Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Building your immunity: Tissue-resident immune cells defend human lungs from viral, bacterial, and fungal infections

A recent study found that human lung tissue contains a vast reservoir of tissue-resident memory T cells (T RM cells) capable of targeting a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. These cells reside only in the lungs and can live for years, providing a vital line of defense against severe respiratory infections.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2026

New HIV vaccine shows unprecedented success in preclinical study

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Scripps Research have developed an HIV vaccine that trains immune cells to see past HIV's defenses. The vaccine resulted in the best HIV-fighting antibody response ever seen in primates, with human trials now underway.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2026

Unknown controller of women's health, wellness discovered

Scientists have identified a unique chimeric RNA called UBA1-CDK16 that plays important roles in women's blood cell development and disease severity. The findings suggest the chimeric RNA may serve as a natural brake to protect women from excessive autoimmune activity.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·DateJun 22, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How age affects vaccine responses and how to make them better

Scientists discovered profound and specific changes in T cells as people age, leading to weaker immune responses to vaccines. This insight opens the door to designing more effective vaccines by compensating for age-related cellular changes.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 29, 2025
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.

No place like home—how proteins that plasma cells express at their origin affect migration

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reveals that plasma cells are programmed from birth to migrate to protected sites in the body, where they produce large amounts of antibodies. High expression of integrin β7 is an excellent marker for these cells' ability to home to the bone marrow.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

As dengue spreads, researchers discover a clue to fighting the virus

A new study led by La Jolla Institute for Immunology scientists found that children who experience multiple dengue virus infections develop protective T cells, which help fight the virus. These T cells appear to be key to dengue virus immunity and may inform the development of a vaccine that prompts a similar response.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJCI Insight·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2025

What a gut fungus reveals about symbiosis and allergy

A yeast called Kazachstania pintolopesii is found to be exceptionally well adapted to mice, boosting their immune protection against parasites while also enhancing their vulnerability to some allergies. This fungus is a true commensal, rapidly colonizing the gastrointestinal tracts of laboratory mice and evading antifungal immunity.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature·DateNov 27, 2024

Starving cancer cells to enhance DNA damage and immunotherapy response

Researchers at Howard University have identified a new therapeutic strategy to combat prostate cancer by depleting amino acids. This depletion induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to treatment with DNA repair-targeted and immune checkpoint blockade therapies.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 26, 2024
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.

Lung cancer study finds new target for treatment resistance after EGFR inhibitors

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified CD70 as a novel therapeutic target for eliminating drug-resistant cancer cells in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. CD70 targeting strategies showed significant anti-tumor activity, eliminating resistant cells in laboratory models.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateFeb 13, 2023

Acquired immunity against random food allergens may protect some lucky people against COVID-19

A recent study finds that exposure to proteins in common foods, vaccines, bacteria, and viruses can prime the immune system to attack SARS-CoV-2, potentially providing protection against COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that individuals with a history of exposure to these agents may be less susceptible to severe illness.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2022
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.

CU Cancer Center study aims to predict critical markers for lung cancer treatments

Researchers used Guardant NGS to analyze nearly 17,000 lung cancer samples and found MET amplification in 1.2% of cases, with 20.8% having overlapping oncogenic drivers. The study suggests that high gene copy numbers and smaller amplified regions can be used to enrich for the true MET-sensitive population.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalClinical Lung Cancer·DateJul 27, 2022

Rapid test identifies antibody effectiveness against COVID-19 variants

A new rapid test developed by Duke University researchers can measure patient immunity against multiple COVID-19 variants like Omicron and Delta. The CoVariant-SCAN test uses a polymer brush coating to detect neutralizing antibodies, allowing for quick and accurate assessment of antibody effectiveness.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2021

Exposure to harmless coronaviruses boosts SARS-CoV-2 immunity

Previous antibody responses to harmless coronaviruses contribute to SARS-CoV-2 immunity, reducing infection severity and hospitalization rates. Researchers found that people with strong immune responses to other human coronaviruses have some protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Malaria: New knowledge about naturally acquired immunity may improve vaccines

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered that naturally acquired immunity to malaria works differently than immunity following vaccination. The immune system uses natural killer cells to fight the parasite, which is more tailored to the disease than other typical infections.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2021

Going for gold to reduce antibiotic resistance

Research identifies way of using nanoparticles to target and disrupt bacterial cells, making them more susceptible to standard antibiotic treatments. Laboratory studies show a strong effect in killing a range of bacteria, including some linked to hospital-acquired infections.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021
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.

