Blog

- NOVEL DISCOVERIES

First-in-class small molecule inhibitor shows promise against pancreatic cancer in preclinical studies

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed an experimental drug with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to target the “undruggable” PDZ domain of the GIPC1 protein, which helps different types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, grow and resist treatment. In laboratory studies, the drug slowed tumor growth, improved survival and enhanced the effects of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine.

Read More »

A lesser-known SARS-CoV-2 protein may offer clues to long COVID symptoms

Six years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are still uncovering surprising ways the virus can wreak havoc on the body. A new UCLA study published in Science Advances describes a previously unrecognized way the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein—a structural protein less familiar than the spike protein that has dominated public attention and much vaccine research—can push the immune system into dangerous overdrive.

Read More »

Engineered human neurons rebuild damaged spinal cord circuits

Spinal cord injuries affect an estimated 15 to 20 million people worldwide, often causing lasting impairments in movement, sensation and independence. Such injuries can be especially devastating when they occur at the level of the neck, where damaged spinal circuits disrupt signals that control the diaphragm, the main muscle used for breathing.

Read More »

Skin-like test models could help improve medical devices for people of all skin tones

Many medical devices and wearable health sensors work by shining light into the skin and measuring the signal that returns. These technologies are used in products ranging from pulse oximeters to fitness trackers. However, studies have shown that some optical devices can be less accurate for people with darker skin, raising concerns about health care equity and patient safety. In a recent study reported in the Journal of Biomedical Optics, researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland addressed this problem by developing realistic skin-like test models that represent a range of skin tones and include artificial blood vessels with flowing blood-like fluid.

Read More »