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Scientists turn red blood cells into long-lasting drug and imaging carriers in mice

A new preclinical study shows that red blood cells can be tagged in vivo and used as long-lasting carriers for imaging agents and therapies, opening a new route for safer drug delivery and vascular imaging.

23 Mar 2026

Using blood proteins to make living brains transparent

Making a living brain transparent and watching its neurons fire without disturbing their function-sounds like science fiction, doesn't it? Yet the solution may already exist within our own bodies.

13 Mar 2026

Understanding PIEZO2 mutations and sensory disorders

Every time we feel a gentle tap on the skin, specialized nerve cells convert that physical force into an electrical signal that the brain can interpret as touch. While scientists have long known that a protein called PIEZO2 acts as a key sensor for touch, it remained unclear why PIEZO2 is specialized for the localized mechanical forces experienced by sensory neurons, whereas its close relative PIEZO1 responds to broader mechanical stresses such as those generated when cells stretch, as occurs in blood vessels.

9 Mar 2026

Natural compound from pomegranate leaves shows promise against TTR amyloidosis

A research team in Kumamoto University has discovered that a natural compound found in pomegranate leaves and branches can directly break down harmful protein aggregates linked to transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, a progressive and potentially life-threatening disease affecting the nerves and heart.

23 Feb 2026

Researchers show red blood cells drive better glucose tolerance at high altitude

Chronic hypoxia improves glucose tolerance in mice through insulin-independent mechanisms, with red blood cells acting as a major systemic glucose sink. Increased erythrocyte production and altered glycolytic flux help reduce circulating glucose while supporting oxygen delivery to tissues.

22 Feb 2026

Precision mRNA vaccine strategy shows early promise for improving TNBC relapse risk

An individualized neoantigen mRNA vaccine was tested in patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer and showed feasibility, safety, and strong T cell immune responses. Long-term follow-up suggested durable immune memory with encouraging relapse-free outcomes, though controlled trials are needed to confirm clinical benefit.

19 Feb 2026

Global trends shape progress in cell and gene therapies

Cell and gene therapies, or CGT, have come a long way since they were first introduced. In the last few decades, both cell therapy -- the transplantation of living cells -- and gene therapy -- the use of genetic material to modify cell functions -- have been increasingly incorporated into clinical practice.

13 Feb 2026

Researchers discover how Mycoplasma pneumoniae acquires cholesterol from human hosts

A multidisciplinary team has uncovered a key mechanism that allows the human bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae-responsible for atypical pneumonia and other respiratory infections-to obtain cholesterol and other essential lipids directly from the human body.

16 Jan 2026

Hybrid polymer nanocarriers enable efficient inhaled mRNA vaccine delivery to the lungs

Novel hybrid polymer nanocarriers enable effective vaccine delivery in the lungs and the targeted activation of immune cells.

16 Jan 2026

Natural daylight during office hours improves glucose stability in type 2 diabetes

Natural daylight exposure during office hours improves glucose control and boosts fat oxidation in individuals with type 2 diabetes, enhancing metabolic health.

8 Jan 2026

AI-powered optical imaging helps surgeons identify thyroid cancer in real time

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer, affecting more people each year as detection rates continue to rise.

6 Jan 2026

Understanding sevoflurane-induced neurogenesis inhibition and cognitive dysfunction in children

Every year, millions of infants and children undergo surgery under general anesthesia in the world. Sevoflurane is a commonly used pediatric anesthetic. Its exposure during brain development has been shown to inhibit neurogenesis and cause cognitive dysfunction in animal models.

5 Jan 2026

Silica nanomatrix enhances immunotherapy for solid tumors

Cancer has long remained a leading cause of death worldwide and in Hong Kong, accounting for 30% of all disease-related deaths in the city in 2025. While chemotherapy remains a major treatment modality, its side effects and the risk of relapse challenges for patients.

30 Dec 2025

Glycation stress drives aortic stiffening through oxidative stress and senescence

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 11 of Aging-US on November 14, 2025, titled "Methylglyoxal-induced glycation stress promotes aortic stiffening: putative mechanistic roles of oxidative stress and cellular senescence."

12 Dec 2025

Novel nanomedicine mPEG@ELA-11 shows potential in treating atherosclerosis

A pioneering study led by researchers from Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Naval Medical University has unveiled a novel nanomedicine, mPEG@ELA-11, which demonstrates significant potential in treating atherosclerosis (AS), a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases globally.

12 Dec 2025

Scientists outline how organ rejuvenation strategies could solve the donor shortage

Researchers outline why organs from older donors are often discarded and identify the biological and immunological pathways that make them vulnerable to injury. They also highlight emerging rejuvenation technologies including machine perfusion, senotherapeutics, and regenerative strategies that could safely expand the donor pool.

11 Dec 2025

Challenges and opportunities in delivering gene therapies for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia

The first study assessing the real-world commercial roll-out of gene therapies for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia offers lessons learned to inform best practices as manufacturers and medical centers prepare to meet growing demand for gene therapies in the coming years.

7 Dec 2025

Tattoo ink alters immune cells and weakens some vaccine responses

New research shows tattoo pigments migrate to lymph nodes, causing inflammation and altering immune responses to vaccines, with potential health risks.

27 Nov 2025

Scientists reverse aging in blood stem cells by restoring lysosome function

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have discovered how to reverse aging in blood-forming stem cells in mice by correcting defects in the stem cell's lysosomes.

24 Nov 2025

Reduced ketone body metabolism may be key to impaired energy production in type 2 diabetes

The liver plays a central role in storing and supplying energy to the body. In type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, commonly referred to as fatty liver disease), mitochondria-the cell's power plants-cannot switch efficiently between fuel sources.

21 Nov 2025