A recent study published in Journal of Water and Health suggests that supplemental water fluoridation may be a contributing factor to rising type 2 diabetes rates in the United States. The study used mathematical models to analyze publicly available data on fluoride water levels and diabetes incidence rates across 22 states.
A study led by Case Western Reserve University researchers has identified a gene, S100P, that may help tumors evade trastuzumab, a common breast cancer treatment. By blocking S100P, tumor cells became sensitive to the drug again.
A new study found that recording smartphone videos of tooth-brushing can improve oral health care techniques, increasing accuracy and skill mastery by 8%. The study suggests using video-based monitoring apps to provide feedback from dental professionals.
A groundbreaking study found that keeping a specific RNA binding protein, TDP-43, from moving inside nerve cells can prevent cell death and disease progression in ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders. The researchers developed small proteins to block the protein's localization, preventing toxicity and disease progression in mice.
Case Western Reserve University researchers uncover key surface proteins in brain tumors that allow them to evade the immune system. The study found that blocking protein Cdk5 enables CD4+ T cells to remove tumor cells, suggesting a potential new therapy for brain cancer.
Drs. Henry Boom and Moses Joloba at Case Western Reserve University and Makerere University, respectively, have received a $1.5 million five-year grant to strengthen Ugandan biomedical research capacity. The program aims to provide PhD-level training in microbiology and immunology to talented young Ugandan scientists.
Case Western Reserve University researchers identified why colorectal cancer cells depend on glutamine and developed a way to starve them. In a mouse model, exposing tumors with PIK3CA mutation to glutamine metabolism inhibitors suppressed tumor growth, providing a promising new therapeutic avenue for colorectal tumors.
Researchers have created biohybrid robots that crawl like sea turtles on the beach, combining tissues from a sea slug with flexible 3-D printed components. The robots are designed to be compliant and interact with their environment, making them suitable for tasks such as searching for toxic leaks or lost flight data recorders.
Researchers at CWRU discovered how bacterial resistance enzymes spread and avoid destruction by anchoring themselves in cell membranes. This mechanism allows bacteria like NDM-1 to resist destruction triggered by low zinc levels, enabling their widespread dissemination and antibiotic resistance.
A new digital image analytics test will enable accurate prediction of which women with ER+ breast cancer require chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. The test aims to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes by providing results in a day.
A new study confirms the efficacy of the RV144 HIV vaccine in macaques, disproving the notion that a stronger adjuvant yields better results. The study found that changing the adjuvant did not improve the vaccine's effectiveness, but instead triggered an immune response at the site of infection.
Researchers found that cockroaches exhibit head-direction-like activity and evidence of contextual cue processing in their brains. This suggests that insects rely on the same sensory inputs as humans and process them in a similar manner.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that analyzing image features from adjacent benign tissues to tumor areas can provide an early warning for patients at higher risk of biochemical recurrence. This study may lead to doctors making decisions sooner about follow-up therapies or more regular monitoring.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
Researchers are investigating genetic variations and unconventional T-cells that enable macrophages to resist Mtb infection in HIV-positive individuals. The study aims to identify biomarkers of resistance and novel approaches to TB vaccine and treatment.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new approach to stabilize donor limb and tissue biology after brain death, which could lead to improved success rates in transplantation. The goal is to increase the number of viable organs available for transplant, addressing a pressing need in the field.
Researchers use new computer codes to create accurate models of the universe and its contents, shedding light on the evolution of the universe and the growth of structure within it. The study confirms that small-scale structures produce significant effects on larger distance scales, providing new insights into gravity and cosmology.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a technique to produce long chain molecules with trefoil-like shapes, which could lead to more stable protein structures and high-value polymers. The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to scale up the production of knotted polymers.
Researchers aim to identify genetic risk and prevention factors for Alzheimer's disease by analyzing genomic sequence data from thousands of individuals. The new center will provide a common database for critical information sharing and interpretation, enabling progress against the insidious disease.
Researchers at CWRU create a way to control electron spins at room temperature using a magnetic vortex. The technology offers a possible alternative strategy for building faster and more powerful quantum computers. By coupling the vortices with diamond nanoparticles, they can manipulate individual electron spins in nanoseconds.
The Saffire-I experiment aims to study how fires grow and spread in microgravity, with the goal of verifying fire-safety protocols for the ISS and future manned flights to Mars. The experiment will use a heated wire to ignite a large cloth sample, and researchers will monitor its growth and spread.
Researchers found that a plant-virus-based carrier successfully delivers the drug candidate phenanthriplatin, outperforming cisplatin in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer. The nanoparticles target tumors, accumulating inside lysosomal compartments and releasing the drug to block transcription, leading to greater cell death.
Research finds that practice explains only 18% of why athletes perform better or worse, with 82% attributed to other factors like genetics and cognitive traits. Starting age also holds little advantage, as higher-skilled athletes often start at the same age as less-skilled ones.
Researchers aim to reduce unnecessary surgeries and pelvic sepsis by analyzing magnetic resonance images and pathological specimens. They will develop a risk-assessment scoring system to determine which patients need surgery after chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Researchers aim to create non-destructive tools to monitor and assess implantable cartilage, improving the quality of tissue and reducing variability caused by human cells. The center will serve as a resource for academic and industrial labs, disseminating findings and providing training.
