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MSK Research Highlights, March 2, 2026

New MSK research reveals that the TCA cycle's waste-management function may present an opportunity against cancer, microplastics impair immune 'housekeeping' functions and TOX plays different roles in different immune cells. A new combination approach for treating advanced kidney cancer after immunotherapy has also been identified.

Capturing the moment of organelle handoff inside living cells

For the first time, researchers have directly visualized how newly formed cellular organelles leave the endoplasmic reticulum and transition onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. The study reveals that the ER plays an active role in steering intracellular traffic.

A new atlas could help guide researchers studying neurological disease

A new study has created a comprehensive atlas of lysosomal proteins in the brain, shedding light on the functions and dysfunctions of these cellular components. The data, which includes 790 proteins associated with lysosomes, could help scientists better understand neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Itaconate modifications: mechanisms and applications

Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study links America’s favorite cooking oil to obesity

A study conducted at the University of California, Riverside, has uncovered a link between soybean oil consumption and obesity in mice. The research found that a genetically engineered group of mice on a high-fat diet rich in soybean oil did not gain weight, suggesting that the liver protein HNF4α plays a crucial role in fat metabolism.

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.

Worms reveal just how cramped cells really are

Researchers tracked the movement of fluorescent particles inside the cells of microscopic worms, providing unprecedented insights into cellular crowding. The study found that the cytoplasm inside the worms was significantly more crowded and compartmentalized than in single-celled yeast or mammalian tissue culture cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Targeted cell removal offers treatment hope

A team of scientists has developed a protein-based therapeutic tool called Crunch to target and remove specific living cells, such as cancer cells or overactive immune cells. The new system uses the body's natural waste removal system to clear out unwanted cells, offering hope for improved treatments.

On the origins of life: recreating cellular metabolism

Scientists from UC San Diego develop an artificial cell membrane that can remodel itself through metabolic activity, shedding light on how life may have emerged on prebiotic Earth. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in drug delivery, biomanufacturing and environmental remediation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Stress genes clear dead cells, offering disease insights

Researchers have discovered a novel cell-clearance pathway linked to diseases such as Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, which affects immune system function. The study used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology and live imaging to characterize this pathway and identify key genes involved.

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.

Deciphering cellular logistics

A decade-long project has provided the first comprehensive functional blueprint of chemical transport pathways in human cells. The RESOLUTE consortium's groundbreaking studies have more than doubled existing knowledge on solute carriers, offering powerful new resources for biomedical discovery.

Scientists identify a mechanism that controls tomato ripening

Scientists have discovered a mechanism that controls tomato ripening, regulated by autophagy, which also affects life- and health-span in humans and animals. This finding has significant implications for reducing food waste and addressing sustainable food security.

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.

Tumor byproduct blocks immune cells from fighting cancer

A team of researchers has identified a novel oncometabolite that accumulates in tumors and impairs immune cells' ability to fight cancer. The study highlights how the metabolic environment of tumors influences T cell function, opening new possibilities for improving cancer immunotherapy by targeting tumor metabolism.

Research pinpoints weakness in lung cancer’s defenses

Scientists have pinpointed a weakness in lung cancer's defenses by uncovering an enzyme that boosts cancer cell metabolism to fuel growth. Researchers identified GUK1 as a metabolic enzyme that plays a crucial role in ALK-positive cancers, suggesting it may be a target for new therapies.

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.

What we can learn from hungry yeast cells

Scientists discovered a unique way in which yeast cells adapt to starvation by coating their mitochondria with massive molecular complexes called ribosomes. This adaptation has potential implications for cancer treatment as it may help overcome the challenges faced by cancer cells when they are starved of nutrients.

AI tool maps out cell metabolism with precision

A team of researchers created RENAISSANCE, an AI-based tool that simplifies the creation of kinetic models to accurately depict metabolic states. The tool successfully generated models that matched experimentally observed metabolic behaviors in Escherichia coli, simulating how the bacteria would adjust their metabolism over time.

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.

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.

Microautophagy is essential for preventing aging

A study published in EMBO Reports reveals that microautophagy is crucial for repairing damaged lysosomes, which helps prevent cellular aging. The researchers identified key regulators of this process, including STK38 and GABARAPs, and found that their depletion increases the rate of senescent cells and shortens lifespan in C. elegans.

