Combination of dual-targeted therapies and chemotherapy shows high response rates in BRAF-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) harboring BRAF V600E mutations benefitted from first-line treatment with the targeted therapies encorafenib and cetuximab plus a mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy regimen, according to results from the Phase III BREAKWATER trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Blood test could guide use of anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib to reduce risk of colon cancer recurrence

A data analysis from a randomized clinical trial for stage 3 colon cancer patients by investigators at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center found that patients with evidence of residual cancer in their blood after surgery to remove the cancer, may benefit from adding of celecoxib, to post surgery treatment.

AI Predicts COVID-19 Risks, Severity, and Treatment in Hospitalized Patients

Using an AI-driven decision support system to predict the severity of COVID-19 and identify best interventions, researchers analyzed electronic health record data from 5,371 patients admitted to a South Florida hospital. The study specifically aimed to forecast the likelihood of patients requiring admission to an ICU, with or without mechanical ventilation, or an intermediate care unit (IMCU). The goal was to leverage these features to enable faster and more accurate forecasting of treatment plans, potentially preventing critical conditions from worsening.

Long Covid, Italian scientists discovered the molecular ‘fingerprint’ of the condition in children’s blood

A study by the Università Cattolica, Rome campus – Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS and the Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù IRCCS, published in the Nature Group journal ‘Pediatric Research’, identifies the ‘protein signature’ of the condition in plasma, a group of pro-inflammatory molecules present at high concentrations in young patients with the condition.

NUS researchers pioneer DNA-tagged gold nanoparticles for targeted cancer treatment

A team of researchers from NUS has developed a novel method to enhance the precision of cancer treatment using gold nanoparticles tagged with DNA barcodes.Led by Assistant Professor Andy Tay from the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering and Institute of Health Innovation & Technology at NUS, the study demonstrates how gold nanoparticles of specific shapes, such as triangles, excel in delivering therapeutic nucleic acids and heating tumour cells during photothermal therapy.

Development of Next-Generation One-Component Epoxy with High-Temperature Stability and Flame Retardancy

Dr. Jaewoo Kim’s research team at the KIST, has developed a groundbreaking solution to overcome these limitations: the “Epoxy/MXene One-Component Solution.” This innovative material consists of epoxy resin, polymeric imidazole-based latent curing agent particles, and a two-dimensional nanomaterial called MXene.

Scaling up Neuromorphic Computing for More Efficient and Effective AI Everywhere and Anytime

Neuromorphic computing—a field that applies principles of neuroscience to computing systems to mimic the brain’s function and structure—needs to scale up if it is to effectively compete with current computing methods. In a review published Jan. 22 in the journal Nature, 23 researchers, including two from the University of California San Diego, present a detailed roadmap of what needs to happen to reach that goal.

NYU Tandon research to improve emergency responses in urban areas with support from NVIDIA

A team of researchers from NYU Tandon’s C2SMARTER — a U.S. Department of Transportation-funded Tier 1 University Transportation Center — has received an NVIDIA Academic Grant Program award to develop an advanced simulation system aimed at improving emergency response in urban areas.

Exercise Improves Brain Function, Possibly Reducing Dementia Risk

A study led by scientists at Rutgers University-New Brunswick has shown that specialized cells involved in how the body responds to insulin are activated in the brain after exercise, suggesting that physical activity may directly improve brain function. A recent study, published in Aging Cell, a journal focused on the biology of aging, indicates that therapies targeting this insulin action may be developed to offset or even prevent dementia progression.

Two New Artificial Intelligence Models Seek to Make MRI More Accurate, Reliable

Two new models, developed by researchers in the lab of Li Wang, PhD, associate professor of radiology in the UNC School of Medicine, can produce more accurate and reliable analysis of brain structures, which is critical for early detection, medical diagnosis, and neurological research.

Mood disorders drive feelings of cognitive decline in former college athletes

Former college athletes with a history of concussions were more likely to perceive themselves as cognitively impaired later in life if they had mood disorders such as depression and anxiety – even when testing showed no such decline in mental acuity, a study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has found.

