Novel form of immunotherapy could revolutionize cancer treatment

A novel form of macrophage-based immunotherapy is effective at treating a broad spectrum of cancers, including those at advanced stages, according to a groundbreaking study led by Georgia State immunology professor Yuan Liu. Liu’s treatment works by leveraging macrophages, specialized white blood cells involved in the detection and elimination of cancer cells and other pathogens. […]

New drug form may help treat osteoporosis, calcium-related disorders

A novel form of a drug used to treat osteoporosis that comes with the potential for fewer side effects may provide a new option for patients. The work is supported by the National Institutes of Health and is published in Biophysical Journal. Purdue University innovators developed a stabilized form of human calcitonin, which is a […]

A matter of balance: Asymmetric divisions are crucial to form a functional retina

Researchers at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, Germany, have discovered that in the developing retina, and important part of the central nervous system, the divisions leading to the first differentiating neurons are asymmetric and that this asymmetry is necessary to generate the […]

New form of brain-training helps prevent relapse after alcohol treatment

A recent study has shown that it may be possible to dampen the workings of the subconscious brain to prevent alcohol relapse, the results leading to a world-first trial of a personalized smartphone app called “SWiPE.” Cognitive Bias Modification, a new form of computerized brain-training, is focused on training the brain to automatically avoid alcohol […]

Is it safe to form a COVID-19 ‘support bubble’ with friends?

Is it safe to form a COVID-19 “support bubble” with friends? Yes, if done correctly. Support bubbles, also known as quarantine pods, may help fend off loneliness and anxiety after months of social distancing. The idea, which originated in New Zealand, calls for two people or households to agree to socialize in person only with […]

Less addictive form of buprenorphine may help curb cocaine relapse

The drug buprenorphine reduces relapse in patients with opioid addiction, and some emerging evidence indicates it may also help treat cocaine addiction. However, the treatment itself comes with a risk of addiction and, thus, is not FDA approved to treat cocaine addiction. New research performed in mice suggests that chemical modifications to buprenorphine can improve […]