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New approach uses a nanosensor to speed up early-stage disease diagnosis

Catching deadly diseases like cancer early on is key to improving patient survival odds. However, diseases are much harder to diagnose in their preliminary stages because people often haven't developed symptoms yet and only trace amounts can be found in their bodies.

18 Nov 2020

Bioelectronic rapid test for COVID-19

A recent study presents a bioelectronic sensor platform to detect protein at the single-molecule level that is simple, rapid, and robust enough for widespread POC (point-of-care) or bedside application.

18 Nov 2020

Patients' own stem cells can be used to grow new bones, study shows

A new, groundbreaking study from the University of Bergen shows that a patients' own stem cells can be used to grow new bone.

16 Nov 2020

Professional drivers regularly exposed to hazardous levels of diesel emissions, study finds

While taxi drivers wearing face masks have become a common sight in our cities, new research shows there’s a longer-standing threat to the health of professional drivers than coronavirus.

16 Nov 2020

PARP inhibitor, stenoparib inhibits pre- and post-entry processes of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

A team of researchers from the Northern Arizona University evaluated a new PARP inhibitor, stenoparib, which has recently advanced to Stage II of clinical trials to treat ovarian cancer. Their study, an initial report on in vitro stenoparib activity against human coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2, has been published on the preprint server bioRxiv*.

15 Nov 2020

Research looks at aerobiomes, trees and implications for public health

In a recent bioRxiv preprint paper, Jake M. Robinson and colleagues study the dynamics of 'aerobiome' - the collection of microorganisms in a given airspace, with respect to the height from the ground level.

12 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2-induces temporary loss of smell in mice

Now, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in November 2020 presents the onset of olfactory dysfunction (loss of smell) in mice infected with the virus, examining this process at the cellular level. In doing so, this study throws more light on this curious symptom and COVID-19’s manifestations outside the lungs.

12 Nov 2020

Rhesus monkeys and cats potential spillover reservoirs for COVID-19 virus

A team of researchers from Switzerland, Costa Rica and Germany has conducted a study showing which animal species could potentially serve as spillback reservoirs of severe acute repertory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Nov 2020

"Cat's claw" extract inhibits replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Researchers in Columbia and Peru have shown that Uncaria tomentosa – a woody vine native to South America known of as "Cat's claw" – exerts in vitro antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

12 Nov 2020

London-based Veraco launches product range to reduce microbes on frequently touched surfaces

London based Veraco has designed and manufactured a range of Antimicrobial adhesive pads and wraps to be used on frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, shopping trolleys and handrails.

12 Nov 2020

Implantable smart wrap may help people who have under-active bladders

An implantable smart wrap that fits safely and securely around the bladder may one day help people who have under-active bladders, a condition that hinders patients from urinating regularly and comfortably, according to an international team of researchers.

11 Nov 2020

Promising new antivirals target arboviruses and SARS-CoV-2: Nodosome inhibitors

A new study describes two promising small molecules that inhibit a host cell factor, called nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), that inhibits the replication and spread of many arboviruses. This could lead to the development of broad-spectrum antivirals. The study's findings have been published on the preprint server bioRxiv*.

10 Nov 2020

Open-source online platform offers better insight into biomedical images

Recent years have seen dramatic improvements in imaging technologies that result in higher resolutions and faster acquisition times.

10 Nov 2020

Scientist develop compact, portable sanitizing device for masks and other items

COVID-19 has significantly increased public use of face masks to protect others from the wearer's respiratory droplets as well as the wearer from airborne contaminants.

10 Nov 2020

Spit testing may aid non-invasive concussion diagnosis

Doctors may soon be able to more accurately diagnose concussions by measuring the number of certain molecules in a person's saliva, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

9 Nov 2020

Researchers to develop new method for high throughput screening

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is an important tool in drug research, since it can quantify and spatially resolve binding of drugs to pathogens. So far, however, NMR has lacked the sensitivity and throughput to scan large libraries of drug candidates.

9 Nov 2020

Plastic surgeons develop Microbotulinum technique for safe and effective facial rejuvenation

Botulinum toxin - best known by the brand name Botox - is a popular treatment to reduce facial lines and wrinkles. Over the years, plastic surgeons have explored alternative approaches to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects of botulinum toxin injection, including smaller doses and more-diluted concentrations.

9 Nov 2020

Researchers present overview of benefits from tree-sourced foods

Two of humanity's biggest problems - the climate crisis and abysmal eating habits - can partly be solved by one healthy solution: eating more food from trees, specifically tropical ones.

5 Nov 2020

Smart actuating materials can transform biomedical technologies

Bio-compatible electrostrictive materials will play a leading role in the future generation of medical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).

5 Nov 2020

Study estimates the proportion of COVID-19 deaths due to air pollution

Long-term exposure to air pollution generated by human activity is linked to about 27 per cent of COVID-19-related deaths in East Asia and 15 per cent mortality in South Asia and worldwide. These deaths could be largely prevented by adopting air quality regulations, says a new study.

3 Nov 2020