For unvaccinated, reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 is likely

A study suggests that immunity from natural infection is short-lived and can wane over time, increasing the risk of reinfection. This could lead to a shift in the disease's progression from pandemic to endemic, making vaccination crucial for those who have been naturally infected.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateOct 1, 2021
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.

'Anti-antibiotic' allows for use of antibiotics without driving resistance

Researchers at Penn State and the University of Michigan have developed an inexpensive therapy to prevent antibiotic resistance. The 'anti-antibiotic', cholestyramine, reduces fecal shedding of daptomycin-resistant bacteria by up to 80-fold, providing a potential solution to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

SourcePenn State·DateDec 1, 2020

Fluconazole makes fungi sexually active

Researchers discovered that fluconazole treatment makes fungi sexually active, combining different resistance mechanisms and producing highly resistant offspring. This finding can help develop better drugs and overcome resistance.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalmBio·DateFeb 8, 2019

Investigators trace emergence and spread of virulent salmonella strain

Whole-genome sequencing reveals the emergence and spread of the virulent Salmonella strain DT104 over 40 years in 21 countries. The strain's resistance to five antibiotics and ability to infect multiple livestock species contributed to its success.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 4, 2016
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.

USF study: Amphibians can acquire resistance to deadly fungus

Researchers at the University of South Florida found that frogs can develop immunity against a deadly chytrid fungus by learning to avoid it after just one exposure. This acquired resistance could aid in conservation efforts and even offer protection for other animals threatened by fungal pathogens.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

River samples shed light on the spread of potential 'superbugs'

Researchers found high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in river water during peak pilgrimage season, linked to overcrowding and poor waste management. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting sacred sites while preventing the spread of 'superbugs', highlighting the need for improved sanitation and waste treatment.

SourceNewcastle University·DateFeb 16, 2014

Local therapy followed by treatment with EGFR TKI is well tolerated

Researchers found local therapy combined with continued EGFR TKI therapy to be well-tolerated and effective in prolonging progression-free and overall survival. Local therapy was associated with a median overall survival of 41 months, a median time to progression of 10 months.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Bugs without borders

Researchers have identified two strains of Clostridium difficile responsible for the global epidemic, highlighting the ease and rapidity of transmission across continents. The study shows that fluoroquinolone resistance played a key role in the spread of these strains.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateDec 9, 2012

Amphibians may develop immunity to fatal fungus

Researchers found that individual amphibians can develop resistance to chytridiomycosis, a deadly fungal disease. Innate and acquired immunity play a role in fighting off the disease.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateApr 1, 2009

Saving antiretroviral treatment in long-term HIV-positive patients

Research by Zelalem Temesgen and colleagues found that nearly half of long-term HIV-positive patients develop resistant strains of the virus, hindering effective treatment. The authors suggest strategies such as adherence improvement and using new antiretroviral classes to improve patient outcomes.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJul 26, 2006

Increasing MRSA in California jails

A six-year study of MRSA in California jails found that two dominant S. aureus clonal groups, ST30:Z and ST8:S, drove the expansion in resistance, gaining multi-drug resistance over time. The study highlights the need to track the spread of individual strains using techniques like PFGE and MLST.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 20, 2003

Study finds portion of population resistant to infectious Norwalk virus

Researchers discovered that 29% of individuals were completely resistant to the Norwalk virus, with those lacking the FUT2 gene showing no signs of infection. The study suggests that vaccination may be effective in reducing disease burden and offers new hope for developing vaccines.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 14, 2003
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.