A new study found that Sydney harbor's seaweeds contain high levels of toxic heavy metals, harming small animals that eat them. Up to three-quarters of juvenile crustaceans are killed when exposed to copper, highlighting the potential consequences for marine food chains.
American and South African scientists discovered how HIV exhausts killer T cells, which attack the virus. By blocking a molecular switch called programmed death-1 (PD-1), they can reinvigorate these T cells.
Researchers have identified a genetic profile indicating chromosomal instability as predictive of clinical outcome in various cancer types. This signature was found to predict poor clinical outcome in 12 populations studied, making it a potential diagnostic tool for identifying aggressive cancers.
Researchers isolated a nerve toxin from an ocean-dwelling snail that may enable scientists to develop medications for a range of nervous system disorders. The new toxin fits like a key into specific lock-like receptors in the brain, opening up potential for designing new medicines.
Researchers found a molecular pathway that turns off immune cells targeting HIV, leading to exhaustion. Blocking this pathway restores function to these cells, suggesting a potential new approach to treating HIV infection.