Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New insights into how the CRISPR immune system evolved

Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered that a part of the CRISPR-Cas system originated from toxin genes in bacteria and archaea, providing new insights into its evolutionary process. The study reveals an ongoing battle between microorganisms and viruses, with the discovery of anti-CRISPR proteins blocking the immune system.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dissecting the immune characteristics of severe COVID-19 responses

A study published in Clinical and Translational Immunology found that individuals with severe COVID-19 responses exhibit increased levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10), a suppressor of cell inflammation. This discovery could provide a warning light for disease progression, but larger-scale studies are needed to confirm the findings.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalClinical & Translational Immunology·DateNov 13, 2020

Researchers discover enzyme suppressing immune response to viral infections

Researchers have discovered a key enzyme SphK2 that suppresses the immune system's response to viral infections. The study found that inhibiting this enzyme can clear persistent viral infections and treat some types of cancer by promoting activation of the immune system.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 10, 2020

How the immune system deals with the gut's plethora of microbes

Researchers discovered that the gut's local immune system creates antibodies tailored to specific microbiota, challenging the long-held assumption of a non-specific approach. This finding has significant implications for understanding the relationship between the immune system and the composition of our microbiomes.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2020
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.

A step toward a universal flu vaccine

A new study describes a vaccine that triggers an immune response against an influenza protein segment rarely mutated by the virus, raising the possibility of effective protection against seasonal and pandemic strains. The vaccine uses nanoparticles coated with flu proteins to train the immune system to create desired antibodies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateOct 7, 2020
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.

Strong activation of anti-bacterial T cells linked to severe COVID-19

A study by Karolinska Institutet researchers found that MAIT cell activation is strongly linked to severe COVID-19 disease. The number of MAIT cells in the blood declines sharply in patients with moderate or severe COVID-19, while pro-inflammatory MAIT cells accumulate in the airways.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Immunology·DateSep 28, 2020

Immune system may have another job -- combatting depression

A new study suggests that gamma interferons, a type of immune cell, may help prevent depression by preserving mental health. Researchers found that healthy individuals have similar immune cells to those with multiple sclerosis, but without the damaging inflammatory response.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Immunology·DateSep 18, 2020

Increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapy against skin cancer

Researchers have discovered a signal molecule called Interleukin-32 that can make tumors attackable again, improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This combination treatment shows promise in animal models and may lead to improved life expectancy for melanoma patients with higher IL-32 activity.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalJCI Insight·DateSep 18, 2020
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.

Improving the efficacy of cellular therapies

T cells play a crucial role in immune response and cancer treatment. Researchers have identified key factors influencing T cell development, which can impact the body's ability to control infections or tumor growth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 17, 2020

UCLA study shows how interferon-gamma guides response to cancer immunotherapy

A new UCLA study identifies two key drivers of the immune system's attack on cancer cells: T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling. The research found that blocking immune checkpoints amplifies interferon-gamma signaling, leading to enhanced antitumor immune responses.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 10, 2020

The neurons that connect stress, insomnia, and the immune system

Researchers at CSHL and Stanford University found a direct connection between stress-sensitive neurons and insomnia-inducing neurons in mice. Stimulating this connection enabled mice to sleep peacefully, while disrupting it caused insomnia. The same connection also affects the immune system, weakening its defenses against threats.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 9, 2020
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.

Obesity may alter immune system response to COVID-19

A new study finds that obesity can lead to an overactive immune response to COVID-19, impairing the body's ability to fight the virus. The review highlights the importance of understanding how obesity interacts with new COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalEndocrinology·DateSep 3, 2020
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.

