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Continuous glucose monitoring

Researchers developed a battery-independent fluorescent nanosensor for continuous, reversible, and non-invasive bioimaging of glucose levels in body fluids and tissues. The sensor uses an inactive form of the glucose oxidase enzyme, eliminating toxic byproducts and enabling reliable detection.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 2, 2024

New enzyme could aid anticancer drug development

A new enzyme, CtdY, has been identified that can break an amide bond, a fundamental type of bond found in proteins. This discovery holds significant promise for the pharmaceutical industry, as it could enable the creation of new anticancer drugs and improve treatment outcomes.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2023

Black heart disease: Two elevated biomarkers distinguish Blacks with resistant hypertension from Whites

Researchers found elevated plasma xanthine oxidase activity and more fragments of damaged mitochondrial DNA in Black adults with resistant hypertension compared to white adults. These findings suggest an important underlying cause of increased cardiovascular risk in Blacks with difficult-to-treat hypertension.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalHypertension·TypeCase study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Bacterial survival kit to endure in soil

Acidobacteria use low-affinity terminal oxidases to 'breathe' oxygen at nanomolar concentrations, challenging traditional assumptions. These microbes also scavenge atmospheric hydrogen to survive nutrient-poor periods, playing a central role in soil microbial communities and ecological balance.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJul 6, 2021

Drug combination benefits patients with tophaceous gout

A phase III clinical trial showed that combining lesinurad with febuxostat was more effective at lowering blood urate levels than febuxostat alone. The combination group achieved target urate levels in significantly more patients over 12 months.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 9, 2017

Revolutionary antibiotics will save the world

Russian scientists have identified a unique enzyme in E. coli that enables the bacterium to breathe, despite the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which would normally inhibit mitochondrial respiration. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that target specific types of bacteria without harming human cells.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 25, 2016

Yellow as the sunrise

Researchers from the University of Vienna have successfully characterised aurone synthase, a catechol oxidase with hydroxylase activity. The study provides insights into the mechanism of plant polyphenol oxidases and has potential applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2016

Sensor detects glucose in saliva and tears for diabetes testing

Researchers have developed a non-invasive biosensor that can detect minute concentrations of glucose in saliva, tears, and urine, with the potential to reduce the frequency of pinprick testing for diabetes. The sensor uses graphene nanosheets and platinum nanoparticles, enabling it to distinguish between glucose and other compounds.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 23, 2012

Scared of the wrong things: Lack of major enzyme causes poor threat-assessment in mice

Researchers at the University of Southern California found that mice lacking a key enzyme are unable to properly assess threats, leading to defensive behaviors in response to neutral stimuli and reduced caution in the presence of danger. The study suggests that this deficiency may be related to an inability to adapt to environmental cues.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalInternational Journal of Neuropharmacology·DateAug 10, 2011

Combination of toxin and poison may be novel treatment for leukemia

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that a low-dose combination of arsenic and bryostatin can kill APL cell lines by activating the cancer cells' natural self-destruct mechanism. This therapy has potential for treating treatment-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia, a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia with poor outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2004