Mucus is critical to human health. To explore how, researchers synthesized its major component, sugar-coated proteins called mucins, and discovered that changing the mucins of healthy cells to be more cancer-like made cells act more cancer-like. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Tag: Health And Medicine
Mimicking exercise with a pill
Could a pill replicate the benefits of exercise? Researchers have identified new compounds that seem to mimic some benefits of exercise in rodent cells. This discovery could help treat those with muscle wasting and other conditions. The scientists will present their results at ACS Spring 2024.
Developing a stem cell therapy to prevent amputations from critical limb ischemia
A research team led by Dr. Sangheon Kim of the Center for Biomaterials Research at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that they have developed a three-dimensional stem cell therapy to treat critical limb ischemia through a self-assembling platform technology using a new material microgel.
New treatment developed to dramatically slow down the progression of blindness-causing retinal diseases
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that Dr. Maesoon Im of the Brain Science Institute, together with Prof. Seung Ja Oh of Kyung Hee University and Prof. Kangwon Lee of Seoul National University, successfully incorporated anti-inflammatory drugs into a hydrogel to suppress inflammation in the retina and effectively deliver the drugs to the inflamed area.
Social inequity is linked to lower use of epidural in childbirth
In a study of women in labor in the U. S., social inequity was associated with lower use of neuraxial analgesia — an epidural or spinal pain reliever– among non-Hispanic White women and, to a greater extent, among African American women, according to research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S).
Gut bacteria can process dietary fiber into an anti-allergy weapon, finds new study
The intricate relationship that exists between humans and the gut microbiome has become a hot research topic, and scientists are constantly uncovering new reasons why a healthy diet can lead to a healthier life.
KIMM develops technology for detecting injection of medication to prevent medical accidents related to analgesic drug infusion pump in hospitals
The research team led by Senior Researcher Dong-kyu Lee of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has succeeded in developing the technology for customized sensor modules capable of measuring the extremely low flow rate of analgesic drug infusion pumps as well as the existence of bubbles in these pumps.
Make diagnosing serious geriatric diseases as easy as measuring blood sugar
Dr. Seo, Moon-Hyeong of the Natural Product Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), together with Dr. Park, Keunwan of the Natural Product Informatics Research Center, have developed a technology that can quickly and accurately measure glutamine concentrations without complicated measurement processes and expensive analytical equipment through the principle of ‘ligand-induced protein assembly’.
Dementia risk in adults with intellectual disability
Both genetic and acquired factors contribute to the onset of intellectual disability (ID), and people with ID are presumed to be at a higher risk of developing dementia.
An implantable device could enable injection-free control of diabetes
One promising approach to treating Type 1 diabetes is implanting pancreatic islet cells that can produce insulin when needed, which can free patients from giving themselves frequent insulin injections.
Myocardial infarction, the number one cause of sudden death, may be treated by modulating the immune response
Dr. Yoon Ki Joung and Dr. Juro Lee of the Biomaterials Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), together with Prof. Hun-Jun Park and Dr. Bong-Woo Park of the Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, have developed a new treatment for myocardial infarction that uses nanovesicles derived from fibroblasts with induced apoptosis to modulate the immune response.
ACS Fall 2023 media briefing schedule
Recordings of media briefings will be posted by 10 a.m. Eastern Time on each day. Watch recorded media briefings at: www.acs.org/ACSFall2023briefings.
Detecting risk of metastatic prostate cancer in Black men
To explore prostate cancer disparities, researchers looked to another disorder, diabetes. They conducted a clinical trial and report four biomarkers linked to a higher risk of metastatic prostate cancer in men of West African heritage. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2023.
Tracking down social determinants of health in electronic health records
Researchers recently published one of the first studies in which natural language processing was applied to social determinants of health. The researchers developed three new natural language processing algorithms to successfully extract information from text data related to housing challenges, financial stability and employment status from electronic health records.
