Engineered lettuce may turn injectable GLP-1 therapies into oral pills

Few drugs have entered mainstream awareness as quickly or as dramatically as glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they have since also transformed the therapeutic landscape of obesity and weight management. These medications are clearly effective. They stimulate the release of insulin and … Read more

Nasa robot returning to US for Mars trip after decade of research in Scotland

A humanoid Nasa robot being prepared for Mars will return to the US after a decade at a Scottish university. The robot, named Valkyrie, is 1.8 metres tall, weighs 125kg, and is one of three prototypes in the world. It was named after the Valkyries from Norse mythology, who were said to have led souls … Read more

‘A moment of real possibility’ in Alzheimer’s care — Harvard Gazette

Alzheimer’s disease is widely believed to be caused by accumulating amyloid plaques in the brain, which trigger cascading effects that cause damage. But efforts to reduce amyloid plaques haven’t reversed cognitive decline, causing some to wonder whether something else is going on. Leyla Akay, director of biology at the Boston area startup TAC Therapeutics, is … Read more

Scientists discover how herpes simplex virus softens cells to multiply faster

Herpes simplex virus partially liquifies the tightly packed, gel-like interior of human cell nuclei to copy itself faster, a new study shows. The research centers on how the nucleus of each human cell houses the genetic machinery used to copy DNA-encoded instructions when it divides and multiplies as part of growth. Viruses invade human cells … Read more

New study shows the brain reactivates memories without reaching conscious thought

Researchers have used brain imaging to show how memories can be reactivated in the brain without them reaching conscious awareness, showing that these memories persist even when we think they have been forgotten. Scientists from the University of Nottingham’s School of Psychology used Magnetoencephalography (MEG) to show how our brains reactivate memories even when we … Read more

How the brain’s “parental machinery” fuels social support in mice

Humans and animals share a remarkable capacity to sense when others are in distress and respond with comforting behavior. But the motivation for doing so, and why it sometimes breaks down, has been poorly understood. UCLA Health researchers sought to better understand this in a new study published in Nature that uncovered the brain circuitry in mice … Read more

MSK uncovers how interacting mutations shield breast cancer

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have made an important discovery about how genetic mutations in breast cancer patients can interact and drive resistance to certain drugs called CDK4/6 inhibitors. This finding, published in Nature, suggests a new strategy for predicting and preventing resistance to specific therapies based on the tumor’s genetic profile.  This represents … Read more

Mussel-inspired adhesive prevents organ rejection

A new technology has been developed to suppress immune rejection, the biggest challenge in organ transplantation, without causing systemic side effects. A research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and Ewha Womans University has developed the “Immune-Shield” technology, which directly sprays immunosuppressants onto the surface of organs using mussel-derived adhesive protein. These … Read more

A review of methionine dependency in modern cancer therapy

Methionine restriction (MR) has shown significant promise in cancer therapy because it targets the unique methionine dependency of many tumors. However, despite extensive research on MR, a clear synthesis of preclinical findings and their translation into clinical settings is lacking. This review aims to address this gap by consolidating existing evidence, identifying challenges, and highlighting opportunities … Read more