Medicine

Gut microbe isolated from infertile women disrupts progesterone metabolism, lowering progesterone levels and impairing ovarian follicular development.

Ateneo researchers are looking to turn milkfish skin, a common waste byproduct of the Philippine fishing industry, into an invaluable medical resource.

New formula for hyperfiltration and glomerular filtration rate takes natural decline into account

Researchers from Osaka University have revealed some of the precise mechanisms by which erroneous cells are recognized, marked for removal, and eliminated via apoptosis in developing zebrafish. Notably, they found that the protein Foxo3 may be a universal marker of cell competition in zebrafish and mice. These findings have important implications for congenital disorders, cancer, and aging, and may lead to novel treatments.

Early administration of AHCC at the stage of hepatitis might hold possibility of preventing onset of cirrhosis

Utilizing pericellular and intracellular controlled-release of carboplatin to precisely synergize with reduced-dose radiotherapy, aiming to eradicate malignant gliomas.

Use of automated system in upper extremity paralysis care proves beneficial for patients and medical staff

Enhanced pedicled latissimus dorsi flap technique achieves 100% success rate in high-risk head and neck reconstruction

New research suggesting a link between motor protein Kif23 and microcephaly may be the key to developing more effective treatments for this condition.

The hydrogen atoms of [4Fe-4S] type ferredoxin, one of the electron carriers, have been visualized and both experiments and calculations have revealed the mechanisms that control the redox potential. Aspartic acid (Asp64) located a distance away from the [4Fe-4S] cluster of ferredoxin, was found to be the control switch, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism.

Although crackles have long been regarded as a hallmark finding in physical examinations, this study revealed their unreliability not only among human physicians but also in artificial intelligence systems.

Researchers at Osaka University have identified ARMC5 as a key regulator of fatty acid balance in adipose tissue. ARMC5 degrades non-SCAP-bound SREBP1, activating it to regulate stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), an enzyme essential for fatty acid desaturation. This discovery opens avenues for developing drugs targeting ARMC5 to manage fatty acid levels and improve health outcomes.

Lingnan University will confer honorary doctoral degrees on two leading professors in recognition of their outstanding achievements and valuable contributions to humanity. They are renowned mathematician Prof Yau Shing-tung and distinguished structural biologist Prof Nieng Yan.

A new simulator gives nursing students hands-on practice with vital procedures like mechanical ventilation and tracheal suctioning in children.

International integration of drug-drug interaction information through mapping of Japanese and international drug codes

Conversely, role in controlling cell proliferation might lead to novel tumor therapies in humans

Born from 1995 to 2012, Gen Z is motivated by financial pragmatism, personal achievement, and values-driven work distinctive from older generations.

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and Tohoku University have discovered that PRDX6, a selenium carrier protein, plays a key role in regulating ferroptosis, a form of oxidative cell death. This finding could lead to new approaches in treating cancer by increasing ferroptosis sensitivity and in neurodegenerative diseases by protecting neurons. The study, published in Molecular Cell, highlights PRDX6’s potential as a therapeutic target for both conditions.

• This breakthrough test requires only a small blood sample to track modified T cells in patients over time, ensuring therapies remain effective. • This plug-and-play approach is set to accelerate the development of more T-cell-based therapies and vaccines.

SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin helps oxygenate kidneys while causing glucose removal through urine

Osaka University researchers elucidated the molecular details of how Drosophila larval epidermal cells (LECs) undergo cell death in a controlled manner to regulate epithelial tissue remodeling. Specifically, lower activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway occurs following reduced endocytosis. Decreased EGFR pathway activity allows LECs to switch from undergoing single-cell apoptosis to more widespread cell death in clusters. This supports faster LEC elimination and allows for proper tissue remodeling.

King of nanomaterials, Old but new, Probing stardust properties, Two-in-one, The good grain & Brain-inspired electronic skin. Read all in the latest Editor's Choice.

The two Pseudo-nitzschia species found in Luzon produce a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause severe sickness and permanent short-term memory loss.

National Taiwan University researchers highlight the benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in reducing mortality and severe cardiovascular and renal outcomes for diabetic patients with acute kidney disease (AKD). Using a global dataset and propensity matching, they found significantly lower mortality rates, major cardiovascular events (MACEs), and adverse kidney outcomes (MAKEs) among GLP-1 RA users compared to non-users. These findings underscore the potential for GLP-1 RAs to offer tailored protection against complex diabetic complications, marking an advancement in personalized medicine for managing diabetes-acute kidney disease.

Surgical field expansion plate allows surgeons more independence

A team from Osaka University has developed a large-scale drug screening technique that can track target molecule behavior within cells. The researchers verified their technique by testing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a known target for cancer drugs. Their drug screening resulted in the identification of the known drugs, as well as others that were not previously known to affect EGFR. This new method can potentially help develop new drugs and repurpose existing drugs.

Model mice given extracts and powders show restoration of cognitive and motor functions

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new imagining system to monitor pluripotent stem cells during incubation. The new device — INSPCTOR — uses lens-free imaging technology integrated with thin-film transistors. The device is the same size as a standard culture plate, allowing multiple units to be monitored within a compact incubator. By improving quality control during the growth process, this innovation could help accelerate advancements in customized regenerative medicine.

A research team including Osaka University analyzed wastewater surveillance methods for accurately tracking COVID-19 infection trends. Using wastewater data from Sapporo dating from April 2021–September 2023, they explored survey conditions obtaining strong correlation between viral concentration in wastewater and infection incidence. The study identified key methods, including high-sensitivity analysis and geometric mean data processing, as essential for effective regional surveillance, providing critical insights for future public health monitoring.

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered that GPR31, found in certain immune cells in the human gut, plays a key role in responding to bacterial metabolites and activating immune responses. Specifically, in the presence of metabolite pyruvate, these cells extend dendrites to sample the gut environment, detect pathogens, and activate T cells through GPR31. This discovery could inform the development of new drugs, vaccines, and probiotics that enhance gut immunity by targeting this pathway.