Researchers found that smokers' lungs have a different inflammatory environment, leading to a specific subset of T cells that evade the body's immune response. This knowledge could lead to new treatments tailored to patients based on their smoking history.
A landmark study links iron regulation to a rare blood cancer, revealing that restricting iron access to the bone marrow can reduce red blood cell production in patients with polycythemia vera. Clinical trials are underway for a potential new treatment using a drug that controls iron regulation.
A new diagnostic test can detect people with dormant Plasmodium vivax parasites, which are difficult to treat due to their ability to remain dormant in the liver for years. The test has the potential to improve malaria control programs and accelerate eradication efforts.
Researchers have discovered a possible cause of neurodegeneration in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease using fruit flies. The study found that an overabundance of the TOMM40 gene causes marked cell death in the retina, which corresponds to the level of protein produced by the gene.
WEHI researchers have visualized how a non-insulin molecule can mimic the role of insulin, opening new avenues for an oral insulin pill. The study confirms alternative molecules can be used to turn on blood glucose uptake, bypassing insulin needs.
Researchers have identified a new way to treat young children with Kawasaki Disease by using mTOR inhibitors to prevent coronary artery damage and aneurysms. The treatment has shown promise in preclinical studies and could potentially be trialled rapidly in the clinic for children with KD.
Researchers found that liver cells cannot undergo necroptosis, a form of cell death previously thought to drive liver diseases. This revelation points to a new therapeutic intervention strategy and resolves crucial unanswered questions in the field.
Researchers discovered that B cells randomly allocate antibody classes to fight infections and diseases, leading to varying probabilities of developing conditions like asthma. This 'molecular roulette' process can be predicted using a formula, paving the way for understanding individual susceptibility.
Researchers replicate aggressive lymphoma to identify gene responsible for drug resistance, offering new targets and causes of resistance. The CRISPR activation technology enables the replication of complex diseases on an unmatched level.
A recent study suggests that epigenetic information, normally reset between generations, is more frequently carried from mother to offspring than previously thought. This discovery could have implications for women with SMCHD1 variants and their children.
Researchers have identified immune signatures that can distinguish between mild and severe febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes in child cancer patients. This breakthrough could prevent thousands of low-risk cancer patients from undergoing unnecessary treatment.
Researchers discovered that treatments aiming to suppress tumour growth while boosting the immune system may be counterproductive. The 'energy fingerprints' of lung cancer reveal that cancer cells and immune cells rely on the same energy source, glutamate.
Researchers have developed a way to fine-tune CAR T cell therapy to strike a balance between safety and efficacy, reducing the risk of severe side-effects. The new approach enables customisation of potency levels for individual patients, broadening its potential as a first-line treatment.
A new blood test has been developed to identify colon cancer patients who can safely avoid chemotherapy, reducing the number of patients treated with unnecessary treatment. The test assesses levels of circulating tumour DNA and could revolutionise chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer patients.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has significantly extended the understanding of one type of protein degrader technology, expanding on current validation strategies. This breakthrough could boost the number of drugs successfully entering human trials, particularly for hard-to-treat cancers.
Researchers have captured the first 3D images of malaria parasites and how anti-malarial compounds like PMIX and PMX work to stop their spread. The findings will enable the design of new compounds that can effectively block Plasmepsins, preventing malaria parasite replication.
Researchers have identified a new enzyme, tankyrase-1, that regulates cell death in inflammatory diseases like psoriasis. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments for chronic inflammatory conditions, some cancers, and viral infections.
Asymptomatic malaria infections have been found to suppress the immune system, preventing it from eradicating parasites from the bloodstream. This new information provides a framework for considering new policies supporting screening and treatment of asymptomatic malaria in endemic areas.
Researchers have discovered a new way to predict brain bleeds in unborn babies and newborns by analyzing platelet levels. The study found that babies are guaranteed to develop brain bleeds if their platelet count drops below 10%, while moderate levels may trigger the condition, but not extremely low levels.
WEHI researchers have found a way to release the 'handbrake' hold on Treg cells, enabling them to clear disease and infections faster. This breakthrough could lead to better treatment options for cancers and infections, where rapid clearance of unhealthy cells is crucial.
Researchers at WEHI have discovered a new accordion-like trigger crucial to gene silencing, which expands our understanding of how genes are switched on and off in the womb. The finding offers a new way to potentially harness gene silencing to treat diseases like cancer and congenital disorders.
Researchers have identified nitric oxide as a key driver of excessive cell death and inflammation in the body. By blocking caspase-8, a protein that produces nitric oxide, unregulated cell death can be prevented, offering new treatment options for inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at WEHI identified an enzyme in the thymus that is essential for immune T cells to correctly identify threats, safeguarding them from going rogue and attacking healthy tissue. The enzyme KAT7 activates thousands of genes required for 'training' immune T cells not to attack healthy tissue.
Researchers identified the 'key' controlling potassium ion flow across cell membranes, resolving a decades-old problem and providing a new understanding of how channels are gated. The discovery has potential implications for treating diseases such as cancers, epilepsy, and diabetes by targeting ion channel deregulation.
Scientists at WEHI have produced the first molecular images of RNF216, an enzyme controlling protein signalling in human cells. The discovery sheds light on its role in a rare group of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases, including Gordon-Holmes Syndrome.
