All Writings

Fueling the Fight: How Ovarian Tumors Drain T Cell Energy

(Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2024)

Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have discovered a way ovarian tumors cripple immune cells: by tampering with their ability to process energy. This insight could pave the way for new immunotherapies that overcome the hurdles of treating solid tumors—an area where breakthrough treatments like CAR ... read full

Overcoming Resistance to Checkpoint Inhibitor Cancer Therapy

(Posted on Friday, October 25, 2024)

Checkpoint inhibitors are a groundbreaking class of cancer treatment, but they come with two frustrating challenges. In some cases, tumors show no initial response, rendering the therapy ineffective from the outset. In others, tumors that respond early on can develop resistance, gradually undermining the treatment’s impact. Both scenarios leave doctors ... read full

Understanding Checkpoints: New Hope For Autoimmunity

(Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2024)

A breakthrough in cancer therapy could unlock a whole new frontier in medicine. Scientists are now exploring an exciting possibility: using naturally occurring checkpoints in the immune system to treat autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. While checkpoints are ... read full

Patti Scialfa's Cancer Diagnosis: What To Know About Multiple Myeloma

(Posted on Wednesday, September 18, 2024)

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 10: Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa attend the 72nd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 10, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions )

Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s ... read full

Extending Telomere Length? A Look At Current Strategies

(Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2024)

In the quest to unlock the secrets of aging and longevity, telomeres have emerged as key players. These protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes play a critical role in cellular aging. With each cell division, telomeres shorten, ultimately leading to cell death. But there are various budding strategies ... read full

New Insights Into Aging: Not All Telomeres Are The Same

(Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2024)

Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes, act much like the plastic tips of shoelaces, preventing our DNA from fraying and sustaining its genetic integrity. However, as cells divide, these telomeres shorten, ultimately leading to cellular aging and dysfunction. This connection between telomere length and aging ... read full

A New Target to Boost Cancer Immunotherapy: LAG-3

(Posted on Tuesday, August 6, 2024)

Emerging research suggests that cancer therapies such as checkpoint inhibitors could be advanced by targeting a new protein. The protein, known as lymphocyte activation gene-3 or LAG-3, may prove particularly useful in improving patient responses to existing cancer treatments. Killing Cancer with Checkpoint Inhibitors Checkpoint inhibitors are an anticancer drug that indirectly ... read full

How Cancer Immunotherapy Checkpoint Inhibitors Work

(Posted on Monday, July 29, 2024)

Skin cancers, lung cancers, lymphomas—though these cancers affect different parts of the body, they can all be treated with one of the latest therapies medicine has to offer: checkpoint inhibitors. This family of anticancer drugs can treat over 25 different types of advanced tumors and can be combined with other ... read full

Cancer Therapy And The Intestinal Microbiome

(Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2024)

A study published in Nature suggests a variation in responses to a cancer immunotherapy called checkpoint inhibitors may be due—at least in part—to a patient’s intestinal microbiome. Turning to the Intestines There are other similar reports that paint a connection between the microbiome—the collection of microorganisms ... read full

A Breakthrough in Osteoporosis Treatment

(Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2024)

In a world where an aging population faces increasing health challenges, a silent epidemic is quietly eroding the quality of life for millions. Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over 50 worldwide, weakening bones and leaving them vulnerable to life-altering fractures. However, as the ... read full

Telomeres, Or How Your DNA Shrinks Over Time

(Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2024)

When it comes to aging, many factors are at play, from lifestyle choices to genetic makeup. One of the key players in this complex process is something you might not have heard much about: telomeres. These tiny structures, found at the ends of our chromosomes, are crucial to our understanding ... read full

Genes Protect Some People From Obesity

(Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2024)

In a world where weight loss methods range from trendy diets to prescription medications, a new genetic study offers a fresh perspective. A rare genetic variation has been found to shield individuals from gaining weight, even on a high-fat diet. This enhances our understanding of the genetic factors behind obesity ... read full

A New Immunotherapy For Cancer: PD-L2

(Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2024)

PD-1 checkpoint proteins on T cells (blue) can bind to two different receptors: PD-L1 and PD-L2.

ACCESS HEALTH INTERNATIONAL There are many ways to climb a mountain. This saying especially rings true in cancer research, where scientists are probing several avenues to combat tumors. One promising strategy involves checkpoint inhibitors, ... read full

Tackling Hard-to-Treat Tumors

(Posted on Tuesday, July 9, 2024)

Solid tumors are notoriously difficult to suppress. They survive and thrive in the body despite best efforts to control them—resisting even the latest immunotherapies such as PD-1 and PD-L1 targeting checkpoint inhibitors. One of the ways researchers are trying to address this problem is by disarming the tumor’s defenses against ... read full

Gene Therapy to Restore Hearing: A New Portal

(Posted on Sunday, July 7, 2024)

One of the most significant hurdles to providing gene therapies for hearing loss is access to the inner ear. Our ears are intricate and feature complex structures that make getting treatment into the cochlea difficult. Recently, a study led by Mathiesen and colleagues has unveiled a novel method for ... read full

Potential Transcriptional Enhancers in Coronaviruses: From Infectious Bronchitis Virus to SARS-CoV-2

(Posted on Thursday, July 4, 2024)

