Articles tagged with Translational Medicine
A team of Canadian scientists developed a scalable serology assay to track COVID-19 antibodies, informing public health decisions and vaccine timing. The assay has been used in over 30 studies across Canada, capturing natural infection and vaccination responses with high accuracy.
Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg's pioneering work on IL-2 and its use in treating metastatic melanoma and other cancers led to the FDA approval of first U.S.-born cancer immunotherapy. His subsequent research on CAR T-cell therapy has resulted in promising clinical results for various types of cancer.
The new center aims to develop quantitative imaging markers to reduce subjectivity in medical image diagnosis and improve consistency. Researchers will explore cutting-edge imaging modalities and extract effective image features from existing clinical imaging modalities to aid in cancer detection and treatment.
The Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute has published a comprehensive resource on broadly engaged team science, which aims to include stakeholders in the research process. The book features perspectives and best practices from over 60 experts to inspire researchers and stakeholders to build diverse, inclusive teams.
Researchers have discovered a streamlined method for synthesizing novel neuroactive compounds found in the bark of Galbulimima trees, which may lead to new psychiatric and neurological drugs. The new approach enables easy synthesis at scale, paving the way for further study of these compounds' biological effects.
The Southeastern Consortium for Lung Cancer Health Equity aims to address disparities in lung cancer screening among racially and ethnically diverse populations. Researchers will develop more precise methods for identifying those at highest risk of lung cancer diagnoses.
Researchers at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University discover a molecular pathway driving maladaptive processes in heart failure, revealing the importance of GRK5's catalytic activity and nuclear presence. The study opens doors to new therapeutic strategies for treating this devastating condition.
A new smartphone app developed by Scripps Research calculates genetic risk for coronary artery disease and finds that users at high risk are more likely to start using statins or other cholesterol-lowering therapies. The app, called MyGeneRank, uses genetic data from 23andMe and outputs a CAD risk score.
Researchers discovered that an inorganic polyphosphate released by nerve cells contributes to the death of motor neurons in people with ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The study found that lowering levels of this toxin may be an innovative therapeutic strategy for diverse types of ALS/FTD.
The green Mediterranean diet induces specific microbial changes in the gut microbiome, enriching with bacteria that positively affect glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This novel diet also promotes genetic pathways involved in reducing branched-chain amino acids linked to insulin resistance.
Researchers at West Virginia University are using machine learning and geographic information systems to identify areas with low COVID-vaccine uptake. They aim to pinpoint counties with increased risk of outbreaks, predict where testing is most crucial, and develop targeted interventions to increase testing rates. By acknowledging comm...
Researchers created a dental tool that measures plaque acidity using an LED light and FDA-approved chemical dye, providing dentists with early warning signs of cavity development. The device can help limit the need for specific harmful bacteria tests and educate patients about sugar's impact on oral health.
Scientists at Scripps Research identified a common target on the spike protein of multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, that can be targeted by a broad-spectrum vaccine. The discovery could inform the design of effective vaccines and antibody therapies against future coronavirus pandemics.
Researchers have identified an antibody drug that significantly improves survival rates in pet dogs with advanced prostate cancer. By targeting regulatory T cells, the treatment may offer a new hope for patients with this devastating disease.
Researchers at GIST demonstrate that ultrasound pulses can reduce β-amyloid plaque concentration and tau protein levels in AD-model mice, suggesting a promising non-invasive therapeutic strategy. The treatment also improves brain connectivity without causing harm to brain tissue.
Scientists at the University of Missouri discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal brain development. MicroRNAs in the placenta play a key role in regulating cellular functions, including neural development. Researchers believe that microRNA packages could reach the brain through the placen...
Regrowing healthy cartilage in damaged joints is a promising approach to treating arthritis. UConn bioengineers successfully regrowed cartilage in a rabbit's knee using piezoelectricity, a phenomenon that also exists in the human body.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered a new method to prevent the body's proteins from attacking treatment-carrying nanoparticles, allowing for more effective delivery of therapies. By coating nanoparticles with natural suppressors of complement activation, such as Factor I, the team has shown improved protection against immune ...
