Researchers at USC developed an algorithmic tool to improve screening of patients for Alzheimer's clinical trials, reducing unnecessary PET scans by over half. The tool uses blood plasma biomarkers to identify patients at risk of Alzheimer's disease, enabling faster and more efficient recruitment for trials like AHEAD 3-45.
Researchers identified seven proteins in the blood that can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease more accurately, improving treatment choices and future research. The new blood-based tests provide a clearer picture of the disease, allowing for earlier detection and better patient outcomes.
Researchers found specific combinations of blood proteins from western diamondback rattlesnakes provided unprecedented neutralizing power against multiple dangerous snake species. Combining several FETUA proteins dramatically increased ability to neutralize venom's damaging effects.
A new study found that nearly every person in the US has multiple man-made chemicals, known as PFAS, in their system. The study examined over 10,500 samples and found that 98.8% contained at least one PFAS, with many carrying multiple types.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified specific blood-based genomic biomarkers that distinguish inflammatory breast cancer from other subtypes. The study used an improved method of RNA sequencing, called TGIRT sequencing, which allowed for a more comprehensive overview of all RNA types and amou...
A new mapping model uses geo-mapping and statistical analysis to identify areas with the greatest need for prehospital whole blood transfusions. The model can help hospital systems quickly deploy scarce blood resources and minimize waste, particularly in underserved communities.
Researchers developed a highly sensitive blood test that can detect initial thrombin generation, a key trigger in blood clot formation. The test distinguishes between pathway-specific clotting abnormalities and suggests personalized treatment strategies, potentially predicting clinical outcomes.
A new survey found that 72% of respondents agree that plasma-derived medicines can save lives, but most haven't donated. Plasma is essential in producing treatments for various serious health conditions.
Researchers at EHU developed a portable, cost-effective system for generating high-quality platelet-rich plasma (PRP), minimizing platelet activation and preserving therapeutic efficacy. The device uses gravity sedimentation and can extract up to 300 micro-liters of PRP from 1 milliliter of blood in just 40 minutes.
Researchers analyzed metabolites in blood plasma to evaluate dietary patterns, revealing promising data on the foods we eat. The study found that specific metabolites changed significantly with the portfolio diet, providing potential biomarkers for assessing adherence to similar dietary patterns.
A novel approach to analyzing human blood plasma's low-abundant N-glycoproteome has been developed, enabling the reliable identification of rare and modified glycans. This workflow can detect glycoproteins with concentrations as low as 6.31 pg·mL−1, expanding the range by five orders of magnitude.
Researchers identified five blood proteins that can predict liver disease up to 16 years before symptoms. The combined levels of these proteins achieved high accuracy in predicting disease onset and progression, suggesting potential for early diagnosis and treatment.
A clinical trial has shown that administering clotting factor concentrate (4F-PCC) significantly reduces the risk of severe bleeding after major open-heart surgery. This innovative treatment approach offers a more effective alternative to frozen plasma for managing surgical bleeding.
A study confirms plasma p-tau217 as a blood-based biomarker for early Alzheimer's detection in Asian populations. Higher levels correlate with faster cognitive decline, suggesting its potential role as both diagnostic and predictor tool.
Researchers found that giving plasma, rather than whole blood, improves outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or shock. Plasma recipients had distinct proteomic profiles associated with later stages of clot formation, neuron survival, and wound repair.
A new study found that birds have lower cancer rates despite high blood sugar levels, challenging existing assumptions. The research suggests that some species have evolved natural biological defenses against cancer, which could inspire new approaches to prevention and treatment in humans.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood researchers surveyed over 4,000 people with haemochromatosis and found that their blood and plasma can be used to save lives. The study highlights the potential for these donors to increase blood supplies globally, particularly in countries accepting plasma donations from individuals with this condition.
A new blood test has shown promise in improving the accuracy of Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis, with results comparable to established CSF biomarkers. The study found that measuring plasma p-tau217 was over 90% accurate, potentially replacing invasive diagnostic methods for up to half of patients.
A new method allows for accurate measurement of blood-brain barrier permeability, revealing that many CNS drugs penetrate the barrier rapidly. The study found that plasma proteins play a crucial role in maintaining brain delivery of lipophilic agents.
A study led by Henry J. Pownall and Khurram Nasir found a strong link between the amount of free cholesterol in HDL and its accumulation in macrophages, which can contribute to heart disease. The researchers aim to develop new diagnostics and treatments for managing heart disease using HDL-free cholesterol as a biomarker.
