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Ancient DNA reveals insights into starch digestion

If you've ever struggled to reduce your carb intake, ancient DNA might be to blame. It has long been known that humans carry multiple copies of a gene that allows us to begin breaking down complex carbohydrate starch in the mouth, providing the first step in metabolizing starchy foods like bread and pasta.

18 Oct 2024

Breakthrough discovery of selective MMP7 inhibitor offers hope for cancer treatment

A team of researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the University of Tokyo has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against cancer by developing a highly selective inhibitor for an enzyme called Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7).

18 Oct 2024

New compounds from fungi show promise in treating colorectal cancer

Novel chemical compounds from a fungus could provide new perspectives for treating colorectal cancer, one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide.

17 Oct 2024

New synthesis technology promises faster production of mRNA vaccines

In an era where viral outbreaks can escalate into global pandemics with alarming speed, the ability to quickly develop new vaccines has become crucial.

17 Oct 2024

Bacteriophages unveil auxiliary genes critical for infection

Viruses that infect bacteria—known as bacteriophages - could be used in a targeted manner to combat bacterial diseases.

16 Oct 2024

New gene therapy offers hope in combatting childhood obesity

According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 20% of children and teens are considered obese.

14 Oct 2024

Semaglutide enhances cognitive abilities and reduces Alzheimer’s pathology in mice and human brain models

Researchers find that Semaglutide improves cognitive function and reduces amyloid and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease models, while restoring oxytocin levels in both mice and human brain organoids.

14 Oct 2024

New nanoparticle system fights obesity

Researchers have unveiled a novel approach to tackle obesity by targeting fat absorption in the small intestine. The cutting-edge nanoparticle system, engineered to deliver therapeutic molecules directly to the digestive tract, has shown significant potential to prevent diet-induced obesity.

14 Oct 2024

Study unveils new molecular switch protecting cells from death

Researchers at LMU University Hospital have discovered a new molecular switch that protects against cell death.

12 Oct 2024

Mount Sinai launches new center for complex chronic illnesses

Mount Sinai's Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance has announced the grand opening of the Cohen Center for Recovery From Complex Chronic Illnesses (CoRE), providing clinical care for patients with conditions such as long Lyme disease/Lyme+, long COVID, and other infection-associated complex chronic illnesses such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

10 Oct 2024

Study reveals how bacterial selfishness affects antibiotic resistance strategies

As strains of pathogens resistant to frontline antibiotics become more common worldwide, clinicians are more often turning to combination treatments that degrade this resistance as a first treatment option.

10 Oct 2024

US study uncovers antiviral resistance in swine-origin influenza, urging enhanced pandemic surveillance

Researchers in the US analyzed swine-origin influenza viruses, identifying key mutations that could reduce antiviral drug effectiveness and threaten pandemic preparedness.

9 Oct 2024

New research offers hope for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — previously known as "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" — affects about 25% of the global population.

9 Oct 2024

Liver X receptor beta offers new hope in treating depression and anxiety

Liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) shows potential in reducing depression and anxiety by improving neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, and enhancing cognitive and emotional function. More research on LXR agonists could reveal new treatments for mental health disorders.

8 Oct 2024

New triple-targeting pharmacological tool developed for cancer treatment

A study led by researchers of the Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB) has developed a new pharmacological tool capable of simultaneously administering three oligonucleotide-based drugs, each acting against a different therapeutic target within the cell.

8 Oct 2024

Understanding proteasome function in Trichomonas vaginalis for drug development

Researchers from IOCB Prague are furthering the understanding of how medicines work and what it takes to develop their most effective variants.

8 Oct 2024

Can multivitamins improve mood and reduce stress in older adults?

Researchers investigate the potential of multivitamin-mineral supplements to improve daily functioning among older adults.

8 Oct 2024

Overcoming CRISPR's side effects for therapeutic applications

CRISPR is a revolutionary tool that allows scientists to precisely modify the genome and gene expression of cells in any organism. It's a reagent - a substance that facilitates a reaction - that combines an enzyme with a programmable RNA capable of locating specific genetic sequences. Once guided to the correct spot, the enzyme acts like a pair of scissors, cutting, replacing, or deleting sequences of DNA.

7 Oct 2024

When CDK12/13 stalls, healthy prostate cells take a malignant turn

CDK12 is established as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer, with its loss driving aggressive disease and creating vulnerabilities for targeted therapies.

7 Oct 2024

New X-ray technique reveals metal ion role in antibiotic efficacy

Researchers from City St George's, University of London have used a new ultra-high precision x-ray scattering technique to unveil the location and identity of metal ions in bacteria that are crucial for antibiotics to work optimally.

4 Oct 2024