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Fireflies shed light on the function of mitochondria

Scientists have developed a protocol to measure mitochondrial activity in living animals using a bioluminescent molecule found in fireflies. This method reveals impaired mitochondrial functions in diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 10, 2020

NSD2 enzyme appears to prevent cellular senescence

Researchers at Kumamoto University discovered that NSD2 enzyme prevents cellular senescence by maintaining cell growth and serum response. Reduced NSD2 leads to increased expression of genes related to cell aging and decreased activity of growth-promoting genes.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalAging Cell·DateAug 7, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New method to help spot gastric cancer cells

Researchers developed an optically induced electrokinetics (OEK) microfluidic method for label-free separation and characterization of gastric cancer cells. The new technique, published in Science Advances, achieved purity up to 71% in separating cancer cells from ascites and demonstrated rapid and non-destructive capabilities.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 5, 2020

How cells keep growing even when under attack

Researchers discovered that stressed bacteria's damage-containment system can become overwhelmed, prompting cells to activate alternative pathways for DNA replication and growth. This response allows cells to maintain normal functions under stressful conditions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMolecular Cell·DateAug 5, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

FSU biologist uses genome database to investigate cancer cells

Researchers used a genome database to identify the cell type from which cancers derive, revealing new insights into cancer development. By comparing cancer cells to normal human cells, they found that different cancers mostly closely matched specific cell types, shedding light on their origins and tumor behavior.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2020

Adverse effects from cancer drug trials explained

Researchers found that combining pan-Bcl-2 inhibitors with cancer treatments can cause healthy cells to die, leading to reproductive and developmental defects. The study highlights the need for awareness about adverse effects of certain drugs like navitoclax.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalCancers·DateJul 29, 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.

Novel label-free imaging technique brings out the inner light within T cells

A new study describes a novel label-free imaging technique that can differentiate active T cells from those in a quiescent state. The method, which uses autofluorescence detection, is non-damaging and doesn't alter the behavior of the cell, offering advantages over traditional antibody-based methods.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 27, 2020

Excellent research results for CAR-T Cell therapy against Hodgkin lymphoma

A clinical trial led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found CAR-T cell therapy to be highly active and safe in patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment resulted in a complete disappearance of tumor in the majority of patients and had an overall survival rate of 94% one year after treatment.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 23, 2020

Skin cancer treatments could be used to treat other forms of the disease

Researchers have developed a new method for treating skin cancer that uses silica nanoparticles to deliver light-sensitive medication, potentially expanding its use to other types of cancer. This innovative approach could increase the effectiveness of photodynamic therapies by penetrating deeper into tissue.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalChemical Science·DateJul 21, 2020

How immune cells activate the killer mode

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have identified a previously undiscovered domain of the T-cell receptor called RK motif. This discovery enables more precise control over T cells, potentially improving therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Immunology·DateJul 20, 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.

MU advances chemotherapy-free treatment for cancer in animals and humans

Researchers at MU successfully treated bone cancer in dogs with a vaccine that stimulates the immune system against abnormal proteins specific to the patient's tumor. The treatment outperformed chemotherapy, resulting in over 400 days of cancer survival for dogs compared to about 270 days for those receiving traditional chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·DateJul 17, 2020

Cancer cells in inhospitable brain fluids hijack iron to survive

Researchers discovered that cancer cells with high-affinity iron collection systems collect iron more efficiently than healthy macrophages, allowing them to survive in nutrient-deprived CSF environments. This mechanism enables LM cells to evade immune attack by limiting the supply of vital iron to patrolling macrophages.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 16, 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.

Study finds fatty acid that kills cancer cells

Researchers at Washington State University discovered a fatty acid called dihomogamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) that can induce ferroptosis in human cancer cells. This iron-dependent type of cell death has been linked to various diseases and may hold potential as a treatment for cancer.