Giant nanomachine aids the immune system

Researchers have created an atomic structure of the peptide-loading complex, a biological nanomachine that loads antigens onto MHC molecules. This allows for detailed molecular dynamics simulations to study its dynamics and mechanism, enabling targeted interventions in immune processes.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2020

Mosquito immune system mapped to help fight malaria

Researchers discovered new types of mosquito immune cells and molecular pathways implicated in controlling the malaria parasite. A rare cell type called a Megacyte was found to have high levels of a key molecule needed for immune priming, which could limit malaria transmission.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·DateAug 27, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New blood, new hope: Transfusions protect the brain from stroke damage

Researchers at West Virginia University discovered that blood substitution therapy can rescue the brains of mice from ischemic damage and improve outcomes. The study found that replacing 20% of the blood reduces damage to the brain, and the technique may be administered beyond the current three-hour window for stroke treatment.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2020

Flexible targets help immune system make finely-tuned antibodies

Researchers discovered that when the foreign antigen is more flexible, the germinal centre can employ a greater number of evolution strategies to make antibodies that bind foreign but not self-molecules. The study provides new insights for vaccine design and may help address the major roadblock in generating effective HIV vaccines.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2020

Childhood syndrome linked to COVID-19 causes profound immune changes

Researchers discovered that a rare COVID-19 related illness in children, known as PIMS-TS, causes severe inflammation and alters the immune system. The study found increased levels of cytokines and reduced white blood cells in affected children, but these changes gradually returned to normal after recovery.

SourceNational Institute for Health Research·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 18, 2020
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.

World film premiere: Watch cell infected by tuberculosis die

Researchers at NTNU have filmed the process of tuberculosis infection in a cell, revealing how the bacterium evades the body's immune system. The study shows how TB bacteria hide inside macrophages and trigger an explosive immune response to spread further.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 17, 2020

Potentially predictive humoral immune response markers in COVID-19 patients

A study published in Immunity identified five humoral immune response markers that can correctly classify convalescent COVID-19 patients and those who did not survive the disease. These markers, including IgM and IgA1 responses to S protein and N protein, were able to predict patient outcomes more accurately than demographic factors.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalImmunity·DateAug 7, 2020
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.

COVID-19: Immune system derails

The study found that immune cells are produced in large quantities but their function is defective, leading to an ineffective immune response against the virus. In severe cases, immature cells with inhibitory effects on the immune response prevail.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalCell·DateAug 6, 2020

How tumor cells evade the immune defense

Researchers have developed a method to investigate how cancer cells evade the immune system, revealing that some genes can be downregulated over time to avoid detection. The study suggests that targeting these genes could lead to more effective immune therapies.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalImmunity·DateAug 5, 2020

Ancient part of immune system may underpin severe COVID

Researchers found that people with age-related macular degeneration, a disorder caused by overactive complement, are at greater risk of developing severe complications and dying from COVID. Complement inhibitors may help treat patients with severe disease.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 3, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Your brain parasite isn't making you sick -- here's why

Researchers at UVA School of Medicine discovered that brain defenders called microglia release a unique immune molecule to control the parasite in the brain, preventing symptomatic toxoplasmosis. This finding has implications for brain infections, neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune disorders.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2020

Sense of normalcy bounces back fast: New study

Researchers found that psychological recovery can take place while still experiencing stressful conditions, contrary to previous research. Employees reported feeling less powerless and more authentic within two weeks of the crisis beginning.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJul 29, 2020

Gene variations at birth reveal origins of inflammation and immune disease

A study has identified genetic variants that may contribute to the development of chronic immune and inflammatory diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, in early childhood. The research found thousands of genetic variants driving gene expression across different conditions.

SourceBaker Heart and Diabetes Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2020
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.