Abstract Coronaviruses constitute a global threat to human and animal health. It is essential to investigate the long-distance RNA-RNA interactions that approximate remote regulatory elements in strategies, including genome circularization, discontinuous transcription, and transcriptional enhancers, aimed at rapid replication of their large genomes, pathogenicity, and immune evasion. Based on the primary ... read full

Forty years of HIV research inspires the development of SARS-CoV-2 therapy

(Posted on Monday, July 1, 2024)

Originally published October 23, 2023. Almost four decades ago, the characterization of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome with the participation of the Haseltine laboratory at Harvard Medical School (Ratner et al., 1985) ushered in the antiretroviral era and established the framework for the genomic- and later multiple omics-based ... read full

Adenoviruses in Gene Therapy & Gene Editing

(Posted on Monday, July 1, 2024)

One of the more exciting opportunities in medical technology is using a virus to carry genetic information in the form of DNA and RNA in the cells. One of the most commonly used viruses is adenoviruses. In fact, adenoviruses account for about 15% of all such efforts. Here, we ... read full

How Your Brain Makes Utilitarian Decisions

(Posted on Thursday, June 27, 2024)

KEY POINTS • The brain’s ventromedial prefrontal cortex compares diverse preferences for utilitarian welfare decisions. • Study shows the brain’s ability to represent others’ preferences, crucial for complex social interactions. • Insights challenge traditional moral philosophy notions, offering potential for more nuanced decision-making. How do you make a choice that will benefit the greatest ... read full

New Hope for Hereditary Deafness: Latest Results

(Posted on Thursday, June 27, 2024)

Approximately 430 million people live with disabling hearing loss, and 26 million individuals are affected by congenital hearing loss, with 60% of cases attributed to genetic factors. Given the large number of people affected by this type of hearing loss, the recent success in treating baby Opal ... read full

6 Ways to Engineer Adenoviruses for Gene Therapy and Vaccines

(Posted on Monday, June 24, 2024)

Once perceived as mere pathogens, adenoviruses have transformed remarkably, becoming indispensable allies in the fight against genetic disorders. In an era where medical innovation is paramount, adenovirus gene therapy is a beacon of hope, offering new avenues for combating genetic disorders through vaccines, gene carrier therapy, and groundbreaking CRISPR technology. This ... read full

A Quick Guide To ‘Social Health,’ And Why You Should Care About It

(Posted on Sunday, June 23, 2024)

Experts talk at length about the importance of physical health: we need to exercise and follow healthy diets, otherwise we risk running into chronic illnesses like cancer or heart disease. The concept of mental health has also been normalized, and with it, therapy and other preventative approaches. Now, it is ... read full

Subconscious Fear: The Role of the Lower Brain

(Posted on Thursday, June 20, 2024)

KEY POINTS

• Fear is essential for survival, but excessive fear can lead to anxiety disorders. • Recent research reveals the cerebellum’s role in fear regulation beyond motor control. • Understanding cerebellar involvement in fear offers insights for anxiety disorder treatments. Fear is a fundamental read full

Things You Should Know About Adenoviruses

(Posted on Monday, June 17, 2024)

Another Approach To Checkpoint Inhibitors: Targeting Receptors

(Posted on Saturday, June 15, 2024)

In a previous story, I discussed a cancer advance called PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors which has proven effective yet imperfect against several tumors. The technology blocks a molecule widely found on white blood T cells. Yet, there is another way to achieve this effect. Normally, this ... read full

In Vivo RNA Injection: A New Treatment for Cancer, Autoimmune Disease and Gene Therapy

(Posted on Friday, June 14, 2024)

Over the last thirty years, protein-based injections and DNA therapeutics accounted for the majority of newly introduced treatments. However, these medicines remain out of reach for many around the world due to high pricing, with some therapies ranging from thousands to several millions of dollars to purchase. A new medical era ... read full

How Your Brain Recognizes Emotion Through Brain Circuitry

(Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Emotion recognition, involving complex brain circuits, is vital for social interaction and survival. • A new study links specific brain regions—the prefrontal and retrosplenial cortex—to emotion processing. • Understanding these circuits may lead to targeted therapies for psychiatric disorders. The ability to recognize human emotions is a fundamental aspect of survival. ... read full

Gut Problems? This Long Noncoding RNA May Be To Blame

(Posted on Monday, June 10, 2024)

It is hard to imagine that millions of years ago, humans and worms derived from a common ancestor. In fact, one study found that we share 70% of our genes with the acorn worm. Although evolution awarded us with appendages and complex sensory systems, ... read full

Breakthrough Reveals New Treatment Target For Alzheimer’s

(Posted on Monday, June 10, 2024)

Despite being the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease globally, Alzheimer’s has been notoriously challenging to prevent, let alone cure. The biggest hurdle for delivering drugs into the brain is the blood-brain barrier. These tiny blood vessels form tight junctions between brain cells to regulate the movement of molecules from the blood ... read full

How 1301B7 Could Contribute To Advanced Vaccine Development

(Posted on Friday, June 7, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 6/7/2024. In the ongoing Omicron era, a new COVID-19 antibody could renew optimism for urgently required SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal therapies. Over the last three years, various versions of SARS-CoV-2 have mutated to bypass the neutralizing effects of monoclonal antibodies. Whenever new treatments received approval ... read full

