Add BrightSurf on Google Email

‘Fishing’ for biomarkers

A team of researchers from Syracuse University has developed a tiny, nano-sized sensor that can detect protein biomarkers in a sample at single-molecule precision. The sensor is capable of identifying and quantifying specific proteins associated with various hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2023

Progress in unlocking the brain's "code" for depression

Researchers collected electrophysiological recordings from prefrontal cortical regions in three human subjects with severe treatment-resistant depression. They found lower depression severity correlated with decreased low-frequency neural activity and increased high-frequency activity.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023

Abnormal biomarkers associated with obesity are identified in very young Latino children, study finds

A study from George Mason University found elevated insulin and hemoglobin A1C levels in early elementary-aged Latino youth with obesity, a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. The research aims to identify at-risk children and implement interventions earlier to mitigate the effects of childhood obesity.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalSouthern Medical Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 13, 2023

Epilepsy could become easier to pinpoint with blood test

Researchers have discovered higher levels of immune proteins in the blood before and after epileptic seizures. The study suggests a potential biomarker for epilepsy, which could be identified using a simple blood test. This finding may help distinguish epilepsy from other conditions, such as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

SourceLund University·JournalHeliyon·DateMar 13, 2023

CNIO researchers propose biomarkers to select breast cancer patients who could benefit from denosumab treatment

Researchers have identified a biomarker that can select breast cancer patients who may benefit from denosumab treatment. The study found that tumors with high RANK protein expression are associated with poor prognosis and response to chemotherapy, suggesting that denosumab may be effective in hormone-receptor negative tumors.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 7, 2023

Studying partial remission of type 1 diabetes in children: New biomarkers and the immunoregulatory role of microRNA

A study has identified new microRNA biomarkers for the partial remission phase of type 1 diabetes and linked one of these microRNAs to immunoregulatory processes. The findings suggest a unique microRNA signature expression during this phase, which modulates regulatory T cell expansion and PD-1 expression.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalNon-Coding RNA·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

National Comprehensive Cancer Network updates annual conference with new in-person venue, hybrid format, expert-led sessions, highlighted research perspectives, and small-group conversations

The NCCN Annual Conference will debut a new hybrid format featuring in-person events at a new venue, allowing for hallway conversations and networking opportunities. The conference will also showcase more than 100 abstract poster presentations on various oncology-related categories.

CALYPSO: combined MET and PD-L1 inhibition shows promise in a cohort of patients with MET-driven metastatic papillary renal cancer.

The CALYPSO study assesses the efficacy of combined MET and PD-L1 inhibition in patients with MET-driven metastatic papillary renal cancer. Response rates were 29% for all patients and 53% for those with MET-driven tumors, with improved progression-free survival observed in MET-driven status.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 28, 2023

How does a person’s ethnicity impact their risk of death?

A new UK Biobank study analyzes data on nearly half a million participants and finds that Asian and Black groups have lower all-cause mortality rates compared to White groups. The study also identifies specific risk factors associated with each ethnic group, such as mental health diagnoses for Asians and parasitic diseases for Blacks.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2023

Singapore-led collaboration develops novel method to accurately measure key marker of biological ageing

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have devised a way to rapidly and precisely measure the length of a single telomere, opening doors to developing lifestyle interventions that slow ageing and prevent disease. The novel approach uses DNA sequences called 'telobaits' to latch onto the ends of telomeres in large pools of DNA fragments.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2023

Oncotarget | Novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients

Researchers have developed a novel prognostic index to predict survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients. The inflammation-combined prognostic index (ICPI) combines three biomarkers - lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio - to provide a personalized prognosis for each patient.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Cystatin C shows promise as an additional biomarker to calculate kidney function and stage chronic kidney disease

A study found that cystatin C-based eGFR was strongly correlated with creatinine-based eGFR and that 27% of patients would be classified as having a more severe chronic kidney stage based on cystatin C test results. The use of cystatin C can lead to changes in CKD staging, which can impact clinical management.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalKidney Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 14, 2023

Research aims to expand understanding of link between chronic stress and heart disease, among other age-related conditions

A University of Massachusetts Amherst epidemiologist is leading a team to better understand the effects of chronic stress on future health risks. They will examine metabolites in blood samples from a large, racially diverse population to identify potential biomarkers for heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline.

