News Feature Channel: Biotech

Neuro-Oncology Experts Reveal How to Use AI to Improve Brain Cancer Diagnosis, Monitoring, Treatment

Indiana University — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:40:21 EST

An international team of neuro-oncology researchers and clinicians has released new recommendations for good clinical practice regarding the use of artificial intelligence methods to more accurately diagnose, monitor and treat brain cancer.

The Wistar Institute's Education and Training Center Receives $100,000 NIIMBL eXperience Grant

Wistar Institute — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:40:04 EST

The Wistar Institute's Hubert J.P. Schoemaker Education and Training Center was the recipient of a $100,000 eXperience grant from NIIMBL to support an immersive weeklong training program at the Institute.

Personalized Breast Cancer Treatment through Non-Invasive Liquid Biopsy

Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:35:22 EST

In patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer, the molecular classification of their case plays a pivotal role in the formulation of personalized treatment plans aimed at optimizing outcomes. Despite notable advancements in this field, significant challenges persist. Issues such as pre-analytical variability, interpretative ambiguity, and inconsistent threshold definitions hinder accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment decisions. In this context, emerging liquid biopsy technologies present a promising solution.

New Stem Cell Data From Space

Cedars-Sinai — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:45:44 EST

Cedars-Sinai investigators are one step closer to manufacturing stem cells in space, which could speed up the development of new medical therapies on Earth. The first published data from the experiments conducted on a private space mission appeared in the peer-reviewed Nature portfolio journal NPJ Microgravity.

Applications Now Open for 2025 Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Grant Programs

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:40:47 EST

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (MSCRC) announces the release of a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund's (MSCRF) second funding cycle of Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).

"We Need Everyone": New Award Recognizes the Importance of Scientific Community

University of Utah Health — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:30:03 EST

In the lab of Minna Roh-Johnson, PhD, great science and great mentorship are inextricable. Now, up to $250,000 in federal funding from the National Cancer Institute has made that philosophy concrete by advancing cancer research and building scientific community.

Un avance hacia medicamentos y vacunas inhalables de ARNm

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 13:15:37 EST

A la mayoria de la gente no le gusta aplicarse vacunas o inyecciones para recibir tratamientos. Por eso, los investigadores trabajan para crear mas medicamentos, como los que se fabrican a partir de ARN mensajero (ARNm), que puedan pulverizarse e inhalarse. Un estudio publicado en la revista Journal of the American Chemical Society informa sobre los avances para hacer posible los medicamentos de ARNm inhalables. Los investigadores indican que la nanoparticula de polimero lipidico, que es estable cuando se nebuliza y libera aerosoles (gotitas liquidas) en los pulmones de ratones de forma satisfactoria, se optimizo para contener el ARNm.

Association for Molecular Pathology Publishes Joint Consensus Report on SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance for Hospitals and Public Health Laboratories

Association for Molecular Pathology — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:20:53 EST

The Association for Molecular Pathology published a joint consensus report with the Association of Public Health Laboratories that reviews and summarizes standard concepts and best practices for next-generation sequencing methods for SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance.

Human Stem Cell-Derived Heart Cells Are Safe in Monkeys, Could Treat Congenital Heart Disease

University of Wisconsin-Madison — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:55:36 EST

Heart muscle cells grown from stem cells show promise in monkeys with a heart problem that typically results from a heart defect sometimes present at birth in humans, according to new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Mayo Clinic.

UTokyo and NARO Develop New Vertical Seed Distribution Trait for Soybean Breeding

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 09:50:52 EST

We have probably all seen a soybean plant, about 1 meter high with leaves and pods compactly arranged on a main stem with a few short side branches. The wild relative of the domesticated soybean is a long vine with pods widely distributed on many side branches. Plant breeding by farmers thousands of years ago is to thank for this dramatic change.

Discovery of 2,586 Orphan Genes in Rosa Chinensis Provides Insights Into Stress Adaptation and Flower Development

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:50:12 EST

A research team has identified 2,586 orphan genes (OGs) in Rosa chinensis, offering new insights into the role of these unique genes in flower development, stress response, and environmental adaptation.