How Brain Waves Influence Your Memory

(Posted on Thursday, June 6, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Brain waves influence cognitive control and memory formation, informing how the brain manages memory. • Working memory stores and manipulates information temporarily for tasks like learning and decision-making. • Phase-amplitude coupling neurons synchronize with brain waves, aiding cognitive control and memory retrieval. • New findings have implications for therapies and cognitive ... read full

A Deeper Look at Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Checkpoint Inhibitors for Cancer

(Posted on Wednesday, June 5, 2024)

In a previous story, I described pembrolizumab, a PD-1 targeting checkpoint inhibitor, in some detail. Since its launch, several companies have introduced antibodies targeting the same receptor. This article summarizes some of these recent advances and how they work. Fight Cancer with Checkpoint Inhibitors When many cancers ... read full

Battling Loneliness: The New Public Health Crisis

(Posted on Tuesday, June 4, 2024)

There’s a pandemic underway. No, it has nothing to do with viruses or bacteria, or any other pathogen, for that matter. This is a silent pandemic — the pandemic of loneliness. The health consequences, however, are just as serious: social isolation has a bigger impact on mortality than smoking ... read full

Gene Therapy Restores Hearing for Deaf Baby

(Posted on Tuesday, June 4, 2024)

The tale of Opal Sandy, a deaf baby, has captured widespread interest. Restoring her hearing through gene therapy holds potential for individuals with genetic deafness and other inherited conditions. This offers a beacon of hope where conventional treatments have fallen short. Opal Sandy was born with a genetic impairment ... read full

Analyzing the Emergence of Covid Variant KP.2 and Its Potential Impact

(Posted on Friday, May 31, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 5/31/2024. It is clear that SARS-CoV-2, the agent of the Covid-19 epidemic, is here to stay. Like influenza, an easily transmissible respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2 mutates to evade the immune system of those who have been previously vaccinated, infected, or both. The question remains: ... read full

Anti-Cancer Drug Pembrolizumab: Frequently Used Alone or With Other Treatments

(Posted on Monday, May 27, 2024)

A new era of cancer care emerged in the 2010s with the creation of checkpoint inhibitor therapies. These treatments improved the immune system’s innate ability to kill tumors. Pembrolizumab, sold as Keytruda by Merck & Co., was one of the first inhibitors to hit the market. A trailblazer in its ... read full

IJMS Special Issue: RNA in Biology and Medicine

(Posted on Monday, May 27, 2024)

Dear Colleagues, The advent of messenger RNA vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and certain forms of cancer and studies on noncoding RNAs have ushered in an era of medical uses of RNA. This revolution has been heralded by the realization that RNA plays a more fundamental role than ... read full

Meet The ‘Super-Agers’: Seniors Who Defy Cognitive Decline

(Posted on Sunday, May 26, 2024)

It is no secret that cognition begins to decline with age. That one friend’s birthday becomes more and more difficult to remember, and you might start forgetting where you put your glasses or your wallet. Our thinking also begins to slow, occasionally becoming muddled or confused. This is just a ... read full

Are Your Decisions Based on Impulse or Reason?

(Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2024)

KEY POINTS • A recent study uncovered how our brains and behaviors differ when faced with food and money rewards. • Brain regions react differently to rewards, revealing impulse-driven subconscious patterns of decision-making. • Understanding these differences can improve strategies for managing impulsive behaviors and addictions. Every day, we face a range of decisions, ... read full

How To Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case For Vaccines

(Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2024)

According to the World Health Organization, there are approximately 10 million new cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia around the world each year. That corresponds with about 1 new case every 3 seconds. As demographic shifts enable people to live longer, the total number of people living ... read full

Ipilimumab, a Pioneer Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment

(Posted on Monday, May 20, 2024)

In 2011, the first in a new generation of anticancer drugs called checkpoint inhibitors was approved. The drug, known as ipilimumab or Yervoy, stood apart from standard cancer treatments. It worked by thwarting a cancer cell’s ability to fend off immune cell attacks. A new era of cancer care emerged ... read full

Is Long Life Without Disease Possible? A Rare Genetic Syndrome May Point The Way

(Posted on Sunday, May 19, 2024)

We hear the words “genetic mutation” and tense up: if it’s a mutation, it has to be a bad thing, right? Not always. In some cases, a mutation can offer protective or beneficial effects. These types of gene variants are a hotspot of research since they carry the promise of ... read full

Can Ketamine Improve Treatment-Resistant Depression?

(Posted on Friday, May 17, 2024)

KEY POINTS • A new study probes ketamine’s diverse brain impacts for depression treatment insights. • Ketamine shows complex neural patterns, affecting inhibitory and excitatory brain circuits. • Understanding ketamine’s varied responses is crucial for developing personalized depression therapies. Ketamine, a strong anesthetic, is growing increasingly popular for its potential in treating treatment-resistant ... read full

Stress and Intimacy: Perception Colors Behaviors

(Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Stress appraisal influences relationship dynamics, shaping behaviors and feelings in romantic couples. • Perceptions of stress impact conflict resolution, satisfaction, and coping strategies in relationships. • Viewing stress as a challenge rather than a threat can foster intimacy and relationship satisfaction. The way our romantic partners perceive stress impacts our own ... read full

Healthy Lifestyle Can Offset “Unlucky” Genes, Study Finds

(Posted on Tuesday, May 14, 2024)

Some people live to be a hundred or older still. Others aren’t quite so lucky. What separates the two groups? Part of the answer boils down to simple luck: we know that genes play a prominent role in shaping lifespan. For some, this means being naturally predisposed to a read full

From Research to Reality: Gene Therapy for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy

(Posted on Sunday, May 12, 2024)

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time to normal function. I include a full spectrum of chemical, ... read full

The Ethics Of Brain-Machine Interfaces: Concerns And Considerations

(Posted on Friday, May 10, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 5/10/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain-machine interfaces. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, ... read full

Can Vitamin D Improve Cancer Immunotherapy?