Endothelial exploration

Researchers have identified a new protein in the cerebrospinal fluid that can reliably detect endothelial injury, a key contributor to cognitive impairment in pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer's. The discovery offers hope for improving diagnostic tests and potentially preventing damage to the brain endothelium.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico Health Sciences Center·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 8, 2023

Strata Oncology announces publication of study validating clinical utility of pan-tumor predictive biomarker for checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy benefit

The study validated the clinical utility of Strata Oncology's proprietary pan-solid tumor predictive biomarker, Immunotherapy Response Score (IRS), which predicts response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy. IRS captures tumor biology and microenvironment by combining tumor mutation burden with quantitative expression of PD-L1, PD-1, ADAM...

SourceStrata Oncology·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 7, 2023

Being married may help people maintain lower blood sugar levels

A study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care found that married individuals tend to have lower average glycemic levels compared to those without a partner. The researchers also discovered that marital transitions, such as divorce, can significantly impact blood glucose levels and the risk of pre-diabetes.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2023

S1416 trial results show PARP inhibitor benefit in “BRCA-like” breast cancer

The SWOG S1416 clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of PARP inhibitor veliparib in patients with triple-negative breast cancer and a 'BRCA-like' phenotype. Patients treated with veliparib experienced longer progression-free survival times compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone, with median PFS of 5.9 months versus 4.2 months.

SourceSWOG Cancer Research Network·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 31, 2023

Advanced electronic skin for multiplex healthcare monitoring

Researchers from TIBI have developed an advanced electronic skin patch that provides simultaneous, continuous monitoring of multiple bodily parameters. The new E-skin patch offers enhanced flexibility, thermal cooling abilities, and fluid absorption over conventional substrates while demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and biodegr...

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 30, 2023

Study explores effects of resistance training in older adults at the cellular level

A new study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University explored the effects of resistance training on older adults' cellular level. The study found that resistance training did not significantly affect inflammatory proteins or redox balance markers, but showed a significant reduction in a specific protein ratio. This may support the...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAntioxidants·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2023

Study suggests vitamin D benefits and metabolism may depend on body weight

Researchers analyzed data from the VITAL trial and found that vitamin D supplementation increased biomarkers associated with vitamin D metabolism in people, regardless of their weight. However, these increases were significantly smaller in people with elevated BMIs, suggesting a blunted response to supplementation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·TypeObservational study·DateJan 17, 2023

"Smart patch" could be used to detect Alzheimer's

Swansea University scientists developed a smart patch that can detect proinflammatory biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, using microneedle technology. The patches can be self-administered for point-of-care diagnosis and have the potential to change the landscape of early disease detection.

SourceSwansea University·JournalACS Omega·DateJan 17, 2023

Aging | Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs

A new study has identified distinct patterns of circular RNA expression in human ALS muscle tissue, which display disease-specific gradients and could inform about neuromuscular molecular programs in ALS. The research reveals that specific circRNAs are elevated in ALS muscle biopsies but reduced in spinal cord samples from ALS patients.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2023

Simple blood test shows promise for screening common and dangerous pregnancy complications

Researchers at Ningbo University identified biomarkers in short-chain fatty acids that may indicate three common pregnancy complications: pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and intrahepatic cholestasis. The study found elevated levels of isobutyric acid and other short-chain fatty acids in women with these conditions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2023

The nose knows: study suggests it may be wise to screen for smell loss to predict frailty and unhealthy aging

Researchers found that impaired olfactory identification and sensitivity functions are associated with frailty, suggesting a potential biomarker for predicting frailty and unhealthy aging. The study's findings suggest screening older adults' ability to smell various scents could be as important as testing hearing and vision.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 10, 2023