News • Astrocyte research
New insight into how cancer metastasizes to the brain
A new US-led study shows that astrocyte brain cells play an important role in promoting brain metastasis by recruiting a specific subpopulation of immune cells.
News • "In-beam MRI"
Radiation therapy: proton trajectory made visible
For proton radiation therapy against cancer, there is yet no direct method for mapping the beam range during dose delivery. A new method devised by Dresden scientists could help.
News • Metallic, yet soft and flexible
A new medical robot, inspired by pangolins
German scientists have developed a magnetically controlled soft medical robot with a unique, flexible structure inspired by the body of a pangolin, that could heat up to mitigate bleeding.
News • Neurodegeneration
The importance of the liver-brain axis in Alzheimer's disease
A research team from Barcelona studied the liver of Alzheimer's disease mice models, and demonstrated the importance of the liver-brain axis regarding the psychological symptoms of the disease.
News • Joint implant material
Biodegradable gel shows promise for cartilage regeneration
A gel that combines both stiffness and toughness is a step forward in the bid to create biodegradable implants for joint injuries, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.
News • iPS cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Researchers discover new way to generate high-quality cartilage
A Japanese research group has developed a method using iPS cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC) to create cartilage spheroids, offering new possibilities for tissue repair.
News • Study on gentle cleansers
Virus-killing properties of soaps: No need for the 'hard stuff'
Gentle cleansers are just as effective in killing viruses – including coronavirus – as harsh soaps, according to a new study from scientists at the University of Sheffield.
News • Gastric leak detection
Sensor patch monitors surgery sutures in the abdomen
To ensure that wounds remain tightly sealed in the abdomen after surgery, researchers at Empa and ETH Zurich have developed a patch with a sensor function.
News • Brain cancer breakthrough
Can a virus help beat glioblastoma?
US researchers identified a potential breakthrough in glioblastoma treatment. Using a modified virus, they created a treatment that specifically attacks tumor cells, while leaving normal cells intact.
News • Counteracting neuroinflammation
Multiple sclerosis: Why women get better when pregnant
Women suffering from multiple sclerosis temporarily get much better when pregnant. Researchers have now identified the beneficial changes naturally occurring during pregnancy.
News • Researchers tie up loose ends
The ideal surgical knot (according to science)
Knots are a crucial part of surgery, but surprisingly little is known about how they work. To fill this gap, a team at EPFL started the first physics-based study on the mechanics of surgical knots, and exactly what properties influence their strength.
News • 3D vascular models
'Virtual blood vessel' technology could improve heart disease care
Patients with heart disease could benefit from less extensive interventions thanks to technology that creates 3D computer models of blood flow through the heart's arteries, according to new research.
News • Focused Rotary Jet Spinning
Rapid-production heart valves control blood flow immediately after implantation
A new method for cheaply producing heart valves in the span of minutes shows great promise. The scientists describe the method as "a cotton-candy machine with a hair dryer behind it."
News • Pregnancy complications
New model could predict preterm births from around week 31
Preterm birth affects nearly 10% of pregnancies worldwide, and rates are on the rise. A new approach that analyzes electrical activity during pregnancy, could improve predictions.
News • Targeted therapy
Biliary duct cancer: the future of precision oncology
Gene alterations in biliary tract cancer offer potential targets for current or future precision therapies. This is demonstrated by a new study from Vienna.
News • Cardiac benefits of a strong quadriceps
Heart failure prevention: Why you shouldn't skip 'leg day'
People with strong legs are less likely to develop heart failure after a heart attack, according to research presented at the Heart Failure 2023 scientific congress in Prague.
News • Sars-CoV-2 infection aftereffects
Diabetes after Covid-19: Researchers find possible connection
German researchers have now investigated whether there is a temporal association between infection with the Sars-CoV-2 virus and the development of type 1 diabetes.
News • Potential for new treatments
Researchers find new subtypes for ovarian cancer
New research from the University of Helsinki increases the understanding of ovarian cancer: the identification of new subtypes could help discover new treatments.
News • Independent genes
Cancer: Study sheds light on mysterious DNA rings
Tumors sometimes seem to take on a life of their own, with cancer genes “striking out” in ring shapes. An international research team has new insights into this phenomenon.
News • Strain mapping and antimicrobial properties
Smart coatings give early warning for implant failure
Newly developed “smart” coatings for surgical orthopedic implants can monitor strain on the devices to provide early warning of implant failures while killing infection-causing bacteria.
News • ‘European Cancer Pulse’
New online tool reveals vast cancer care inequalities in Europe
A new online ‘European Cancer Pulse’ tool, created to compare cancer data across Europe, has highlighted that only 12 of the 27 EU Member States have an up-to-date national cancer control plan.
News • Research on mini organs
Organoids bring new insights into liver cancer
Dutch scientists have revealed new scientific insights into the features of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), a rare type of childhood liver cancer.
Video • Cardiology & Biomedical Technology
Repairing heart damage: Breakthrough in vascularized heart organoids
Researchers have succeeded in introducing a vascular system into tiny living and beating model human heart muscles, an achievement which it's hoped will accelerate progress toward the ultimate goal of repairing damage from heart disease.
News • Oncology & Immunology
Study shows mechanism of PTEN-deficient breast cancer
A group of researchers has illustrated the mechanistic pathway for PTEN-deficient breast cancer and successfully tested a method of countering the downstream effects of immune system evasion by tumors.
News • Genetics & Viruses
"Gene scissors" in human cells inhibit viral infections
Scientists at the University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems) show that CRISPR-Cas9 can also be used to inhibit viruses such as adenoviruses in cell cultures.
