Asthma afflicts more than 300 million people worldwide. The most severe manifestation, known as non-Th2, or non-atopic childhood asthma, represents the majority of the cases, greater than 85%, particularly in low-income countries, according to Hyunok Choi, an associate professor at the Lehigh University College of Health. Yet, whether non-Th2 is a distinct disease (or endotype) […]
On the hunt for a dengue antiviral: Scientists comb through scores of compounds to find a drug for ‘breakbone fever’
The ‘dengue belt’ stretches around much of the planet crossing continents, cultures and time zones, a vast region linked by a common fate: a mosquito-borne disease that can be prevented for a select number of people with a somewhat quirky vaccine. Dengue, however, remains a source of misery for many, a viral infection without an […]
Scientists shrink pancreatic tumors by starving their cellular ‘neighbors’
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute demonstrated for the first time that blocking ‘cell drinking,’ or macropinocytosis, in the thick tissue surrounding a pancreatic tumor slowed tumor growth—providing more evidence that macropinocytosis is a driver of pancreatic cancer growth and is an important therapeutic target. The study was published in Cancer Discovery, a […]
Survivors struggle as scientists race to solve COVID mystery
There was no reason to celebrate on Rachel Van Lear’s anniversary. The same day a global pandemic was declared, she developed symptoms of COVID-19. A year later, she’s still waiting for them to disappear. And for experts to come up with some answers. The Texas woman is one of thousands of self-described long-haulers, patients with […]
Team of bioethicists and scientists suggests revisiting 14-day limit on human embryo
An international team of bioethicists and scientists, led by a researcher at Case Western Reserve University, contends it may be justified to go beyond the standing 14-day limit that restricts how long researchers can study human embryos in a dish. Going beyond this policy limit could lead to potential health and fertility benefits, and the […]
INSIGHT-‘When Will It End?’: How a Changing Virus Is Reshaping Scientists’ Views on COVID-19
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Chris Murray, a University of Washington disease expert whose projections on COVID-19 infections and deaths are closely followed worldwide, is changing his assumptions about the course of the pandemic. Murray had until recently been hopeful that the discovery of several effective vaccines could help countries achieve meaningful herd immunity, or nearly eliminate […]
A new microchip could help scientists uncover secrets of heart regeneration in baby mice
Baby mice might be small, but they’re tough, too. For their first seven days of life, they have the special ability to regenerate damaged heart tissue. Humans, on the other hand, aren’t so lucky: any heart injuries we suffer could lead to permanent damage. But what if we could learn to repair our hearts, just […]
Scientists repair injured spinal cord using patients’ own stem cells
Intravenous injection of bone marrow derived stem cells (MSCs) in patients with spinal cord injuries led to significant improvement in motor functions, researchers from Yale University and Japan report Feb. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. For more than half of the patients, substantial improvements in key functions—such as ability to walk, […]
UK coronavirus variant found in US could be deadlier, scientists say
Coronavirus variants are ‘something that we all need to be taking seriously’: Dr. Tom Inglesby Dr. Tom Inglesby, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security director, tells ‘Fox News Sunday’ he is ‘concerned’ about virus mutations. He also discusses the COVID-19 vaccine rollout process. The coronavirus variant that originated in the United Kingdom and has since […]
Scientists switch on tissue repair in inflammatory bowel disease
A method that instructs immune system cells to help repair damaged tissues in the intestine has been developed by researchers at KU Leuven and Seoul National University. This opens the way for more effective treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The study was carried out on humans and mice. When […]