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Designing better medical implants

MIT researchers found that larger spherical devices are better able to maintain their function and avoid scar-tissue buildup, outperforming smaller ones in tests on diabetic mice and nonhuman primates. This discovery could lead to the development of long-term implants for diabetes treatment and other diseases.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 18, 2015

Being 'laid off' leads to a decade of distrust

New research from the University of Manchester finds that people who lose their jobs experience a decade-long decrease in trust, even after finding new employment. This phenomenon is due to the traumatic effect of redundancy on an individual's outlook and can have significant implications for society as a whole.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalSocial Science Research·DateMar 10, 2015

The cellular origin of fibrosis

Researchers at Harvard University have identified a rare population of stem cells that give rise to fibrosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of scar tissue in organs. The study suggests that targeting these stem cells could lead to therapeutic breakthroughs for conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, and high blood pressure.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateNov 20, 2014

Fat a culprit in fibrotic lung damage

Researchers discovered that excess lipids in the lungs trigger an inflammatory response, leading to scarring and pulmonary fibrosis. The team's findings suggest a new direction for developing novel therapies by targeting lipid handling in the lungs.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateNov 20, 2014

Burn scars in Eastern Russia

Satellite images from NASA's MODIS instrument reveal the extent of wildfires in Eastern Russia, showcasing burn scars as reddish-brown splotches amidst green landscapes. The fires have ravaged remote areas of the Sakha Republic, with smoke and flames visible even in false-color images.

Study IDs 'master' protein in pulmonary fibrosis

A study has identified chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) as the master regulator of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating lung disease. CHI3L1 plays a dual role in promoting tissue repair and reducing cell death, but its chronic elevation contributes to excessive scarring and tissue dysfunction.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 11, 2014

'Beneficial inflammation' may promote healing in pulmonary fibrosis

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology suggests that TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, accelerates lung recovery and reduces scar tissue in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers found that inflammation can be beneficial during the healing process, rather than just causing scarring.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateApr 25, 2014

New clues on tissue scarring in scleroderma

A Northwestern University discovery identifies a specific protein, fibronectin (FnEDA), as a key player in promoting fibrosis in people with scleroderma. The study found that blocking this protein's activity can prevent skin fibrosis in mice, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 17, 2014

Cells move as concentration shifts

Researchers found that cells displace due to changing morphogen concentration levels, attracting cells through chemotaxis. This understanding can improve wound healing and artificial tissue engineering.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 29, 2013