CSHL Associate Professor Tobias Janowitz and colleagues identified a circuit connecting the brain and immune system that may be responsible for the sense of apathy many late-stage cancer patients experience. The discovery suggests that existing antibody treatments could be repurposed to improve cancer patients’ quality of life and enable them to better tolerate common cancer therapies.

Scientists have transformed RNA, a biological molecule present in all living cells, into a biosensor that can detect tiny chemicals relevant to human health.

Research by Rutgers University-New Brunswick scientists centers on RNA, a nucleic acid that plays a crucial role in most cellular processes. Their work is expected to have applications in the surveillance of environmental chemicals and, ultimately, the diagnosis of critical diseases including neurological and cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Four University of Texas at Arlington faculty members have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors for their outstanding achievements in innovation. The UT Arlington honorees are Colin Cameron, professor of research in chemistry and biochemistry; Rasika Dias, distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry; Panos Shiakolas, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Baohong Yuan, distinguished professor of bioengineering.

A new review paper explores the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an innovative therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication. With antibiotic resistance on the rise, FMT offers a promising alternative to traditional treatments. The study highlights FMT's role in modifying gut microbiota, reducing adverse effects, and enhancing treatment efficacy. Future research aims to optimize protocols and further investigate FMT’s mechanisms in combating H. pylori infection.

Numerous widely used chemicals induce genetic and epigenetic alterations implicated in various diseases, including cancer. Safety assessment of potential carcinogens is necessary to minimize their hazardous impact. While genotoxicity assays are widely used to evaluate genetic changes, quantification of epigenetic changes requires advanced and expensive sequencing techniques. Researchers from Japan have developed a simple and cost-effective cell-based reporter assay that can quantify chemical-induced epigenetic effects, and enhance the safety evaluation of environmental chemicals.

Medical digital twins are virtual models of the human body that can help predict diseases with high accuracy. However, they are vulnerable to cyberattacks that can manipulate data and lead to incorrect diagnoses. To address this, researchers from Dongguk University developed the Wavelet-Based Adversarial Training (WBAD) defense system. Tested on a breast cancer diagnostic model, WBAD restored accuracy to 98% against attacks, ensuring safer and more reliable medical digital twins for healthcare applications.