Two human cases of "dual mutant" strains of H1N1 flu have been reported by U.S. health officials. Unfortunately, the genetic changes appear to render the leading flu antiviral, Tamiflu, less effective, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted. The new analysis, published Wednesday in the agency's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, describes these two concerning [...]

Researchers have discovered the reason why targeted treatment for non-small cell lung cancer fails to work for some patients, particularly those who have never smoked. The study shows that lung cancer cells with two particular genetic mutations are more likely to double their genome, which helps them to withstand treatment and develop resistance to [...]

In a recent study published in Cancer Discovery, researchers developed and validated a blood-based, cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) fragmentome assay for lung cancer detection, which, if the results were positive, would be followed by low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Introduction Lung cancer is a major death cause, and yearly screening is crucial. However, chest LDCT has [...]

Research from Weill Cornell Medicine reveals that astrocyte receptors impact cognitive functions differently in males and females, suggesting a need for sex-specific approaches in developing treatments targeting these brain cells. Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered the first evidence that receptors in astrocytes, brain cells that support and regulate neurons, can have contrasting effects on [...]

Columbia University’s research has uncovered a longstanding error in identifying gut stem cells, finding the true stem cells in a different site, which could revolutionize regenerative medicine by applying these findings to other organs. Two independent studies by Columbia scientists suggest that research into the gut’s stem cells over the past 15 years has been marred [...]

Researchers discovered that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in a rare autoimmune disease among previously unaffected demographic groups, leading to the deaths of nine patients. The disease is an autoimmune response where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own sentinel proteins, which are help detect viruses. It is predominantly observed in East Asian [...]

Cinnamon oil-based nanodevice effectively targets key pathogens, with potential uses in healthcare and food safety A team of researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomaterials y Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) has created an innovative antimicrobial nanodevice utilizing cinnamaldehyde, an essential oil component from cinnamon. This “nano killer” has demonstrated [...]

Despite containment and COVID-19 vaccines; “serious cause for concern,” say researchers. A study highlights persistent high excess death rates in the West from 2020 to 2022, despite COVID-19 measures and vaccines. Over three million excess deaths were reported in 47 countries, urging a reevaluation of pandemic policies and their effectiveness. Excess Death Rates Post-COVID Excess death [...]

A new, nano-scale look at how the SARS-CoV-2 virus replicates in cells may offer greater precision in drug development, a Stanford University team reports in Nature Communications. Using advanced microscopy techniques, the researchers produced what might be some of the most crisp images available of the virus's RNA and replication structures, which they witnessed form spherical shapes [...]

Researchers at the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction conducted tests on five terpenes, finding promising results in their pain-relief capabilities. A study from the University of Arizona Health Sciences, published in the journal PAIN, discovered that terpenes from Cannabis sativa were as effective as morphine in alleviating chronic neuropathic pain. Additionally, combining these two analgesics improved pain [...]