(Posted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024)

Whether by rays of sun or through capsules, it’s important for everyone to get their daily dose of Vitamin D. This essential vitamin is known to help the body absorb calcium, the foundation of healthy bones and teeth. New research says this nutrient may possess another unknown benefit: helping the ... read full

Slowing ALS Progression Through Gene Therapy

(Posted on Wednesday, May 8, 2024)

Toward Ageless Muscles: The Stem Cell Solution

(Posted on Tuesday, May 7, 2024)

Thirty marks the spot. Starting at this age, we begin to lose approximately three to eight percent of muscle mass per decade. With it, we also lose strength and mobility. Left unaddressed, this loss of muscle —called ‘sarcopenia’ in the technical lingo— can cause a significant drop in quality ... read full

Fighting Cancer: A Basic Guide to Checkpoint Inhibitors

(Posted on Monday, May 6, 2024)

This article is part of an ongoing series on novel cancer advances, including immunotherapies such as and . Future installments will continue to demystify checkpoint inhibitors and explore the latest research expanding the field. In March 2011, a new cancer advance burst into the ... read full

Methods to Alter Cellular Gene Expression

(Posted on Monday, May 6, 2024)

Harnessing Myokines To Preserve Muscle Power As We Age

(Posted on Sunday, May 5, 2024)

Muscles keep us moving — they are the engine of the body. But as we age, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass, and with it, strength. Slowing this process down is key to a healthy and long life. A recent study offers exciting new insights ... read full

Global Inequities in Access to Drugs Costs Millions of Lives Each Year

(Posted on Friday, May 3, 2024)

The World Health Organization estimates that at least one-third of the world’s population does not have access to essential medicines, resulting in millions of avoidable deaths each year from infectious diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. Barriers to access to these medicines disproportionately affect people in low- and middle-income ... read full

Global Inequities In Access To Drugs Costs Millions Of Lives Each Year

(Posted on Friday, May 3, 2024)

A College Degree Contributes in a Major Way to a Healthier, Longer Life

(Posted on Wednesday, May 1, 2024)

In an increasingly competitive job market, many recent studies have found that a college degree, ... read full

A College Degree Contributes in a Major Way to a Healthier, Longer Life

(Posted on Tuesday, April 30, 2024)

This story is part of a series on health inequities in the United States and their impact on length of life. These articles will focus specifically on factors related to poverty, race, and geography. In an increasingly competitive job market, many recent studies have found that a college degree, which was ... read full

A New Weapon Against Cancer: Checkpoint Inhibitors, the Double-Edged Sword

(Posted on Monday, April 29, 2024)

This article joins a growing series on mono cancer treatments, including novel immunotherapies such as and . Cutting-edge technologies have transformed the way we treat cancers. While chemotherapy and other traditional treatments directly interfere with cancer cells, immunotherapies born in recent decades empower the body’s inherent ability to counter tumors. ... read full

Is Telepathy Possible? Perhaps, Due To New Technology

(Posted on Monday, April 29, 2024)

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain-machine interfaces. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time. I ... read full

A Better Concept For mRNA Vaccines: Self-Amplification

(Posted on Monday, April 29, 2024)

Schematic representation of how self-amplifying RNA works. This article was originally published on Forbes on 4/29/2024. Despite the apparent success of Covid mRNA vaccines, fundamental issues remain. The limitations of the current Pfizer and Moderna vaccines include short lifetime, substantial cold chain requirements, and lack of mature B and T cell responses ... read full

Survival Rates Following Hip Fracture Worse Than For Many Cancers

(Posted on Sunday, April 28, 2024)

Bones are the very foundation of our bodies, the scaffolding upon which everything else depends for support and structure. But with age, bones become more porous, increasing the risk of fractures and breaks. Although these may seem like minor injuries, they are anything but. An eye-opening new study reveals ... read full

Stress Contagion: Does Observing Others’ Anxiety Affect You?

(Posted on Saturday, April 27, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Watching stress-inducing tasks leads to higher cortisol levels. • Managing stress is crucial for individual well-being and productivity. • Providing workers with stress management skills could prevent them from spreading their stress to colleagues. When you observe a person who is stressed, sometimes you begin to feel stressed yourself, even if ... read full

Are You Blind and Deaf to Your Feelings?

