In a recent study published in Nature, scientists used murine models to investigate how certain bacteria, such as Escherichia coli strains that contain a polyketide synthase (pks) island encoding enzymes that produce colibactin genotoxin, could increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The study examined whether blocking the binding mechanisms of the toxin could prevent colorectal cancer. Background [...]
(Nanowerk News) Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed a new class of nanostructures capable of trapping and neutralising large quantities of the SARS-CoV2 virus particles, both in liquid solutions and on the surface of materials. These novel nanoparticles could be used to manufacture antiviral materials such as wastewater and air filters, and could be exploited to [...]
Nanodiscs are synthetic phospholipid particles with a distinct morphology and size that enhance their efficiency in drug delivery applications.1 First developed by Sligar et al. in the early 2000s, these model membrane systems measure around 10 nm in diameter with a thickness between 4.6 and 5.6 nm.2 Structurally, nanodiscs are similar to high-density lipoproteins. In medical [...]
Researchers discovered that ovarian tumors hinder T cells’ energy supply by trapping a key protein, blocking lipid uptake. A new approach to reprogram T cells could enhance immunotherapy for aggressive cancers. Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have uncovered a mechanism by which ovarian tumors weaken immune cells, effectively blocking their energy source and hindering their ability [...]
Antibacterial resistance occurs when antibiotics fail to treat bacterial infections. This incidence is considered one of the top global health threats, stemming from the misuse or overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals.1 The global impact of antibacterial resistance Bacterial infections are common and can impact various organs and tissues in the human body.² [...]
The internet search engine of the future will be powered by artificial intelligence. One can already choose from a host of AI-powered or AI-enhanced search engines—though their reliability often still leaves much to be desired. However, a team of computer scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently published and released a novel system for evaluating [...]
In recent years, bio-medical engineers have been developing promising techniques that could help diagnose diseases or precisely target specific regions inside the human body. Among these promising therapeutic strategies are methods that rely on the use of nanoparticles (NPs), tiny particles between 1 and 100 nm in size. These tiny particles could precisely image [...]
Lassa fever has reached the US for the first time in a decade, in a case that has surprised health officials. The middle-aged patient in Iowa, who was not identified, died a 'short time' after being hospitalized with the disease, which can cause bleeding from the eyes and seizures. The patient had just returned to the US [...]
Phthalate affects egg formation in C. elegans, resulting in abnormal chromosome numbers. A recent study conducted on roundworms has discovered that a common plastic ingredient can cause DNA strand breaks, leading to egg cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. The research, led by Monica Colaiácovo from Harvard Medical School, was recently published in the journal PLOS Genetics. [...]
Our ability to see starts with the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells in our eyes. A specific region of the retina, termed fovea, is responsible for sharp vision. Here, the color-sensitive cone photoreceptors allow us to detect even the smallest details. The density of these cells varies from person to person. Additionally, when we fixate on [...]
