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Harnessing Autofluorescence to Explore Foetal Liver Development
The foetal liver is a critical organ during early development, acting as a blood cell factory before the bone marrow takes over. Here, blood stem cells expand and prepare to support lifelong blood production. At the same time, foetal liver cells mature and develop their metabolic and detoxification functions. Understanding how these different cells work together could provide crucial insights into how we can mimic foetal liver conditions to produce blood outside of the human body, with promising applications in regenerative medicine and transplantation therapies.
Dr Sofia Forssten | Combining Fibre, Food and Probiotics to Promote Gut Health
Our gut microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health. This diverse community of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi not only aids digestion, but also produces compounds that protect against inflammation, boost immunity, and support psychological wellbeing. Disruptions to this balance – caused by illness, diet or antibiotics – can lead to many health issues, including infections and chronic conditions. In recent years, scientists have been exploring how diet can be used to maintain and restore a healthy gut microbiome. Dr Sofia Forssten at IFF Health Sciences in Finland is at the forefront of this research. She and her colleagues focus on how dietary fibres and probiotics can shape the intricate ecosystem of the gut microbiome.
Professor Masanori Shimono | Using AI to Reveal the Brain’s Hidden Patterns
New research has revealed a groundbreaking method for systematically understanding the relationships between different brain regions. Masanori Shimono and his team successfully utilized AI to identify universal patterns in neuronal activity, enabling mutual generation of activity across different datasets. This research significantly contributes to the advancement of neuroscience and also holds potential in reducing the need for animal experiments.
Dr. Allen Place | Small but Deadly: The Story of Karlodinium veneficum
The oceans are vast and teeming with life, but survival in this watery realm is no less competitive than on land. Among the ocean’s myriad inhabitants are dinoflagellates, tiny single-celled organisms that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Despite their minuscule size, some dinoflagellates possess extraordinary biochemical weaponry. One of the most fascinating examples is Karlodinium veneficum, a species armed with potent toxins known as karlotoxins. These molecular marvels enable K. veneficum to thrive by allowing it to prey on smaller organisms and warding off predators.
Dr Paul Edwards | Rethinking Cancer: Could Much of Tumour Behaviour Be the Body’s Normal Healing Response?
Much cancer research investigates why tumours behave the way they do. Many researchers believe that tumours manipulate their environment to grow and spread, using sophisticated strategies to hijack the body’s own systems. However, new ideas are challenging this view, suggesting that the behaviour of tumours might be closer to the body’s natural responses to damage. In his recent paper, Dr Paul Edwards at Cambridge University offers an eye-opening perspective on this.
Dr. Philippe Vangrieken | New Insights into Preeclampsia: Advancing from Vascular Health Challenges to Early Diagnosis
Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects up to 8% of pregnancies, leading to high blood pressure and organ damage. It poses significant risks for both mother and baby, yet its underlying causes have been poorly understood, making early diagnosis and effective treatment challenging. Recent research led by Dr. Philippe Vangrieken, a European Registered Toxicologist at Maastricht University Medical Center, has identified a key biochemical factor involved in preeclampsia: methylglyoxal (MGO).
Dr. Chandrika Varadachari | Caged Urea: A Smart Fertilizer That Boosts Crop Yields and Protects the Environment
In an era of increasing urgency to address environmental degradation, the impact of conventional agricultural practices has come under scrutiny. Synthetic nitrogen-based fertilizers, such as urea, are essential for feeding the global population, but cause significant environmental damage. Nitrogen from urea-based fertilizers often finds its way into water bodies, contributing to pollution. Meanwhile, urea can transform into nitrous oxide gases, which accelerate climate change when released into the atmosphere.
Redefining Cannabis Potency with CannaMetrix
Cannabis products have surged in popularity, for both medicinal and recreational use. Despite the wide range of products on the market, measuring the true potency of these formulations remains a challenge. Potency is typically assessed based on the ratios of certain cannabinoids, especially THC, which produces a high, and CBD, which has therapeutic properties without psycho-active effects. Researchers at CannaMetrix, led by Harold Smith and Charles Owen Wolffsmith, are reshaping this understanding.
Balancing Ethics and Innovation in Biobanking
Biobanking, which describes the collection, storage and sharing of human biological samples and data, has become essential to medical research. Biobanks are central to various types of scientific work, including cancer research, vaccine development and genetic studies. As the field of biobanking grows, so do various ethical, legal and political challenges. Anna Holzscheiter and Maria Weickardt Soares at TU Dresden have extensively analysed these complexities, focusing on how international organisations address contentious issues surrounding biobanking.
Dr. Ramesh Jha | Creating and Testing Genetic Mutations Efficiently
From the genes contained in our DNA, the proteins within our bodies are born. As researchers progress in their ability to manipulate DNA, they are beginning to design and create synthetic proteins with a wide array of applications, such as new medical treatments, biofuel production, breakdown of pollutants, and biosensors that can detect specific molecules. To create synthetic proteins with new properties, scientists often need to modify DNA sequences or create entirely new ones. They then need to test the resulting genetic variants to see if they will produce a protein with new functions that could be useful for their desired application.
Professor Peter Palese | New COVID-19 Vaccines Aim to Increase Global Access and Protect Against Emerging Variants
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, there is an urgent need for vaccines that are cheaper, easier to produce, and more effective against emerging variants of concern. This is especially important for low-income countries, which face challenges in accessing current vaccines. Peter Palese and his colleagues – Weina Sun, Adolfo García-Sastre and Florian Krammer – at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are developing innovative new COVID-19 vaccines based on the Newcastle disease virus – or ‘NDV’.
Dr. Brianne Donaldson | Balancing Belief and Medicine: How Jain Values Shape Healthcare Decisions
The intersection of religion and professional practice is increasingly important, especially in the field of medicine, where ethical decisions are a daily reality. Different belief systems offer unique perspectives for approaching moral challenges. One perspective comes from Jainism, an ancient Indian religion and philosophy that emphasizes nonviolence, multiple perspectives, truth, and non-attachment. In recent research, Dr. Brianne Donaldson at the University of California, Irvine provides insights into how Jain medical professionals integrate their beliefs with modern medical practice.
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