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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.
Taking Charge of Your Health: Free Hepatitis B Screening and Treatment
Chronic hepatitis B affects the liver, and may result in liver damage (called cirrhosis), liver failure, liver cancer, and early death if left untreated. The hepatitis B virus that causes the condition can spread by blood transfusion, sexual contact, and sharing contaminated needles or razors. Most individuals, including those who acquire the virus in childhood, do not notice any specific symptoms, and remain unaware of their hepatitis B infection. However, the virus may remain active, causing slow but progressive damage to the liver. Therefore, many people with hepatitis B only discover their infection when the liver has already suffered severe damage. Testing for the hepatitis B virus easily establishes whether an individual is infected, and can stop liver damage from progressing.
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.
The LiverRisk score: a simple method to assess the presence of fibrosis (scars) within the liver
Liver disease, often dubbed a “silent killer,” poses a major global health threat, progressing unnoticed until reaching life-threatening stages such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Early detection has long been a challenge, as symptoms usually appear when liver damage is severe. The LiverScreen Consortium’s development of the LiverRisk score marks a transformative advancement in the detection and management of liver disease, offering hope for more timely interventions and improved health outcomes.
Enhancing Bone Tissue Formation
Every day, countless individuals struggle with the slow and uncertain process of bone healing. From sudden fractures, to gradual bone loss from aging – the journey is often long and challenging. Recovery can be slow, leaving bones weak and painful, limiting mobility, and disrupting daily life. In response, scientists are dedicated to finding innovative ways to accelerate and strengthen bone healing. Lennart Gerdesmeyer, Jutta Tübel and their colleagues at the Technical University of Munich recently investigated the potential of an innovative technique called Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy – or EMTT for short.
Luis A. Rubio | A Healthy and Sustainable Choice: How Plant-derived Proteins Enhance Gut Health
Our diet has a powerful influence on our health, and one of the most important components is protein. But not all proteins are created equal, especially when it comes to their impact on the trillions of bacteria living in our gut. These gut bacteria, which make up our microbiome, play a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and even mental health. New research by Luis A. Rubio at Zaidín Experimental Station in Spain investigates how different types of proteins affect the gut microbiome, shedding light on how our dietary choices could influence overall wellbeing.
Professor Frédéric Leblond | Revolutionizing Cancer Detection: Non-Contact Imaging with Raman Spectroscopy
Recent advancements in cancer detection have paved the way for innovative techniques that enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. One such development is the application of multi-spectral light scattering detection, which integrates Raman spectroscopy with advanced imaging methods. This approach, detailed in a recent study by Professor Frédéric Leblond and colleagues at Polytechnique Montreal, aims to revolutionize cancer detection with a non-contact, rapid, and highly sensitive diagnostic tool.
Dr. Nadine van Montfoort – Dr. Christianne Groeneveldt | The Future of Cancer Treatment with Reovirus and Immunotherapy
Reovirus type 3 Dearing – or ‘Reo’ for short – is an oncolytic virus that shows potential in treating various solid tumors. An example of a solid tumor is pancreatic cancer, for which limited treatment options are currently available. Oncolytic viruses such as Reo work by infecting and killing cancer cells directly and by stimulating the body’s immune system to attack the tumor. Reo is especially promising because it can prime a tumor microenvironment to become more amenable to immunotherapy. A major obstacle to the potential success of Reo as a cancer therapy is the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies in the population.
Professor Johanna Blom | Creating Social Alliances to Enhance Clinical Research
In recent years, the interdisciplinary research field of ‘law and literature’ has begun to establish itself in Europe. This emerging field explores how legal concepts are portrayed in literary works and how literature can inform our understanding of the law. Recent research by Professor Alexandra Juster of the University of Münster proposes a novel method to analyse this relationship more systematically. Professor Juster’s research builds on the established American ‘law and literature’ movement, which has been gaining traction in Europe. Her work introduces a new approach called ‘juridical counterfactual’, which aims to provide a methodological foundation for future research in this interdisciplinary field.
Dr Tope Adeniyi | Exploring the Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid in IVF Procedures
During in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) an embryo is transferred to the uterus using a nutrient-rich liquid. This embryo transfer medium often contains hyaluronic acid, a substance commonly found in the human body, including the uterus. Hyaluronic acid rich embryo transfer medium is offered as an add-on that can enhance IVF outcomes, but studies investigating its effectiveness have received mixed results. Establishing whether hyaluronic acid is truly beneficial and safe is important for maximising IVF outcomes and pursuing evidence-based practice.
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