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Cancer cells release antioxidants to prevent immune cells from destroying them

Molecules called reactive oxygen species, which include so-called “free radicals,” have long been viewed as damaging byproducts of our body’s metabolism—a reason antioxidant supplements have been considered a potential way to reduce cancer risk.

Now, scientists have discovered that certain immune cells depend on these molecules to activate and destroy cancer cells and that tumors exploit this dependency by releasing natural antioxidants to shut down the immune attack.

The findings, published today in Science, could help improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.

Psilocybin prevents chemotherapy-related nerve injury and associated symptoms in preclinical models

In a breakthrough study, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered that psilocybin given before chemotherapy prevented the onset of nerve injury in preclinical models, even after repeated treatment cycles. The findings could help prevent pain, numbness and other common chemotherapy side effects.

The study, published in Science and co-led by Moran Amit, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Head and Neck Surgery, and Patrick Dougherty, Ph.D., professor of Pain Medicine, uncovers a previously unrecognized neuroprotective role of serotonin receptors and suggests psilocybin as a first-in-class intervention for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

“There is an urgent need for treatments that prevent nerve injury without interfering with lifesaving chemotherapy,” Amit said. “These findings offer important insights into how psilocybin may protect nerves before damage occurs, rather than treating symptoms after they become persistent. At UT MD Anderson, we are actively exploring the multiple facets of psychedelics to pursue interventions that improve the lives of our patients.”

NASA finds Earth microbes could survive on the Moon

NASA scientists found that microbes brought by astronauts could survive in cold, shadowed niches around the Moon’s South Pole, potentially complicating future searches for pristine lunar chemistry. Some refuges may be no larger than a footprint, while one hardy fungus could even withstand limited exposure to sunlight.

Type 1 Diabetes May Actually Be Two Different Diseases, Massive International Study Finds

Identifying distinctive types of conditions like diabetes is helpful in two ways.

It means treatments can be personalized more precisely to individuals, and gives researchers a better idea of how to make those treatments more effective going forward.

When it comes to type 1 diabetes, there are two genetic patterns called HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR4 that are associated with a higher risk of the disease. However, while the end result is the same (type 1 diabetes), the early signs differ between the two patterns.

The Way You Draw Can Reveal Parkinson’s Disease With Up to 99% Accuracy, Study Reveals

The warning signs of Parkinson’s appear to be all around us.

Scientists have found clues to the disease’s emergence in people’s hair, in their blood, and in their earwax too.

The way you talk, your mental health, and even where you live have all shown varying links to the condition, which affects movement and muscle control.

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