A novel COVID-19 vaccine using modified bacterial DNA: Experimental vaccine based on altered plasmid DNA produced antibody response in mice that effectively blocked cell infection across all variants of concern tested
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues elsewhere, describe a different way to build a COVID-19 vaccine, one that would, in theory, remain effective against new and emerging variants and could be taken as a pill, by inhalation or other delivery methods. Their findings publish in the July 21, 2022 […]
Marijuana use is much more common in US states that have legalized recreational cannabis use: Highest rates among Americans who smoke cigarettes
A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and The City University of New York found that the rates of cannabis use and daily cannabis use have increased across the U.S., and that current cannabis use and daily use are substantially higher among individuals residing in states that have legalized recreational cannabis use, […]
Men over 40 who regularly eat sunomono more likely to be in lower blood pressure category, study finds: Vinegar-based Japanese side dish provided an opportunity for first observational study of dietary vinegar’s health benefits
An observational study led by Professor Hiroaki Kanouchi from Osaka Metropolitan University presents the first evidence that eating sunomono — a Japanese vinegared side dish — correlates to lower blood pressure categorization in men. “The benefits of vinegar in a healthy diet are well known. Our research is the first observational study of these benefits; […]
Rocking shadows in protoplanetary discs
Astronomers from the University of Warwick reveal a new phenomenon dubbed the “rocking shadow” effect that describes how discs in forming planetary systems are oriented, and how they move around their host star. The effect also gives clues as to how they might evolve with time. Dr Rebecca Nealon presented the new work this week […]
Researchers develop computer model to predict whether a pesticide will harm bees
Researchers in the Oregon State University College of Engineering have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence to help protect bees from pesticides. Cory Simon, assistant professor of chemical engineering, and Xiaoli Fern, associate professor of computer science, led the project, which involved training a machine learning model to predict whether any proposed new herbicide, fungicide […]
Cancer cells can migrate toward certain ‘sweet spot’ environments: Study gives insight into how cancer spreads and provides a tool for developing new treatments
An international team of researchers led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities engineers have found that cancer cells can gravitate toward certain mechanical “sweet spot” environments, providing new insights into how cancer invades the body. The findings could help scientists and engineers better understand how cancer spreads and could improve future treatments. The study is […]
Opinion | ‘The FDA Is Rarely That Clear’: What We Heard This Week
“The FDA is rarely that clear, so this is refreshing.” — Paul Knoepfler, PhD, of the University of California Davis, on the FDA getting tougher on birth tissue injection companies, following a recent warning letter to one company in question. “Everyone is at risk.” — Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, of Washington University in St. Louis, on […]
‘You are what you eat,’ and now researchers know exactly what you’re eating: Matching blood or stool samples to a reference database of foods reveals how much of our body chemistry is traceable to what we consume
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at University of California San Diego, report a new method called untargeted metabolomics to identify the vast number of molecules derived from food that were previously unidentified, but that appear in our blood and our stool. The method, described in the July 7, 2022 issue of Nature […]
Researchers expand understanding of vortex spread in superfluids
An international team of scientists featuring Florida State University researchers has developed a model that predicts the spread of vortices in so-called superfluids, work that provides new insight into the physics that govern turbulence in quantum fluid systems such as superfluid neutron stars. In a paper published in Physical Review Letters, the researchers created a […]
Opinion | ‘A State Can’t Ban an FDA-Approved Drug’: What We Heard This Week
“Arguably a state can’t ban an FDA-approved drug.” — Greer Donley, JD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, on whether state bans on abortions will extend to the abortion pill. “What happens next will require some soul-searching within the oncology community.” — Christopher Booth, MD, of Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, on how […]