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Getting down to details

Case Western Reserve University scientist Dave Wilson has developed a cryo-imaging system that enables the identification of single molecules, counting of cells in organs, and comparison of normal and abnormal tissues. The system produces incredibly detailed images showing the effectiveness of different drug therapies.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateSep 28, 2009

News brief: Merkel cell polyomavirus associated with Merkel cell carcinoma

A new study has associated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive skin cancer. The study found that nearly all patients with Merkel cell carcinoma carried antibodies against MCPyV, suggesting a strong link between the virus and the disease.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 23, 2009

Study reveals 2/3 of prostate cancer patients do not need treatment

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that 60% of prostate cancer cases lack aggressive protein Hsp-27, allowing for careful monitoring instead of treatment. The research could lead to a blood test to distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateSep 23, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Therapeutic nanoparticles give new meaning to sugar-coating medicine

The team found that the particles' interactions allow them to heat up better when exposed to an alternating magnetic field, destroying cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatment methods and design of better nanoparticles.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNanotechnology·DateSep 22, 2009

Dividing cells 'feel' their way out of warp

Johns Hopkins researchers find two force-sensitive proteins, myosin II and cortexillin I, cooperate to sense cell shape disturbances and resculpt cells for smooth division. This discovery could lead to new targets for diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 10, 2009

UCSB researchers develop drug delivery system using nanoparticles and lasers

Researchers at UCSB have developed a novel drug delivery system that uses nanoparticles and laser exposure to deliver siRNA into cancer cells, providing temporal and spatial control over gene expression. The technique has potential applications in delivering multiple drugs against diverse biological targets.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 9, 2009
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.

Promising new target emerges for autoimmune diseases

University of Michigan scientists have identified a fundamental mechanism regulating immune T-cell activity, with implications for conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer, and organ transplants. The discovery reveals that regulatory T cells influence aggressive immune cells through redox chemistry.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 1, 2009
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Unlocking the body's defenses against cancer

Researchers found a way for healthy cells to take charge of cancerous cells by opening up communication channels, stopping them from developing into tumors. The chemicals, known as kinase inhibitors, appear to be relatively non-toxic and can persist even when withdrawn.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateAug 25, 2009

The ends of mRNAs may prevent the beginnings of cancer

Scientists have found that the ends of mRNAs may play a role in preventing normal cells from becoming cancerous. In normal cells, long 3'UTRs regulate gene expression, but in cancer cells, these regulatory sequences are often lost, leading to overproduction of proteins and uncontrolled cell growth.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateAug 20, 2009

Breakthrough uses light to manipulate cell movement

Researchers develop a new technique using light to control protein behavior in cells and animals, enabling precise manipulation of cellular activity. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding cancer spread and developing new treatments.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·DateAug 19, 2009

Cancer's break-in tools possibly identified at Duke

A single cell in a nematode worm is providing clues into cancer's ability to invade new tissues. Researchers found that integrin and netrin molecules may be a valuable target in halting cancer's spread via metastasis.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateAug 17, 2009

Researchers identify potential new avenue to attack cancer

Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a new mechanism for regulating proteins involved in cell migration and division, which could lead to the development of targeted pharmaceutical treatments. This breakthrough offers hope for treating cancer by exploiting the unique properties of these proteins.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 12, 2009
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.

Finding may explain anti-cancer activity of thiazole antibiotics

University of Illinois researchers found that thiazole antibiotics stabilize other cancer-causing proteins and inhibit the proteasome, a molecular complex degrading old proteins. This inhibition may lead to effective anti-cancer treatment through combination therapy with well-known proteasome inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 11, 2009

Colon cancer may yield to cellular sugar starvation

Scientists discovered that two cancer-promoting genes enable tumor cells to grow and survive under conditions where normal cells die. The KRAS and BRAF mutations allow cancer cells to thrive in environments with limited glucose, which may be used to develop new treatments.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 6, 2009

DNA computation gets logical at the Weizmann Institute of Science

Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science have developed a program for biomolecular computers that enables logical thinking. The device can answer intricate queries involving multiple rules and facts, performing millions of calculations in parallel.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 3, 2009

Diagnostic tools and innovative therapies improve patient prognosis

Recent studies at WCLC reveal that specific volatile organic compounds can help detect early stage lung cancer, while iloprost improves endobronchial dysplasia in former smokers. Researchers hope to develop a test examining exhaled breath for early detection of lung cancer using this information.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·DateAug 2, 2009

Advanced targeted therapies effective as first-line treatment for lung cancer

Studies presented at the WCLC confirm that targeted therapies have improved efficacy and prolonged progression-free survival time compared to chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR mutations who received gefitinib experienced longer progression-free survival and greater objective response rates, while erlotinib showed prolonged progression-f...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·DateAug 1, 2009
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.

New test for safer biomedical research results

Researchers developed a 'Multiplex cell Contamination Test' to identify 37 different cell contaminations in a single run, detecting viruses and mycoplasmas with high sensitivity and specificity. The test has been tested in over 700 samples and found frequent contamination rates in some laboratories.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 30, 2009

'Microfluidic palette' may paint clearer picture of biological processes

Researchers at NIST have developed a microfluidic palette to produce multiple, steady-state chemical gradients for studying complex biological mechanisms. The device uses diffusion instead of active mixing, allowing cells to remain in the microchamber without disruption.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalLab on a Chip·DateJul 29, 2009

Duke scientists create airway spheres to study lung diseases

Researchers created airway spheres using animal and human cells, providing a new model to study dynamic processes in lung diseases. The 3-D spheres lined with ciliary and secretory cells can be used to investigate mechanisms underlying cancer and chronic asthma.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 28, 2009
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.

