Medicine

In a study in mice, a team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, has found that black tea alters energy metabolism in the liver by changing gut metabolites. The study is published in the European Journal of Nutrition. According to Henning et al, black tea may promote …

A biocompatible and highly elastic hydrogel sealant can effectively seal wounds in shape-shifting tissues without the need for common staples or sutures, a new study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine shows. The surgical glue MeTro is applied directly to the wound and activated with light. Image credit: University …

Scientists have shown that mutations present in circulating tumor DNA isolated from the blood predicts the likelihood a patient will respond to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies, indicating that a simple blood test could inform clinicians on whether to administer these treatment regimens. For the first time, researchers have used mutations detected …

An international research team led by University of Texas at Arlington scientist Zui Pan has discovered that zinc selectively halts the growth of cancer cells but not normal esophageal epithelial cells. Zinc selectively inhibits cancer cell growth. Image credit: Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. According to the …

Damsin, a natural compound isolated from the South American medicinal plant Ambrosia arborescens, has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells, according to new research. Ambrosia arborescens is a species of plant native to the Andes from Colombia south to Bolivia. Image credit: Dick Culbert / CC …

An antibody that protects against dengue virus is also effective against Zika in mice, according to a new study published in the journal Nature Immunology. This is a digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image of Zika virus. Virus particles, here colored blue, are 40 nm in diameter, with an outer …

As we head into flu season, new batches of vaccines are being produced that will hopefully protect against this year’s most common strains of the virus. Even if you got vaccinated last year, influenza mutates so quickly you need this year’s vaccine to be well-protected. Researchers have long studied the …

A research team led by Boston University scientists has identified a new type of lung cell that is implicated in the body’s immune defense against pneumonia-causing bacteria. Immunohistochemical analysis of a human lung section stained with anti-PIWIL4 antibody. Scale bars – 10 ?m. Image credit: Wasserman et al, doi: 10.1172/JCI94639. …

A body of research putting type 2 diabetes patients on a low calorie diet has confirmed that the condition is reversible. For many patients it can be reversed with sustained weight loss of around 15 kg, according to a paper published in the journal BMJ. A finger stick helps patients …

Non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jets are a promising mode of treating a variety of afflictions. However, unpredictable turbulence in the plasma has hindered the consistent application of this therapy in the clinic. In a recent study, scientists have revealed the cause of turbulence in the plasma, paving the way for …