Researchers propose revisiting the internationally recognized '14-day rule', which restricts in vitro research on human embryos. The rule has been theoretical until now, but technological advancements have enabled scientists to sustain human embryos in vitro for up to 14 days, raising questions about its relevance and implications.
A new study reports the first small molecule targeted therapy for progressive hearing loss in a mouse model of USH3, which causes devastating symptoms. The discovery holds promise for real-world translation and could prevent both sensory deficiencies in USH3 patients.
A traveling spike generator has been found to initiate brain waves in the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory. The generator appears to move across the region while generating brain waves, but produces no electrical signal. This discovery may provide new insights into epilepsy treatment and memory consolidation.
Researchers found a significant reduction in bullying behavior among students who completed the online program StandUp, which teaches verbal, physical, sexual, and cyberbullying prevention. The program increased the use of healthy relationship skills and reduced bystander passivity to both emotional and physical bullying.
New technology allows for detailed analysis of prostate shape changes after treatment, potentially providing prognostic information and early biomarkers. The study, published in PLOS ONE, involves eight patients and plans to expand to 40 more, tracking long-term outcomes.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have discovered the full-length structure of the TRPV2 protein, a potential target for pharmaceutical research in treating chronic pain and cancer. The study reveals TRPV2's molecular mechanism in neurite growth and its involvement in malignant cancer cells.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have identified three glycosyltransferases, B3GNT2, B4GALT2, and ST6GALNAC2, as significant mutational targets in colon cancer. These findings suggest that functionally deleterious mutations in these genes contribute to aberrant glycosylation and tumor progression.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found a dose-response relationship between substance use severity and low-regard for others in adolescents. Adolescents with severe addiction were more likely to engage in riskier behaviors, such as unprotected sex and driving under the influence.
Case Western Reserve University scientists develop an optical sensor using nanostructured metamaterials, enabling detection of single lightweight molecules in dilute solutions. The device has been shown to be 1 million times more sensitive than current methods, with potential applications for early cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Research suggests that the brain's neural networks are at play when considering scientific evidence versus faith-based beliefs. Studies found that people with stronger empathetic connections tend to be more religious, while analytic thinking discourages acceptance of spiritual or religious beliefs.
A new database provides critical information on the distribution of banded sea kraits, seven species that feed almost exclusively on eels. The venomous snakes' powerful toxin holds potential for developing treatments for cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease.
A CWRU researcher is using plant viruses to detect and treat aggressive prostate and breast cancers. The lab will customize tobacco mosaic virus to target biomarkers of prostate cancer and deliver chemotherapy deep into breast tumor tissue.
Researchers discovered altered heart rate variability in children with epilepsy, suggesting a connection to the autonomic nervous system. The study suggests that changes in parasympathetic tone may precede epilepsy onset, offering potential biomarkers for diagnosis and new treatment avenues.
A study found that HIV patients in Africa with a certain genetic variant have a 63-percent lower chance of developing tuberculosis than those without the variant. This discovery may lead to the development of new TB treatments effective for both HIV-positive individuals and the general population.
A single dose of trastuzumab kick starts an immune response in certain HER2-positive breast cancers, with women having the highest rate of immune response being those with the HER2-enriched subtype. The immune-cell-activating properties of trastuzumab are likely related to the subtypes of breast cancer.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have developed a new image analytics test that can reliably distinguish between patients who need only hormonal treatment and those who also need chemotherapy. The test uses MRI data to identify molecular changes in tissues, which can be analyzed quickly and cost-effectively.
Pathogens and Immunity, an online, open-access journal, simplifies the submission and review process, reducing it from one day to five minutes. Senior editors at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine revise biomedical publications standards in immunology and infectious diseases.
Researchers discovered a critical period during embryonic brain development that establishes normal social behavior and linked it with abnormalities in specific adult brain structures. Treating mice during fetal development reversed the deficits that lead to social and repetitive behavior disorders.
A portable method to detect tainted medicines and supplements has been developed by a CWRU researcher, potentially improving public health globally. The device uses Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance spectroscopy to authenticate good medicines and supplements, while also addressing the issue of counterfeit products.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have received funding for innovative diagnostic devices targeting three major blood disorders: malaria, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia. The technologies aim to improve diagnosis speed, accuracy, and accessibility in resource-constrained settings.
A new study published in Nature Communications has identified predictors and response mechanisms to the hepatitis B vaccine. Researchers found that elevated levels of inflammatory response transcripts correlate with weaker responses, while augmented B-cell responses are linked to stronger reactions.
Researchers have identified three genetic associations that influence susceptibility to primary open angle glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The study found associations between TXNRD2, ATXN2, and FOXC1 genes, which may lead to the development of gene-based screening tests and therapy for glaucoma patients.
Researchers demonstrate CCL2 activates healing inflammatory immune responses and gene expression to promote nerve regeneration. Macrophages triggered by CCL2 increase regenerative capacity of dorsal root ganglia neurons.
The discovery of ancient tortoise and turtle fossils in the Andes Mountains suggests that the region was less than a kilometer above sea level 13 million years ago. The findings support alternative estimates to a recent study and provide insights into climate change caused by rising mountains.
Case Western Reserve University Professor Ozan Akkus is building a souped-up Raman microscope into FastRAM, which can provide images of materials in seconds to minutes instead of hours. The new device would allow researchers to analyze dynamic processes like chemical reactions as they occur.