Molecular “off” switch keeps cancer immunotherapy from turning deadly

One of the most promising cancer treatments is CAR T cell immunotherapy, where the body’s natural tumor-hunting cells are supercharged – but it can backfire with potentially deadly results. Now, scientists have engineered these immune cells to have off… Continue reading Molecular “off” switch keeps cancer immunotherapy from turning deadly

Scientists observe live cells responding to magnetic fields for first time

One of the most remarkable “sixth” senses in the animal kingdom is magnetoreception – the ability to detect magnetic fields – but exactly how it works remains a mystery. Now, researchers in Japan may have found a crucial piece of the puzzle, making the… Continue reading Scientists observe live cells responding to magnetic fields for first time

Experimental cancer drug targets mitochondria to starve tumors of energy

Mitochondria are structures inside cells that produce chemical energy – and since cancer cells are particularly energy-hungry, this could be a potential weakness to target. Now, researchers have developed an experimental drug that blocks mitochondrial … Continue reading Experimental cancer drug targets mitochondria to starve tumors of energy

Engineered immune cells prevent type 1 diabetes in mouse study

Researchers at the University of Arizona have adapted a form of cancer immunotherapy to develop a new potential treatment for type 1 diabetes. In mouse studies, the team tweaked immune cells to fight off the rogue T cells that damage insulin-producing … Continue reading Engineered immune cells prevent type 1 diabetes in mouse study

New evidence strengthens link between telomere length, aging and cancer

It’s long been thought that our cells stop dividing as we age as a natural preventative measure against cancer. Now a new study has found an intriguing piece of evidence supporting this hypothesis in genomes from several families that seem to be partic… Continue reading New evidence strengthens link between telomere length, aging and cancer

T cells squeeze fresh drugs into cancer in new immunotherapy treatment

Researchers at EPFL have demonstrated a new method to make immunotherapy a more effective and directed treatment against cancer. The team designed microparticles containing drugs that are only released when T cells physically squeeze them, on contact w… Continue reading T cells squeeze fresh drugs into cancer in new immunotherapy treatment

Gene therapy may help prevent vision loss from genetic eye disease

Researchers in Ireland have developed a new gene therapy treatment that may be able to save the vision of patients with a genetic disease that can lead to blindness. The condition, known as dominant optic atrophy (DOA), currently has no preventative or… Continue reading Gene therapy may help prevent vision loss from genetic eye disease

Cells found to use toxic fat droplets to fight infection

Fat is best known for being an energy storage system, but now researchers have discovered that it plays a previously unknown role in defense against infection. A team from the Universities of Queensland and Barcelona found that cells can use fats to fi… Continue reading Cells found to use toxic fat droplets to fight infection

Scientists knit new artery grafts out of collagen and synthetic fibers

Heart attack patients often need replacements for damaged or blocked sections of coronary arteries, which are usually taken from their own leg veins. But in a new proof-of-concept study, scientists knitted a prototype graft out of hybrid synthetic and … Continue reading Scientists knit new artery grafts out of collagen and synthetic fibers