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Category: biotech/medical – Page 3

First human DNA-cutting enzyme that senses physical tension discovered

An international research team has identified a human protein, ANKLE1, as the first DNA-cutting enzyme (nuclease) in mammals capable of detecting and responding to physical tension in DNA. This “tension-sensing” mechanism plays a vital role in maintaining genetic integrity during cell division—a process that, when disrupted, can lead to cancer and other serious diseases.

The study, titled “ANKLE1 processes chromatin bridges by cleaving mechanically stressed DNA,” published in Nature Communications, represents a major advance in the understanding of cellular DNA protection.

The research was conducted through a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Professor Gary Ying Wai Chan’s laboratory at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Dr. Artem Efremov’s biophysics team at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL), with additional contributions from researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Francis Crick Institute in London.

How Two Russian Scientists Revolutionized the Way We Understand Aging and Cancer

A new article reflects on how two generations of scientists reshaped thinking on aging, linking hormonal regulation in the brain to molecular growth pathways. Mikhail Blagosklonny spent his career arguing that aging is not slow decay, but biology stuck in “overdrive.” Only now is it becoming wide

Digital twins for personalized treatment in uro-oncology in the era of artificial intelligence

This Review focuses on the clinical effects and translational potential of digital twin applications in uro-oncology, highlights challenges and discusses future directions for implementing digital twins to achieve personalized uro-oncological diagnostics and treatment.

Aging midbrain neurons face energy crisis linked to Parkinson’s

Dopamine neurons in a part of the brain called the midbrain may, with aging, be increasingly susceptible to a vicious spiral of decline driven by fuel shortages, according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The findings offer a potential explanation for the degeneration of this neuron population in Parkinson’s disease.

In the study, published Dec. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientists examined how midbrain dopamine neurons, which have unusually numerous output branches, handle their high energy requirements. They showed that these neurons under normal conditions create a fuel reserve in the form of clusters of glucose molecules called glycogen. This allows the neurons to keep working for a surprisingly long time even when their usual supply of glucose from the blood is interrupted. However, the researchers also discovered that the neurons regulate their glycogen storage in a way that can leave them highly vulnerable to glucose shortages, especially as their functions begin to decline with aging.

“This vulnerability may explain the deaths of these midbrain neurons in Parkinson’s and is consistent with the idea that energy insufficiency is a common failure mode in neurological disorders,” said study senior author Timothy Ryan, the Tri-Institutional Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics and a professor of biochemistry in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

Donate to My War with cancer in 2025 and other major setbacks, organized by Nicholas Avery

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Nick, and I am writing to you in the spirit of openness and honesty. In 2025 I underwent emergency medical treatment for a skull tumor, and after initial interventions failed I received CAR T-cell therapy at City of Hope Cancer Centers in California. This journey along with the rest of the year has been one of the most challenging years of my life.

Because of cancer treatments and multiple hardships throughout the year, medical bills, recovery needs, a car accident, and not allowed to return to work yet, I established a GoFundMe campaign to help cover necessary expenses and give myself a chance at recovery and Here’s the link to the campaign:

https://gofund.me/546bee7a8

I understand Lifeboat core values and mission is towards making the world a better place and after years of growing with this community, which is why I believe that human life, is a part of what makes our future worth safeguarding.

I’m reaching out because we all have our own personal humanitarian crisis and unfortunate this year is mine. I appreciate any support, be it words of encouragement or donating to my campaign is all deeply appreciated. Thank you for letting me a part of this community. The link is posted in a comment.

A special THANK YOU to Eric Klien for being supportive and donating.

Continue reading “Donate to My War with cancer in 2025 and other major setbacks, organized by Nicholas Avery” | >

CAR T Cell Therapy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Successes and Shortcomings

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy achieved remarkable success in B-cell leukemia and lymphoma which led to its incorporation in treatment protocols for these diseases. CAR T cell therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients showed less success compared to other malignant tumors. In this review, we discuss the published results regarding CAR T cell therapy of CLL, possible mechanisms of failures and expected developments.

Biological Activities of Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata: A Scoping Review and Evidence Gap Mapping

Background/Objectives: The species Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata are commonly referred to as guaco. Their preparations are used in traditional Brazilian medicine, mainly to address respiratory conditions affecting the upper airways. Considering the wide popular use of this species, the present study aims to survey the biological activities of guaco that have already been proven in the literature and to generate an evidence gap map for these biological activities. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (7 October 2024), which included all studies that have evaluated the biological activities of the leaves of the M. glomerata or M. laevigata species. Results: A total of 57 studies (31 assessed only M. glomerata, 17 assessed only M.

A new approach for detecting retinal disease variants at the transcript level from blood and skin cells

Using a CRISPRa-based approach, Elvir Becirovic & team activated retinal disease-related genes in isolated human cells, establishing a minimally invasive diagnostic method for inherited retinal diseases:

The fundus autofluorescence image is from a patient with confirmed ABCA4-associated retinal disease (STGD1).

1Laboratory for Retinal Gene Ther apy, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

2Department of Ophthalmology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

3Department of Pharmacy – Center for Drug Research, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Early detection of lung cancer

Most patients with lung cancer are diagnosed when they present with symptoms, they have advanced stage disease, and curative treatment is no longer an option. An effective screening test has long been desired for early detection with the goal of reducing mortality from lung cancer. Sputum cytology, chest radiography, and computed tomography (CT) scan have been studied as potential screening tests. The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated a 20% reduction in mortality with low-dose CT (LDCT) screening, and guidelines now endorse annual LDCT for those at high risk. Implementation of screening is underway with the desire that the benefits be seen in clinical practice outside of a research study format. Concerns include management of false positives, cost, incidental findings, radiation exposure, and overdiagnosis.

Lung Cancer Risk Factors

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Using other tobacco products such as cigars or pipes also increases the risk for lung cancer. Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Many are poisons. At least 70 are known to cause cancer in people or animals.

People who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke. Even smoking a few cigarettes a day or smoking occasionally increases the risk of lung cancer. The more years a person smokes and the more cigarettes smoked each day, the more risk goes up.

People who quit smoking have a lower risk of lung cancer than if they had continued to smoke, but their risk is higher than the risk for people who never smoked. Quitting smoking at any age can lower the risk of lung cancer.

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