Researchers have solved a decade-long mystery about the PINK1 protein, which plays a critical role in early onset Parkinson's disease. The discovery provides an unprecedented view of the protein and its activation process, paving the way for developing therapeutic agents that could slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have discovered how dormant Toxoplasma parasites in the brain manipulate host cells to survive. The parasites release proteins called Inhibitor of STAT1 transcription (IST) to suppress immune signals, allowing them to evade detection and cause disease.
Researchers have visualized the first structure of a human cell death complex linked to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The discovery could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, renal injury, diabetes, and other conditions. The study reveals how RIPK3 proteins regulate necroptosis, a type of inflammatory cell death.
Researchers have identified a specific gene signature associated with severe COVID-19, enabling early detection of high-risk patients through non-invasive blood tests. The breakthrough could revolutionize patient triage and improve healthcare outcomes during future pandemics.
Scientists have discovered antibodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells in preclinical models. The discovery paves the way for clinical trials of monoclonal antibody treatments to prevent severe COVID-19 infection, and could provide immediate protection against the virus.
Scientists discovered that deleting specific proteins in immune cells affected certain populations, leading to their disappearance from skin and lungs. This suggests that drugs targeting these components could have unintended consequences for the immune system.
Researchers have discovered a link between low platelet counts and brain bleeds in newborns, which can lead to fatal strokes or permanent neurological conditions. The study aims to develop new treatments to prevent these strokes.
Researchers have developed a simplified blood test that increases overall screening efficiency for type 1 diabetes. The study, led by Melbourne researchers, found that a single finger prick blood test can predict clinical diagnosis with high accuracy.
A study in rural Bangladesh found that iron supplements have no effect on child cognitive function, language, and motor development. While iron supplements improved anaemia in children, they had no impact on growth, behavior, or developmental delays.
The new animations create a visual representation of cell respiration, showcasing the breakdown of glucose and release of energy. The animations were built using cutting-edge scientific discovery and research, including models from X-ray crystallography and molecular dynamics simulation.
Researchers have discovered a new group of patients who are likely to benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy, which has shown unprecedented success in treating BRCA1/2 mutated cancers. The study identified tumours with epigenetic marks that silenced the RAD51C gene, making them sensitive to PARP inhibitors.
Researchers used mass cytometry and machine learning to discover 'immune signatures' that differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic Plasmodium vivax malaria infections. The study found a previously unrecognised role for immune CD4 T cells in preventing serious disease and controlling asymptomatic infection.
Researchers have discovered a new approach to treating tuberculosis by boosting the body's immune system and targeting cell death pathways. The study found that using preclinical models, infected cells can be killed by drugs called IAP inhibitors, significantly reducing disease severity.
Researchers have identified a new generation of anti-cancer drugs that target aggressive childhood brain tumors. The genetic map of these tumours has helped predict the effectiveness of existing drugs, including Ixabepilone, in treating medulloblastoma.
Using lattice light sheet microscopy, researchers captured high-resolution videos of individual malaria parasites invading red blood cells, revealing key steps in the parasite life cycle. The study's findings may lead to new antimalarial therapies by targeting specific components of the parasite, potentially bypassing drug resistance.
A biomarker based on circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can predict the likelihood of bowel cancer recurrence after surgery and chemotherapy. The test measures ctDNA levels before and after treatment to provide real-time information on chemotherapy effectiveness.
Researchers created an RNA atlas detailing the diverse cells in healthy and cancerous breast tissue, revealing changes that occur during cancer development. The study provides a high-resolution view of breast tissue cell types and will be an important resource for breast cancer research.
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in immunotherapy design, using specifically designed receptors to completely clear brain cancer tumors in preclinical models. The approach has shown promise and could pave the way for new treatments for people with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Researchers have identified how natural human antibodies can block malaria parasites from entering red blood cells, potentially indicating the development of new protective therapies. This discovery opens up new avenues for developing antibody-based therapies for malaria.
Australian researchers have identified neutralizing nanobodies that block the SARS-CoV-2 virus from entering cells, paving the way for alternative treatments. The discovery of a nanobody recognizing emerging global variants and original SARS virus suggests potential cross-protection against human coronaviruses.
A collaborative research team has discovered compounds with antimalarial activity from a collection of 80,000 drug-like molecules. The most promising candidates are now being further developed towards potential antimalarial drugs.
WeHI researchers used monobodies to 'freeze' MLKL at different stages of its activation, mapping how its three-dimensional structure changed. This revealed potential target sites for drugs that could block necroptosis, a key contributor to inflammatory diseases.
WeHI researchers have developed a new single-cell technique, SIS-seq, to understand the programming behind stem cells making particular cell types. The research uncovered 30 new genes that program stem cells to make dendritic cells that kick-start the immune response.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a critical immune cell type called cDC1 that helps control cancer and infections. The study highlights the importance of DC-SCRIPT, a new regulatory protein, in producing effective dendritic cells.
Researchers tracked DNA changes in melanoma samples to understand how the disease progresses and develops resistance to treatment. The study revealed chaotic genetic changes that contribute to aggressive disease growth and treatment resistance, offering potential targets for new therapies.