When an embryo is formed, its genes—donated by a fertilizing sperm and egg—are silent. Somehow, at an early stage of development, embryo genes must be switched on. Without this vital ‘genes on’ switch in the embryo, none of us would be here, yet surprisingly little is known about what the switch looks like, or the identity of the ‘molecular finger’ […]

Glaucoma is a common ocular disease in which the optic nerve malfunctions due to the increased intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by drainage canal blocking in the eye. This condition narrows the peripheral vision and can lead to vision loss in severe cases. Glaucoma patients have to manage IOP levels for their life-time. Automatic monitoring and control of the IOP in […]

IntroductionRole of flow cytometry in discovering antimicrobialsPros and cons of flow cytometryReferences Antimicrobial drug resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health as it can disrupt how simple infections are treated and become superbugs and untreatable. Antimicrobial resistance is when a microbe becomes resistant to available antimicrobial treatments. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), antimicrobial resistance is […]

The “An Arm and a Leg” podcast is back. This season, host Dan Weissmann will tell stories about patients finding creative ways to fight back against outrageous bills.  This first episode of Season 9 updates a story from 2019 about a listener who got a $35 bill from a medical testing lab she had never heard of. Soon a follow-up […]

Disabling hearing loss affects one in every ten people and up to 25% of people over 60, according to the World Health Organization, and can have both genetic and environmental causes such as infections and noise exposure. Sensorineural hearing loss, the most frequent form of hearing loss, is caused by damage to specialized cells in the cochlea called hair cells […]

Peritoneal cancer is difficult to treat and has a poor survival prognosis. But a new and effective nanomedicine delivery system is offering some hope. The company is called NaDeNo and is well underway with the development of a new cure for cancers that have spread to the peritoneal cavity. It is a spin-off from the Norwegian science institute SINTEF, where […]

Research findings published in Frontiers in Immunology show that cancer immunotherapy does not interfere with COVID-19 immunity in previously vaccinated patients. These findings support recommending vaccination for patients with cancer, including those receiving systemic therapies, say Saint Louis University scientists. Immunotherapy is a treatment strategy that boosts a patient’s immune system to attack cancerous cells. In this novel study led […]

Brendan Fraser’s Oscar nomination was made even more special by the secret celebration planned by his three sons. The actor received his first nomination (and for Best Actor, no less!) for his performance in The Whale. His boys, Griffin, 20, Holden, 18, and Leland, 16 were not going to let the milestone go unmarked. When Fraser heard the news, he […]

The need for more and better biomarker tests Challenges to address Companies and academic institutions need to continue to be incentivized to develop biomarker tests alongside new drugs—especially given that use of biomarkers can reduce the size of the patient population for a drug. The Government needs to invest in better national infrastructure to support research into new biomarkers by […]

Classmates often stop Alma Gallegos as she makes her way down the bustling hallways of Theodore Roosevelt High School in southeast Fresno, California. The 17-year-old senior is frequently asked by fellow students about COVID-19 testing, vaccine safety, and the value of booster shots. Alma earned her reputation as a trusted source of information through her internship as a junior community […]