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ARC Future Fellows awarded $2.2M for immune and inflammation studies

Three researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have been awarded ARC Future Fellowships to study how the body controls errant immune cells causing type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. They aim to develop new treatments using cell signalling pathways and targeted vaccines or drugs.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·DateNov 14, 2013

Newly identified proteins make promising targets for blocking graft-vs.-host disease

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have identified two new proteins, Wapal and Synj1, that control T-cell responses and may help reduce graft-vs.-host disease. The study found that blocking these proteins reduced GvHD in mice, suggesting a promising approach for improving bone marrow transplant outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 31, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new DNA vaccine induces a Th2 immune response in Alzheimer's disease mice

A new DNA vaccine, p(Aβ3–10)10-C3d-p28, was developed to induce a Th2 immune response against amyloid-beta in Alzheimer's disease mice. The vaccine successfully elicited high titers of anti-amyloid-β antibodies and shifted the cellular immune response towards a Th2 phenotype.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateOct 28, 2013

Light as medicine?

Researchers at UWM have discovered that near-infrared (NIR) and blue light can repair tissue in dramatically different ways, but both act on the same enzyme in the cell's energy supply center: the mitochondria. NIR light has been shown to improve MS symptoms in rodent models, while blue light kills bacteria that cause infection.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalPhotomedicine and Laser Surgery·DateOct 21, 2013

Frog-killing fungus paralyzes amphibian immune response

A toxic factor released by a deadly frog-killing fungus disables the amphibian immune response, preventing conventional lymphocyte activation. The fungus's ability to inhibit cell growth in cancerous cells suggests potential new treatments.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalScience·DateOct 17, 2013
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.

International coalition of researchers finds 6 new Sjögren's syndrome genes

Researchers have identified six new disease-related genes for Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands. The findings provide a first step towards understanding how genetic variants alter immune system functions and may lead to the development of therapeutics.

SourceOklahoma Medical Research Foundation·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 6, 2013

Fish skin immune responses resemble those of the gut, Penn study finds

A recent Penn study found that fish skin and gut immune responses are similar, with key components resembling those in mammals. The study suggests IgT plays a crucial role in regulating host-microbiota homeostasis and may be involved in developing improved fish vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Reviews Immunology·DateSep 13, 2013

Bacterial toxins cause deadly heart disease

Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered that bacterial toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus cause lethal effects on the heart in infective endocarditis and sepsis. The study found that blocking superantigen action could be a new approach to treating deadly staph infections.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalmBio·DateAug 20, 2013
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.

Ohio State researchers restore immune function in spinal injured mice

Researchers at Ohio State University have restored immune function in spinal injured mice, providing a potential explanation for why people with spinal cord injuries become susceptible to infections. By targeting specific hormones involved in autonomic dysreflexia, the study offers new therapeutic targets for reversing central immune d...

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·DateAug 6, 2013

Scientists discover kill-switch controls immune-suppressing cells

Researchers have uncovered the cell death processes that determine regulatory T cell numbers, which can lead to better treatments for autoimmune diseases. The discovery of Bcl-2 family proteins as determinants of regulatory T cell numbers offers new ways to control these cells and potentially suppress autoimmune disease.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateJul 14, 2013

Researchers identify key player in the genesis of human intestinal immunity

Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine identified cryptopatches as the foundation for human GALT development, a critical component of intestinal immune function. The study suggests that repairing damaged GALT could lead to therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases and autoimmune disorders.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 20, 2013
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.

Preventing an immune overreaction

Researchers develop nanoparticles to block immune responses, enabling precise control of the immune system. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases and allergies by targeting specific immune cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 3, 2013

Circadian rhythms control body's response to intestinal infections, UCI-led study finds

Researchers at UC Irvine have discovered that circadian rhythms play a crucial role in the body's immune response to intestinal infections. The study suggests that targeting treatments that supplement the power of the body clock could be an effective approach to treating bacterial pathogens like salmonella.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 31, 2013
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.