Imagining the Physics of George R.R. Martin’s Fictional Universe

In independent research in the American Journal of Physics, Ian Tregillis and George R.R. Martin derive a formula for viral behavior in the Wild Cards, a science fiction series written by a collection of authors about an alien virus called the Wild Card that mutates human DNA. The formula he derived is a Lagrangian formulation, which considers the different ways a system can evolve. It’s also a fundamental physics principle, which also makes the fictional example a powerful teaching tool.

Melanoma metastasis: unveiling the ferroptosis pathway in bone

A recent study has uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind osteocyte death in melanoma bone metastasis, revealing that ferroptosis—an iron-dependent form of cell death—plays a central role in the destruction of bone cells. The research identifies the HIF1α-HMOX1 axis as a critical pathway that induces excessive autophagy and iron overload, leading to osteocyte demise.

Metronomic chemotherapy: a promising approach for pediatric neuroblastoma

Metronomic chemotherapy (MC) is emerging as a groundbreaking treatment for pediatric neuroblastoma, offering a more accessible and manageable option for children with high-risk and relapsed/refractory forms of the disease. This innovative approach could revolutionize care, particularly in low-resource settings where traditional treatments are often out of reach. A recent comprehensive review explores the evolution, clinical applications, and prospects of MC, shedding light on its potential to improve outcomes while reducing toxicity.

Sentinel skies: tracking wetland health in the clouds

Understanding how alpine wetlands are degrading is crucial for evaluating the full impact of climate change on these fragile ecosystems. In a significant scientific advancement, researchers have introduced alpine wetlands (AW-CCD)—a pioneering algorithm designed to monitor and characterize the complex, multi-scenario degradation of alpine wetlands using Landsat time series data.

UC Irvine researchers reveal a revolutionary new approach for 3D CT imaging from a single X-ray projection

Computed tomography (CT) has long been a cornerstone of modern imaging, providing detailed 3D insights into the human body and other materials. However, conventional CT requires hundreds of X-ray projections from multiple angles, exposing patients to significant radiation doses and relying on large, immobile systems.

Insurance challenges limit psychologists’ capacity to address ongoing mental health needs

Although demand for mental health treatment remains high, administrative and financial barriers are preventing many psychologists from participating in insurance networks, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Practitioner Pulse Survey. Barriers by many insurance companies can make it more difficult for psychologists to remain in-network and for patients to access the care they need, exacerbating the ongoing mental health crisis.

Threat of abrupt mortality events keeps endangered monkey population at risk, despite decades of growth

Despite the population being almost four times larger than it was in 1982, a new study published in the journal Ecology suggests the northern muriqui monkeys remain at risk, especially in the face of ongoing habitat disturbances.Northern muriquis, which live in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, are much more peaceful and egalitarian compared to other primates.

Controller with Integrated Machine Learning Tweaks Fusion Plasmas in Real Time

The conditions for high fusion performance in fusion devices can result in damaging energy bursts called edge-localized modes (ELMs). ELMs can be stabilized through small adjustments to the magnetic confinement field, but this approach is usually limited to manual, preprogrammed responses. In this research, scientists integrated machine learning with adaptive control to achieve real-time adjustment capable of responding to the dynamic conditions of a fusion plasma in the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and Korea Institute of Fusion Energy KSTAR tokamaks.

Staying sharp: Study explores how brain changes may affect financial skills

A new paper co-written by faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York sheds light on how age-related changes may affect the way we handle finances — and how we can stay sharp as we age.

Los Alamos conducts first critical experiment using high assay low enriched uranium in decades

A research team at Los Alamos National Laboratory recently performed the first critical experiment with high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel in four decades at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) in Nevada. It achieved its objective of establishing an advanced reactor testbed.

MSU study highlights negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on special education students in Michigan

Researchers at Michigan State University’s College of Education published a new study exploring learning gaps for students with disabilities and especially for those who are Black, Asian, and economically disadvantaged students — with the 2019-21 school years showing staggering declines in identifying students who could benefit from special education.

Breakthrough in treatment approach showing promise in the fight against glioblastoma, the deadliest and most aggressive type of brain cancer

Mayo Clinic announces the results of an innovative treatment approach that may offer improvement in overall survival in older patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma while maintaining quality of life. Glioblastoma is the most lethal type of primary brain cancer due to its aggressive nature and its treatment-resistant characteristics. It is the most common form of primary brain cancer.