first author on the paper Tae-Yeon Eom, PhD....