Immune protein could stop diabetes in its tracks

Researchers have identified an immune protein called CD52 that can suppress the immune response and prevent or reverse type 1 diabetes. This discovery has wider implications for treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateMay 19, 2013

Women's reproductive ability may be related to immune system status

A study published in American Journal of Human Biology found a negative relationship between inflammation markers (C-reactive protein) and progesterone levels in premenopausal rural Polish women. Estradiol and age of first menstruation were also significant predictors of C-reactive protein levels.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateMay 17, 2013

The human immune system in space

A team of researchers studied human cells sent to space, finding that the immune system weakens and bacterial virulence enhances under microgravity conditions. The study also found altered gene expression related to rheumatoid arthritis, tumor growth, and wound repair.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateApr 22, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Immune cells cluster and communicate 'like bees,' researcher says

A new study by UCSF researchers reveals that T cells gather together and share information, helping to mount a coordinated response to invading pathogens. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind vaccine effectiveness, which relies on T-cell aggregation to form long-term memory.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 13, 2013

A vaccine that works in newborns?

Researchers have identified a potent compound that activates immune responses in newborns' white blood cells substantially better than anything previously tested, potentially making vaccines effective right at birth. The compound, VTX-294, produced strong immune responses and triggered production of cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 4, 2013

NIH-funded researchers begin trial of Shigella vaccine candidates

Researchers are conducting an early-stage human clinical trial of two related candidate vaccines to prevent infection with Shigella bacteria, which causes diarrheal illness particularly among children. The Phase I trial aims to evaluate the vaccines for safety and immune response induction in healthy adults.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 20, 2013
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.

NIH-developed candidate dengue vaccine shows promise in early-stage trial

A Phase I clinical trial of a tetravalent candidate dengue vaccine found it induced a balanced antibody response against all four dengue viruses in most recipients. The vaccine was safe, and its development is promising for preventing severe dengue disease.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 23, 2013

Tall and thin not so great for lung disease

Women with NTM infections show a weaker immune response linked to their body fat levels. The study also found that tall and thin individuals share characteristics with Marfan syndrome, suggesting a genetic link to increased susceptibility.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2013

Weight loss helps to oust worms

Scientists discovered that weight loss plays a crucial role in fighting off intestinal worms by hijacking their natural feeding pathways. This triggers the immune system to expel the worms more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 17, 2013

Designer bacteria may lead to better vaccines

Researchers have developed 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that can boost the immune response to vaccines. The bacteria are designed to express endotoxin molecules in different configurations, creating a range of potential adjuvants for vaccine design.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2013
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.

Immune system changes may drive aggressiveness of recurrent tumors

Researchers found that enhanced aggressiveness of recurrent tumors is due to changes in immune response, specifically an increase in regulatory T cells and macrophages protecting tumor cells. Blocking these cells with new drugs could be a promising strategy for patients with recurrent disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 19, 2012

Researchers identify new therapeutic approaches for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), find immune cells defective in Huntington's disease, and discover signaling pathways contributing to muscle weakness in myotonic dystrophy. Targeting C/EBPG and C/EBPA, or normalizing GSK3β activity may help treat these conditions.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 19, 2012

HIV-1 vaccine development: Pinning down a moving target

Researchers have found that targeting human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) can effectively eliminate HIV-infected cells using immune responses. This discovery could lead to the development of novel HIV vaccines by leveraging HERV-targeted T-cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 12, 2012

Genes and immune system shaped by childhood poverty, stress

A University of British Columbia study reveals that childhood poverty and stress as an adult leave imprints on genes and predict future immune responses. The research found correlations between DNA methylation patterns and early life experiences.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2012
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.

Advantage flu virus

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that the influenza virus reduces immune system-regulating protein production in human cells by activating specific microRNAs. This discovery sheds light on a new mechanism of viral immune evasion and may lead to the development of therapeutics to preserve the immune response.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 23, 2012
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.

Study shows how aging impairs immune response

Researchers found that aging mice's dendritic cells accumulated oxidation-damaged proteins, impairing their function. Administering antioxidants reversed some effects, suggesting a potential therapy to improve vaccine responses in the elderly.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 17, 2012

TLR1 protein drives immune response to certain food-borne illness in mice

Researchers at Keck School of Medicine of USC identify TLR1 protein as critical component driving mucosal immune response against bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections. The discovery may lead to the development of more effective oral vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 9, 2012

New data suggests HIV superinfection rate comparable to initial HIV infection

A new study suggests that HIV superinfection rates are equivalent to primary HIV infections among a general heterosexual population. Researchers used ultra-deep sequencing to detect even the lowest levels of circulating HIV strains and found 7 cases of superinfection out of 149 tested individuals.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJun 7, 2012
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.