A new finger prick test for Alzheimer's disease has shown strong performance in a European study, measuring biomarkers in blood from superficial vessels. The test could soon be implemented globally, increasing accessibility to Alzheimer's testing without the need for high-sensitivity analyses.
Researchers have developed a new protocol to exclusively access and quantify proteins carried by extracellular vesicles in the blood. This breakthrough may lead to early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders, providing treatment opportunities before symptoms appear.
Dr. Rissman's research uses plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio to predict brain amyloid PET positivity and identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. His findings demonstrate the potential of a blood test to screen for amyloid in preclinical AD trials.
A recent study published in The Open Sports Sciences Journal found that Ascorbic acid supplementation reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy women. The supplement also increased plasma ascorbic acid levels and reduced post-exercise MDA levels, suggesting a potential protective effect against muscle injury.
A new case report uses longitudinal multi-omics monitoring to detect a precancerous pancreatic tumor in a patient. The study highlights the potential of blood-based LMOM for early detection and personalized medicine, warranting further translational research.
The European Union is urged to adopt a balanced, empirically sound approach to regulate substances of human origin. Properly devised rewards increase supply without compromising quality and safety. The EU's new regulation should prioritize self-sufficiency while ensuring safe and accessible supplies for all in need.
Researchers develop method to preserve donor hearts for more than 24 hours, a major improvement over current six-hour time window. The new approach uses normothermic ex-vivo heart perfusion and has shown strong improvements in extending the shelf-life of donor hearts.
Researchers created a hydrogel that kills bacteria naturally, promotes cell growth and heals wounds more effectively than traditional gels. The gel is infused with amino acid polylysine and platelet-rich blood plasma to create properties well-suited for wound care.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a chip that can directly isolate blood plasma from a tube of blood in just 30 minutes, removing over 99.9% of blood cells and platelets. The device, called ExoArc, enables high-quality plasma for disease screening and research, improving diagnosis accuracy and reducing waiting times.
A study found that the common drug Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) increases plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels in patients with cardiac failure, making them falsely positive on a debated Alzheimer's blood test. This could lead to misclassification of patients as having Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that BCMA-positive extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma levels correlated with myeloma patient responses to belantamab-mafodotin therapy. High EV levels preceded FLC progression and were associated with mafodotin-induced eryptosis.
Researchers found that vaccination increases immune cell production and antibody levels effective against all tested variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron. Convalescent plasma therapy research provides insight into how the body fights COVID-19 variants.
A new blood test called OvaPrint TM detects specific nucleic acids in the blood, distinguishing between cancerous and benign pelvic masses with high accuracy. The test has the potential to improve treatment outcomes by identifying the best surgical approach for patients with a pelvic mass.
Scientists have identified platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger for the cognitive benefits of young blood transfusion, exercise, and the longevity hormone klotho. Studies show that PF4 calms down the aged immune system, reducing inflammation and promoting brain plasticity and cognition.
Research by the Peter Doherty Institute found that inflammation alters plasma composition, hindering parasite maturation. This work reveals a new mechanism slowing down malaria parasite development in the bloodstream.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland identified 58 plasma proteins associated with mental health risk in adolescents aged 11-16. These biomarkers could revolutionize early detection and prevention of mental health problems in young individuals.
Researchers developed new methods for detecting drug-induced hepatotoxicity using 3D cell cultures and mass spectrometry imaging, identifying biomarkers and effective interventions. A zeolite-based protein corona method was also used to characterize plasma proteins, enabling the identification of low-abundance proteins and their potent...
Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute have discovered unique patterns of blood plasma proteins in patients with long COVID, which could lead to new diagnostic tests and treatment therapies. The study found prolonged inflammation associated with changes in immune cells and blood vessels, affecting organs like the brain and heart.
Researchers used proteomics and small RNA sequencing to analyze 103 human blood plasma samples, identifying 21 proteins and 315 small RNAs associated with aging. Combining protein and miRNA data improved age predictions (R2 = 0.70 ± 0.01), suggesting a broader range of age-related physiological changes.
A study found that space travel causes a rapid decrease in the strength of an astronaut's immune system due to changes in gene expression. Most genes returned to normal levels within weeks after returning to Earth, but there is still uncertainty about when full resistance returns.