“You (might) have cancer” – on certainty and probability
An LMU study reveals: Whether patients are able to correctly assess risks depends partly on how physicians convey statistical information to them.
Better search for the cause of hereditary diseases
So far, it has not been possible to explain the causes of around half of all rare hereditary diseases. A Munich research team has developed an algorithm that predicts the effects of genetic mutations on RNA formation six times more precisely than previous models. As a result, the genetic causes of rare hereditary diseases and cancer can be identified more precisely.
Hearing aids may protect against a higher risk of dementia associated with hearing loss, study suggests
People experiencing hearing loss who are not using a hearing aid may have a higher risk of dementia than people without hearing loss, suggests a new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal. However, using a hearing aid may reduce this risk to the same level as people without hearing loss.
Safe Bioink for Artificial Organ Printing
Dr. Song Soo-chang’s research team at the Center for Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Yoon Seok-jin), revealed the first development of poly(organophosphazene) hydrogel-based temperature-sensitive bioink that stably maintained its physical structure only by temperature control without photocuring, induced tissue regeneration, and then biodegraded in the body after a certain period of time.
KIMM conducts demonstration study of the world’s first Filter-free, indoor ultrafine particle reduction technology using electrostatic method
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Park Sang Jin, hereinafter referred to as KIMM) has succeeded in the development of a filter-free air purifying technology to collect ultrafine particles using soft discharge and electrostatic precipitation, and clean collection plates by air spry and vacuum suction.
ACS Spring 2023 Media Briefing Schedule
Recordings of media briefings will be posted by 10 a.m. Eastern Time on each day. Watch recorded media briefings at: www.acs.org/ACSSpring2023briefings.
THE LANCET: Health experts call for bold action to prioritize health over profit
A new Series published in The Lancet describes how, although commercial entities can contribute positively to health and society, the products and practices of some commercial actors are responsible for escalating rates of avoidable ill health, planetary damage, and social and health inequity.
Risk of death for people with dementia increases after a hurricane exposure
The risk of death rises among older adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the months following exposure to a hurricane, a new University of Michigan study shows.
AI-Based Prosthetic Socket Developed to Help Thigh Amputees
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Park Sang-jin, hereinafter referred to as KIMM), an institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and ICT, has succeeded in developing a smart, customizable prosthetic socket that automatically fills the socket with air upon detecting the empty space inside of the socket in real time based on artificial intelligence.
Cancer Diagnosis using Urine!
A research team led by Dr. Ho Sang Jung of the Surface & Nano Materials Divison of the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, conducted joint research with Professor Junsuk Rho of POSTECH and Professor Samjin Choi of Kyung Hee University Medical School to find metabolites in urine. They succeeded in developing a strip-type urine sensor that can amplify the light signal of metabolites in urine and in diagnosing cancer in the field.
Smart contact lens with navigation function, made with 3D printer!
Dr. Seol Seung-Kwon’s team at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute published in international journals, implementing augmented reality by meniscus-guided printing.
New compound inhibits influenza virus replication
Viruses use the molecular repertoire of the host cell to replicate. Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn, together with Japanese researchers, want to exploit this for the treatment of influenza.
The Beneficial Effects of Kimchi on Obesity-Induced Neuroinflammation through the Modulation of the Gut-Brain Axis- Results from the Research at World Institute of Kimchi
The World Institute of Kimchi conducted extensive scientific research on the health benefits of kimchi. The results obtained from recent study conducted at the institute, suggest a novel mechanism of action of kimchi that may prevent obesity and obesity-induced neuroinflammation by promoting an increase in certain species of beneficial intestinal microbiota.
Tears in Tokyo: Muscle–tendon injuries during Olympic competition can spell heartbreak
In a recent study, researchers reviewed magnetic resonance images (MRI) of muscle injuries experienced by athletes during the Tokyo Olympic Games and found that when muscle injuries were characterized by torn fibers extending to the tendon, athletes were often unable to finish their events.