(Posted on Saturday, April 27, 2024)

KEY POINTS • The brain’s emotional responses persist without sight or sound, illuminating innate processing. • Plasticity in the brain allows it to adapt to sensory deprivation. • The study results can inform interventions for sensory impairments. Humans rely on the five senses to make sense of the world around us, including understanding our ... read full

Heartfelt Appreciation: How Thanks Can Heal Your Heart

(Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2024)

KEY POINTS • A new study finds workplace appreciation linked to lower cardiovascular disease risk. • Stress from lack of appreciation may increase heart disease risk. • Recognition and gratitude promote employee well-being and heart health. Part of a series on . What if just a few words of appreciation could slow down the read full

Can Your Immune System Be Rejuvenated? Yes, Says New Research

(Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2024)

During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, the rate of serious illness and death was jarringly high in older populations. Why? Weakening immune systems — as we age, we become more vulnerable to infections, and the effectiveness of vaccination drops. New research suggests we may be able to reverse the trend. ... read full

Gene Therapy: Non-Viral Vectors

(Posted on Tuesday, April 23, 2024)

Checkpoint Inhibitors: A New Hope for Cancer Treatment

(Posted on Monday, April 22, 2024)

This article is part of an ongoing series on checkpoint inhibitors, a novel cancer immunotherapy. Here, we explore the history behind this revolutionary discovery. Future installments will delve deeper into the treatment’s mechanism and the latest research expanding the field. Twenty years ago, people battling aggressive cancers faced limited treatment ... read full

Gene Therapy Methods Explained

(Posted on Sunday, April 21, 2024)

Decoding Nature and Nurture: Insights from Twin Studies

(Posted on Saturday, April 20, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Twin study using brain imaging reveals genetic influence on cognition, with less impact on emotion processing. • One notable finding suggests genetics play a role in distinguishing between disgust and fear. • Understanding genetic and environmental interactions can inform mental health interventions. The nature versus nurture conundrum is an eternal ... read full

Gene Therapy, DNA's Past, RNA's Future: A New Wave Of Hope

(Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2024)

Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Transmitted By Blood And Organ Donations?

(Posted on Monday, April 15, 2024)

Alzheimer’s is not thought of as a transmissible illness — someone with the disease cannot suddenly “infect” someone else, just as someone with a broken arm cannot pass on their injury to others. This is taken to be common knowledge. A new study may force us to add an ... read full

Toward a Universal Covid Vaccine

(Posted on Wednesday, April 10, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 4/10/24. The continued evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into new variants, each as or more infectious than the last, underscores the ongoing need to update our vaccine defenses against the virus. While updated vaccines work against the variant for which they are designed, the virus ... read full

Mapping the Mind: Advances in Understanding Speech Production

(Posted on Monday, April 8, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 4/8/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in neuroscience. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured ... read full

Gene Therapy, DNA's Past, RNA's Future: The Golden Era

(Posted on Sunday, April 7, 2024)

Can Artificial Intelligence Help Eliminate Health Disparities?

(Posted on Saturday, April 6, 2024)

only has it been used to improve individual health outcomes by streamlining diagnosis and treatment, but recent studies have begun to explore its ability to improve public health outcomes as well. Current research seeks to understand the potential of AI models to improve health inequity by addressing social determinants of health ... read full

Gene Therapy, DNA's Past, RNA's Future: The Lost Years

(Posted on Thursday, April 4, 2024)

Gene Therapy, DNA's Past, RNA's Future: A Time Of Promise

(Posted on Tuesday, April 2, 2024)

Gene Therapy, DNA's Past, RNA's Future: Early History

(Posted on Monday, April 1, 2024)

How Old Are You Really? New ‘Aging’ Clock Provides Clues

(Posted on Monday, April 1, 2024)

We age along two clocks: a chronological clock and a biological clock. The former is just a measure of how many birthdays you have celebrated — the age on your passport or driver’s license. The latter, on the other hand, gives a picture of your true age at the biochemical ... read full

Can Artificial Intelligence Help Eliminate Health Disparities?

(Posted on Monday, April 1, 2024)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become one of the most promising new tools in healthcare. Not only has it been used to improve individual health outcomes by streamlining diagnosis and treatment, but recent studies have begun to explore its ability to improve public health outcomes as well. Current research seeks to ... read full

Study Sheds Light On New Lung Cells

(Posted on Sunday, March 24, 2024)

This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body’s inner workings, potentially changing the way we teach and learn about it in the future. This new series of articles on human anatomy is a ... read full

What to Do About Your Anxiety: The Answer May Be in Your Gut

(Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2024)

KEY POINTS Social anxiety disorder correlates with distinct differences in gut microbiomes. Microbiomes affect behavior via the gut-brain axis, impacting mood and mental health. Prioritizing a healthy gut may offer new treatments for psychiatric disorders like social anxiety disorder. You’re likely familiar with the “gut feeling” of read full

Is It Worth the Chance? How Your Brain Weighs the Options

(Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2024)

KEY POINTS • Research links dopamine to reward-seeking behavior, even when consequences are negative. • Understanding dopamine’s influence on behavior offers insights into addiction mechanisms and treatments. • Dopamine’s role in consumer behavior can influence marketing strategies and decision-making processes. Why do we chase a positive feeling, even when we know the risks might ... read full

Bioinformatics Insights on Viral Gene Expression Transactivation: From HIV-1 to SARS-CoV-2

(Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2024)

Full paper available on Int. J. Molecular Sciences. Abstract Viruses provide vital insights into gene expression control. Viral transactivators, with other viral and cellular proteins, regulate expression of self, other viruses, and host genes with profound effects on infected cells, underlying inflammation, control of immune responses, and pathogenesis. ... read full

Understanding Your Feelings: A Study of Emotional Language

(Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2024)

