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Category: health – Page 9

Scientists from the Kavli Institute of Delft University of Technology and the IMP Vienna Biocenter have discovered a new property of the molecular motors that shape our chromosomes. While six years ago they found that these so-called SMC motor proteins make long loops in our DNA, they have now discovered that these motors also put significant twists into the loops that they form.

These findings help us better understand the structure and function of our chromosomes. They also provide insight into how disruption of twisted DNA looping can affect health—for instance, in developmental diseases like “cohesinopathies.” The scientists published their findings in Science Advances.

Imagine trying to fit two meters of rope into a space much smaller than the tip of a needle—that’s the challenge every cell in your body faces when packing its DNA into its tiny nucleus. To achieve this, nature employs ingenious strategies, like twisting the DNA into coils of coils, so-called “supercoils” and wrapping it around special proteins for compact storage.

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A study published in the journal Optica demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. By employing a novel detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants with a light far dimmer than starlight. This advance enables imaging of delicate, light-sensitive samples, such as biofuel crops, without disturbing or damaging the plants.

A method called quantum ghost imaging (QGI) allows scientists to capture images at extremely low light levels. QGI also enables the use of one low intensity color, best matched to the sample and a different color at higher intensity, sufficient to form the image of the sample. This approach improves imaging in regions of light where traditional cameras struggle.

By using label-free infrared imaging, researchers can gather critical information about important plant processes, such as and photosynthesis, even in low-light conditions. This is particularly beneficial for studying , where researchers want to optimize plant growth and health to maximize yield and sustainability.

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The Tbx1 gene influences brain volume and social behavior in autism and schizophrenia, with its deficiency linked to amygdala shrinkage and impaired social incentive evaluation.

A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has linked changes in brain volume to differences in social behavior associated with psychiatric conditions like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.

The research, led by Noboru Hiroi, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), revealed that a deficiency in a specific gene was connected to social behavior differences in mice. These behavioral differences are similar to those often observed in psychiatric disorders.

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Quantum sensors, a cutting-edge technology capable of detecting subtle signals from the human body, could soon transform how diseases are diagnosed and monitored, according to a report from the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C).

The report outlines how quantum sensing tools — ranging from diamond-based detectors to optically pumped magnetometers — offer unprecedented sensitivity compared to traditional medical devices. These sensors could enable earlier diagnoses for diseases like Alzheimer’s, provide better imaging of fetal development, and even analyze the microbiome in real time.

“Improved sensors could impact diverse aspects of biomedicine,” the report states. “For example, quantum sensors offer the possibility of significantly more efficient and accurate medical diagnoses for patients, thanks to their increased sensitivity and novel options for form factor. These attributes could enable quantum sensors to collect vast amounts of data about patients and medical conditions, and thus facilitate drug and treatment development and earlier diagnosis of disease. The advantages of quantum sensors encourage new ideas about solutions, quantum use cases, and business models across the biomedical industry — from prenatal care to cancer detection and treatment.”

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Lipids, together with lipoprotein particles, are the cause of atherosclerosis, which is a pathology of the cardiovascular system. In addition, it affects inflammatory processes and affects the vessels and heart. In pharmaceutical answer to this, statins are considered a first-stage treatment method to block cholesterol synthesis. Many times, additional drugs are also used with this method to lower lipid concentrations in order to achieve certain values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Recent advances in photodynamic therapy (PDT) as a new cancer treatment have gained the therapy much attention as a minimally invasive and highly selective method. Photodynamic therapy has been proven more effective than chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy alone in numerous studies.

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It could lead to vaccines that could be simply rubbed onto the skin like creams.

Some bacteria, like harmless Staphylococcus epidermidis, have adapted to thrive on human skin.

Immunologists have often overlooked the role of skin bacteria in our health. However, recent research suggests that this seemingly ordinary bacterium triggers a powerful immune response in our bodies.

Continue reading “Skin bacteria turned into topical vaccine, protects mice against tetanus” | >

Imagine a world in which a vaccine is a cream you rub onto your skin instead of a needle a health care worker pushes into your one of your muscles. Even better, it’s entirely pain-free and not followed by fever, swelling, redness or a sore arm. No standing in a long line to get it. Plus, it’s cheap.

Thanks to Stanford University researchers’ domestication of a bacterial species that hangs out on the skin of close to everyone on Earth, that vision could become a reality.

“We all hate needles — everybody does,” said Michael Fischbach, PhD, the Liu (Liao) Family Professor and a professor of bioengineering. “I haven’t found a single person who doesn’t like the idea that it’s possible to replace a shot with a cream.”

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Just 37% of kids have gotten flu shots this year, according to new CDC data. That’s down seven percentage points, from 44% of kids getting shots by this same time last year.

The data concerns health officials, especially since a record number of children died of flu-related causes last year.

Ultimately, 55% of kids got vaccinated against the flu during the 2023–24 flu season, which was the lowest rate in 12 years, a CDC official told NBC News. Vaccination rates have fallen for a variety of childhood vaccines in recent years. The trend has been blamed on vaccine fatigue after the pandemic as well as misinformation about the safety of childhood shots.

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MIT researchers have developed an environmentally friendly alternative to the harmful microbeads used in some health and beauty products.

These new polymers break down into harmless sugars and amino acids and could also encapsulate nutrients for food fortification, showing promise in both cosmetic and nutritional applications.

Biodegradable Solutions by MIT.

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