Polymerase Chain Reaction News and Research

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary laboratory technique that enables the replication of a specific DNA sequence. Using PCR, millions of copies of a target DNA can be easily synthesized within a short period of time.

Azelastine nasal spray prevents COVID-19 and rhinovirus infections

Researchers discuss the effects of azelastine nasal spray on the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection as compared to placebo.

6 Oct 2025

Study shows dementia patients exposed to pollution had longer telomeres

Researchers studying a Swedish aging cohort found no overall link between air pollution and telomere shortening, a key marker of biological aging. Intriguingly, dementia patients exposed to higher pollution showed longer telomeres, though results were statistically non-significant.

24 Sep 2025

Long COVID linked to heavier periods and symptom flare-ups during menstruation

Researchers found that long COVID is linked to heavier, longer, and more irregular bleeding without disrupting ovulation. Symptom severity also peaks around menstruation, likely driven by hormonal and immune changes.

17 Sep 2025

Johns Hopkins team develops urine-based test for prostate cancer detection

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and four other institutions have devised a novel method to test for prostate cancer using biomarkers present in urine, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

9 Sep 2025

Concertgoers back detection dogs as practical COVID-19 screening tool in real-world trial

A feasibility study in Germany found that concertgoers strongly supported medical detection dogs for COVID-19 screening, with confidence rising after real-world use. The findings suggest canine testing could complement PCR and antigen tests, especially in large gatherings and high-traffic environments.

8 Sep 2025

Can an allergy spray help prevent COVID-19?

Researchers determine the efficacy and safety of azelastine nasal spray for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthy adults.

8 Sep 2025

Urine test identifies three biomarkers for accurate prostate cancer detection

2 Sep 2025

Can oral bacteria make heart disease worse?

The presence of viridans streptococci in coronary plaques indicates a role in atherosclerosis, potentially influencing heart disease outcomes.

1 Sep 2025

How a single gene reshapes pain perception through polyamine signaling

Researchers have identified SLC45A4 as a neuronal polyamine transporter genetically linked to human chronic pain. Loss of this gene in mice disrupts polyamine balance, alters spinal GABA levels, and reduces heat and tonic pain sensitivity.

24 Aug 2025

Gene-edited mosquitoes slash malaria spread 93% using self-propagating shield

Scientists engineered a naturally occurring genetic variant (Q224) in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes, making them highly resistant to malaria parasites without affecting fitness. A novel gene-drive system rapidly spread this protective trait through lab mosquito populations, offering a potential breakthrough for malaria control.

24 Jul 2025

Low-cost diagnostic tool delivers COVID-19 test results in under an hour

An affordable new diagnostic tool that delivers COVID-19 test results in under an hour could help boost pandemic preparedness in resource-poor regions, according to a team of researchers.

22 Jul 2025

Muscle-derived vesicles heal damaged cells and reverse disease in new study

Researchers discovered that mitochondria-rich extracellular vesicles (Ti-mitoEVs) from skeletal muscle can deliver healthy mitochondria to damaged cells, restoring energy and promoting tissue repair in mice. The approach reversed acute muscle injury and chronic kidney disease, offering a promising new regenerative therapy.

21 Jul 2025

Blastocystis infection found in nearly one in four schoolchildren in northeastern Gabon

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of infection with Blastocystis, an intestinal protozoan parasite, among school-aged children, and to identify associated risk factors.

12 Jul 2025

Could serotonin supplements become the next hair loss treatment?

Researchers have shown that serotonin directly stimulates dermal papilla cells and promotes hair growth in lab-grown hair follicloids and human hair follicles. The findings suggest serotonin and related compounds could offer new avenues for treating hair loss, though safety and dosing challenges remain.

9 Jul 2025

Simpler virus testing approach could reduce unnecessary PCR tests in high-risk settings

The COVID-19 pandemic yielded important advances in testing for respiratory viruses, but it also exposed important unmet needs in screening to prevent the spread of infections in high-risk settings.

24 Jun 2025

Aspirin lowers diabetes risk during COVID-19, but not without side effects

A large real-world Italian cohort study found that daily low-dose aspirin use significantly lowered the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protective effect appears linked to aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties, though bleeding risks require caution.

19 Jun 2025

Paper-based devices show high accuracy in detecting asymptomatic malaria

Devices made with cheap strips of paper have outperformed two other testing methods in detecting malaria infection in asymptomatic people in Ghana – a diagnostic advance that could accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease, researchers say.

16 Jun 2025

Blocking a single enzyme rewires limb regrowth in axolotls

Researchers uncovered how CYP26B1-mediated retinoic acid (RA) breakdown determines segment identity during axolotl limb regeneration. Disrupting RA degradation reprograms blastema cells, revealing the molecular controls of precise limb regrowth.

11 Jun 2025

When old diseases find new ways in: Europe’s latest diphtheria outbreak explained

A large multicountry outbreak of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae occurred among migrants entering Europe in 2022, driven primarily by cutaneous infections and involving multiple genetic lineages. Despite the unprecedented surge, transmission to resident populations was limited, but rising antimicrobial resistance and delayed treatment highlight ongoing public health risks.

10 Jun 2025