New role for white blood cells in the developing brain

Researchers discovered brain-resident immune cells that play a crucial role in normal brain development and are essential for the regulation of brain functions. The findings suggest a connection between gut bacteria, white blood cells, and neurological diseases.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalCell·DateJul 22, 2020

Scientists discover how immune cells mobilize to fight infection

Researchers have uncovered how immune cells use chemical signals to navigate to the lymph nodes, where they help combat harmful bacteria and viruses. This discovery may pave the way for new treatments and a better understanding of why the immune system sometimes fails.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2020

The immune system facilitates alcohol addiction

Researchers discover that alcohol activates microglia in the brain, altering geometry and increasing dopamine diffusion, which may promote addiction. This study provides a new understanding of alcohol's effects on the brain and suggests potential treatments.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 21, 2020

New technology promises to revolutionize nanomedicine

Researchers developed a breakthrough technology to resolve the problem of nanoparticles being cleared from the bloodstream too quickly. By exploiting the body's natural process of eliminating old red blood cells, they found an elegant solution that prolongs blood circulation for virtually any nanomedicine.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 17, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

HIV alone not a risk factor for cavities in children

A Rutgers researcher has found that a weakened immune system, rather than HIV itself, contributes to the prevalence of dental cavities in children. The study, published in Scientific Reports, sampled nearly 300 children and found that those with normal immunity levels had lower cavity rates, regardless of HIV status

SourceRutgers University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 15, 2020

Scientists found a way to identify diseases by blood serum

Researchers from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University and Tsinghua University created a dynamic light scattering method to determine immune complex sizes in blood serum. The new method can detect diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and cancer, by analyzing changes in immune complex concentrations.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalBiology·DateJul 14, 2020

Bats offer clues to treating COVID-19

Researchers found that bats' ability to control inflammation may hold clues to developing new treatments for diseases in humans. By understanding the mechanisms underlying bats' unique abilities, scientists may be able to develop therapies to fight diseases like COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 9, 2020

Mirror image tumor treatment

Researchers developed a stable 'mirror-image' peptide that effectively blocks the interaction between TIGIT and its ligand PVR, inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. This approach offers an alternative point of attack for cancer immunotherapy, potentially outperforming existing anti-PD-1 therapy.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 8, 2020
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.

Host cell fusion in bacteria infection alarms immune system, causing host cell destruction

The study reveals that Burkholderia pseudomallei infection sets off a series of events that provoke the host's immune system, causing infected cells to self-destruct. The researchers found that abnormal cell fusion stimulates the type 1 interferon signaling pathway, leading to autophagy and cell death.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 7, 2020

New weapons for fighting Devil disease

New cost-effective technology enables advanced immunology studies on Tasmanian devils and reveals conserved immune pathways across 160 million years of evolution. The system can be applied to any vertebrate species, including humans.

SourceMenzies Institute for Medical Research·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 2, 2020

In mouse study, black raspberries show promise for reducing skin inflammation

A mouse study found that consuming black raspberries can reduce swelling caused by contact hypersensitivity, a condition that triggers redness and inflammation in the skin. The researchers believe that black raspberries modulate dendritic cells, which help regulate the immune system's response to allergens.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNutrients·DateJul 2, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Identified genes that predispose to cancer by impairing the immune system

A study has identified genetic variants that predispose to cancer and impair the immune system. The research found up to 57 genetic variants in 13 types of cancer, which affect the body's defenses. The immune system plays a key role in protecting against malignancies, but cancer cells have mechanisms to escape immune responses.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournaliScience·DateJun 25, 2020

LJI scientists investigate a powerful protein behind antibody development

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a key protein controlling T follicular helper cell (Tfh) differentiation. The protein Bcl6 acts as a master regulator in the immune system, blocking or promoting gene expression to control immune responses. This study opens the door to designing vaccines and therapies tha...

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Immunology·DateJun 22, 2020

Parasites and the microbiome

Researchers found that parasite infection was strongly associated with the overall composition of the microbiome, which could accurately predict a person's country and lifestyle. The study also discovered that the presence of four soil-transmitted gut parasites tended to co-occur at a higher rate than chance.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalGenome Biology·DateJun 12, 2020

Antihypotensive agent disrupts the immune system in sepsis

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center found that norepinephrine suppresses the function of white blood cells, impairing the body's ability to combat infections. The study suggests that alternative antihypotensive agents like vasopressin may be more effective in sepsis patients.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 11, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.