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Researchers identify novel cancer markers in patients with aggressive prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and is among the top five causes of cancer-related death. In most cases, prostate cancer can be successfully treated but there is a group of patients who suffer an aggressive course and often fatal outcome.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers identify new mechanism that impairs cancer cell proliferation and induces death

UAB and Vall d'Hebron researchers identified the mechanism by which inhibitors of the ERK5 protein kinase impair the proliferation of cancer cells and induce their death. The results, obtained using human cancer cell lines, demonstrate that ERK5 inhibition activates cytotoxic autophagy, a process that triggers cancer cell death, without affecting healthy cells. A combination of ERK5 inhibitors and chemotherapy could improve cancer treatment.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers identify new mechanism for DNA invasion of adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines

Adenoviruses have a linchpin protein that stabilizes their DNA until it reaches the infected cell's nucleus. The protein then detaches from the viral genome, and the virus uncoats. Only then are the genes released into the nucleus, which is necessary for the production of new viruses.

22 Dec 2021

Polyrotaxane-based biomaterials enhance the connection between epithelial cells

The field of tissue engineering is constantly exploring the possibility of using different properties of various biomaterials to achieve tissue regeneration.

21 Dec 2021

Researchers discover new function of protein tBID

The protein tBID can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis) by inducing damage in the energy suppliers of the cells, the mitochondria. Apoptosis is essential for maintaining tissue balance.

21 Dec 2021

Broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by an unconventional antibody fragment

A new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server examines the nature and effects of the spike mutations and identifies a vulnerable point that could help develop broad-spectrum protection against circulating variants.

21 Dec 2021

Deletion of autism-linked gene diminishes myelin in mice

Myelin, a sheath of insulation around nerves that enables electrical impulses to efficiently travel through the central nervous system, is diminished in mice that have a gene deletion associated with autism spectrum disorder, new research finds.

21 Dec 2021

National U.S trial confirms effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines

In a recent study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists conducted a target trial emulation study and documented that among the elderly in the U.S. (with significant comorbidities), the efficacy of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines was much lower in terms of preventing infection, than previously reported. However, the effectiveness against death was found to be high.

21 Dec 2021

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests

Researchers test commercially rapid antigen tests to evaluate their analytical sensitivity and specificity, as well as clinical sensitivity for detecting SARS-CoV-2.

21 Dec 2021

How the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike protein is changing

The study assesses the degree to which the D614G mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 RBD allows access of spike protein trimers to LA-binding-like conformations.

21 Dec 2021

Molecular mechanism of SARS-Cov-2-induced thrombosis

Researchers demonstrate that the exposure of platelets to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein promotes their activation and adhesion.

21 Dec 2021

Effect of T cell reactivity in COVID-19 infection and vaccination

Researchers recently developed an immunodiagnostic T cell assay to classify T cell immune responses of the subjects based on their coronavirus disease 2019 infection and vaccination history.

21 Dec 2021

Do reactive oxygen species play a role in fighting COVID-19?

Serum-free thiols are known to reflect the activity of reactive oxygen species in the body, and researchers have been examining the difference in these thiols in COVID-19 patients.

21 Dec 2021

Understanding SARS-CoV-2-induced systemic amyloidosis

A new study proposed that inflammation combined with aggregates of amyloidogenic peptides of SARS-CoV-2 S proteins might induce systemic amyloidosis.

21 Dec 2021

Identifying a recurring pattern in broadly neutralizing antibodies that can target an epitope on SARS-CoV-2

Interesting research decrypts a recurring sequence in antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and identifies it to be a board neutralizing antibody that targets a conserved epitope on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein.

21 Dec 2021

Research reveals the structure and function of a bifunctional protein that transports heme

Heme is an essential part of the protein hemoglobin, which colors human blood red. Heme also is crucial for cytochrome proteins, which power the cell. Humans, animals, plants and bacteria all use heme.

21 Dec 2021

Study focuses on inherited Alzheimer’s up to 25 years before expected dementia onset

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is launching an international clinical trial aimed at preventing Alzheimer's disease in people genetically destined to develop the illness at a young age. Unlike most other Alzheimer's prevention trials, this one will enroll people before the disease has taken hold - up to 25 years before the expected onset of dementia.

21 Dec 2021

New method to detect SARS-CoV-2 helps get reliable results more quickly

You're worried that you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, so you decide to take a test. But which do you choose?

21 Dec 2021

Study analyzes the role of circular RNA in ALS pathology

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS, is a neurodegenerative disorder which affects motor neurons. These are the neuronal cells responsible for muscle innervation, whose degenerations leads to progressive paralysis culminating with motor and respiratory failure.

21 Dec 2021

Booster shots improve CD8+ T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 in animal model

In a new study, published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, scientists showed in a mice model that three doses of the same synthetic peptide vaccine, eliciting an exclusive CD8+ T cell response against one SARS-CoV-2 Spike epitope, protected against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection, in the absence of neutralizing antibodies. Researchers also showed that the third dose resulted in superior generation of effector-memory T cells in the circulation and tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells.

20 Dec 2021