KEY POINTS • A recent study identified four central “emotional hubs” that connect various emotion words across languages. • The study reveals shared emotional meanings in various languages, enhancing understanding across cultures. • Understanding language can improve counseling and marketing and enhance AI’s understanding of human emotion. Within the rich tapestry of human experience, ... read full

Sleep Promotes Brain Health. Now We Know Why

(Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2024)

This article is part of an ongoing series on aging and longevity. Here, we take a peek at how sleep impacts brain health and helps minimize cognitive decline. Other articles have touched on cell senescence, bone and muscle maintenance, heart health, DNA damage, and a number of other topics. We all ... read full

Link Between Eyes & Brain Immunity Discovered

(Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2024)

You May Think You Know Your Small Intestine

(Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2024)

How Insights In The Eyes Of Mice Will Help The Eyes Of Men

(Posted on Saturday, March 9, 2024)

This piece is part of a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision. This story also starts a series exploring the complexities of human anatomy and physiology. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body’s inner workings, potentially changing the way we ... read full

Breathe Easier: How Science is Uncovering the Mysteries of Allergies

(Posted on Friday, March 8, 2024)

Picture yourself stepping outside on a peaceful spring morning but suddenly experiencing a barrage of sneezes and itchy eyes; the air is saturated with minuscule particles of pollen, each seeming to launch a full-scale attack on your immune system. Every breath feels like an invasion, triggering a barrage of allergic ... read full

The Power Of Precision Medicine: Hydrogel-Based Therapy For Retinitis Pigmentosa

(Posted on Friday, March 8, 2024)

This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece is part of a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured by ... read full

Confronting the Silent Threat of Eye Cancer

(Posted on Thursday, March 7, 2024)

How Do We Remember? Association Is The Key

(Posted on Wednesday, March 6, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 3/6/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in neuroscience. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, injured ... read full

You Are What You Eat? How Diet Boosts Brain Health

(Posted on Wednesday, March 6, 2024)

This article on dietary restriction is part of a longer series covering all things aging and longevity. Other articles in the series have touched on cell senescence, bone and muscle maintenance, heart health, DNA damage, and a number of other topics. “You are what you eat”, so the saying goes. But ... read full

What is Growing in My Eye?

(Posted on Tuesday, March 5, 2024)

Light And Sound May Help Treat Alzheimer's Disease, Here's How

(Posted on Monday, March 4, 2024)

This article is part of a small series on 40-hertz brain stimulation for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The first in the series can be read , and the second, . It is also part of a larger, ongoing series on aging and longevity. Alzheimer’s disease and ... read full

Regaining Speech: Implementing Neuroprosthetic Solutions

(Posted on Monday, March 4, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 3/4/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in neuroprosthetic technology. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, ... read full

Gene Therapy for a Neurological Disease: Rett Syndrome

(Posted on Sunday, March 3, 2024)

Gene therapy may offer hope for people with a rare childhood disease called Rett syndrome. Around one in 10,000 girls are born each year with Rett syndrome, a rare genetic condition that impacts brain development. People with Rett syndrome grow without issue for a time before severe problems with speech, ... read full

See Clearly At Any Age With Spiral Contacts

(Posted on Saturday, March 2, 2024)

Molecular “Super Glue”? How Our Body Repairs Broken DNA

(Posted on Friday, March 1, 2024)

We don’t exactly know why we age; we know what aging looks like —the “symptoms”, so to speak— but the root causes remain foggy. One leading hypothesis is that the changes associated with old age, both external and internal, are a result of accumulating DNA damage. As this damage ... read full

What is that New Machine Your Eye Doctor is Using and Why: Electroretinography

(Posted on Friday, March 1, 2024)

Shorter Lives for New Mothers and Neonates: Prenatal and Postnatal Care Inequities

(Posted on Tuesday, February 27, 2024)

Poverty is one of the most influential contributors to health inequities, or socially driven differences in health status. Lack of health insurance is often the result of poverty and can put some Americans at a higher risk of early death. Here, we see that this risk can be even greater ... read full

Health Inequities in America: Health Insurance

(Posted on Sunday, February 25, 2024)

This story is part of a series on health inequities in the United States and their impact on length of life. These articles will focus specifically on factors related to poverty, race, and geography. APAANA.COM In both the United States and globally, poverty is a primary determinant of length of life. Poverty, ... read full

Hands-On Solutions: Applying Prosthetic Sensory Technology In Rehabilitation

(Posted on Friday, February 23, 2024)

University of Houston / Robotic hand reaching for a glass of water. This article was originally published on Forbes on 2/23/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in prosthetic sensory feedback. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of ... read full

Novel Treatment For Damaged Corneas: Cell Therapy

(Posted on Friday, February 23, 2024)

Fight Against Aging And Disease With Targeted Spectroscopy In The Eye

(Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2024)

Direct Administration of CRISPR-Cas9: Tools for Cell and Gene Therapy

(Posted on Monday, February 19, 2024)

Newly published research offers a novel technique to address a classic problem. Several of the latest cell-based gene and cancer therapies suffer similar drawbacks. The first is that cell manipulation occurs outside the body, a lengthy process that requires extracting, purifying, and altering cells in a specialized lab before reintroducing the ... read full

Why Do We Age? DNA Damage A Likely Cause

(Posted on Sunday, February 18, 2024)

This story is one of many exploring recent advances in the science of longevity and aging. The following few articles in the series, including this one, will focus on the relationship between genetics and longevity; Which genes are involved in aging and longevity? How are they involved? What are the ... read full

Understanding the Ocular Impact of Steven-Johnson Syndrome

(Posted on Friday, February 16, 2024)

Post-Stroke Recovery: Can Stimulation Of The Vagus Nerve Help?

