Health

The application of CAR immunotherapies to neurodegenerative diseases is limited by major challenges due to the complex nature of these pathologies and the heterogeneity of harmful molecules to be treated. Nonetheless, and despite uncertainties, the initial findings are encouraging to continue advancing research, still in its very early stages.

A research team led by scientists from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, has made significant progress in understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and intestinal cells. The study, published in the journal Gut Microbes, showed how microbiota and the compounds it produces, such as butyrate, influence the functioning of cells that line the large intestine. This intestinal layer is in close contact with bacteria and produces mucus that contributes to its barrier function, helping to prevent bacteria from entering the body.

The ability of different genetic variants—changes to one or more building blocks of DNA—to cause disease, and to what extent, has historically been opaque. Geneticist and Crick group leader Greg Findlay has pioneered a new method in the hope of changing this. Called "saturation genome editing," the new technique involves mapping every single variant in a given gene to work out what it does and pinpoint which changes are responsible for specific disorders.

Dr. Yangzhi Zhu from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation has published a research paper titled "Real-time intraocular pressure monitoring and responsive drug delivery in preclinical models by an all-polymer smart contact lens" in Science Translational Medicine. The study introduces an innovative smart contact lens that integrates AI-enabled real-time intraocular pressure monitoring with closed-loop treatment delivery.

Will Adolphy helps men and boys escape the influence of the online manosphere.

Consumer wearables have become everyday tools for monitoring sleep and physical activity. Researchers at the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) have now shown that their capabilities may extend further: pulse signals recorded overnight carry enough information to estimate vascular age, a key indicator of cardiovascular health.

A QUT-led pilot study has shown the use of a relatively simple and cost-effective method of monitoring the presence of infectious disease-causing bacteria in intensive care units and their sites of transmission. The collaborative project between QUT, University of Southern Queensland, University of Queensland and St Vincent's Private Hospital in Toowoomba has demonstrated the power of academia and hospitals working together to address the critical problem of hospital-acquired infections. The paper is published in the journal Microbial Genomics.

The biological connection between a pregnant woman and her developing baby has been mapped in unprecedented detail by UC San Francisco scientists, revealing new cell types and insights into conditions such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and miscarriage.

Researchers have discovered the mechanism by which neurofibrillary tangles spread through the brain of Alzheimer's patients is via connected neurons, and these findings reveal a major disease etiology that could lead to new therapies that slow Alzheimer's disease progression.

Imagine you're in line at your favorite bakery, deciding whether to have a doughnut or a tart. You weigh them up, the doughnut wins, and you settle on that. By the time you're at the front of the line, however, only tarts are left. So, you buy one. These two decisions feel completely different. One involves deliberation based on our unique and personal preferences, while the other involves simply recognizing and picking the only available option. But our latest research published in the journal Imaging Neuroscience shows our brains actually make these decisions in surprisingly similar ways.

For people living with celiac disease, the fear of gluten exposure can extend beyond food—sometimes even into moments of intimacy. A new study published in Gastroenterology offers reassuring news: while gluten can be transferred through kissing, the amount transferred is typically very small and can be reduced to safe levels with a simple step.

A new single-cell technology is giving scientists their clearest view yet of immune cell behavior—capturing not just genetic intent, but real-time activity. By measuring RNA and proteins simultaneously, it reveals cytokine activity with greater accuracy, strengthening the foundation for understanding cancer, inflammation and treatment resistance. Published in Scientific Reports, the findings could ultimately sharpen immunotherapy design and improve predictions of patient response.

The team aims to find out what it is about the Isle of Wight that makes people feel better.

Scientists have created a new "molecular map" uncovering how an important human receptor involved in blood clotting and inflammation works—an advance that could help us design better drugs for conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. The study, led by an international team including researchers from Trinity College Dublin and published in Nature Communications, used advanced cryo-electron microscopy to capture high-res images of the thromboxane A2 receptor while it was active and primed to send signals across the membrane to the cell interior.

A bit of sugar before a class test, a piece of chocolate before an important negotiation, a muesli bar before a marathon—the important role glucose plays in coping with stressful situations has been well researched. When we consume sugar, the body reacts more strongly to stress by releasing more cortisol. In addition, our heart rate remains elevated for longer. This means that more energy is available in acutely stressful situations. The negative long-term consequences are also well known: increased risk of high blood pressure, obesity and cardiovascular disease.