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Researchers uncover dual role of B7-H3 in tumor immune suppression

Researchers identified a previously unknown pathway that prostate tumors leverage to suppress the immune system, reshaping the tumor microenvironment to resist treatment. Combining B7-H3-targeted therapy with MEK inhibition improved antitumor responses and prolonged survival in preclinical models of castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Hunter-gatherers sleep no longer than we do: review suggests industrialization changed sleep timing more than duration

A review in Brain Medicine argues that industrialization changed sleep timing and regularity, not duration, with hunter-gatherers sleeping between 6.4 and 7.1 hours a night, less than the industrialized average. The distinction matters, as it highlights the importance of timing and regularity in sleep patterns.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalBrain Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 25, 2026

Circadian rhythms and sarcopenia: Unlocking the biological clock in muscle aging

Researchers reviewed the impact of circadian disruptions on muscle health, finding that imbalances in protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and inflammation accelerate muscle deterioration. Circadian-aligned lifestyle interventions and pharmacological therapies, such as REV-ERBα agonists, hold promise for mitigating the effects of...

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 18, 2026

Drug reverses autism-like brain changes in adult mice within hours, study finds

Researchers found that a single dose of rapamycin rapidly improved symptoms in adult mice with autism-like changes, reversing abnormal brain signaling and behavior within two hours. The study suggests the adult brain's functional circuitry, not just its physical structure, as a target for future treatment approaches.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 23, 2026

Could this enzyme help remove “zombie” cells from our tissues?

Aging cells become more susceptible to ferroptosis due to elevated levels of acid ceramidase, a previously targeted therapeutic candidate. This vulnerability can be passed to neighboring cells, impacting overall tissue health. The discovery offers new hope for supporting healthy aging and treating age-related diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Death and Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Commonly prescribed medication for sleep problems raises alarm bells

A clinical trial found that low-dose quetiapine improved sleep quality and reduced obstructive sleep apnea severity, but significantly impaired alertness and driving performance. The study highlights the need for caution when using sedating medications for insomnia in people with known or possible sleep apnea.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 1, 2026

Here’s why your face doesn’t perceive itchiness the same way your body does

A new study reveals that facial itch sensations differ from those on the body due to distinct trigeminal and spinal pain pathways. The researchers found a functional divergence in neuropeptide signaling and central circuit engagement between the two systems, which was independent of peripheral innervation density.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2026

Exploring preterm baby brain development

Researchers discovered that mild hypoxia shortly after birth hinders learning and memory into adulthood through altered neuron-to-neuron communication in the hippocampus. The study also found a second protein involved in hypoxia's effects on this channel's functioning, which was restored when targeted.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournalJNeurosci·DateMar 23, 2026

Taking pressure off the lungs

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that targeting the CNP/GC-B signal pathway may provide a promising approach for treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The study reveals that CNP/GC-B signaling plays a protective role against PAH, and administration of CNP ameliorates experimental pulmonary hypertension.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 17, 2026

Team explores role of the mannose pathway in regulating cell fate decisions

A team of scientists discovered that the mannose pathway plays a crucial role in regulating cell fate decisions in low glucose environments, particularly in cancer cells. They found that reducing mannose pathway activity led to impaired N-glycan biosynthesis and activated pro-survival signals, which can contribute to cancer progression.

SourceInstitute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Tokai National Higher Education and Research System·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2026

Yes! The role of YAP and CTGF as potential therapeutic targets for preventing severe liver disease

A study from The University of Osaka reveals a molecular pathway connecting liver congestion to liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and liver tumorigenesis. Researchers identified increased activity of YAP and CTGF in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells as key molecules involved in this signaling pathway.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalGastroenterology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2026

Understanding GLP-1 signaling: A path to better therapies

A new study finds that a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist, Exendin-4-Phe (Ex-Phe-1), preserves glycemic control while reducing malaise and vomiting behaviors in preclinical models. The compound uses biased agonism to selectively activate certain signaling pathways, achieving desired effects without triggering others.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalDiabetes Obesity and Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Here we grow: chondrocytes’ behavior reveals novel targets for bone growth disorders

A team at The University of Osaka has identified a signaling molecule called FGFR3 and a pathway called CREB as key in regulating bone growth. Cells carrying the genetic mutation associated with achondroplasia accumulate in the resting zone and show abnormal behaviors, which included abnormal patterns of division and migration.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2026

Why monkey studies may mislead research on cancer immunotherapy drugs targeting TIGIT

Researchers have discovered that rhesus macaques shed TIGIT from immune cell surfaces when exposed to plasmin, a natural enzyme involved in blood clot breakdown. This creates a soluble form of TIGIT that can still bind anti-TIGIT monoclonal antibodies, potentially leading to misleading safety and efficacy data for human trials.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 24, 2025

Researchers uncover potential mechanism driving treatment resistance in common breast cancer

A study at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research found that inactivation of a stress pathway makes ER+ breast cancer cells ignore stress signals, allowing them to evade treatment. The JNK pathway acts as a cellular alarm system, and its disruption leads to treatment resistance.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalJournal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2025

Preventing chronic inflammation from turning into cancer

Charité researchers identified a therapeutic target that significantly contributes to halting ongoing inflammatory processes. They found that interleukin-22 and oncostatin M drive inflammation by amplifying the immune response. Targeted treatments may help high-risk patients, but chronic diseases remain complex and difficult to predict.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2025

In pancreatic cancer, a race against time

Scientists have found a way to effectively 'intercept' pancreatic cancer by targeting the KRAS and FGFR2 genes. This approach slows tumor formation and reduces the number of 'early versions' of cancer in the pancreas. Researchers believe this therapy could be a game-changer for patients with a family history of pancreatic cancer.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCancer Research·DateApr 2, 2025