Researchers find that toxic aggregates form inside brain cells, causing axon damage and neuronal death. Silencing specific proteins can block the aggregation process, potentially preventing or treating prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The reNEW Center aims to harness therapeutic potential in stem cell medicine for incurable diseases, with a focus on translation and collaboration. Scientists will work together to develop new treatments and therapies.
The Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Research Center has received a $15.7 million NIH grant to support its efforts in advancing Alzheimer's disease research and care in Arizona. The grant will focus on establishing the role of promising blood tests in Alzheimer's research, clinical trials, and clinical care.
Middle-aged women with higher self-compassion had thinner carotid artery walls and less plaque buildup, linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk. The findings persisted even when controlling for behaviors and psychological factors.
Scientists have developed an enzyme that degrades the capsule surrounding the bacterium that causes anthrax, reducing virulence and protecting mice from infection. The treatment, known as PEG-CapD-CPS334C, is a promising avenue for treating multidrug-resistant anthrax and other bacterial infections.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have discovered a new protein fragment that could improve cartilage regeneration and reduce the need for osteoarthritis treatments. The protein fragment, developed by Handan Acar and Amgad Haleem, aims to help the body heal itself by elicititing a response from stem cells.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have developed a therapeutic agent to improve treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The new approach targets alternative splicing in cardiac disease, using antisense oligonucleotides to stabilize sensitive molecules and trigger desired response.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps electric activity of mouse, rabbit, and human cardiac cells, allowing translation of findings across species. The model is expected to accelerate drug development and improve understanding of disease mechanisms.
Researchers at UCSF discovered a narrower blood pressure range during surgery that significantly improves neuromotor recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries. Patients whose mean arterial blood pressure was between 76 mmHg and 104-117 mmHg had maximal recovery, indicating a potential new treatment guideline.
Researchers developed a compound that regulates a biological channel linked to pain, reducing the sensation of pain in rodents. The compound, dubbed 194, successfully targets sodium ion channels and promotes pain relief by activating the body's endogenous opioid system.
Researchers will identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants using genomic sequence analyses. The project aims to understand the emergence and spread of the virus in West Virginia, helping public health officials prepare for future outbreaks.
Researchers identified a protein leakage related to chronic airway diseases, which restricts breathing. Decreasing this leakage could improve asthma and COPD management by relaxing airways.
A transgenic pig model has been developed allowing for the first time the in vivo fluorescent labeling of age-distinct insulin secretory granule pools. This model enables researchers to study insulin turnover in normoglycemic conditions, closing the translational gap between humans and rodents.
A new study at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center is using rapid autopsies to gather biological samples after death to better understand how cancer cells overcome different treatments. This approach has already led to novel findings about drug resistance mechanisms, including the recent approval of a targeted therapy f...
A new ex vivo drug delivery system has been shown to keep MSCs viable longer and reprogram the peripheral immune response toward organ repair. The study's results suggest that SBI-101 can impact a peripheral immune response that can be transmitted to local tissue damage in vital organs, including the kidney.
Scientists at Stanford and UNC Chapel Hill developed a 3D-printed vaccine patch that provides greater protection than traditional vaccines. The patch applies the vaccine directly to the skin, triggering a potent immune response and potentially leading to dose sparing and higher vaccination rates.
The VCU Massey Cancer Center has established a Translational Research Center in Lung Cancer Disparities (TRACER) to address racial disparities in lung cancer. TRACER will investigate the interaction between stress, smoking, and gene expression to raise lung cancer risk in Black men.
Researchers link repeated injury to airway stem cells with chronic lung disease, suggesting that biological aging of these cells may contribute to the development of this condition. The study found that injury caused activation of a subset of stem cells, leading to their premature aging and loss of functional capacity.
The grant will support the work of the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research in accelerating the application of scientific discoveries. The funding has enabled the establishment of over 70 services and programs to help Columbia researchers translate medical discoveries into treatments.
A pan-Canadian randomized controlled trial is using digital communication to target common reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including age, language, and education level. Family physicians will receive tailored information to share with patients through email and text message, aiming to improve vaccine uptake.
