by admin | Aug 19, 2024 | biology
Metabolism is the cornerstone of life, orchestrating the myriad chemical reactions that sustain cells, tissues, and organisms. It drives growth, division, energy production, and cellular maintenance. For scientists, understanding metabolism, particularly during the earliest stages of human development, holds the key to uncovering the origins of various diseases and developmental disorders. However, studying metabolism in human embryos presents formidable challenges due to ethical considerations, their tiny size, and the intricate web of metabolic pathways. In a groundbreaking study, researchers Prof. Andisheh Dadashi and Derek Martinez of the University of New Mexico-Valencia leveraged advanced computational models to shed light on the metabolic processes occurring in human embryos during the critical peri-implantation stage.
by admin | Aug 5, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
Dental features have been used to estimate age in humans for centuries and may be used with great accuracy in both living and deceased individuals. However, refinement of these techniques to align with modern clinical practice is ongoing. Dr Hosam Alharbi and colleagues at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia have introduced an amended version of an established technique to assess whether dental imaging systems used in modern clinics are suitable for determining human age.
by admin | Jul 10, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
Developing therapies to effectively treat cancerous tumors is challenging, due to the hostility of the tumor microenvironment and the potential to unintentionally damage surrounding tissues. Infusions of immune cells can improve immune function and assist the body in fighting disease, although this approach increases the risk of inducing dangerous inflammatory responses. Dr. Archana Thakur and her colleagues at the Universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania have engineered a pioneering immunotherapy system that precisely targets cancerous cells. This new immunotherapy poses minimal risk of adverse reactions, and can be used against a wide range of tumor types.
by admin | Jul 3, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
Vitamin D has been studied as a treatment for a large number of diseases and conditions, from cancer to autism to COVID-19. However, its mode of action is not completely understood. Professor Ralf Herwig carries out his research at HG Pharma GmbH (Austria) and Ulster University (UK). His vital work explores the role of vitamin D in the body with a view to unlocking its potential as a treatment for a variety of health conditions involving the immune system.
by admin | Jun 1, 2024 | biology, health and medicine
During brain development, anomalies may arise which lead to serious conditions such as epilepsy, triggering seizures and requiring lifelong monitoring and medication. However, the underlying causes and the way in which these defects occur are not completely understood. Dr Katty (Jing-Qiong) Kang and colleagues at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in the USA have conducted extensive research into the molecular mechanisms associated with developmental brain disorders, with a focus on genetic epilepsy. They propose novel therapeutic targets to effectively manage symptoms and improve clinical outcomes by targeting the root cause.
by admin | Sep 13, 2023 | biology, earth and environment
Plastic pollution is accelerating the destruction of our planet. Discarded plastic can be found in the remotest areas – from the highest mountain tops to the deepest ocean trenches. As many types of plastic take hundreds of years to break down, finding better solutions to the plastic crisis is vital. In recent research, Dr Jay Mellies from Reed College in Oregon examines the ability of microbes to break down mixed-plastic waste.
