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Cannabis use and benign salivary gland neoplasms

A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found an association between cannabis use disorder and benign salivary gland tumors. The researchers call for further prospective research to confirm this association and understand the relationship between cannabis use and these tumors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateJul 17, 2025

Patient with rare cancer first in U.S. to be treated with groundbreaking, highly accurate proton beam arc therapy

A patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma was successfully treated with step-and-shoot proton arc therapy at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital. The treatment showed minimal side effects, including only light skin discoloration, and the patient remains cancer-free.

SourceCorewell Health·JournalInternational Journal of Particle Therapy·TypeCase study·DateApr 23, 2025

The newly elucidated pathophysiological progression of Parkinson’s disease from examinations of the major salivary glands and the heart

Patients with Parkinson's disease exhibiting sympathetic denervation in major salivary glands and the heart tend to have more advanced non-motor symptoms as they age. Autonomic nerve dysfunction may progress independently of nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration, suggesting a potential contribution of age to PD progression.

SourceToho University·JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateMay 30, 2024

How to assemble a complete jaw

A USC-led team of scientists identified the key gene Nr5a2, essential for opening up genome regions that enable neural crest cells to form tendons and salivary glands. Zebrafish and mice lacking this gene exhibited skeletal and tendon defects, as well as failed salivary gland development.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2023

Cell quality control

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Eötvös Loránd University have found that gland cells in Drosophila melanogaster can remove defective secretory particles as early as the secretion process begins. This discovery sheds new light on crinophagy, a previously understudied process crucial for maintaining cellular quality and function.

SourceEötvös Loránd University·JournalTraffic·DateDec 15, 2022

Researchers identify key factor in exosome-mediated viral transmission from insects to plants

Exosomes have been identified as possible vehicles for virus transmission, and a recent study found that the saliva protein exportin 6 plays a crucial role in this process. The researchers isolated exosomes from the saliva of insect vectors and showed that they can transport plant virions into rice plants.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 5, 2022

Study: How saliva is made

A new paper in Cell Reports breaks down the details of how salivary glands collectively produce proteins found in saliva. The study identifies which proteins are produced by each type of gland and shows that individual cells within a single gland can secrete different proteins.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 17, 2020

NIH scientists explore tick salivary glands as tool to study virus transmission, infection

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have discovered that flaviviruses reproduce in specific locations within tick salivary gland cultures. This finding could explain why virus transmission occurs so quickly, and may help identify transmission pathways that can be blocked with a countermeasure.

Researchers create a functional salivary gland organoid

Scientists successfully grew three-dimensional salivary gland tissue that produced saliva in mice, paving the way for potential treatments for patients with failing organs. The research used embryonic stem cells to create an organoid, a simplified three-dimensional tissue that resembles a real organ.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2018

Mosquitoes more likely to transmit dengue virus in hot weather

New research published in Frontiers in Microbiology finds that higher temperatures and temperature fluctuations accelerate the growth of the dengue virus in mosquitoes, making them more infectious. This could help prevent outbreaks during warm periods by reducing mosquito numbers or controlling exposure.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateDec 1, 2017

Scientists' silk structure is secret to process of regenerating salivary cells

Scientists have developed a novel process to regenerate salivary cells using silk fibers as a framework, which could help millions in the US with dry mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome. The process has been shown to retain salivary gland cell properties and is a significant step towards developing new cell-based therapeutics.

NIH grantees find dengue affects genes, function of mosquito salivary glands

A recent study found that dengue virus infection triggers changes in the activity of genes and functions of mosquito salivary glands, which may lead to greater virus transmission. The researchers also identified three salivary gland genes that modulate dengue virus infection and two olfactory genes that help control mosquito behavior.

UofL researchers uncover mechanism in saliva production

Researchers at University of Louisville identified a protein sorting mechanism used by the salivary gland, which could lead to advanced therapies for patients with damaged or non-functioning salivary glands. The study found that a specific lipid molecule, PtdIns(3,4)P2, plays a crucial role in sorting proteins into vesicles for secretion.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJun 2, 2011

Watching Lyme disease-causing microbes move in ticks

Scientists at the University of Connecticut Health Center have visualized the movement of Lyme disease-causing microbes within feeding ticks. The study found that these microbes undergo a biphasic mode of dissemination, first forming networks of nonmotile organisms and then becoming motile invasive organisms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 16, 2009

Researchers find essential proteins for critical stage of malaria

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute identified saglin and TRAP as essential proteins for Plasmodium's invasion of the Anopheles mosquito salivary gland, a critical step in transmitting malaria to humans. This discovery could lead to novel approaches for disrupting the parasite's lifecycle and preventing malaria spread.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 15, 2009

Keeping chromosomes from cuddling up

Scientists have discovered condensin II, a protein that separates chromosomes by twisting them into supercoils, enabling proper chromosome alignment and gene expression. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of genetic disorders like Down syndrome and improved DNA sequencing analysis.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateNov 27, 2008

Saving salivary glands from the collateral damage of radiation therapy

Targeted overexpression of HSP25 protects salivary gland function by maintaining gland weight, salivary flow rate, and salivary fluid composition. HSP25 also preserves expression of aquaporin 5, crucial for water transport in salivary glands. These findings suggest a novel radioprotective strategy against radiation-induced salivary gla...

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 27, 2006

When 'reaper' gene comes, cell death follows

In a groundbreaking study, researchers identified the 'reaper' genes as critical components of cell death in Drosophila. The discovery opens doors to developing targeted cancer treatments by unleashing death-inducing genes specifically at unwanted cells. Ecdysone plays a crucial role in triggering this process.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2004

JCI Table of Contents, January 15 2004

Researchers at Yale University demonstrate that OspC is critical for Borrelia burgdorferi's ability to invade tick salivary glands and be transmitted to humans. Meanwhile, studies on hereditary spastic paraplegia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis reveal potential new targets for treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 15, 2004