(Posted on Friday, February 16, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 2/16/2024. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in vagus nerve stimulation. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by ... read full

New Hope For Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

(Posted on Thursday, February 15, 2024)

The most common form of ovarian cancer is also the most aggressive. These fast-growing cancer cells initially respond well to standard care—surgery, chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies and drug inhibitors—but around 70% of patients experience relapse within three years of treatment. A new study turns to mRNA injections as ... read full

Artificial Intelligence to Manage the AMD Burden

(Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2024)

By 2040, 288 million people worldwide are projected to have age-related macular degeneration (AMD).1 The increasing number of AMD cases calls for more frequent eye examinations. As a result, ophthalmologists will need more time to analyze patient data due to the heavier workload. However, there is promise in using artificial ... read full

Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Premature Infant's Vision

(Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2024)

What Is Your Risk For Parkinson’s Disease? Your Genes Hold A Clue

(Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2024)

Conquer Morning Sickness: How a New Discovery Can Help You Manage Pregnancy-Related Nausea and Vomiting

(Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2024)

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is a common occurrence, affecting approximately 70% of women. However, for some, this condition can be severe and life-threatening, leading to hyperemesis gravidarum, which is a type of hyperactive vomiting, a diagnosis given when symptoms are severe enough to limit daily activity, cause ... read full

How CRISPR Can Help Cure Herpetic Stromal Keratitis

(Posted on Friday, February 9, 2024)

Say Goodbye To Traditional Transplants: The Superiority Of DALK In Treating Keratoconus

(Posted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024)

A Deeper Look At The Cornea And Corneal Transplants

(Posted on Tuesday, February 6, 2024)

Sniffing Female Tears Reduces Male Aggression

(Posted on Sunday, February 4, 2024)

KEY POINTS Tears emit a social chemical signal that is picked up by the olfactory system and lowers aggression in males. Chemical signals in tears strengthen the connection between the aggression and olfactory parts of the brain. This study suggests that tears are a chemical means of protecting against aggression ... read full

Restoring Sight with Science: The Promising Future of Corneal Infection Treatment

(Posted on Saturday, February 3, 2024)

Visual Plasticity: How Our Eyes Adapt And Change To New Stimuli

(Posted on Friday, February 2, 2024)

Sniffing Female Tears Reduces Male Aggression

(Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2024)

KEY POINTS 1. Tears emit a social chemical signal that is picked up by the olfactory system and lowers aggression in males. 2. Chemical signals in tears strengthen the connection between the aggression and olfactory parts of the brain. 3. This study suggests that tears are a chemical means of protecting against aggression ... read full

Discover The Connection Between Migraines And Your Eyes: New Study Reveals Link And Potential Biomarkers

(Posted on Monday, January 29, 2024)

Fight Your Blood Cancer: Early CAR NK Therapy Clinical Results

(Posted on Monday, January 29, 2024)

Natural killer cells targeting tumor cells without deliberate immunization or activation.

GETTY A robust, ready-made and cell-based cancer therapy inches closer to reality in light of recent progress. Researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center released results from their Phase I/II clinical trial on CAR ... read full

Bioinformatics Insights on Viral Gene Expression Transactivation: From HIV-1 to SARS-CoV-2

(Posted on Sunday, January 28, 2024)

Abstract Viruses continue to provide vital insights into the field of control of gene expression. Viral transactivators, in concert with other viral and cellular proteins, regulate expression of self, other viruses, and host genes with profound effects on infected cells, underlying inflammation, control of immune responses, and pathogenesis. The multifunctional Tat ... read full

How To Protect Your Aging Eyes

(Posted on Friday, January 26, 2024)

Fuzzy, Cute, and ... Viral? Bats A Likely Source Of Future Pandemics

(Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2024)

One of the many lessons from our —ongoing— battle with Covid-19 is that viral transfer from wild animals to humans, known as zoonosis, is a very real threat. And this isn’t the first time it’s happened: SARS-CoV-1, AIDS, and Ebola can all be put into the same category. Indeed, roughly ... read full

Battery-Free Implants: Powering Bioelectronics By Ultrasound

(Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 1/23/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in bioelectronic devices. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, ... read full

A Promising New Approach For Glaucoma

(Posted on Tuesday, January 23, 2024)

New RNA Interference Therapy Promises To Slice High Blood Pressure

(Posted on Monday, January 22, 2024)

Nearly 1.3 billion adults around the world have clinically high blood pressure, many of whom may be unaware that they are living with this condition. As a measure of the pressure that blood exerts on the walls of the circulatory system, blood pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day in response ... read full

Can CAR T Therapy Be Delivered By Direct Injection?

(Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2024)

CAR T therapy, a powerful cancer treatment hindered by high manufacturing costs, may find accessibility using direct viral injections.