Realtime monitoring with a wearable device reveals IBS-related changes
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a difficult disease to treat, characterized by chronic abdominal pain related to bowel movements, of which there are four types: diarrheal, constipation, mixed, and unclassifiable.
Ask the expert: What are nanomedicines?
Morteza Mahmoudi, an assistant professor in MSU’s Department of Radiology, explains why addressing disagreements with stronger standards will help ensure future nanomedicines are safe, effective and successful.
KIMM develops Korea’s first smart intraocular lens technology, capable of early-stage dementia diagnosis
A smart intraocular lens that can be inserted into the eye to diagnose Alzheimer’s has been developed for the first time in Korea.
Actinidia arguta (sarunashi) juice inhibits lung cancer in mice
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in Japan and across the globe. Among all the cancers, lung cancer has one of the lowest five-year survival rates.
Heart health tip for older adults in 2023: Step it up a bit
The evidence-based health benefits of walking continue to accumulate, according to ongoing research by a University of Massachusetts Amherst physical activity epidemiologist, who leads an international consortium known as the Steps for Health Collaborative.
New targets in the fight against pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide.
Octopuses may link evolution of complex life to genetic ‘dark matter’
Octopuses have captured the attention of scientists and the public with their remarkable intelligence, including the use of tools, engaging in creative play and problem-solving, and even escaping from aquariums.
Expanding the arsenal of drugs against COVID-19
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been devastating the entire world.
COVID-19 mRNA vaccines and fever: A possible new link
mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 generate adverse reactions such as fever and fatigue which are considered normal and are transient in nature.
Tracing the origin of Kampo, Japan’s traditional medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been around for centuries.
Promotion of cancer progression via extracellular vesicles
The advent of cell phones, the internet, and various messaging platforms has allowed for faster and broader communication worldwide.
Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes: Synthetic peptides may suppress formation of harmful amyloid aggregates
In Alzheimer’s disease, the degeneration of brain cells is linked to formation of toxic protein aggregates and deposits known as amyloid plaques.
Efflux pump inhibitors: Bulking up to beat bacteria
The medical profession is in the midst of losing an arms race.
Sleep as a new 8th measure of cardiovascular health
Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health evaluated an expanded measure of cardiovascular health (CVH) that includes sleep as an eighth metric, in relation to cardiovascular disease risk.
Lupus pill shows promise in mice; clinical trial underway
There’s no cure for lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks organs. But today, scientists report they have begun phase 2 clinical trials with a pill containing a compound that, in mice, reverses organ damage and prevents death. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2022.
Sensor could help patients stay on top of their meds
Lithium needs to be taken in just the right amount to be effective. Today, scientists report the development of a tiny sensor that detects lithium levels noninvasively from sweat on a fingertip in about 30 seconds. The researchers will present their results at ACS Fall 2022.
Food allergies can be reversed in mice by targeting the microbiome
Treating allergic mice with a form of butyrate — which is produced by good gut bacteria — protects against peanut allergy, scientists report today. The treatment might also counteract other food allergies and inflammatory diseases. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2022.
How will the pending budget bill reduce drug prices for Americans?
The Inflation Reduction Act contains provisions that are expected to lower drug costs for millions of Americans by allowing Medicare to negotiate some drug prices and by limiting the amount of out-of-pocket drug costs for Medicare Part D patients.
Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized adults differ by age
A just-published study provides previously unknown answers about which hospitalized COVID-19 patients are most likely to need mechanical ventilation or to die.
Multiple treatments to slow age-related muscle wasting
Everyone wants to stay fit and healthy as they grow old.
Quadricep muscle contracts differently after ACL reconstruction; may contribute to lingering weakness
After an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery, it’s common to experience quadriceps weakness, which was thought to be caused primarily by muscle atrophy, or shrinkage.
What causes disease outbreaks?
Since 1974, contaminated water has been the most common driver of large-scale zoonotic infectious disease outbreaks, according to new research from the Center for the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (CEID) at the University of Georgia.