Add BrightSurf on Google Email

B cell deficient patients gain protective T cell immunity following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection, study finds

Researchers found that vaccinated B cell-deficient individuals have a robust T cell response to SARS-CoV-2, despite lack of anti-spike antibodies, resulting in markedly reduced rates of hospitalization and severe COVID-19. This study provides reassuring evidence for immunocompromised patients to get vaccinated.

SourceRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2023
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.

Study reveals hidden immune defense against cancer

Researchers discovered an alternative immune response involving NK and CD4+ T cells that can recognize and attack cancer cells when the usual recognition marker B2M is missing. This finding holds potential for developing more effective combination cancer immunotherapy treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateNov 28, 2023

Nutrient found in beef and dairy improves immune response to cancer

Researchers at UChicago find that trans-vaccenic acid (TVA), a fatty acid in meat and dairy, enhances CD8+ T cell immunity against tumors. TVA also improves response to immunotherapy treatments for patients with higher levels of the nutrient in their blood.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023

Researchers identify ‘switch’ to activate cancer cell death

A research team from the University of California - Davis Health has identified a crucial epitope on the CD95 receptor that can trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells. This finding could lead to improved cancer treatments and potentially enhance CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors like ovarian cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCell Death and Differentiation·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2023

A protein on cancer cells supports the immune response against tumors

Researchers discovered a membrane protein, CMTM6, that stabilizes CD58 and PD-L1, enhancing T cell activation and improving immune response against tumors. The findings suggest CMTM6 could be a key player in shaping the response to immunotherapies.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalCancer Cell·DateSep 13, 2023

How being in space impairs astronauts’ immune system

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found that weightlessness affects T cells in astronauts' immune systems, making them less effective at fighting infections. The study's results could lead to new treatments for reversing these changes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2023
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.

Deadly communication

Researchers developed a new strategy for T-cell-based immunotherapy using aptamers, which directly activates immune cells against cancer cells without genetic modifications. The innovative regulatory circuit establishes an artificial interaction between T cells and cancer cells.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2023

New LJI research has major implications for controlling T cell activity

Researchers discovered cytoplasmic retinoic acid receptors, such as RARalpha, are essential for T cell linking sensing at the cell surface with downstream signaling cascades and gene expression programs. The study sheds new light on TCR signaling and its connection to cancer treatment.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalImmunity·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2023

A fate determination fork-in-the-road for germinal center Tfh and T memory cells

Scientists at UAB identify a cell-surface marker that distinguishes PD-1+CXCR5+CD4+ T cells destined to become GC-Tfh cells from those becoming long-lived memory CXCR5+CD4+ T cells. The study reveals the critical role of c-Maf in the transition step from pre-Tfh to GC-Tfh cell differentiation.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2023

Key to preventing HIV progression lies in the gut

Researchers have found that gut health is the main determinant of systemic inflammation and disease progression in HIV. By targeting the root cause of problems, therapies may be able to slow the progression of the virus by preserving gut integrity.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Why we lose fat and muscle during infection

Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 24, 2023

Biomaterial-delivered one-two punch boosts cancer immunotherapy

A novel biomaterials-based approach enhances adoptive T cell therapy with cancer vaccine technology, providing strong and long-lasting effects against solid tumors. In mice carrying melanomas, SIVET enables fast tumor shrinking and long-term protection.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

Long COVID not caused by COVID-19 immune inflammatory response, new research finds

Researchers at University of Bristol found that Long Covid is not caused by an immune inflammatory reaction to COVID-19. Instead, persistent immune activation and inflammation may persist for months after COVID-19, correlating with severe disease. The study suggests a new direction for understanding and potentially treating this debili...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2023

Saturated fatty acids promote immune escape of oral cancers

A study published in Cell Reports found that saturated fatty acids promote the immune escape of oral cancers in mouse models. Obesity helps establish a type of tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor progression by suppressing STING-type-I interferon pathway and NLRC3.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

T cells can activate themselves to fight tumors

Researchers found that T cells can self-activate by puckering their cell membrane, boosting function and slowing tumor growth in a mouse model. This discovery could inspire new anti-tumor therapeutics and provide insights into treating autoimmune diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalImmunity·DateMay 8, 2023

Gut bacteria could be behind weaker immune responses to COVID-19 vaccine

A study published in Communications Biology suggests that gut bacteria's digestion of fucose sugar may be behind weaker immune responses to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Individuals with lower T-cell responses had higher expression of genes FOS and ATF3, which are part of a larger group controlling T-cell survival and activity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 20, 2023
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.

Non-canonical proteins as candidate targets for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers discovered over 500 non-canonical protein-derived peptides that could be recognized by T-cells, but found no spontaneous immune response. Three novel T-cell receptors were identified for specific non-canonical HLA-I tumor ligands with promising tumor specificity.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateMar 21, 2023

Can lymph nodes boost the success of cancer immunotherapy?