Protein that promotes cancer cell growth identified

Researchers at Burnham Institute for Medical Research identified Caspase-8 as a key player in promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration. The study found that Caspase-8 activates the MAPK pathway through Src, leading to increased cell division and invasion.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCancer Research·DateJul 24, 2009

'Normal' cells far from cancer give nanosignals of trouble

Researchers discovered that cancer cells and their neighboring cells share similar structural abnormalities on the nanoscale level, validating the 'field effect.' This finding could lead to early detection of cancer through simple blood or tissue tests.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCancer Research·DateJul 7, 2009
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.

UNC scientists tackle viral mysteries

Researchers discover that a secondary viral infection can trigger the reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potentially developing into cancer. Activation of specific toll-like receptors allows the virus to replicate, spreading throughout the body.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2009

Cancer-causing protein can also help fight the tumors it causes

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the Ras protein can be transferred from cancer cells into immune cells, strengthening the immune system and activating it against cancer. This discovery opens up new possibilities for creating cancer drugs targeting this specific threat.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 18, 2009
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.

Cancer found to be a moving target

A study analyzing the mutator hypothesis found that cancer cells' efficient pathways to cancer are often driven by genetic instability, supporting the hypothesis. This discovery has implications for cancer therapy, as it may enable cancer cells to rapidly evolve resistance.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 9, 2009

Study gives clues to how adrenal cancer forms

Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that dysfunctional telomeres can trigger cancer mutations, even in the absence of shortening. The study used mice prone to develop cancer and found that deprotection alone is enough to trigger cancer.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer Cell·DateJun 4, 2009
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.

Enhancing the effects of platinum-based anti-cancer drugs

Researchers identified a way to boost cisplatin's effectiveness by targeting DNA repair proteins in cancer cells. Attenuating the function of RAD50 protein complex sensitizes human tumor cells to cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 1, 2009

2-drug combination appears safe and active in metastatic kidney cancer

A phase I trial found a two-drug combination of temsirolimus and bryostatin to be safe and active in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The combination showed sustained responses in some patients, particularly those with rare forms of renal cell carcinoma that don't respond well to standard therapies.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·DateMay 31, 2009

Cancer cells need normal, nonmutated genes to survive

Researchers found that cancer cells use many normal proteins to cope with stress and maintain their abnormal state. This discovery highlights the importance of stress management genes as potential therapeutic targets for treating tumors driven by Ras mutations.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2009

The vulnerable cancer cell

Researchers have identified a host of genes that cancer cells depend on for survival, including serine/threonine kinase 33 and polo-like kinase 1. Targeting these kinases could potentially lead to effective treatments for various types of cancer.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2009
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.

Study may aid efforts to prevent uncontrolled cell division in cancer

Researchers have discovered that contractile rings constrict at a constant rate proportional to cell size, maintaining consistent cell division duration despite smaller cells. This property could lead to improved therapies for cancer by preventing uncontrolled cell division.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateMay 28, 2009

Why the thumb of the right hand is on the left hand side

The concentration of Hedgehog determines whether the right hand thumb grows on the left hand side, a mechanism controlled by different concentrations of the molecule. The study found that cells use various molecular mechanisms to interpret different Hedgehog concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 22, 2009
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.

Women with previous abnormal cervical cells at higher risk for recurrence and invasive cancer

A large population-based study found that women who have been treated for abnormal cervical cell growth are at higher risk for a recurrence of the disease or invasive cervical cancer. The study's findings should help guide physicians in making recommendations about follow-up treatment guidelines.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 12, 2009
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.

Researchers identify missing target for calcium signaling

A team of researchers has discovered a missing trigger for calcium signaling in cells, which controls muscle contraction, nerve-cell transmission, insulin release, and other essential functions. The study found that two-pore channels (TPCs) cause the release of calcium when stimulated by NAADP, and are located in lysosomes and endosomes.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2009

Natural protein may halt colorectal cancer's spread

Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discovered that CXCL12 can prevent colorectal cancer cells from adhering to underlying proteins, leading to programmed cell death. The study suggests a potential mechanism for slowing cancer spread and improving patient prognosis.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·DateApr 21, 2009
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

An herbal extract inhibits the development of pancreatic cancer

The study found that thymoquinone from Nigella sativa inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines and NF-kappaB in pancreatic cancer cells, reducing tumor growth and inflammation. The herb has been used for centuries to treat various diseases, including immune disorders.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·DateApr 19, 2009

A potent and selective anti-tumor agent on human gastric adenocarcinoma

Acetylshikonin has been found to have potent anti-tumor effects on human gastric adenocarcinoma, with increased cell death and apoptosis observed in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The drug's mechanism involves the regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 levels, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 18, 2009

Autopsy study links prostate cancer to single rogue cell

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine tracked how prostate cancer began in 33 men, finding a set of genetic defects in a single cell that differ for each person's cancer. The study suggests that common genetic patterns across metastatic sites indicate a single cell source.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 17, 2009
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

A miR boost enables acute leukemia cells to mature

A new study found that boosting miR-29b levels in acute myeloid leukemia cells reverses gene changes, enabling the cells to differentiate and mature. This process could lead to a drop in global DNA methylation and reactivation of tumor suppressor genes, offering a potential treatment for AML.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalBlood·DateApr 2, 2009

Distinguishing single cells with nothing but light

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a novel optical technique called IRAM that enables rapid analysis of single human immune cells using only light. This technique allows for clear differences between two types of immune cells to be seen, providing new insights into cell activation and development.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalApplied Optics·DateApr 1, 2009