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Hollings collaborates on two studies showing how to boost immunotherapy effectiveness for patients with oral-cavity squamous cell carcinoma

Researchers from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Winship Cancer Institute discovered that pre-surgical anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is safe and effective for OCSCC patients. The studies identified potential molecular biomarkers in blood and tumors to predict treatment response.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateOct 29, 2021

Study finds genetic markers may predict severity of COVID-19 infection

Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified specific genetic biomarkers in blood samples that can indicate the severity of COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that these signals can be used to monitor SARS-CoV-2 status and predict clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2021

Total androgen suppression with dose-escalated radiotherapy does not improve overall survival in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer: Results highlight need for biomarker studies

The NRG-RTOG 0815 trial found that adding androgen suppression to dose-escalated radiotherapy did not improve overall survival, but reduced rates of biochemical failure and distant metastases. Future studies are needed to identify subsets of patients who may benefit from this intervention.

Urinary biomarkers predict severe kidney injury in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Researchers found that certain urinary biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1, were associated with increased risk of severe acute kidney injury or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These biomarkers may help identify patients at high risk for adverse kidney outcomes.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateOct 25, 2021

New COVID-19-discovery could predict patient death or hospitalization

Researchers from University of Copenhagen discover a protein analysis that can predict COVID-19 patient death or hospitalization with high accuracy, predicting 78.7% of hospitalizations and 93.9% of non-serious infections. This discovery has the potential to save lives by identifying high-risk individuals.

Building a better dipstick

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a flow control technology to overcome limitations of traditional dipstick tests. This technology enables complex biomedical assays and can detect multiple pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Sensors·DateOct 18, 2021

Brain damage from long stays in space

A study published in JAMA Neurology found that long-term exposure to space can cause brain damage in cosmonauts. The research analyzed five Russian male cosmonauts who spent an average of 169 days in space, showing significant increases in biomarkers for brain cell damage upon their return to Earth.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeCase study·DateOct 12, 2021

Is low-fat or whole-fat milk better for kids? Science says it makes no difference

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming whole fat milk has no negative impact on children's health. The research, which involved 49 healthy children aged four to six, showed that both groups consumed similar amounts of calories and fat.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 11, 2021

Chronic stress may impact treatment completion and survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer

A study found that chronic stress, measured by allostatic load, was associated with a lower likelihood of completing chemotherapy and lower overall survival rate in patients with lymph node-positive or high-risk lymph node-negative HER2-negative breast cancer. Allostatic load may be a better predictor than genetic ancestry for chemothe...

New biomarker for severe COVID-19

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a carbohydrate called mannose as a biomarker for severe COVID-19 disease severity. The study found that glycolysis and glutaminolysis play a crucial role in SARS-CoV-2's spread and growth, providing potential new therapeutic strategies.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2021

JILA’s comb breathalyzer is now a thousandfold more sensitive to disease biomarkers

Researchers at JILA have enhanced the sensitivity of their decade-old frequency comb breathalyzer to detect four biomarkers of disease in human breath. The upgraded system can also identify six additional chemicals, with potential implications for COVID-19 testing and real-time health monitoring.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

Light in, sound out: photoacoustic probe helps find and fight Wilson's disease and other maladies

Researchers developed a non-toxic, small-molecule probe that provides real-time visualization of disease progression, overcoming limitations of MRI and PET imaging. The probe binds copper ions and detects dysregulated levels, accurately identifying Wilson's disease and other maladies.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 30, 2021

How sepsis need not be fatal

A team of scientists has identified molecular biomarkers associated with sepsis, which could be used to predict patient outcomes and guide treatment. The study found that changes in CD52 expression were linked to good outcomes, while S100A9 acted as a driver of fatal sepsis.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 29, 2021

Innate immune response may predict COVID-19 severity

A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that COVID-19 disease severity is linked to the characteristics of white blood cells called granulocytes. Combined measurements of granulocyte characteristics and widely used biomarkers can predict key clinical features such as respiratory function and multiorgan failure.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 23, 2021

Buck researchers provide a framework to study precision nutrigeroscience

Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging provide a framework for precision nutrigeroscience to study the need for individualized dietary interventions. Studies in fruit flies show that lifestyle and genetics impact lifespan and healthspan, leading researchers to challenge the field to adopt a more nuanced approach.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 22, 2021

Older patients benefit from cancer immunotherapies

Researchers analyzed large datasets to find biomarkers that could help select immunotherapy treatment for older patients. The analysis suggests that factors such as mutational burden and immune checkpoint protein expression are associated with increased response to immunotherapies in older patients, despite lower general immunity.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 7, 2021

NeuroVision Imaging Inc. announces additional funding from the ADDF to accelerate development of novel blood-based lab test to predict dementia before clinical onset

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation has provided NeuroVision Imaging Inc. with additional funding to accelerate the development of a novel blood-based lab test that can predict dementia before clinical onset. This technology has the potential to make diagnostic testing more practical, less invasive and less costly.

Shorter weekly course of rifapentine-isoniazid associated with much higher treatment completion rates compared to longer daily course

A randomized trial found that a shorter course of rifapentine-isoniazid therapy resulted in significantly higher treatment completion rates compared to a longer daily course. The findings suggest that this regimens can be more effective for preventing tuberculosis disease in individuals with HIV, particularly in high-transmission areas.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 23, 2021

Making patient care easier: Self-powered diaper sensors that monitor urine sugar levels

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a self-powered diaper sensor that monitors urine sugar levels, providing an alternative biomarker for blood sugar monitoring. The sensor uses a biofuel cell powered by glucose in the urine, detecting sugar levels within 1 second and simplifying caretaking tasks.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalACS Sensors·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Skin cells from frontotemporal dementia patients may prove useful in revealing disease mechanisms and in biomarker and drug research

Researchers discovered that skin fibroblasts from FTD patients exhibit pathological RNA foci, p62 protein-containing vesicles, and defective energy metabolism, which could lead to the development of novel biomarkers and treatments. These findings may also be useful in testing drug effects on FTD patients.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalMolecular Neurobiology·DateAug 12, 2021