Researchers found that immunotherapy can activate tumor-fighting T cells in nearby lymph nodes, potentially boosting efficacy against solid tumors. The study suggests leaving lymph nodes intact until after immunotherapy could improve treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck cancers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateMar 20, 2023
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.

Moffitt researchers discover new pathways to activate dendritic cells, produce strong anti-tumor immunity

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute discovered a new way to activate dendritic cells, which can produce strong anti-tumor immunity. The approach uses an oncolytic virus expressing CD40 ligand and IFNβ, reducing tumor size and activating immune cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2023
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.

β-damascone: Aroma component of rose fragrance as a novel immunomodulator

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered β-damascone, a natural aroma compound found in rose fragrance, modulates dendritic cell functions and reduces inflammatory cytokine production. The study showed β-damascone inhibits antigen-dependent activation and Th1 cell development, as well as ear inflammation in mice models.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Combination of immune cells could provide clearer prognoses for cancer

Researchers at Uppsala University developed a prognostic method using a combination of immune cells to provide clearer disease prognoses and predict which patients will respond best to immunotherapy. The method was shown to be associated with patient fate in several types of cancer.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2023

How the body’s defenses keep their weapons in check

A team of scientists led by Thomas Blankenstein presents a mechanism that prevents the immune response from overshooting its mark. The KRKR motif, a short sequence of four amino acids, is crucial in binding to connective tissue and preventing interferon-gamma from spreading throughout the body.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2023

Improving CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumours through inhibition of conventional signalling pathway

Researchers have discovered that inhibiting conventional signalling pathway by disrupting LCK allows more efficient tumour cell killing, using FYN protein instead. This approach enhances T-cell function and reduces graft-versus-host disease, making CAR-T therapy more accessible to patients.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 2, 2023

Transforming the way cancer vaccines are designed and made

Researchers developed a new way to increase vaccine potency by changing the structural location of antigens and adjuvants. This approach, called 'rational vaccinology,' allows for precise dosing and tailored presentation of vaccine components, leading to improved immune response and cancer cell targeting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023
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.

Alveolar macrophages help CD8+ T cells go (anti-)viral

Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology found that alveolar macrophages act as antigen-presenting cells to prime CD8+ T cell expansion in the lungs. This process involves the production of interleukin 18, leading to the development of resident memory-type cell populations.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 27, 2022

New immune culprit discovered in Alzheimer’s disease

A Northwestern University study found that as people age, their cerebrospinal fluid immune system becomes dysregulated, leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. The discovery provides a new clue to the process of neurodegeneration and may potentially be used to treat inflammation of the brain.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell·DateDec 13, 2022

Fighting cancer is more efficient at dawn

Researchers at UNIGE and LMU discovered that immune system's anti-tumour activity peaks in the morning. Tumours implanted at night grew faster than those implanted in the afternoon. Administering immunotherapy treatments early morning significantly enhanced their effectiveness, suggesting a new strategy for cancer treatment.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateDec 6, 2022

Whole body scan shows the complexity of the immunotherapy response

Scientists conducted whole-body PET scans using a radioactively labeled antibody tracer against CD8+ T-cells before and after starting immune checkpoint inhibitors. The results showed heterogeneous and dynamic responses among patients, revealing the complexity of the immunotherapy response.

SourceUniversitair Medisch Centrum Groningen·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 5, 2022
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.

Immune cells in ALS patients can predict the course of the disease

Researchers have discovered a way to predict the course of ALS by measuring immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid. A high proportion of effector T cells is associated with low survival rates, while activated regulatory T cells indicate a protective role against rapid disease progression.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2022

Myocarditis in cancer patients is driven by specific immune cells

Researchers identified specific immune cells driving deadly heart inflammation in cancer immunotherapy patients, and found that CD8 T cells target the heart muscle. The study's findings have led to investigations into preventing or treating this form of myocarditis, a common but fatal side effect of ICIs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateNov 17, 2022

Protein kinase CK2 has key role in killer T cells during infection by Listeria monocytogenes

The study found that protein kinase CK2 plays a key role in regulating CD8+ T cell activation, metabolic reprogramming and differentiation during infection by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. In mouse models, deletion of the CK2α catalytic subunit impaired CD8+ T cell function.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

Cancer therapy shows potential to treat severe COVID-19 in pre-clinical trials

Researchers found that immune checkpoint blockade therapy may be beneficial for certain cases of severe COVID-19. In pre-clinical trials, treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor restored T cell functionality and reduced inflammation in mice infected by MHV-A59, another betacoronavirus.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 27, 2022
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.