Building molecular 'cages' to fight disease

Researchers have designed specialized proteins that assemble to form tiny molecular cages, which may be used for drug delivery or as artificial vaccines. The cages are hundreds of times smaller than a single cell and can be decorated with virus-identifying proteins to stimulate an immune response.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·DateMay 31, 2012

Relationship between social status and wound-healing in wild baboons

A study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues found that high-ranking male baboons recover more quickly from injuries and are less likely to become ill than other males. Social status is a better predictor of wound-healing than age, highlighting the complex interplay between social context, physiology, and im...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2012

Hormone plays surprise role in fighting skin infections

A hormone previously associated with calcium homeostasis boosts immune response when dietary vitamin D levels are inadequate. The discovery may provide an alternative to current antibiotic therapies for treating skin infections.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 23, 2012
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.

New study examines relationship between social status and wound healing in wild baboons

A new study by University of Notre Dame biologist Beth Archie and colleagues reveals that high-ranking male baboons have better wound healing rates. The researchers found that factors associated with high rank, such as chronic stress and age, suppress immune function in low-ranking males, making them more susceptible to illness.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2012

Immune-response genes affecting breast tumor eradication

Researchers identified a group of patients with high immune response gene expression who are more likely to have their tumors completely eradicated by pre-operative chemotherapy. Patients with HER2-positive and ER-negative/HER2-negative subtypes showed better treatment outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateMay 3, 2012

How neonatal plant estrogen exposure leads to adult infertility

Research suggests that brief prenatal exposure to plant estrogens may affect a woman's fertility as an adult. Exposure to estrogenic chemicals in the womb or during childhood has been shown to alter immune response genes and compromise oviduct support for preimplantation embryo development, leading to infertility.

SourceSociety for the Study of Reproduction·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateMay 2, 2012

Researchers identify Achilles heel of dengue virus, target for future vaccines

Scientists have pinpointed the region on dengue virus that humans target with their immune system, challenging current vaccine research. The discovery reveals human antibodies bind to a complex structure on assembled dengue viruses, not small fragments as previously thought.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2012

Manipulating the immune system to develop 'next-gen' vaccines

Researchers have identified a protein on the surface of dendritic cells that recognizes damaged cells, enabling the development of more specific and effective vaccines. This discovery could lead to vaccines that are 100-1000 times less in amount and have fewer side effects.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalImmunity·DateApr 5, 2012
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.

Study finds HIV 'superinfection' boosts immune response

Women infected with two different strains of HIV experience more potent antibody responses that can block virus replication, offering insights into developing broad neutralizing antibodies for an HIV vaccine. The study suggests harboring a mixture of viral strains promotes a robust response.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 29, 2012

Why getting healthy can seem worse than getting sick

A new study offers a fresh perspective on the immune system's acute-phase response, which creates systemic stress that can harm both healthy cells and pathogens. By viewing this response as 'immune brinksmanship,' researchers argue that it may be beneficial for natural selection.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·DateMar 20, 2012

Vaccination may be key for true elimination of HIV-1

Scientists discovered an effective way to eliminate a persistent form of HIV-1 through vaccination strategy. The research found that heightened immune response prior to virus reactivation facilitates the elimination of latent viral reservoir, paving the way for true eradication.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateMar 8, 2012

Deeper view of HIV reveals impact of early mutations

A recent study using advanced gene-sequencing technologies tracked viral evolution in HIV-infected patients. The research found that early mutations can evade the host's immune response, making it challenging to control the infection. This understanding may lead to the development of vaccines targeting specific regions of the virus.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 8, 2012
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.

NEJM study shows combination treatments benefit melanoma patient

A study published in NEJM describes a rare case of the abscopal effect in a melanoma patient, where combining targeted radiation therapy with immunotherapy led to a strong immune response and favorable clinical outcome. The patient's pre-existing immunity to NY-ESO-1 antigen played a crucial role in the enhanced tumor regression.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 7, 2012