Toxin News and Research

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Researchers create an integrated pipeline for performing genetic screening studies

Today's genetic engineers have a plethora of resources at their disposal: an ever-increasing number of massive datasets available online, highly precise gene editing tools like CRISPR, and cheap gene sequencing methods. But the proliferation of new technologies has not come with a clear roadmap to help researchers figure out which genes to target, which tools to use, and how to interpret their results. So, a team of scientists and engineers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard Medical School (HMS), and the MIT Media Lab decided to make one.

28 Sep 2021

PFAS exposure associated with decreasing nutritional value of breast milk

New research shows that exposure to PFAS chemicals is linked with decreasing nutritional value of breast milk.

20 Sep 2021

A 100% French nasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 to move into the clinical phase in 2022

In contrast to intramuscular vaccines, only nasal vaccines are able to block the virus in the nose by inducing local immunity in the nasal mucosa, i.e. the portal of entry and multiplication of the virus.

18 Sep 2021

Allergic reactions provide protection against yeast-triggered asthma, research shows

We think of asthma and other allergic diseases as unnecessary aberrant immune responses that do more harm than good. However, new evidence by an international team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine shows that some allergic reactions provide necessary protection against highly invasive and potentially lethal infectious agents, such as yeast.

9 Sep 2021

Food products labeled as containing “wild mushrooms” often misleading

A team of researchers at the University of Utah and the Natural History Museum of Utah has found that wild mushroom ingredients often consist entirely or in part of cultivated species. These include the ubiquitous white and brown “button” mushrooms and portabella (Agaricus bisporus), oyster (Pleurotus spp.), and shiitake (Lentinula edodes).

24 Aug 2021

A combination of oral bacteria and intranasal vaccine provide protection from influenza A virus and COVID-19

A new study published in the journal mBio focuses on the role of nasal bacteria in eliciting virus-specific adaptive immunity.

20 Aug 2021

Age and sex affect the outcomes of time-restricted eating

Time-restricted eating (TRE), a dietary regimen that restricts eating to specific hours, has garnered increased attention in weight-loss circles.

17 Aug 2021

Research shines light on histamine as a potential key player in depression

Bodily inflammation dampens levels of a ‘feel-good molecule’ and antidepressants’ ability to boost them, according to new research in mice.

17 Aug 2021

Study identifies Foxo1 gene as a potential treatment target for hereditary lymphedema

A University of South Florida preclinical study unexpectedly identified the gene Foxo1 as a potential treatment target for hereditary lymphedema.

10 Aug 2021

Low-cost face masks and AC filters are effective against airborne toxins from algal blooms

Intense blooms of toxic algae are becoming common occurrences along the coast of Florida and elsewhere.

6 Aug 2021

Invasive 'famine weed' could escalate the spread of malaria

An invasive weed could escalate the spread of malaria in East Africa after scientists found new evidence that it creates a favourable breeding ground for female mosquitoes, which transmit malaria.

5 Aug 2021

Component derived from turmeric essential oil exhibits neuroprotective effects

Researchers from Kumamoto University, Japan have found that a component derived from turmeric essential oil, aromatic turmerone (ar-turmerone), and its derivatives act directly on dopaminergic nerves to create a neuroprotective effect on tissue cultures of a Parkinson's disease model.

14 Jul 2021

Mating can turn off a single gene for multiple generations, study shows

Evidence suggests that what happens in one generation--diet, toxin exposure, trauma, fear--can have lasting effects on future generations.

9 Jul 2021

Developing a face mask that can detect COVID-19

A face mask has been developed that can detect COVID-19. News-Medical spoke to the researchers behind this idea to find out more about how it works.

6 Jul 2021

Dimeric IgA antibodies help identify recent SARS-CoV-2 infection

A fascinating new study, released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server, adds a highly appealing tool to the armory of detection techniques for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Its validation could allow the early and accurate detection of recent or active infection, which is valuable in tracing contacts and preventing forward transmission of the virus.

5 Jul 2021

FDA's new Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan released

As part of our ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness and aligned with our New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan.

1 Jul 2021

The impact of COVID-19 on dialysis patients

In this interview, News-Medical speaks to Professor Simon Davies and Dr. Raymond Vanholder about the impact of COVID-19 on kidney dialysis patients.

1 Jul 2021

First demonstration of COVID-19-like response by an essential virus encoded protein by SARS-CoV-2 in vivo

Researchers from collaborating universities in Virginia have recently utilized transgenic mice to explore the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on associated lung injury.

30 Jun 2021

Scientists identify new virulence mechanism for a surface protein on pneumonia-causing bacteria

A bout with flu virus can be hard, but when Streptococcus pneumonia enters the mix, it can turn deadly.

24 Jun 2021

Caterpillar’s venom shows promise for use in medicines, pest control

The venom of a caterpillar, native to South East Queensland, shows promise for use in medicines and pest control, Institute for Molecular Bioscience researchers say. The Doratifera vulnerans is common to large parts of Queensland's south-east and is routinely found in Toohey Forest Park on Brisbane's southside.

23 Jun 2021