SourceWashington State University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 10, 2020

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

Blocking cholesterol storage could stop growth of pancreatic tumors

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that interfering with cholesterol storage can stop pancreatic cancer cell growth in mice and lab-grown pancreas models. The study suggests a new strategy for treating deadly disease by targeting an enzyme called SOAT1.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 7, 2020

Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light

Researchers developed nanoparticles that can deliver a localized cancer treatment by inhibiting tumor growth in mice. The nanoparticles use a specific chemistry to attach a microRNA that prevents cancer cells from producing proteins, leading to cell death.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiomaterials·DateJul 7, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Understanding the circadian clocks of individual cells

Two new studies reveal individual cells maintain internal clocks through a combination of genetic and random mechanisms. These findings suggest that cellular periodicity is influenced by epigenetic control and may hold insights into aging and cancer.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateJul 1, 2020

Engineered immune cells recognize, attack human and mouse solid-tumor cancer cells

Researchers have successfully engineered T-cells to target a variety of solid-tumor cancer cells in humans and mice using CAR-T therapy. The new approach broadens the potential targets by recognizing proteins with short sugar chains attached, which are often mutated in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 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.

Scientists found out how nanoparticles kill cancer cells

Researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University discovered how nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide nanocubes and nanoclusters, can selectively target and activate specific genes in liver cancer cells, leading to apoptosis and autophagy. This breakthrough could lead to personalized cancer therapy and diagnostic tools.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalNano Convergence·DateJun 25, 2020

Cancer study shows how chemicals cause complex cell mutations

A new study finds that chemicals can cause changes in cells to evade the immune system and build resistance to cancer drugs. The team identified specific combinations of mutations that create cancer cells, which could aid doctors in prescribing the most appropriate course of chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateJun 24, 2020

Starved cancer cells became more sensitive to chemotherapy

Researchers at Lund University successfully blocked sugar uptake in cancer cells using inhibitors, making them more sensitive to chemotherapy. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

SourceLund University·JournalHaematologica·DateJun 23, 2020

Shining light on a malignant lung cancer

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) treatment targeting podoplanin-positive cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). NIR-PIT has shown promise in reducing fluorescence from cancer-tagged cells and demonstrating anti-cancer effects.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCells·DateJun 20, 2020

CAR T cells beyond cancer: Targeting senescence-related diseases

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering have engineered CAR T cells to recognize and eliminate senescent cells, which contribute to various debilitating diseases. The uPAR-directed approach has shown promise in mouse models of liver fibrosis and lung cancer, offering hope for new treatments.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020
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.

CICERO software enables detection of cancer-causing gene fusions

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed a software system called CICERO that enables better detection of gene fusions in cancers. The system distinguishes fusion events by comparing the cells' RNA sequence with the human genome, identifying potential cancer-causing fusions.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalGenome Biology·DateJun 15, 2020

Pew funds 22 researchers to pursue scientific breakthroughs

The Pew Scholars Program in Biomedical Sciences supports early-career researchers with four-year funding for foundational research. This year's class of 22 scholars tackles complex questions in biomedicine, including aging differences between males and females, inflammatory disease trajectories, and temperature regulation mechanisms.

SourcePew Charitable Trusts·DateJun 15, 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.

When cancer cells can't make their own fat, they eat more of it

A new study found that cancer cells adapt by gobbling up fat molecules from their environment when they can't make their own, potentially rendering treatments ineffective. The research identified a new gene, LUR1, involved in lipid uptake and suggests targeting this process could lead to more effective cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJun 8, 2020

How cells solve their identity crisis

A team of scientists has provided clarity into how new cells remember their identity after cell division. They found that many genes are activated immediately after cell division, acting in a cascade to send critical signals and allow the cell to 'wake up' from its cellular amnesia.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalGenes & Development·DateJun 4, 2020

Tracking cancer's immortality factor

Researchers successfully tagged telomerase with fluorescent molecules, revealing its two-step binding mode to chromosomes. The study also shows how telomerase mutation promotes tumorigenesis, offering a new target for therapeutic strategies.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 3, 2020

Terahertz radiation can disrupt proteins in living cells

Researchers found that terahertz radiation can disrupt protein filaments in both aqueous solutions and living cells, but does not kill the cells. This discovery has implications for potential applications in cancer treatment, as well as safety concerns.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 2, 2020

Cancer cells cause inflammation to protect themselves from viruses

Researchers found that cancer cells activate an inflammatory response when in contact with fibroblasts, making it harder for viruses to infect them. By blocking this signaling pathway, oncolytic viruses can more effectively target cancer cells, offering a potential treatment option.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 1, 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.

