A vaccine additive known as an adjuvant can enhance responses to a vaccine containing the exotic avian flu virus H5N1, so that both rookie and veteran elements of the immune response are strengthened, according to a new study. The findings have implications for the effort to develop vaccines against multiple strains of flu, as well…

Researchers uncovered key networks that simultaneously control pluripotency and readiness for cell death (apoptosis), helping to ensure optimal conditions for embryonic development. The study’s findings offer new insights into cancer genetics and a novel approach for regenerative medicine research. «Our methods allowed us to create an ‘atlas’ of nearly every gene in the human genome…

Toxic metals in the environment may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries that can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching major organs. Arsenic and cadmium, metals that can be found in food, water and tobacco, plus titanium, which can come from dental and orthopedic implants, cosmetics or auto manufacturing,…

A new study has surprised the medical world, finding that smoking does not shorten the length of telomeres — a marker at the end of our chromosomes that is widely accepted as an indicator of aging. This suggests that adult telomere length should be considered a static biomarker that changes relatively little during adult life.…

New research demonstrates a metabolic regulatory molecule called Them1 prevents fat burning in cells by blocking access to their fuel source. The study may contribute to the development of a new type of obesity treatment. Now, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers has demonstrated that a metabolic regulatory molecule called Them1 prevents fat burning in cells…

A study reports that the brains of a small sample of patients who died of COVID display some of the same molecular changes found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings could help explain the memory problems reported by sufferers of «long COVID,» though the researchers caution that the study is small…

A new study has found a pattern of molecules that appear in the blood before a seizure happens. This discovery may lead to the development of an early warning system, which would enable people with epilepsy to know when they are at risk of having a seizure. Researchers at FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for…

A new computational approach for analyzing complex datasets shows that as disease progresses, neurons and astrocytes lose the ability to maintain homeostasis. The ‘Geomic’ approach can be applied to other diseases, authors say. The analysis yielded a trove of specific gene networks governing molecular pathways that disease researchers may now be able to target to…

Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation (pain and swelling) in the gastrointestinal tract, can cause daily health problems, frequent hospitalizations and surgery when not adequately controlled. While there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, there are treatments that can help patients live a symptom-free life. After a detailed review…

Transmitting sensory signals from prostheses to the nervous system helps leg amputees to perceive prosthesis as part of their body. While amputees generally perceive their prostheses as heavy, this feedback helps them to perceive the prostheses as significantly lighter, researchers have shown. Together with an international consortium, Raspopovic has developed in recent years prostheses that…