In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers evaluated the impact of mucosal versus intramuscular vaccine immunization on airborne infection and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Syrian hamsters. Background SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), identified in 2019, with vaccines developed by 2020 targeting the virus's spike protein, showing 75-95% effectiveness [...]

Researchers from the LMS and LMB have discovered how the D2-I protein complex identifies and repairs DNA damage, a breakthrough that promises to enhance cancer treatments by improving our understanding of DNA repair pathways. This collaboration could pave the way for more effective therapies by targeting the mechanisms that cancer cells use to resist treatment. A [...]

Recent findings from an American Cancer Society study show rising cancer rates among younger generations, with increases in incidence and mortality across multiple cancer types. This generational shift in cancer risk highlights the critical need for targeted health interventions and improved access to healthcare. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) indicates [...]

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) today called on researchers and governments to strengthen and accelerate global research to prepare for the next pandemic. They emphasized the importance of expanding research to encompass entire families of pathogens that can infect humans–regardless of their perceived pandemic risk–as well [...]

Internet nastiness, name-calling, and other not-so-petty, world-altering disagreements.. AI is sexy, AI is cool. AI is entrenching inequality, upending the job market, and wrecking education. AI is a theme-park ride, AI is a magic trick. AI is our final invention, AI is a moral obligation. AI is the buzzword of the decade, AI is [...]

Researchers have long studied how consciousness forms in the brain. Professor Ekrem Dere proposes defining conscious phases via behavioral observations and learning curves, using sudden insights to identify conscious processing times. Consciousness varies by task, and studying these phases can reveal brain mechanisms through imaging. For generations, researchers have pondered the origins and mechanisms [...]

Summary: Researchers uncover how specific brain cells and circuits become vulnerable in Alzheimer’s disease and identify factors that may promote resilience to cognitive decline. Analyzing gene expression in over 1.3 million cells across multiple brain regions, the study highlights the role of Reelin in neuron protection and choline metabolism in astrocytes for cognitive resilience. These [...]

Research indicates that while the most severe effects of SARS-CoV-2 were observed in patients with acute COVID-19, individuals who experienced milder cases and were not hospitalized also reported symptoms of memory loss and attention deficits lasting over 18 months post-infection. Memory loss and attention deficit are common complaints among severe COVID-19 survivors. However, these and other cognitive [...]

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a set of nanoparticles that stimulate the immune system in mice to fight cancer and may eventually do the same in humans. The research, led by John T. Wilson, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and biomedical engineering, was recently published in ACS Nano. Working with collaborators at Yale University, Wilson and his [...]

The need for innovative antimicrobial agents has become increasingly urgent due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and the persistent threat of infections acquired during hospital stays. Traditional antibiotics and antiseptics are often ineffective against these resilient microorganisms, leading to severe health complications and increased healthcare costs. Therefore, researchers are exploring alternative solutions that [...]