Gene Therapy Protects Against Motor Neuron Disease in Rats

University of Wisconsin-Madison — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:30:51 EST

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers targeting a group of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases have found success using a gene therapy treatment in an animal model. The approach, which uses CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, offers a unique and promising strategy that could one day treat rare but debilitating motor neuron diseases in humans.

Balancing Act: Nitrogen and Potassium Key to Boosting Apple Photosynthesis

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:35:15 EST

Nitrogen and potassium are fundamental nutrients for plant growth, but imbalances frequently disrupt agricultural systems. In apple orchards, low potassium can severely limit carbon and nitrogen metabolism, impairing photosynthesis and yield. Potassium availability is often reduced by environmental factors such as soil leaching, while nitrogen is frequently over-applied due to its affordability and yield-enhancing effects. Given these challenges, optimizing nitrogen and potassium levels in apple trees warrants further research to counter the negative impact of nutrient imbalances on plant health and productivity.

Flower Power: Lily's Genetic Arsenal Against Devastating Fungus

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:15:38 EST

A pivotal study has uncovered a genetic defense mechanism in lily plants against Botrytis cinerea, the fungus behind gray mold disease. Central to this defense is LlHSFA4, a transcription factor that, when activated, initiates a robust response against the pathogen. This discovery could transform strategies for protecting horticultural crops from severe fungal infections.

Sweet and Sour Science: Citrus Fruit Study Unravels Taste Complexity

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:00:30 EST

Pioneering research has pinpointed key vacuolar transporters in citrus fruits that regulate taste by balancing citric acid and sugar levels. This discovery illuminates the genetic pathways controlling flavor, laying the groundwork for cultivating citrus varieties with optimized sweetness and acidity--a promising development for both consumers and the agricultural sector.

MODMS: A New Multi-Omics Resource for Alfalfa Biological Studies

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:40:54 EST

Alfalfa, a globally significant forage crop, is now the focus of multi-omics database of M. sativa (MODMS), a pioneering multi-omics database aimed at accelerating genetic research and unlocking new insights into its agronomic potential. By integrating data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, MODMS provides researchers a robust platform to explore the crop's complex biological systems and potential applications.

Montefiore Einstein's Marina Konopleva Joins Break Through Cancer TeamLab in Fight Against Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 09:00:49 EST

Marina Konopleva, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Leukemia Program and co-director of the Blood Cancer Institute at the National Cancer Institute-designated Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC), has joined forces with Break Through Cancer, a collaborative medical research foundation that supports teams of scientists as they advance treatments for some of the world's deadliest cancers. Dr. Konopleva will play a pivotal role in the Eradicating Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) TeamLab.

Conifers Are Foundational to Ecosystems Globally, Providing Critical Environmental and Economic Value. Yet, Their Long Life Cycles Slow Traditional Breeding Methods, Positioning Somatic Embryogenesis (Se) as a More Effective Option for Rapid Propagat

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 01:25:01 EST

A newstudy has introduced a novel method for enhancing somatic embryogenesis (SE) in conifer trees, using small molecules to overcome traditional barriers in asexual propagation. This technique is pivotal for advancing forest production and genetic enhancement by addressing challenges in SE initiation and sustaining embryogenic potential.

Decoding Ficus Hispida: New Insights Into Sex Determination in Plants

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:40:04 EST

A recent study in Ficus hispida genomics has unlocked the genetic mechanisms driving this fig tree's unique reproductive system. The fully sequenced genome, a first of its kind for Ficus, reveals critical insights into how sex is determined in these plants--a factor crucial to their survival and ecological role. This research is a milestone for advancing the understanding of dioecy in plants and could open new doors for plant breeding and ecosystem management.

Decoding the Yardlong Bean: A High-Density Genetic Map for Agricultural Advancement

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 10:35:01 EST

A pioneering study has unveiled key genetic drivers behind the valuable traits of the yardlong bean, a nutrient-rich crop favored across Southeast Asia. By mapping traits like anthocyanin content and pod characteristics, this research sets a foundation for improving the nutritional and agricultural value of this essential vegetable.