News • Neurology
Biodegradable implant to monitor brain chemistry
A wireless sensor could offer doctors a way to monitor changes in brain chemistry without requiring a second operation to remove the implant.
News • For better contact
A flexible brain-computer interface array
A brain-computer interface array featuring microneedles affixed to a flexible backing allows arrays of micro-scale needles to conform to the contours of the brain.
News • Examination bias
Robots with realistic pain expressions can reduce errors
Training robots with realistic pain expressions can reduce doctors' risk of causing pain during physical exams.
News • Additive manufacturing
3D printing testicular cells
In a pair of world firsts, scientists have 3D printed human testicular cells and identified promising early signs of sperm-producing capabilities.
News • Blood filtering against inflammation
Hemoadsorption brings no benefit in endocarditis surgery
Reducing inflammatory mediators in the blood before surgical treatment of cardiac bacterial infection does not improve clinically relevant outcome, a new study shows.
News • Deep learning approach
'Curvy' bacteria as telltale sign of drug resistance?
Researchers find that drug-resistant bacteria can be distinguished from non-resistant bacteria based on structural changes evident in electron microscope images with high accuracy using deep learning.
News • Coronavirus after-effects
Severe Covid-19 linked to increased anxiety and depression risk
People who were bedridden for at least a week due to Covid-19 are more likely to experience anxiety and depression for up to 16 months after the infection, a new study shows.
News • Inflammatory response
Drug coat on implants reduces "foreign body" reaction
An anti-inflammatory drug incorporated into the coating around an implantable electronic medical device – such as a pacemaker – can reduce the body’s "foreign body" reaction.
News • Genetic dystrophy repair
Using mRNA to improve muscle strength
An ECRC research team has introduced CRISPR-Cas9 into human muscle stem cells for the first time using mRNA, thus discovering a method suitable for therapeutic applications.
News • In heart disease
Lab-grown pig heart tissue could replace animals research
A way to replicate what happens inside the heart after cardiac arrest could open new avenues for the study of heart regeneration whilst reducing the use of live animals in research.
News • 3D printed masks
Animal noses inspire new air filter designs
The new 3D-printable mask design promises easy breathing for users while maintaining similar levels of protection against pathogens found in N95 and surgical masks.
News • Cancer research
Origins of metastasis unraveled
For a long time, the origin of metastasis remained obscure. Now, scientists have discovered some of the mechanisms these cells arise.
News • In 2020
COVID-19 restrictions linked to 750,000 fewer dengue cases
COVID-19 measures such as school closures and ‘high-traffic and mixing’ areas had the strongest association, providing clues for new intervention approaches.
News • Promising approach
‘Drug factory’ implants eliminate ovarian, colorectal cancer in mice
Bioengineers have shown they can eradicate advanced-stage ovarian and colorectal cancer in mice in as little as six days with a treatment that could be ready for human clinical trials later this year.
News • Evolution tactics in E.coli
Antibiotic resistance: (Population) size matters
An international team of scientists have shown that small and large bacterial populations follow qualitatively different evolutionary paths to develop antibiotic resistance.
News • Causal link found
Does your blood group affect risk for severe Covid-19?
A new study has analyzed over 3000 proteins to identify which are causally linked to the development of severe Covid-19. This provides insight into potential new targets for treatment and prevention.
News • Bacterial protection strategy
Protective 'chain mail' of C.difficile revealed
A newly discovered structure of chain-mail may explain the success of C.difficile at defending itself against antibiotics and immune system molecules.
News • Alternative to swab
COVID-19 infection detected in breath tests
Traces of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can be detected in microscopically small fluid droplets exhaled during a very short time span.
News • Gamification
Is hyper-optimism good or bad for children?
Young children are more optimistic than adolescents, which stems from not learning enough from bad outcomes.
News • Prevention through infection
Vaccine against liver cancer and fibrosis shows promise
A new study offers hope against liver cancer: A vaccine proved to be safe and effective protection in premalignant and malignant liver diseases in preclinical mouse models.
News • Decrease in wellbeing
Covid-19 pandemic has devastating effect on mental health, study shows
The Covid pandemic might be responsible for a “substantial decrease” in mental wellbeing in the UK, according to new research from the University of East Anglia and University of York.
News • Reducing rejection and waiting times
Transplant organs with universal blood type on the horizon
A new study has proved that it is possible to convert blood type safely in donor organs intended for transplantation. This is an important step towards creating universal type O organs.
News • Coronavirus long term effects
Vaccination protects against long Covid, study shows
A new UK review shows that people who have had one or more doses of a coronavirus vaccine are less likely to develop long Covid than those who remain unvaccinated.
News • Neuropeptide research
Fluorescent biosensor to shed light on narcolepsy
Researchers in Zurich have developed a fluorescent orexin biosensor to observe on of the brain's signaling molecules "live" to gain insights into constant daytime sleepiness (narcolepsy).
News • Public transport
Down the tube: Is the Underground 'Covid safe'?
Is the Underground a safe means of transport in times of Covid-19? A computer simulation, developed at the University of Leeds, has calculated the infection risk.