Cell biology: How cellular powerhouses call for help when under stress

A team of researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt has discovered a central switch point in the mitochondrial signaling chain under misfolding stress. The mitochondria send two chemical signals to the cell when protein misfolding stress occurs, triggering a protective response that reduces misfolded proteins and stabilizes membranes.

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.

Structural biology: Molecular scissors caught in the act

Researchers have successfully visualized the three-dimensional structure of human tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN, a crucial enzyme in tRNA maturation. The study reveals how TSEN recognizes and excises introns from precursor tRNAs, shedding light on its role in neurodegenerative disorders like pontocerebellar hypoplasia.

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.

Biological age is increased by stress and restored upon recovery

A study found that biological age in humans and mice increases rapidly in response to diverse forms of stress, only to reverse after recovery. The researchers used DNA methylation clocks to measure changes in biological age, revealing transient changes in response to stressful stimuli.

Sugar rush: scientists discover key role of glucose in brain activity

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.

Drunk mice sober up after a hormone shot

A hormone called FGF21 protects mice from ethanol-induced loss of balance and righting reflex by activating a specific part of the brain that controls alertness. The study reveals that higher FGF21 concentrations can dramatically accelerate recovery from intoxication.

How high altitude changes your body’s metabolism

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that chronically low oxygen levels, similar to those experienced at high elevation, rewire how mice burn sugars and fats. The study found lasting changes in metabolism, including lower blood glucose levels and body weight, which mirror what has been seen in humans who live at high altitude.

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.

How to generate new neurons in the brain

Researchers at UNIGE and UNIL have discovered the importance of cell metabolism in reactivating quiescent neural stem cells, increasing new neurons in adult mice. This breakthrough could lead to potential treatments for conditions like depression and neurodegenerative diseases.

Longevity treatments do not slow aging

Researchers tested three widely believed aging treatments in mice and found no impact on aging. A new analytical approach allowed them to measure aging processes more precisely, revealing that these treatments promote general health rather than targeting aging mechanisms.

How cells take out the garbage

A team of researchers at Osaka University has identified a specific enzyme complex that initiates the removal of damaged lysosomes from cells. The complex, composed of CUL4A, DDB1, and WDFY1 proteins, acts preferentially during lysophagy to facilitate the degradation process.

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.

A heat-sensitive calcium channel gets positive feedback

Researchers at Osaka University discovered that mutant variants of the RyR1 calcium channel protein are more sensitive to heat than normal proteins, leading to a cycle of activation that can cause malignant hyperthermia. This finding provides new insight into the condition and could lead to preventive and treatment strategies.

Building block for a longer life

Heidelberg University researchers have identified a key protein HYPK that regulates N-terminal acetylation, prolonging plant protein life and enhancing drought resistance. This mechanism appears to be ancient, retained across various organisms.

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.

Light-powered microbes are super-producing chemical factories

Researchers from Osaka University engineered microorganisms to use light as an external energy source, accelerating biomanufacturing of target compounds without disrupting the host microorganism's natural metabolism. This approach has the potential to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in bioprocesses.

Cell cultures not as stable as you'd think

Researchers monitored cell environments for three days, finding significant differences from native conditions. The team aims to develop recommendations on improving culture conditions and reduce environmental instability.

Heartburn helps bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment

Scientists discovered that surviving bacteria share a common feature: they accumulate acid in their cells, shutting down protein synthesis. This leads to increased survival and can be exploited to develop new antimicrobial treatments.

Pancreatic cancer cells feed off hyaluronic acid

Researchers found that hyaluronic acid is not only present in pancreatic tumors but also serves as a nutrient source for cancer cells. This discovery indicates potential new treatments for pancreatic cancer by targeting the sugar scavenging pathway.

Researchers develop optical biopsy system that detects liver cancer

The new technology can reliably distinguish between cancerous and healthy liver tissue, aiding diagnosis and potentially reducing errors in biopsies. The researchers plan to continue measuring fluorescence lifetime parameters in patients with different types of tumors to generate real-time diagnostic classifiers.

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.