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Aston University researcher develops new optical technique that could revolutionise medical diagnostics

Aston University researcher has developed a new technique harnessing Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) light to improve imaging and data transmission through skin and biological tissues. The OAM-based approach shows unmatched sensitivity and accuracy, paving the way for non-invasive medical diagnostics and imaging.

SourceAston University·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2024

From chaos to structure

A team of scientists has created a comprehensive atlas of early mammalian morphogenesis, revealing that individual events such as cell divisions and movements are highly chaotic. However, the embryos as a whole end up looking very similar to one another, with physical laws driving them to form a specific morphology shared among mammals.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 10, 2024

UVA develops a ‘Google earth’ view of bone — with an eye toward disease prevention

A University of Virginia engineer developed a workflow to combine advanced imaging technologies for improved understanding of porous bone, which could inform disease detection. The method allows for three-dimensional rendering of bone structure across various length scales.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 25, 2024

Can we ‘recharge’ our cells?

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a method to recharge cellular mitochondria using nanotechnology, potentially extending healthy lifespans and improving outcomes for patients with age-related diseases. The molybdenum disulfide nanoparticles stimulate mitochondrial regeneration, helping cells generate more energy.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2024

New method improves understanding of light-wave propagation in anisotropic materials

Researchers have developed a new technique to study anisotropic materials, capturing full complexity of light behavior in these materials. The method revealed detailed insights into how light scatters differently along various directions within materials, allowing retrieval of scattering tensor coefficients.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateSep 17, 2024

Nature inspires a breakthrough: scientists develop revolutionary egg white-based bioink for advanced tissue engineering

Terasaki Institute scientists have created a novel bioink derived from egg whites, offering abundant proteins and excellent biocompatibility. This breakthrough technology has the potential to create more accurate tissue models for drug testing and develop functional tissue replacements for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024

Advanced printing crafts precision scaffolds for tissue regeneration

Researchers developed core-shell microfibrous scaffolds that excel in rotator cuff repair, restoring natural morphology and mechanical properties. The acellular, in situ tissue engineering technology harnesses stem cell regenerative abilities to provide robust biological regeneration without cell seeding.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 24, 2024

Organs on demand? UVA prints its first voxel building blocks

A UVA research team has developed biomaterials with controlled mechanical properties matching those of various human tissues, representing a significant leap in bioprinting technologies. Their unique digital assembly of spherical particles (DASP) technique can deposit particles of biomaterial in a supporting matrix to build 3D structur...

Seeing inside Alzheimer’s disease brain

Researchers have determined the structure of molecules within an Alzheimer's disease brain for the first time using cryo-electron tomography and fluorescence microscopy. This study revealed the molecular structure of tau protein and its arrangement with amyloid plaques, providing new insights into the pathology of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 11, 2024

A New Blue: Mysterious origin of the ribbontail ray’s electric blue spots revealed

The study reveals that the electric blue spots of the bluespotted ribbontail ray are produced by unique skin cells with a stable 3D arrangement of nanoscale spheres containing reflecting nanocrystals. The team believes this colouration provides camouflage benefits to the stingrays, allowing them to blend with their surroundings.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2024

Researchers developed novel 3D printing strategy with controllable gradients porous structures

A new 3D printing strategy enables creation of complex gradient pore structures, enhancing processing capabilities for biomimetic manufacturing and bioprinting. The approach allows for precise control over filament diameter, enabling the fabrication of 1D, 2D, and 3D gradient structures.

SourceShenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 27, 2024

Silkworms help grow better organ-like tissues in labs

Researchers at Duke University created an ultrathin silk membrane that helps cells grow into functional tissues used for research, enabling the development of kidney disease models. The new membrane improves communication and growth between cells, mimicking natural human organ structures.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2024

Researchers introduce programmable materials to help heal broken bones

Engineers developed a material that mimics human bone for orthopedic femur restoration, providing optimized support and protection from external forces. This innovative approach uses machine learning, optimization, and 3D printing to create a fully controllable computational framework.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2024

A link between breast changes and … UTIs?

Researchers found that UTIs can provoke structural changes in breast tissue in mice, which are reversible once the infections are resolved. The study suggests a possible link between UTIs and abnormal breast cell growth, highlighting the importance of considering everyday occurrences on women's well-being.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 2, 2024

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of obesity-induced inflammation and metabolic dysfunction

The study reveals that TM4SF19 protein inhibits a pump in lysosomes, impeding macrophage clearance of dead cells. Macrophages lacking TM4SF19 demonstrate enhanced efficacy in clearing dead adipocytes, reducing weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. The findings may open new avenues for treating obesity and related metabolic disorders.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2024

Do some mysterious bones belong to gigantic ichthyosaurs?

