Diseases

Pathogens hijack host cell functions by expressing or secreting effector proteins, creating environments conducive to their survival and reproduction. These pathogenic microorganisms—including eukaryotic parasites, prokaryotic bacteria, and viruses—express effector proteins that function as their "ammunition depot". These proteins are crucial for pathogen survival and dissemination, enhancing the efficiency of invasion, suppressing the host's immune system, or initiating pathogen replication. For instance, viruses may interfere with host signaling pathways, pushing cells into states that favor viral replication. Similarly, certain bacteria secrete toxins that disrupt the host cell cytoskeleton, facilitating pathogen invasion and spread. Additionally, pathogens can evade immune surveillance by suppressing the host's immune response, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful infection.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the ‘holy grail’ of insulin treatments, a new species that ate like a walrus, and keeping cool in smart, adaptive clothing.

An experimental approach based on universal multi-branch general-purpose convolutional neural network

Ecklonia cava, a brown algae seaweed, is shown to have the ability to protect against neurodegeneration

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are gene transplants that help flies live longer, a COVID-19 treatment using embryonic stem cells, and how a frog named after Darwin likes to get it on.

Applied Microbiology International has announced that it has recruited 11 new Global Ambassadors from around the world.

The anti-tumor drug indisulam has shown promise both in cell cultures and in animal studies. However, clinical trials have shown fewer clear-cut results. Scientists from Hiroshima University Hospital have been researching the reasons behind this resistance to it.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are the smallest and lightest drone that can pave the way for new models, how good intentions may have provoked a heatwave, and how eating fruit can stave off depression.

Combination of venetoclax and azacitidine helps patients with AML who relapse after hematopoietic cell transplant

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how diversity in genetics and our microbiome influences our health, and how the shape of ice makes it slippery

Researchers from Japan discover a new enzyme with promising antibacterial activity

First epidemiological study on incidence of EoE in Japan

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how drug-resistant bacteria survive in space, omnipresent microplastics, and a glowing treatment for brain tumors.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are new biomarkers for fish, quantum theory showing fewer black holes, and how complaining can be beneficial.

Asia Research News monitors the latest research news in Asia. Some highlights that caught our attention this week are how catching up on sleep in big chunks does not completely pay our sleep debt, a biodegradable paper placed on the brain to help with neurological diseases, and a dinosaur that shows the transition between scales and feathers.

Novel real-time PCR method might become diagnostic tool targeting emerging bacterium responsible for food poisoning outbreaks

When epileptic patients suffer seizures, their brain is undergoing repetitive and excessive neuronal firing. But what triggers this has stumped scientists for years. Now, researchers have used fluorescence calcium sensors to track astrocytes' role in epileptic seizures, finding that that astrocyte activity starts approximately 20 seconds before the onset of epileptic neuronal hyperactivity.

Zika virus vaccine targets brain cancer, 120-year quest to farm lobsters, Arctic nightlife bursts with sound, Eating a robot, Molecular orientation is key & New treatment for ALS and dementia. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

Duke-NUS study reveals why some pancreatic and colorectal tumours resist targeted anti-Wnt drugs and suggests how to overcome it, offering new hope to patients with fully treatment-resistant cancers

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in regulating energy supply to cells that drive kidney failure. This discovery concerning the gene, named WWP2, offers a new target for therapies aimed at mitigating kidney scarring and damage.

The 12th Starch Value Chain ASIA conference was held in Vientiane, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, from February 27 to 29, 2024. The conference encompassed four key themes: Asia’s starch markets, industrial and food-grade tapioca starch in Laos with expansion plans, sustainable climate-smart agri-technology for rice and cassava cultivation, and challenges for future growth in Asia's biogas-to-energy sector.

Two rare skin conditions with similar symptoms can be mistaken for each other, so a scoring system has been formulated to aid physicians in distinguishing two diseases

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative diseases that commonly occur in middle-aged people. FTD is second only to Alzheimer's disease in terms of dementia prevalence. Both ALS and FTD arise from neuronal degeneration through mechanisms that remain unclear. Dr. Yun-Ru (Ruby) Chen's team in the Genomics Research Center (GRC), Academia Sinica recently discovered a new pathological mechanism for neuronal degeneration using synthetic peptides. They also discovered that a disaccharide can increase neuronal survival and reduce degeneration. The result provides therapeutic strategies for future treatment of these neurodegenerative diseases. The study was published in the top international journal "Science Advances" on February 23, 2024.

Ancient Mars biomolecules, Gargling away bad bacteria, Molecule glasses magnify life-chemical observations, Cholesterol and cancer link, Quantum electronics leap, Plus our updated Experts for Media: Women list & Asia Research News 2024 is here. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

A new study highlights a potential therapeutic target for immune-related disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and asthma.

In celebration of International Women's Day, we are putting the spotlight on women experts from various fields who are open to speaking with international media about their research and advocacies.

A new user-friendly tool helps researchers explore how gene activity is influenced by chemical modifications, providing insights into disease and paths to new treatments.

MozzHub, a user-friendly dengue hotspot detector, could significantly assist the management and control of dengue.

Applied Microbiology International has announced it will be launching a new series of educational online content called The Microbiologist Masterclass.

Regenerative therapy to treat heart failure is more effective when the mitochondria of the regenerative cells are activated prior to treatment.