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Common cold virus could infect fetus via placenta

According to researchers, the common cold viruses are capable of infecting human placental cells and may thus transmit the infection to the fetus in the womb during pregnancy. The new study was published in the journal PLOS ONE, and provides the first concrete proof that this type of carriage is possible.

3 Dec 2019

Gut microbes may alter the aging process, study finds

An international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found that microorganisms living in the gut may alter the aging process, which could lead to the development of food-based treatment to slow it down.

14 Nov 2019

Celiac disease may now be curable with biodegradable nanoparticles

A phase 2 trial just concluded shows that people with celiac disease may now be able to hope for a cure, through a treatment that makes the immune system tolerant towards gluten. This could eventually make it possible for such individuals to eat gluten-containing foods without fear.

22 Oct 2019

Toxin may play key role in promoting transmission of deadly E. coli strains in cattle

Shiga toxin subtype 2a (Stx2a) may play a key role in promoting the colonization and transmission of life-threatening Escherichia coli strains in cattle, according to a study published October 3 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Tom McNeilly of the Moredun Research Institute, David Gally of the University of Edinburgh, and colleagues.

From PLOS ONE 27 Sep 2019

Research reveals genetic cause of deadly digestive disease in children

Nearly 10 years ago, a group of Israeli clinical researchers emailed Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) geneticist Len Pennacchio to ask for his team's help in solving the mystery of a rare inherited disease that caused extreme, and sometimes fatal, chronic diarrhea in children.

11 Jul 2019

Scientists use 3D imaging to help model complex processes performed by placenta

New three-dimensional imaging of the human placenta has been developed to help understand the reasons for fetal growth restriction - a condition which affects thousands in the UK alone.

19 Apr 2019

Human microbiome metabolites enhance colon injury by enterohemorrhagic E. coli, study shows

It remains mysterious why humans get infected by some bacterial or viral pathogens relatively easily while animals that have very similar tissues and immune functions do not.

20 Mar 2019

Elevated levels of key cellular process implicated in intestinal inflammation and IBD

Elevated levels of the key cellular process of apoptosis have been implicated in intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease in a new study from the Quadram Institute.

20 Feb 2019

Gut immune cells could be responsible for metabolism changes finds study

A new study has shown that the immune cells within the gut could be related to the rate of metabolism. The results of the new study titled, “Gut intraepithelial T cells calibrate metabolism and accelerate cardiovascular disease,” are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.

31 Jan 2019

Scientists create mini-placenta's to study early stages of pregnancy

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have used organoid culture techniques to create a cellular model of the early stages of the placenta.

29 Nov 2018

“Placental organoids” could be the future of pregnancy and conception research say researchers

Researchers have successfully managed to develop “mini placentas” or placenta organoids in the laboratories that could transform research of pregnancy, conception, stillbirth, miscarriages and pregnancy diseases and disorders.

29 Nov 2018

World’s first vaccine against coeliac disease to be tested in Australia

US-based pharmaceutical company ImmusanT, after worldwide trials, is all set to start clinical trials of a new vaccine against coeliac disease at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Clinical Trials Centre in Melbourne. This will be followed by trials to be held at Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Mackay and Sunshine Coast say the sources.

31 Oct 2018

Gut microbial signature may help identify causes of chronic malnutrition in children

Chronic malnutrition, usually associated with an inflammation of the small intestine, affects one in every four children under the age of five. It is the leading cause of child mortality in low-income countries and is also responsible for severe stunting.

24 Aug 2018

Researchers produce artificial placenta model that closely resembles natural organ

The placenta has an essential and highly complex task: it must ensure the exchange of important substances between the mother and her unborn child, whilst simultaneously blocking other substances from passing through.

14 Aug 2018

Researchers find identity of stem-cell niche of the colon

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered the identity of the stem-cell niche of the colon. The niche comprises special cells that activate the stem cells of the adjacent intestinal epithelium and are responsible for its continuous renewal.

7 Jun 2018

'Gut-on-a-chip' model recreates intestinal matrix critical for nutrient absorption

The difficulties of conducting research on the human gut are substantial: the presence of trillions of bacterial cells interacting with human cells and each other, constant environmental changes every time food is consumed and zero chance of conducting trials that control for all those moving parts.

18 Apr 2018

Organ chip technology improves study of the intestine for personalized medicine

Researchers have developed an organ-on-a-chip device using donor-derived human intestinal cells that offers advantages over organoids and new possibilities for personalized medicine.

14 Feb 2018

Scientists design new triple labeling technique to analyze stem cell division

A joint team of scientists from Russia and the United States designed a method for marking dividing stem cells with three different labels.

8 Feb 2018

Research shows probiotics can reduce incidence of sepsis in infants

A research team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health has determined that a special mixture of good bacteria in the body reduced the incidence of sepsis in infants in India by 40 percent at a cost of only $1 per infant.

16 Aug 2017

Study reveals gluten diet is not connected with heart disease among non-celiac people

The study findings published online in the British Medical Journal today reveal that the intake of a long-term gluten diet is not connected with coronary heart disease among people without celiac disease.

3 May 2017