Introduction
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News
Researchers Discover Cancers of Epigenetic Origin without DNA Mutation
Published in Nature, the findings explain in part why, despite an identical genome, an individual can go on to develop differently.
Original research here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07328-w
A Sustainable Approach to Cancer Diagnosis
Using dried serum spots instead of liquid blood storage, the new tool provides an environmentally friendly alternative to cancer diagnosis
A gut bacteria could hold the key to universal blood, revolutionizing transfusion medicine
A recent study published in the journal Nature Microbiology showed that exoglycosidases from Akkermansia muciniphila, a gut symbiont, can target (extended) blood group antigens to produce ABO-universal blood.
New Study Supports Psilocybin’s Potential as an Antidepressant
Psilocybin—the active ingredient in “magic” mushrooms—is a more effective treatment for symptoms of depression than controls, providing further support for its potential as an antidepressant, suggests a recent study published by The BMJ.
Smartphone Surface Swabs Reveal Drug Use Patterns
A proof-of-concept study shows smartphone swabs could provide convenient, noninvasive toxicology testing
Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics Continues to Rise
A five-year study showing an increase in inappropriate antibiotics use highlights need to reduce overuse during viral outbreaks
Glycoengineered stem cells enhance brain recovery after cardiac arrest, study finds
The study led by Xiaofeng Jia, BM, MS, PhD, FCCM, Professor of Neurosurgery, found that the application of modified sugar molecules on human neural stem cells improved the likelihood of the therapy's success.
Study reveals molecular changes in 19 organs due to exercise
The health benefits of exercise are well known but new research shows that the body's response to exercise is more complex and far-reaching than previously thought. In a study on rats, a team of scientists from across the United States has found that physical activity causes many cellular and molecular changes in all 19 of the organs they studied in the animals.
Every Breath You Take: The Journey of Inhaled Plastic Particle Pollution
Study models how micro- and nanoplastics travel from the environment to accumulation hotspots in our lungs
Pet Owner Sends Her Own Cheek Swab Samples to a Pet DNA Testing Laboratory and Gets a Report That She is Part Border Collie and Bulldog
One pet DNA testing company returned results from human cheek swabs showing two different people were in fact part dog. The resulting local reporting calls into question the accuracy of DNA testing of our beloved furry friends and may impact the trust people have in clinical laboratory genetic testing as well.