Research reveals that chronic heart rate failure during exercise is a common reason for long-term exercise intolerance in Long COVID patients. The study also found a correlation between early post-COVID inflammation biomarkers and reduced exercise capacity, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
A simple blood test for ALS has been developed using microRNA analysis, which can accurately identify patients with the disease. The test uses a unique protein called L1CAM to concentrate diagnostic particles from extracellular vesicles in the bloodstream.
A new pesticide exposure test has been developed to help protect the health and safety of agricultural workers, particularly those in the emerging cannabis industry. The test uses a bio solid-phase microextraction method that can detect ultra-trace levels of pesticide residues in human blood plasma.
Researchers develop AI-designed synthetic polymers that mimic specific functions of natural proteins, working as well as the real protein and easier to synthesize. The polymers could be a game-changer for biomedical applications, including drug delivery and photosynthesis.
A Mediterranean diet rich in colourful fruits and vegetables helps prevent prostate cancer and speeds up recovery after radiation treatment. Foods such as tomatoes, melons, and nuts are particularly beneficial due to their high levels of lycopene and selenium.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine identified a biomarker, IL13Rα2, in blood plasma to diagnose and track glioblastoma. Elevated levels of IL13Rα2 predicted longer overall survival, suggesting tissue healing.
A new analysis reveals that convalescent plasma can be used to prevent hospitalizations and save lives in COVID-19 patients. Early treatment with high doses of antibodies significantly reduced hospitalization rates by up to 50%. The study provides a roadmap for using convalescent plasma as an effective therapy for future pandemics.
A new study finds that plasma D-dimer levels have comparable diagnostic accuracy to other commonly used tests for identifying periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), and sometimes outperform the standard tests. The test showed higher sensitivity and specificity in detecting PJI, particularly in certain patient subgroups.
A recent study from the University of Bergen found that elevated plasma methylmalonic acid is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction and mortality in patients with suspected or verified coronary heart disease. Higher plasma MMA levels were linked to reduced renal function and low vitamin B12 status, but also p...
Researchers have developed a novel blood-based biomarker, brain-derived tau (BD-tau), that specifically measures non-phosphorylated tau originating from the brain. This breakthrough addresses an unmet need for a blood test that tracks neurodegenerative changes in Alzheimer's disease but not in other dementias.
Researchers developed a new epigenetic biomarker, GrimAge version 2, which leverages two DNAm-based estimators of plasma proteins to predict mortality risk. The study found that GrimAge 2 outperforms existing clinical biomarkers in predicting mortality across multiple racial/ethnic groups and associations with age-related conditions.
Researchers developed a method to estimate seroprevalence using blood donation samples, offering insights into the first year of the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil. The study found significant differences among regions and subgroups, highlighting the need for real-time tracking and forecasting of future waves.
A study by Osaka University tracked the survival of antibody-producing plasma cells, finding that most die shortly after immune response, but a small population can survive for months or years. The researchers identified molecular markers distinguishing these long-lived plasma cells from short-lived ones.
A new laboratory test can measure levels of amyloid beta oligomers in blood samples, detecting toxic proteins up to years before cognitive impairment. The test, SOBA, has shown promising results in identifying individuals at risk or incubating Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified optimal blood tests to detect Alzheimer's disease at its earliest stages. The study found that phospho-tau217 is a reliable marker for monitoring disease progression and selecting individuals for novel trials.
A team of Rutgers physicians successfully treated a 5-year-old girl with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, a rare brain disorder, using blood plasma exchanges. The treatment, which involved nearly a dozen exchanges, led to the child's full recovery, highlighting the potential for late-stage treatment.
Researchers have discovered that zinc ions tune the ability of human serum albumin to prevent α-synuclein aggregation, a process linked to Parkinson's disease. Zinc binding alters HSA's chaperone function, blunting fibril formation and slowing down protein deposition that can lead to neurodegeneration.
A blood test taken at the time of Covid-19 infection could predict who is most likely to develop long Covid. Researchers identified a 'signature' in protein levels that predicted persistent symptoms after one year.
Researchers developed APTASHAPE to analyze protein and metabolite signatures in blood plasma for various diseases. The technology shows promise for non-invasive early detection of bladder cancer and other conditions.
The AABB has released clinical practice guidelines for the appropriate use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma, recommending its use for nonhospitalized patients at high risk for disease progression. The guidelines suggest that CCP is most effective when transfused with high neutralizing titers early after symptom onset.