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Category: health – Page 53

Design of multimodal antibiotics against intracellular infections using deep learning

The rise of antimicrobial resistance has rendered many treatments ineffective, posing serious public health challenges. Intracellular infections are particularly difficult to treat since conventional antibiotics fail to neutralize pathogens hidden within human cells. However, designing molecules that penetrate human cells while retaining antimicrobial activity has historically been a major challenge. Here, we introduce APEXDUO, a multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) model for generating peptides with both cell-penetrating and antimicrobial properties. From a library of 50 million AI-generated compounds, we selected and characterized several candidates. Our lead, Turingcin, penetrated mammalian cells and eradicated intracellular Staphylococcus aureus. In mouse models of skin abscess and peritonitis, Turingcin reduced bacterial loads by up to two orders of magnitude. In sum, APEXDUO generated multimodal antibiotics, opening new avenues for molecular design.

CFN provides consulting services to Invaio Sciences and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Boards of Nowture S.L., Peptidus, European Biotech Venture Builder and Phare Bio. CFN is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Peptide Drug Hunting Consortium (PDHC). The de la Fuente Lab has received research funding or in-kind donations from United Therapeutics, Strata Manufacturing PJSC, and Procter & Gamble, none of which were used in support of this work. An invention disclosure associated with this work has been filed. All other authors declare no competing interests.

How the Brain Adapts: From Survival Mode to Learning Mode

Tags; #science #neuroscience #happiness #happiness #neurodegenerativediseases #disease #health #mentalhealth #sleep #neuroscientist #disease #education #success.
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About me:
I am Shambhu Yadav, Ph.D., a research scientist at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA, USA). I also work (for fun) as a Science Journalist, editor, and presenter on a YouTube channel. Science Communication is my passion.

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Disclaimer 1: The video content is for educational and informational purposes only, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information from this video. Any reliance on the information provided is at your own risk.
Disclaimer 2: The Diary Of A Scientist (DOAS) channel does not promote or encourage any unusual activities, and all content provided by this channel is meant for EDUCATIONAL purposes only.

*Credits and thanks**
The video was recorded using iPhone and edited using Adobe Premiere Pro: a timeline-based and non-linear video editing software.
Music source: Epidemic sound.

Production of novel theranostic nano-vector based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/miR-497 targeting colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious public health concern worldwide. Immune checkpoint inhibition medication is likely to remain a crucial part of CRC clinical management. This study aims to create new super paramagnetic iron oxide nano-carrier (SPION) that can effectively transport miRNA to specific CRC cell lines. In addition, evaluate the efficiency of this nano-formulation as a therapeutic candidate for CRC. Bioinformatics tools were used to select a promising tumor suppressor miRNA (mir-497-5p). Green route, using Fusarium oxyporium fungal species, manipulated for the synthesis of SPION@Ag@Cs nanocomposite as a carrier of miR-497-5p. That specifically targets the suppression of PD1/PDL1 and CTLA4pathways for colorectal therapy. UV/visible and FTIR spectroscopy, Zeta potential and MTT were used to confirm the allocation of the miR-497 on SPION@Ag@Cs and its cytotoxicity against CRC cell lines. Immunofluorescence was employed to confirm transfection of cells with miR-497@NPs, and the down-regulation of CTLA4 in HT29, and Caco2 cell lines. On the other hand, PDL1 showed a significant increase in colorectal cell lines (HT-29 and Caco-2) in response to mir497-5p@Nano treatment. The data suggest that the mir-497-loaded SPION@Ag@Cs nano-formulation could be a good candidate for the suppression of CTLA4in CRC human cell lines. Consequently, the targeting miR-497/CTLA4 axis is a potential immunotherapy treatment strategy for CRC.

Elfiky, A.M., Eid, M.M., El-Manawaty, M. et al. Sci Rep 15, 4,247 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88165-3

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Tiny chip could offer spectral sensing for everyday devices

Imagine smartphones that can diagnose diseases, detect counterfeit drugs or warn of spoiled food. Spectral sensing is a powerful technique that identifies materials by analyzing how they interact with light, revealing details far beyond what the human eye can see.

