Secret of squid invisibility used to turn human cells transparent

Of all the superpowers in the animal kingdom, the squid’s ability to turn invisible is one of the coolest. And now scientists at the University of California, Irvine have managed to recreate that in human cells for the first time, granting them tuneabl… Continue reading Secret of squid invisibility used to turn human cells transparent

Insulin-releasing implant prototype could let diabetics ditch needles

Imagine a device that lets people with diabetes use an app or remote control to give themselves a boost of insulin when they need it, without an injection. Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a prototype device that can do just that, using elect… Continue reading Insulin-releasing implant prototype could let diabetics ditch needles

Blocking molecule could prevent “slow burn” organ transplant rejection

Organ transplants are often necessary, but rejection by the recipient’s immune system is an ongoing risk. Now, researchers at Yale have discovered a molecule that plays a key role in triggering a slow-acting type of rejection, which could be blocked to… Continue reading Blocking molecule could prevent “slow burn” organ transplant rejection

Baby receives liver stem cell treatment in world-first clinical trial

In a new clinical trial, a six-day-old baby in Japan has received the world’s first successful transplant of new liver cells derived from embryonic stem cells. The “bridge treatment” kept the infant healthy until old enough to receive a liver transplan… Continue reading Baby receives liver stem cell treatment in world-first clinical trial

Immunotherapy breakthrough recruits more immune cells to fight cancer

The immune system is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer, but sometimes it needs a little extra help. In a new study from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, researchers have developed a new way to summon a wider variety o… Continue reading Immunotherapy breakthrough recruits more immune cells to fight cancer

Bacterial attack system hijacked and controlled with light

Some bacteria are known to inject toxins into host cells using a syringe-like appendage. Past research has found that we might be able to hijack that as a new drug delivery system, and now scientists from the Max Planck Institute have developed a way t… Continue reading Bacterial attack system hijacked and controlled with light

Cell-division helper protein identified as potential cancer target

Cell division is a crucial process in the body, but cancer cranks it into overdrive with often deadly results. Now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a protein that plays a key role in the process, meaning it could be a futu… Continue reading Cell-division helper protein identified as potential cancer target

New technique makes thousands of semi-synthetic photosynthesis cells

Photosynthesis is one of nature’s most useful chemical reactions, so it’s not surprising that scientists often try to mimic it. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute have developed a new way to make hybrid synthetic living cells that can use p… Continue reading New technique makes thousands of semi-synthetic photosynthesis cells

Flipping a protein switch could help hearts heal after an attack

The human body is good at replenishing cells to repair damage, but one vital organ lacks this ability – the heart. But now, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered a suite of proteins in mice that could be swit… Continue reading Flipping a protein switch could help hearts heal after an attack

Cancer immunotherapy clinical trial shows promise, but dangers remain

A novel form of cancer immunotherapy has shown exceptional promise in a new clinical trial. The treatment involves supercharging a patient’s immune cells to fight cancer then reintroducing them to the body, and as many as 93 percent of participants in … Continue reading Cancer immunotherapy clinical trial shows promise, but dangers remain