Immune System News and Research

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Diet and nutrition influence microbiome in colonic mucosa

Diet is important in maintaining human health, but its underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. Now, a team of researchers sheds light on the connection of diet and health, and it has something to do with the microbiome composition in human colonic mucosa.

15 Jul 2019

Reprogramming cells to control HIV infection

Cells from the rare individuals who naturally control HIV infection have been the focus of investigation for nearly 15 years with the aim of elucidating their specific features.

14 Jul 2019

How cell-free DNA can be targeted to prevent spread of tumors

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is DNA found in trace amounts in blood, which has escaped degradation by enzymes.

12 Jul 2019

Mathematical model helps identify determinants of persistent MRSA bacteremia

Mathematical modeling suggests that the rate at which a patient’s immune system clears slow-growing variants of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is a key determinant of whether antibiotics can cure the infection.

From PLOS ONE 12 Jul 2019

New study reveals 'clutch' proteins responsible for putting T cell activation 'into gear'

In collaborative research, scientists from three continents were able to discover a crucial bit of information about how T cells move proteins inside them to drive the immune response. This could help evolve specific new treatments centered on T cell selectivity.

12 Jul 2019

New therapeutic food boosts key growth-promoting gut microbes in malnourished children

A new type of therapeutic food, specifically designed to repair the gut microbiomes of malnourished children, is superior to standard therapy in an initial clinical trial conducted in Bangladesh.

12 Jul 2019

Nanotechnology-based compound used to deliver hepatitis B vaccine

Nanotechnology-based compounds are now being tested as a possible delivery vehicle for vaccines. A team of researchers demonstrated how the oral delivery vehicle SBA-15, one such nanotechnology-based compound can deliver an oral vaccine against hepatitis B to the immune system.

11 Jul 2019

An injection of nanoparticles for spinal cord injuries

Researchers from the University of Michigan used nanopaticles injection to prevent the immune cells of the body from impairing the healing of injured brain and spinal cord. They call this an “EpiPen” or emergency rescue drug for the brain and spinal cord when they suffer trauma.

11 Jul 2019

Scripps CHAVD wins $129 million NIH grant to advance new HIV vaccine approach

The Scripps Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, an international collaboration led by Scripps Research, has received a $129 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance next-generation vaccines designed to coax the immune system into producing antibodies capable of disarming numerous strains of HIV.

11 Jul 2019

Researchers explain how 'viral' agents of neurological diseases ended up in our DNA

What if the missing ‘environmental’ factor in some of our deadliest neurological diseases were really written in our genome?

11 Jul 2019

Study shows how the mosquito immune system combats malaria parasites

A new study from Iowa State University entomologists describes how mosquitoes fight off parasites that cause malaria, a disease that sickens millions of people every year.

11 Jul 2019

Cancer killing capability of lesser-known immune cells identified

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have identified, for the first time in esophageal cancer, the cancer killing capability of a lesser-known type of immune cell, presenting a new potential therapeutic target.

10 Jul 2019

UMD researchers connect a protein to antibody immunity for the first time

Human cytomegalovirus may not be a household name as far as viruses go, but according to Xiaoping Zhu, professor and chair in Veterinary Medicine at UMD, half of the population walking around campus is likely to be a carrier.

10 Jul 2019

Healthy high-fiber diet could reduce preeclampsia risk

A healthy diet rich in fiber is generally recommended, but new research shows it could be even more important during pregnancy to promote the wellbeing of the mother and child.

10 Jul 2019

New study to ease plight of patients with advanced cancer

Patients with advanced cancer are to test a therapy aimed at reducing their symptoms and improving quality of life.

10 Jul 2019

UM scientists receive $3.3 million NIH contract to develop opioid addiction vaccine

The University of Montana has received a $3.3 million contract from the National Institutes of Health to develop an innovative vaccine targeting opioid addiction.

10 Jul 2019

Special blood test may predict relapse risk for breast cancer patients

A special blood test may one day predict if a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient will likely relapse years later, a City of Hope study suggests.

9 Jul 2019

Eggshells can enhance growth of new, strong bones

Eggshells can enhance the growth of new, strong bones needed in medical procedures, a team of UMass Lowell researchers has discovered.

9 Jul 2019

Thioredoxin antioxidant could soon be used to improve cancer treatment

Researchers from Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) have discovered the use of thioredoxin – a naturally occurring antioxidant to modulate T cells of the immune system. This may be a big step towards improving currently used immune therapies such as adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

8 Jul 2019