Fossilized bone fragments from Western and Central Europe have been identified as belonging to gigantic ichthyosaurs due to their unique microstructure. The discovery sheds new light on an ongoing debate among paleontologists, suggesting that these massive sea creatures could have reached lengths similar to the modern blue whale.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPeerJ·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2024

NTU Singapore scientists grow ‘mini kidneys,’ revealing new insights into metabolic defects and potential therapy for polycystic kidney disease

Researchers at NTU Singapore successfully grew 'mini kidneys' in the lab, grafted them into live mice, and found a potential treatment for polycystic kidney disease by boosting autophagy. The study suggests that minoxidil could be used to reduce cysts in the novel mouse model.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalCell Stem Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2024

Ice-ray patterns: A rediscovery of past design for the future

A study discovers that traditional Chinese ice-ray lattice designs can provide unique stiffness and strength under asymmetric loads, offering an alternative to conventional gridshells. The research also explores the potential of integrating complex geometry into facade design and micro-scale material design.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalFrontiers of Architectural Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 20, 2024

Researchers identify key regulators underlying regeneration in Drosophila

The study reveals Brat's role in regulating wing imaginal discs regeneration by modulating downstream growth factors. Flies with reduced Brat demonstrated improved wing regeneration but also exhibited deficiencies in cell-fate specification, highlighting the delicate balance required for proper regeneration.

Can hydrogels help mend a broken heart?

Researchers have created a hydrogel that can be used to heal damaged heart tissue and improve cancer treatments. The gel is made from cellulose nanocrystals derived from wood pulp and has a nanofibrous architecture that replicates the properties of human tissues.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2024

Scientists open door to achieving high-precision 'slippery structural hydrogel'

Researchers introduce trehalose into hydrogels to form hydrogen bond interactions, improving dehydration resistance, lubrication performance, mechanical properties, and manufacturing accuracy. This discovery proposes a new design principle for high-precision manufacturing of hydrogel materials.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 15, 2024

A beating biorobotic heart aims to better simulate valves

A biorobotic heart with a silicone robotic pump system can mimic the structure and function of a healthy or diseased heart. The device allows surgeons and researchers to demonstrate various interventions while collecting real-time data, bridging gaps between current simulators and animal studies.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2024

New AI tool brings precision pathology for cancer and beyond into quicker, sharper focus

The iStar tool uses advanced techniques to capture both detailed views of individual cells and broader tissue patterns, enabling doctors to diagnose cancers that might otherwise go undetected. It also predicts gene activities at near-single-cell resolution, paving the way for molecular disease diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 2, 2024

TTUHSC researcher studies the ability of brine shrimp to thrive in high salinity

A research team at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center discovered a unique sodium pump variant in brine shrimp that enables them to thrive in high-salinity environments. This NKA variant uses more energy than common variants, allowing the animal to maintain steeper Na+ gradients.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2023

Absorption of light by molecules has applications in microscopy, medicine and data storage

A Brazilian physicist has developed an alternative method that reduces calculation time for simulating light absorption by molecules from two days to a few hours. This allows for high-resolution microscopy and the creation of precise 3D structures for data storage, with potential applications in medicinal treatments.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 11, 2023

Ocean acidification makes ecologically important seaweed species fragile

A study found that ocean acidification reduced the strength and density of fleshy seaweed tissues, making them more fragile and susceptible to damage. The research suggests that this could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems, leading to a decrease in seaweed coverage and negatively impacting organisms dependent on these habitats.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023

Using topology, Brown researchers advance understanding of how cells organize themselves

Using computational topology, Brown researchers have developed an algorithm that profiles shapes and spatial patterns in embryos, enabling the study of how cells assemble into tissue-like architectures. The new approach uses persistence images to rapidly compare large datasets, reducing computation time from hours to seconds.

SourceBrown University·Journalnpj Systems Biology and Applications·DateSep 14, 2023

New imaging technique measures elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously

A new imaging technique, multifocal acoustic radiation force-based reverberant optical coherence elastography (RevOCE), has been developed to measure the elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously. This approach offers high resolution measurements of the stiffness of eye structures and could revolutionize how we study ocular ...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateSep 12, 2023

Unveiling the mechanism of 3D folding of cell sheets

A Kyoto University team reveals the Dumpy protein as the key factor in controlling 3D tissue structures through external cues. This finding challenges traditional understanding of morphogenesis and opens up new avenues for manufacturing controllable 3D tissue folding with coordinated cell behaviors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023