Scientists have discovered that weak binding between antibodies and biological gels like mucus is more effective in trapping pathogens, making it a stronger first line of defense. This finding has the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of various diseases by providing new targets for engineered antibodies.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study found that beta blockers are not necessary after a heart attack if patients are already taking ACE inhibitors and statins. The study examined over 90,000 Medicare patients and found that those who took only ACE inhibitors and statins had a similar mortality rate to those taking all three drugs.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that vaccination efforts in poor countries have prevented 20 million deaths and saved $350 billion by 2020. The researchers also estimated a broader economic value of $820 billion, with certain vaccines providing the greatest benefits.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a potent group of kinase inhibitors, known as the Kinase Chemogenomic Set, which will allow researchers to explore the human kinome in greater depth. The set consists of over 500 compounds and is available for free use by the scientific community.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is developing an intervention to empower patients with glaucoma to take a more active role in their treatment. The study aims to improve communication between patients and ophthalmologists, leading to better medication adherence and reduced intraocular pressure.
A new study estimates that climate change will cause 60,000 premature deaths globally by 2030 and 260,000 by 2100 due to increased air pollution. The research uses global climate models to predict changes in air quality and health outcomes.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill developed a new methodology called PLMF to predict properties of new metals and materials using machine learning. The tool was able to fill in missing values for existing materials, allowing scientists to test new ideas before synthesis.
A widely used drug screening tool has been found to be seriously flawed, incorrectly flagging many active compounds as potential PAINS. The University of North Carolina study analyzed thousands of compounds and found that majority do not exhibit interference with drug-candidate screening technology.
A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that 'no fat' or 'no sugar' labels on food packaging do not necessarily imply a healthier product. In fact, foods with these claims often have a worse nutritional profile than those without claims.
Scientists at UNC Chapel Hill have identified a key genetic switch that helps soil bacteria living on and inside plant roots harvest phosphate. This discovery raises the possibility of probiotic treatments to increase plant efficiency and address the impending global phosphate shortage.
Researchers found that up to 90% of predatory fish are gone from Caribbean coral reefs, straining the ecosystem and coastal economy. Protected supersites could support large numbers of predator fishes, potentially boosting the economy through tourism.
UNC-Chapel Hill researchers have made a breakthrough in treating glioblastoma by using human stem cells to hunt down and kill brain cancer. The new approach shows promise for clinical trials within the next one to two years.
The UNC Catalyst initiative aims to create and share research tools to study rare diseases, addressing the lack of resources and expertise in this area. The partnership with Genetic Alliance and Structural Genomics Consortium will provide researchers with access to necessary tools and talent to accelerate solutions.
Researchers have developed a method to control proteins inside live cells using light, allowing for unprecedented insight into the causes of disease. The technique uses previously inaccessible proteins to create flexible logic networks that can be manipulated in real-time.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed a breakthrough technique that uses light to activate a drug stored in circulating red blood cells. This method could drastically reduce the amount of a drug needed to treat disease and thus side effects.
University of North Carolina researchers sequenced the genes of a harmful algae bloom, revealing new interactions between algae and bacteria that can help predict their growth. The technique opens up the possibility of forecasting blooms and taking measures to prevent them, saving millions in economic losses.
Researchers from UNC-Chapel Hill create method for sculpting chemical spread, with implications in medicine, chemistry and environmental management. By adjusting pipe width and height, solutes can be delivered fast or slow to reach target.
Researchers developed a more accurate system for predicting chemical toxicity, increasing accuracy to 85%, which could save millions of dollars and years of development time for new drugs. The system uses statistical analysis and QSAR modeling to assign numerical values to the accuracy of structural alerts.
Research from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals that regions close to the equator are contributing more to the total global ozone increase due to their proximity to intense sunlight and heat. The study suggests that strategic policy planning is needed to address this issue.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found that unvaccinated adults contribute to $7.1 billion in healthcare costs, accounting for 80% of vaccine-preventable disease expenses in 2015.
A new paper describes a research team's models forecasting potential outcomes in the Galapagos Islands, developed to help the Ecuador government balance economic development and resource conservation. The models use real data and social-ecological processes to predict sustainable growth by 2033.
Researchers found that diverse spider societies composed of both docile and aggressive spiders are more resilient to temperature fluctuations than those with a single personality. This discovery has implications for restoring animals in changing habitats.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of younger cancer patients with metastatic disease received hospitalization, emergency room visits, or chemotherapy in their last 30 days. Researchers call for earlier discussions on palliative care to improve quality of life.
A study published at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting found bacteria in women's ovaries and fallopian tubes. Women with ovarian cancer have distinct bacterial profiles, suggesting potential links to cancer development or progression.
A recent study found that over one-in-four cancer patients struggle to afford medical care, leading to missed appointments and prescription delays. The researchers highlight the need for support programs to help patients navigate financial difficulties.
A national survey found broad support for raising the minimum legal age of tobacco sales to 19, 20 or 21 in all US regions. The study suggests that increasing the age limit could lead to a reduction in smoking prevalence and related health issues.
