Lifeboat Foundation

A team of scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison claim to have 3D-printed functional human brain tissue for the first time.

They hope their research could open the doors for the development of treatments for existing neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

As detailed in a new paper published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, the team flipped the usual method of 3D-printing on its side, fabricating horizontal layers of brain cells encased in soft “bio-ink” gel.

Two decades ago, engineering designer proteins was a dream.

Now, thanks to AI, custom proteins are a dime a dozen. Made-to-order proteins often have specific shapes or components that give them abilities new to nature. From longer-lasting drugs and protein-based vaccines, to greener biofuels and plastic-eating proteins, the field is rapidly becoming a transformative technology.

Custom protein design depends on deep learning techniques. With large language models—the AI behind OpenAI’s blockbuster ChatGPT—dreaming up millions of structures beyond human imagination, the library of bioactive designer proteins is set to rapidly expand.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia have their antibiotic treatment switched early from IV to oral?

Switching to oral antibiotic therapy can be as effective as prolonged intravenous (IV) therapy for several infections, including bone and joint infections and endocarditis (NEJM JW Infect Dis Jan 30 2019 and N Engl J Med 2019; 380:425; NEJM JW Gen Med Apr 14 2020 and JAMA Intern Med 2020; 180:769). European investigators now report results of an open-label, controlled noninferiority trial comparing a switch to oral antibiotics or continued IV treatment after 5 to 7 days of IV therapy in individuals with low-risk Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (e.g., clearance of bacteremia within 72 hours, no evidence of deep-seated focus). Total duration of therapy was 14 days; oral options were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or linezolid; IV options were flucloxacillin, cefazolin, vancomycin, or daptomycin).

The trial was terminated after 213 of 5,063 screened individuals had been enrolled over a 6-year period. Oral therapy was found to be noninferior to IV therapy (in both intention-to-treat and clinically evaluable analyses) for the primary composite outcome of complications from S. aureus infection within 90 days. Two deaths due to S. aureus bacteremia occurred (both in the oral switch group), and 34% of the oral switch group versus 26% of the IV group had a serious adverse event (P=0.29) that was most commonly infectious.

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Study reveals shared brain proteomic signatures in Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy, suggesting common molecular mechanisms that could pave the way for unified therapeutic strategies.

The creation of an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can analyze retinal fundus images to detect chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a groundbreaking advancement in medical technology. This AI model, developed using a substantial dataset of retinal images and advanced convolutional neural networks, has demonstrated exceptional accuracy in identifying these conditions. Its capability extends beyond mere detection, as it also shows promise in predicting the progression of these diseases based on retinal imaging and clinical metadata.

A notable innovation of this AI system is its ability to analyze smartphone images. This feature significantly enhances the accessibility of sophisticated diagnostic tools, especially in regions with limited healthcare resources. The AI model paves the way for more widespread and convenient health screenings by enabling ubiquitous smartphone technology for medical imaging. This development is particularly impactful in enhancing healthcare delivery and access, as it brings critical diagnostic capabilities into the hands of more people, even in remote or underserved areas.

The AI’s proficiency in predicting the future development of CKD and T2DM is another aspect of its novelty. This predictive ability is crucial for timely intervention, potentially altering the trajectory of these chronic illnesses. Early detection and management are vital in battling CKD and T2DM, and this AI model’s predictive power could significantly improve patient outcomes.

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are miniature devices that integrate mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a single silicon chip. These systems serve diverse applications, such as accelerometers in smartphones, gyroscopes in navigation systems, and pressure sensors in medical devices. MEMS devices can detect and respond to environmental changes, enabling the creation of smart, responsive technologies. Their small size, low power consumption, and ability to perform various functions make MEMS crucial in fields like telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, and consumer electronics. Learn more about this tiny machines with this video!

#science #technology #microscopic #nanotechnology #robotics #engineering

Drugs known as antidepressants target the serotonin transporter in nerve cells and are among the most commonly prescribed medicines worldwide, but are sometimes associated with significant side effects. As part of a study, a research group led by Thomas Stockner from MedUni Vienna identified the basic principles of serotonin transport and thus created a possible basis for the development of novel drugs with improved selectivity and with fewer undesirable effects. The results were recently published in the renowned scientific journal “Nature Communications”

While the desired effects of drugs unfold through the interaction with the relevant target structures, the undesirable side effects are often due to a lack of selectivity and therefore due to interactions with other target structures. Accordingly, developing drugs that can differentiate between the various physiologically relevant targets (e.g. transporters and receptors) is one of the challenges for research. A team led by Ralph Gradisch under the supervision of Thomas Stockner from MedUni Vienna’s Center for Physiology and Pharmacology set out to find a way to increase selectivity for the serotonin transporter while reducing interaction with other targets at nerve cells in the brain.

Algae provide a wide range of nutrients that are beneficial for health, including protein, sterols, and vitamins. Numerous health-promoting characteristics, including antioxidant and anti-proliferative actions in relation to algal phenolic and flavonoid concentrations, have been shown by scientific research ^6–9. Produced for both humans and animals, algae and microalgae are often rich sources of fats (especially omega-3 fatty acids and carotenoids), carbohydrates, minerals, enzymes, hormones, and colors ¹⁰.

Health benefits supported by science

Algae have been shown to have multiple health benefits, including the ability to combat microbiological infections, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, owing to their complex nutritional composition. As a result, the market for nutraceuticals generated from algae is growing quickly in the food supplement industry. A major factor in this has also been the idea of algae prebiotics and how they affect the gut microbiota ¹¹.

Some cancer vaccines, such as mRNA-based vaccines, can be personalized and custom-made for each patient. Personalized vaccines—while promising—also have challenges such as cost and long production times. However, a cancer vaccine that could be used as a potential off-the-shelf treatment for certain patients that share specific mutations is an intriguing possibility. The off-the-shelf vaccine could be manufactured in batches and given to patients with minimal delay. It also would be cheaper to produce.

Colorectal and pancreatic cancers—the second and third leading causes of cancer death, respectively—often have mutations in the KRAS protein. Now, a new vaccine shows encouraging early results as a potential off-the-shelf treatment for patients with pancreatic or colorectal cancer, according to a study co-led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).

The vaccine being tested here, ELI-002 2P, is described to enhance “lymph node delivery and immune response using amphiphile modification of G12D and G12R mutant KRAS (mKRAS) peptides (Amph-Peptides-2P) together with CpG oligonucleotide adjuvant (Amph-CpG-7909).”