Norovirus link to Crohn’s disease may point to new therapies

A new study found that a protein called apoptosis inhibitor five (API5) protects most people with the mutation linked to Crohn's disease from developing the illness. Norovirus infection blocks API5 production in mice with Crohn's, killing gut-lining cells and tipping the balance towards autoimmune disease.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2022

Major discovery exposes immune system’s ‘off button’

Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism that controls MR1, a protein responsible for alerting white blood cells to bacterial infections or cancer. By regulating MR1's activation, the immune response can be stimulated or inhibited, offering new potential for harnessing and controlling immunity.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2022
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.

Road signs for immune defense cells

A recent international study has shed light on the inner workings of the adaptive immune response, revealing how killer T cells recognize viral invaders using molecular road signs. The study highlights the crucial role of chaperones in ensuring the stability and longevity of these road signs, allowing for more effective detection and d...

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2022

Mount Sinai researchers develop a rapid test to measure immunity to COVID-19

Researchers developed a rapid blood assay that measures the magnitude and duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, allowing large-scale monitoring of population immunity. The test takes less than 24 hours to perform and is scalable to use broadly in the population.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 13, 2022
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.

In animal study, implant churns out CAR-T cells to combat cancer

In an animal study, researchers created an implantable biotechnology called MASTER that produces and releases CAR-T cells for attacking cancerous tumors. This technology reduces the manufacturing time from weeks to hours, increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2022

Bacteria in the bile duct may provide a new clue for treating liver disease

Researchers discovered a link between the immune system and microbiome in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease associated with inflammatory bowel disease. MAIT cells activated by bile-derived pathogens could play an important role in PSC pathophysiology, offering potential new treatment implications.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

Sequencing of drug combinations could amplify the anti-tumor immune response in liver cancer

Researchers found that sequencing drug combinations can enhance the anti-tumor immune response in liver cancer, potentially reducing toxic drug exposure. The new strategy primes the tumor with an immune checkpoint inhibitor before using a multikinase inhibitor, enhancing its effectiveness.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 15, 2022

Autoimmune diseases: discovery of central building block in immune cells

A team of researchers at MedUni Vienna's Center for Physiology and Pharmacology has discovered a key building block in immune cells that promotes immunotolerance and prevents T-cell attacks on the body's own tissues. The study suggests a potential new cell-based therapeutic approach to slow down autoimmune disease progression.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 23, 2022
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.

Calorie restriction rewires metabolism, immunity for longer health span

A new study found that calorie restriction improves metabolic and immune responses, generating more T cells to fight off infections and improve energy efficiency. This could lead to a potential treatment to reduce age-related inflammation and improve metabolic health.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalScience·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 10, 2022

How a virus transforms immune cells into cancer uncovered by researchers

Researchers mapped how HTLV-1 transforms T-cells into cancerous cells, revealing the virus over-activates them and makes them more vulnerable to DNA damage. This study provides new directions for potential treatments to prevent cancer development.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Research published in AACR journal and presented at ASH identifies potential approach to mitigate CAR T-cell therapy toxicity

A novel approach may reduce the serious adverse effect of cytokine release syndrome associated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Supressing interferon gamma (IFNγ) appears to prevent activation of macrophages and other immune cells that drive the syndrome without impacting CAR T-cell efficacy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalBlood Cancer Discovery·DateDec 15, 2021

Boosting anti-cancer action by driving up immunity at tumor site

Researchers developed nanoparticles that activate key cancer fighters by driving up immunity at the tumor site, improving interactions with antibody therapies. The technique left six of 10 mice with lymphoma tumor-free and was effective in melanoma when combined with existing immune response amplifiers.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2021

Asthma may reduce risk of brain tumors -- but how?

Researchers found that asthma causes immune cells to behave in a way that prevents brain tumor growth, suggesting a potential new therapeutic approach. The findings suggest reprogramming T cells to act like those in asthma patients could be a new treatment for brain tumors.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

From the god of sun to immunodeficiency: international research team identifies new rare disease affecting hematopoiesis and immunity

An international research team discovered a new rare disease caused by a disrupted Helios-dependent epigenetic regulation mechanism, leading to T and B cell defects. The study highlights the importance of Helios in immune homeostasis and suggests potential therapeutic targets for immunodeficiency and malignancy.

SourceSt. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021

Antihistamines can influence immunotherapy response by enhancing T cell activation

Researchers found that antihistamines improve responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients, particularly those with pre-existing allergies or high plasma histamine levels. The study suggests targeting the histamine receptor HRH1 may be a useful treatment approach.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Differences in T cells’ functional state determine resistance to cancer therapy

Researchers found that certain T cells stop working before entering the tumor due to changes in gene expression, making ICB therapies less effective. Combining ICB with other forms of immunotherapy targeting different aspects of T cell function may improve response rates for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Biology·JournalScience Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 29, 2021