Research finds that women adjust their fashion choices to fit in with wealthy groups, adopting local trends when moving to higher SES cities but ignoring them in lower SES cities. This 'trickle down conformity' is driven by a deep human urge for status and social standing.
Scientists have found that pieces of the underside of the North American Plate are peeling off, sinking into the mantle, and causing earthquakes in the southeastern US. This process is likely to produce more earthquakes in the future due to unbalanced stresses in the plate.
Cancer drug costs have increased by six times over the past decade, with newly approved medications costing an average of $11,325 per month, compared to $1,869 for those introduced in 2000. This trend may impact patients' ability to access these drugs and their financial burden.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have identified a brain circuit controlling binge drinking, connecting two regions with corticotropin-releasing factor. Inhibiting this circuit in mice protects against binge alcohol drinking.
A study found that older black women are less likely to receive trastuzumab, a targeted drug improving survival by nearly 40%, than white women. Approximately half of women in the study did not receive any therapy, highlighting disparities in access to proven yet expensive treatment.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have adapted solar energy technology to selectively remove americium from nuclear waste pools, making storage safer and nontoxic. The breakthrough solution also opens the door to expand one of the most efficient energy sources on the planet.
Scientists have identified a new SARS-like virus, WIV1-CoV, that directly binds to the same human receptor as the SARS strain. The virus has the potential to infect humans without adaptation and replicate efficiently in human cells, raising concerns about a possible outbreak.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that women require daily doses of Truvada to prevent HIV infection, while men only need two doses per week. The research highlights the importance of understanding how drugs interact with different body tissues to protect against HIV.
Researchers turned skin cells into cancer-hunting stem cells that destroy brain tumors known as glioblastoma, a breakthrough discovery in medical science. The technique increases survival time by 160-220% and has the potential to offer a new and more effective treatment for the disease.
A new implantable device delivers a toxic 4-drug cocktail directly to pancreatic tumors, limiting widespread side effects and increasing drug delivery by at least three times. This innovative approach shows promising results in halting tumor growth and shrinking tumors, offering new hope for patients with this deadly cancer.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have created a new cancer treatment that uses immune bubbles to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors. This innovative approach reduces the need for high doses of chemotherapy, potentially leading to more effective treatment with fewer and milder side effects.
A new UNC-Chapel Hill study shows that social relationships reduce health risk across the lifespan. The research found that strong social connections are vital for overall well-being, particularly in adolescence and old age, while quality of relationships matters in middle adulthood.
Researchers found that tardigrades have a massive amount of foreign DNA, with around 17.5% coming from non-tardigrade sources, primarily bacteria. This challenges conventional views on how DNA is inherited and raises new questions about the connection between foreign DNA and extreme environment survival.
Researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discovered a new bat SARS-like virus that can infect humans without mutation. The virus highlights the need for developing drugs and vaccines before an outbreak occurs.
Researchers have found a link between the origins of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and small mammals, specifically bats and rodents. The study provides novel insight into the evolution of HAV and how it spread to humans, highlighting the importance of analyzing animal reservoirs for risk assessment of emerging viruses.
Researchers found that rectangular pipe flows distribute pollutants asymmetrically, whereas circular or elliptical flows spread evenly. The study's results have implications for drug delivery and managing pollutants spilled in waterways.
A specific species of lactobacillus, Lactobacillus crispatus, appears to play a key role in sustaining the mucus barrier against HIV and other STIs. The study's findings could lead to new strategies for protecting women against HIV.
The Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network aims to increase innovation by making nanotechnology accessible to faculty, students, businesses, and educators across the Triangle and nation. The initiative provides graduate students with peer-to-peer training opportunities and 'Nano-Nights' programs for grades 7-12 classrooms.
Scientists at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy created macrophages that deliver glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and teach neurons to produce the protein. The treatment has shown promise in reversing Parkinson's disease progression and promoting neuron survival.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill identified proteorhodopsin, a protein allowing certain phytoplankton to survive in iron-limited ocean regions. This discovery resets ideas on how to measure and understand carbon cycling, potentially altering climate change predictions.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill use exosomes to deliver catalase, a potent antioxidant that counters neuron-killing inflammation, to the brain. This delivery method bypasses the blood-brain barrier and avoids immune detection.
Uninsured cancer patients pay 2-43 times more than Medicare and private insurers for chemotherapy drugs, according to a new study. The study found significant price differences for expensive and inexpensive drugs alike.
A comprehensive analysis of 66,101 health-care facilities in 54 low- and middle-income countries found that 38% lack an improved water source, 19% lack improved sanitation, and 35% lack soap for hand washing. This compromise basic health-care services like child delivery, posing infection risks to patients and staff.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have developed CLIP, a 3D printing technology that manipulates light and oxygen to fuse objects in liquid media. This method allows for the creation of commercially viable objects with feature sizes below 20 microns, making it possible to produce parts 25-100 times faster than traditional technologies.