Traditionally, this technology required bulky, expensive systems confined to laboratories and industrial applications. But what if this capability could be miniaturized to fit inside a smartphone or ?

Researchers at Aalto University in Finland have combined miniaturized hardware and intelligent algorithms to create a powerful tool that is compact, cost-effective, and capable of solving real-world problems in areas such as health care, food safety and autonomous driving. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.

New Research Reveals How Lycopene Revitalizes Brain Health and Fights Depression

Researchers found that lycopene enhances BDNF expression, a key protein involved in brain health, which appears to be suppressed in depression.

Lycopene’s Potential as an Antidepressant

Lycopene, a natural compound found in plants, may have antidepressant effects, according to emerging research. A new study published on January 22 in Food Science & Nutrition explores how lycopene influences brain function to counteract symptoms of depression.

A disrupted protein recycling process can harm heart health

A disrupted protein degradation process in heart muscle cells can lead to a range of severe heart diseases. In the case of dilated cardiomyopathy, a pathological enlargement of the heart chambers, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim have now identified a cause: a low level of the enzyme Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 (USP5) leads to an accumulation of Ubiquitin in heart muscle cells and the formation of protein aggregates, which trigger heart diseases. Increasing USP5 levels in heart muscle cells protects the heart from harmful degradation processes, offering a perspective for new therapies.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a pathological enlargement of one or both heart chambers, including the atria. The resulting restriction of heart function is caused by structural damage to . The consequence is , which can lead to death without a heart transplant. Existing can usually not stop or reverse the progression of the disease.

In search of new therapeutic approaches, researchers from the department of Thomas Braun at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research have investigated the molecular processes of protein degradation in heart muscle cells. Yvonne Eibach and Silke Kreher, both first authors of the study published in Science Advances, together with their research partners, discovered disturbances in the process that serves the disposal of defective or no longer needed proteins.

New Research Exposes a Shocking Global Failure in Heart Disease Treatment

A major international study reveals that most people with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and hypertension. These conditions are primarily driven by atherosclerosis, a process where plaque builds up in the arterial walls, leading to narrowed or blocked arteries. Risk factors include smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and genetic predisposition. CVD remains a leading cause of global mortality, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and preventive measures in managing and reducing the risk of heart-related illnesses.

Printable molecule-selective nanoparticles enable mass production of wearable biosensors

The future of medicine may very well lie in the personalization of health care—knowing exactly what an individual needs and then delivering just the right mix of nutrients, metabolites, and medications, if necessary, to stabilize and improve their condition. To make this possible, physicians first need a way to continuously measure and monitor certain biomarkers of health.

To that end, a team of Caltech engineers has developed a technique for inkjet printing arrays of special that enables the mass production of long-lasting wearable sweat sensors. These sensors could be used to monitor a variety of biomarkers, such as vitamins, hormones, metabolites, and medications, in real time, providing patients and their physicians with the ability to continually follow changes in the levels of those .

Wearable biosensors that incorporate the new nanoparticles have been successfully used to monitor metabolites in patients suffering from long COVID and the levels of chemotherapy drugs in at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

New wearable sensor detects even more compounds in human sweat

If you have ever had your blood drawn, whether to check your cholesterol, kidney function, hormone levels, blood sugar, or as part of a general checkup, you might have wondered why there is not an easier, less painful way.

Now there might be. A team of researchers from Caltech’s Cherng Department of Medical Engineering has unveiled a new wearable sensor that can detect in even minute levels of many common nutrients and biological compounds that can serve as indicators of human health.

The was developed in the lab of Wei Gao, assistant professor of , Heritage Medical Research Institute investigator, and Ronald and JoAnne Willens Scholar. For years, Gao’s research has focused on with medical applications, and this latest work represents the most precise and sensitive iteration yet.

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