Science & Technology
Arginine, an inexpensive oral drug, could enhance radiation therapy for cancer
Treatment with arginine, one of the amino-acid building blocks of proteins, enhanced the effectiveness of radiation therapy in cancer patients with brain metastases, in a proof-of-concept, randomized clinical trial.
Bone marrow backup needed to tackle respiratory infections
Scientists have found how the immune system triggers an ’emergency’ dendritic cell response during infection, with dendritic cells at the site of infection being reinforced by new cells which travel from the bone marrow.
Researchers investigate role of gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease in brain’s immune cells
When immune cells move throughout the brain, they act as the first line of defense against viruses, toxic materials and damaged neurons, rushing over to clear out them. Researchers have been investigating how these immune cells in the brain — microgli…
‘Mirror nuclei’ to probe fundamental physics of atoms and neutron stars
About 20 years ago, a physicist had an idea to reveal insights about a fundamental but enigmatic force at work in some of the most extreme environments in the universe. These environments include an atom’s nucleus and celestial bodies known as neutron …
Multiple sclerosis drug improves memory in mice modeling Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers found that glatiramer acetate, a prescription drug currently used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis, improved memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists identify mechanism that may influence infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Scientists have found that a process in cells may limit infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, and that mutations in the alpha and delta variants overcome this effect, potentially boosting the virus’s ability to spread.
When macrophages let off steam
New data shows how inflammatory reactions can be resolved by changes to the metabolism of macrophages. Danger signals released by damaged cells during inflammation play a role during this process. ‘Rewiring’ the mitochondria in the macrophages protects…
Wind and solar could power the world’s major countries most of the time
With the eyes of the world on the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, strategies for decarbonizing energy infrastructure are a trending topic. Yet critics of renewables question the dependability of systems that rely on intermitte…
Electron family creates previously unknown state of matter
An international research team has demonstrated a completely novel state of matter in a metal. It is created by the combination of four electrons-until now, only electron pairs were known. This discovery could lead to a new type of superconductivity, a…
How cells correctly choose active genes
It is essential for cells to control precisely which of the many genes of their genetic material they use. This is done in so-called transcription factories, molecular clusters in the nucleus. Researchers have now found that the formation of transcript…
New strategy against treatment-resistant prostate cancer identified
A new study has identified an RNA molecule that suppresses prostate tumors. The scientists found that prostate cancers develop ways to shut down this RNA molecule to allow themselves to grow. According to the new research — conducted in mice implanted…