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New tests and treatments developed in mice for pulmonary fibrosis

Scientists at University of Illinois and Mie University develop monoclonal antibodies to prevent lung cell death in mouse models of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory disease syndrome. Non-invasive diagnostic tools also presented could aid in predicting disease progression and identifying patients at risk.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Highlights from the journal CHEST®, March 2022

The American College of Chest Physicians journal features cutting-edge original research on various chest medicine topics, including asthma, COPD, critical care, and sleep. The March issue includes a special series on nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, offering insights into clinical epidemiology, risk factors, and diagnosis.

New study reveals potential target for alcohol-associated liver disease

A new pathway has been discovered to explain how excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver, specifically through mitochondrial dysfunction. By targeting an enzyme called MATα1, researchers believe they can develop a new treatment for people suffering from alcohol-associated liver disease.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Lung research suggests new way to detect, monitor lung diseases

Researchers found that higher monocyte counts are linked to early signs of injury and scarring on lung imaging among community-dwelling adults. This suggests that hyperactive monocytes may contribute to lung injury at the early stages of interstitial lung disease.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Microtissue system allows study of deadly lung disease

Researchers have developed a 3D cell culturing platform that allows study of lung fibroblasts and their microenvironment, enabling measurement of cell behaviors and microenvironment changes involved in IPF disease progression. The system's versatility enables personalized medicine and potential applications in studying other diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Postmenopausal women may benefit from estrogen compound research

Researchers have identified a novel estrogen compound that provides benefits similar to hormone replacement therapy but without the risk factors associated with it. The compound has been shown to reduce excess lipid deposition in the liver and prevent the progression of fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure and metabolic problems.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Stem cells and their role in lung transplant rejection

Researchers identified specific mesenchymal stromal cells within the bronchovascular bundle of lungs that play a crucial role in creating scarring through interaction with epithelial cells. These cells are thought to be triggered by immune cell attacks, leading to fibrotic scarring and rejection.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Serum biomarker of fibrosis predicts kidney function decline

A serum biomarker, polyubiquitinated phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), was associated with a four-fold higher risk of kidney function decline. This modified form of PTEN was linked to severity of lesions in kidney structure, indicating early manifestations of diabetic kidney disease.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Scientists discover ‘bulkheads’ between liver cells

Researchers at Skoltech have discovered structures called apical bulkheads in liver cells that are responsible for the narrow shape of bile canaliculi. The discovery reveals a key role for the Rab35 protein in regulating hepatocyte lumina formation and suggests potential avenues for medical applications in fatty liver disease and fibrosis

The cells combating a deadly lung disease

A subset of fibroblasts in lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) produce a protein called meflin, which protects against cell aging and fibrosis. Further research could lead to novel therapies for lung fibrosis.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Selective, toxin-bearing antibodies could help treat liver fibrosis

Researchers at University of California San Diego have found that immunotoxins targeting mesothelin can prevent liver cells from producing collagen, a precursor to fibrosis and cirrhosis. In mouse models, these antibodies killed 60-100% of human mesothelin-producing cells, reducing collagen deposition.

Flipping a molecular switch for heart fibrosis

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a master switch for fibrosis in the heart, which they believe could be used to treat and prevent heart failure. The study suggests that blocking this gene, MEOX1, could prevent fibrosis in other organs as well.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

What makes good fibroblasts go bad?

Fibroblasts, the cells responsible for extracellular matrices, become diseased in fibrosis. Researchers create 3D hydrogels that mimic living tissue to study fibrosis progression and epigenetic responses.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Scientists find mechanism that eliminates senescent cells

Researchers at UCSF have found a way to stimulate the natural surveillance system of immune cells to eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to aging and chronic diseases. This discovery offers an alternative to existing senolytic therapies and may lead to new treatments for age-related chronic diseases.

Scientists find a new anti-hepatic fibrosis drug target

Researchers from Skoltech, Italy, discovered a new axis for preventing liver fibrosis by targeting the GILZ protein. The study used mice models and verified findings with human clinical data, suggesting that controlling the signaling pathway involving GILZ could lead to treating inflammatory liver diseases.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Post-Fontan liver fibrosis goes under the radar

Researchers found that conventional diagnostic methods for liver fibrosis do not accurately track the disease in patients who underwent Fontan surgery. The study revealed a unique regional development of fibrosis, which was not observed with hepatitis C and B, highlighting the need for new biomarkers and imaging techniques.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Protein linked to progressive lung scarring in scleroderma patients

A study published in Cell Reports Medicine found a link between autoantibodies and lung fibrosis progression in systemic sclerosis patients. The researchers discovered that osteopontin, a protein previously implicated in fibrosis, may be responsible for triggering lung scarring.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Research sheds new light on cause of deadly lung disease

A new study has found that short telomeres may contribute to the cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating lung disease affecting thousands in the UK. The research also suggests that reducing stress and increasing exercise may help prevent or treat IPF.

Sensor can detect scarred or fatty liver tissue

A new diagnostic tool has been developed by MIT engineers to detect both fatty liver disease and fibrosis, which can lead to liver failure. The sensor uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology to measure water diffusion in tissue, revealing the presence of fatty or scarred tissue with high accuracy.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Liver condition identified in patients using urine samples: new research

A new study has identified fifty protein fragments, termed peptides, in the urine of patients with liver fibrosis, which could be used to develop a diagnostic urine test for the condition. The research team found that these peptides were accurately detected in 84.2% of liver fibrosis patients and 82.4% of those without the condition.

One step for fibrosis, one giant leap for scleroderma

Researchers at MUSC discover lysyl oxidase plays key roles in promoting fibrosis in scleroderma, and its levels can be used to monitor treatment response. The findings suggest LOX could be a promising biomarker for assessing fibrosis progression or regression.

Targeted therapies developed to reduce lung fibrosis

Researchers have developed two novel targeted therapies to slow down or stop fibrosis progression in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). These treatments aim to deliver potent drugs specifically to diseased cells, minimizing harm to healthy ones. The therapies will soon enter human clinical trials.

Liver scarring relatively common among middle-aged adults

A study of nearly 3,000 middle-aged Framingham Heart Study participants found that approximately nine percent had clinically significant liver fibrosis. Liver stiffness correlates with the degree of scarring, which is associated with more adverse cardiometabolic risk factors.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A step toward helping patients breathe deeply

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology report that protein TL1A drives fibrosis in several mouse models, triggering tissue remodeling and making it harder for lungs and airways to function normally. This discovery suggests potential targets for therapeutics aimed at reducing fibrosis and tissue remodeling.

New treatments for deadly lung disease could be revealed by 3D modeling

Researchers developed a 3D bioengineered model of lung tissue that showed drugs effective in Petri dish tests did not work in patients, highlighting the need to target other aspects of pulmonary fibrosis. The study used tissue engineering and mechanical cues to understand how fibroblasts drive disease progression.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.