A new clinical study reveals that treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells reduces inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study provides insights into the therapeutic potential of MSCs as a novel treatment for COPD, which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
A new study showcases the COVIDome Explorer, a public online portal for real-time COVID-19 data analysis, visualization and sharing. The platform enables rapid hypotheses testing, hypothesis generation and discoveries by experts and non-experts.
A study confirmed the safety of a novel stem cell therapy for knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. The treatment, which involves transplanting patient's own mesenchymal stem cells into the affected knee, showed no serious side effects over five years.
Researchers have successfully used nose drops containing genetically modified friendly bacteria to protect against meningitis, showing strong and long-lasting immune responses. The new method, which exploits the natural presence of non-pathogenic Neisseria lactamica in the nose, has potential applications beyond meningitis prevention.
The study reveals that harnessing the microbiome and its associated metabolic pathways could provide a useful approach to treating Alzheimer's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Probiotic treatment improved ALS symptoms in mice and humans, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers identified three proteins - FGF20, ANGPT1, and TNFSF12 - that offer protection against progressive kidney decline in diabetes patients. Elevated levels of these proteins were found to reduce the risk of end-stage renal disease.
The study reveals a dominant network of neutrophils and tissue-resident T cells in the bile ducts of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a severe inflammatory disease. This discovery may pave the way for new treatment strategies against PSC and other biliary disorders.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that intermittent fasting diets are not the most effective way to lose weight. Participants who followed a traditional diet with reduced calorie intake lost more weight and fat mass compared to those who fasted on alternate days.
The LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise will sequence SARS-CoV-2 variants from cases among unvaccinated individuals and vulnerable patients, as well as those treated with immunosuppressants. The project aims to focus on underserved and minority patients in Louisiana.
A new study by the American Society for Nutrition found that people who eat faster or take larger bites tend to consume more food. The researchers suggest that being aware of portion sizes, slowing down while eating, and taking smaller bites can help avoid overconsumption.
Boston University School of Medicine director Ridiane Denis has received a Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding contributions to the university. The award recognizes her tireless efforts in supporting research projects and staff, particularly during challenging times like COVID-19.
C-Path and Tufts Medical Center collaborate to integrate patient-level clinical trial data and real-world data to generate actionable real-world evidence for neonatal drug development. The partnership aims to improve survival and outcome for preterm neonates with limited new drug development.
Researchers at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center have created a powerful computational tool called REDIAL-2020. This online suite of models enables scientists to quickly identify small molecules capable of disarming COVID-19, narrowing the field for future experiments and accelerating the discovery process.
Researchers discovered subtle changes in potassium, calcium, and sodium levels regulate heartbeats. Increasing sodium and calcium levels together reduces distances between cells, improving cardiac conduction.
Researchers found that applying fat grafts enriched with adipose-derived stem cells improved fat retention in LoS patients. The study suggested a safe and feasible alternative to conventional treatment methods for correcting facial atrophy.
Researchers have found that Urolithin A can delay the progression of Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy in mice by restoring mitochondrial activity and increasing mitophagy. This natural compound has shown promise in improving muscle health and performance, with significant increases in grip strength and running performance.
Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission poses a significant challenge in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts warn that relying solely on vaccination is unlikely to be effective in preventing transmission, highlighting the need for robust surveillance measures.
Researchers created growing heart valves using tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, which showed reduced calcification and improved blood flow function. The valves could prevent repeated surgery in children born with congenital heart defects and be stored for at least six months.
Researchers found that social distancing prevented an acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) outbreak in 2020, likely due to reduced enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) transmission. The study suggests that vaccines targeting EV-D68 could lessen future AFM outbreaks.
Researchers successfully developed bispecific antibodies that can target and deplete cancer cells without damaging healthy ones, including mutant tumor suppressor genes like p53. These antibodies could be used 'off-the-shelf' and are a promising alternative to engineered immune cell therapies.
A phase I clinical trial reveals adipose-derived stem cells alleviate symptoms of lymphedema, improving upper extremity function and reducing treatment use. Patients experienced sustained benefits for up to four years after treatment.
Researchers at Geisinger Health System developed an AI algorithm using echocardiogram videos to predict mortality within a year. The model outperformed other clinically used predictors and improved cardiologists' prediction accuracy by 13 percent.