Exploiting viruses to attack cancer cells

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed an adenovirus that specifically replicates in and kills cancer cells using RNA-stabilizing elements. The virus, AdARET, was found to be effective against a range of cancer types, including those without a mutated RAS gene.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCancers·DateMay 28, 2020

CSIC researchers use whole living cells as 'templates' to seek for bioactive molecules

Researchers at CSIC pioneer the use of whole living cells in dynamic combinatorial chemistry systems to discover new bioactive molecules. This methodology has great potential in rapidly identifying new molecules with potential biological activity, and could lead to faster discovery of bioactive compounds.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 27, 2020

New study confirms important clues to fight ovarian cancer

Researchers have confirmed biological hallmarks of survival in tumor cells and identified two processes linked to high-grade serous carcinoma. Proteomics analysis reveals details about protein communication and function in cancerous cells, providing insights into the 'broken' machinery behind ovarian cancer.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateMay 19, 2020

New biomarker could flag tumors that are sensitive to common diabetes drug

A newly identified biomarker could help scientists pinpoint which cancers are vulnerable to treatment with biguanides, a common class of medications used to control blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. The biomarker is linked to the gene MYC and has been found to be regulated by microRNAs that target certain cancer cells.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateMay 19, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

A new tool to map the flow of info within living cells

Researchers created a way to study and map intercellular signaling to understand cell movement mechanisms in healthy cells and disease states like cancer metastasis. The new tool uses microscopy tools and mathematical methods to visualize protein activity and quantify regulation of signaling networks.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 18, 2020

'Off-road' mode enables mobile cells to move freely

Researchers at IST Austria found that actin flows from front to tail, driving cell movement, and can couple with environment without integrins, enabling flexible crawling through tissues. This 'off-road' mode of locomotion allows cells to migrate efficiently in various environments.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·DateMay 13, 2020

Cancer cells deactivate their 'Velcro' to go on the attack

Researchers at Université catholique de Louvain discovered that cancer cells can deactivate the CD166 'Velcro' protein on their surface, allowing them to migrate more easily and form metastases. This fundamental mechanism may lead to the development of new solutions to block metastasis and slow down cancer progression.

SourceUniversité catholique de Louvain·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 13, 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.

Assassin cells armed with anticancer drugs kill cancer masses

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed an integrative cancer therapy using adoptive natural killer cell therapy and chemotherapy. The new method enhances the effectiveness of cell therapy in treating solid cancers by selectively releasing anticancer drugs, reducing side effects.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 13, 2020

Researchers find protein that helps cancer cells to survive

A new study has identified a crucial role for the protein RTEL1 in the survival of cancer cells, with potential implications for treating various types of cancer. Researchers found that RTEL1 prevents damaging clashes between DNA replication and transcription processes, and promotes a process called MiDAS, which is common in cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMay 12, 2020

New weapon identified in arsenal against disease

Scientists at the University of Oxford have discovered a new way for T cells to attack cells infected by viruses or cancer. Supramolecular attack particles (SMAPs), released from cytotoxic T lymphocytes, can autonomously kill targeted cells, providing a complementary mechanism of cytotoxicity.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·DateMay 12, 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 players in the programmed cell death mechanism

Researchers from Skoltech have made significant progress in understanding the apoptotic program, a crucial process for removing unneeded or abnormal cells. The study has identified key proteins involved in this process, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating cancer.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalBiomolecules·DateApr 30, 2020

Improving immunotherapy for cancer

Researchers at TUM have discovered a novel mechanism that inhibits cancer-specific immune responses, leading to the development of new immunotherapies. The discovery identifies a suppressive metabolite from glucose metabolism as a key factor in limiting cancer immunity.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 29, 2020