GETTY What if CAR T cells, revolutionary cancer fighters normally manufactured in the lab, could be created inside the patient? This quest to simplify CAR T therapy has brought two biotech ... read full

Study Identifies Genes Involved In Healthy Aging

(Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2024)

Combating Alzheimer’s With Focused Ultrasound Drug Delivery

(Posted on Friday, January 19, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 1/19/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in Alzheimer’s therapy. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by disease, ... read full

Safeguarding the Senses: The Importance of Early Treatment for Pediatric Cataracts

(Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2024)

Progress in Treating High Cholesterol: Clinical Trial Interim Results

(Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2024)

High cholesterol can cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Over time, this can lead to heart attack. One clinical trial aims to lower LDL cholesterol for a lifetime with a single infusion of gene-editing RNA.

GETTY A new, CRISPR-powered gene therapy seeks to rewrite ... read full

Advances In Managing Paralytic Strabismus: A Look Toward The Future

(Posted on Tuesday, January 16, 2024)

Beyond Patching: Exploring Diverse Treatment Options For Amblyopia

(Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2024)

Cre-LoxP: Issues Modulating Genes in the Immune System

(Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2024)

Cre-loxP, a powerful tool for preclinical cancer research, possesses intrinsic pitfalls that can alter result accuracy, according to an editorial paper in Oncoscience.

GETTY Cancer and other diseases could be treated by turning certain genes on and off in the immune system. The method used to activate and inactivate these ... read full

Using Responsive Deep Brain Stimulation for OCD

(Posted on Friday, January 12, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 1/12/24. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain stimulation therapies. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore normal function to tissues and organs damaged by ... read full

The Growing Global Epidemic of Childhood Myopia: Is Atropine the Answer?

(Posted on Thursday, January 11, 2024)

The Interconnected Body: How the Eyes Reveal Signs of Cardiovascular Disease

(Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2024)

Genetic Lottery? Some Versions Of FOXO3 Help Extend Lifespan

(Posted on Tuesday, January 9, 2024)

This story is one of many exploring recent advances in the science of longevity and aging. The following few articles in the series, including this one, will focus on the relationship between genetics and longevity: Which genes are involved in aging and longevity? How are they involved? What are the ... read full

Illuminating the Options for Treating Night Blindness

(Posted on Saturday, January 6, 2024)

Muscle Memory: Peeling Back the Layers of EMG Sensors in Prosthetics

(Posted on Friday, January 5, 2024)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 1/5/2024. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain-machine interfaces. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been ... read full

New Hope for Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Advances in Alternative Therapies

(Posted on Friday, January 5, 2024)

Beyond Traditional Treatments: Laser Therapies for Diabetic Macular Edema

(Posted on Wednesday, January 3, 2024)

A New Class Of Suppressive T Cells Promotes Self Recognition and Prevents Autoimmunity, Plus a Warning

(Posted on Tuesday, January 2, 2024)

Regulatory T cells protect the body from misdirected or overly excited immune responses. A new study highlights previously unknown characteristics of these cells that could guide the development of Treg-based immunotherapies.

GETTY This story on regulatory T cell function and its therapeutic potential falls within a greater series on regenerative ... read full

A New Light Therapy Approach May Improve Alzheimer’s Symptoms

(Posted on Monday, January 1, 2024)

As one of the most common neurological diseases around the world, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms are subtle, progressive, and irreversible. Memory loss and impaired cognition are some of the first markers of disease. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease often report other non-cognitive symptoms, such as reduced sleep, increased agitation, and mood ... read full

Fight Against Macular Edema: The Power of Antibodies Unleashed

(Posted on Monday, January 1, 2024)

Resolvins: Firefighters In The Battle Against Chronic Inflammation

(Posted on Saturday, December 30, 2023)

This story is one of many exploring recent advances in the science of longevity and aging. Topics include musculoskeletal health, cognitive health, genetic predisposition to disease, inflammation, and many others. Inflammation is a complex, multi-step process. Like an elaborate domino setup, several different molecules need to act together to stimulate and ... read full

Next-Gen Brain Implants: Overcoming Challenges For A Seamless Connection

(Posted on Friday, December 29, 2023)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 12/29/23. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain-machine interfaces. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been ... read full

Tackling Thyroid Eye Disease with Teprotumumab

(Posted on Thursday, December 28, 2023)

A Clearer Future for Eye Floaters

(Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2023)

“Know Thyself”: How Genetic Testing Can Help Extend Your Lifespan

(Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2023)

This story is one of many exploring recent advances in the science of longevity and aging. Whereas prior articles in this series have focused on musculoskeletal aging, this article marks a shift toward the topic of genetics. Which genes are involved in aging and longevity? How are they involved? What ... read full

Understanding Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy

(Posted on Monday, December 25, 2023)

Seeing the Unseen: Unraveling the Mysteries of Color Perception

(Posted on Saturday, December 23, 2023)

Walking The Path To Recovery: The Future Of Parkinson's Care

(Posted on Friday, December 22, 2023)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 12/22/23. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in brain-machine interfaces. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been ... read full

MicroMachines: Advances In Biorobotic Regenerative Medicine

(Posted on Friday, December 22, 2023)

This article was originally published on Forbes on 12/22/23. This story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece discusses advances in robotics. In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been damaged ... read full

Electrifying Results: Restoring Partial Color Vision in Retinitis Pigmentosa Patients with Retinal Implants

(Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2023)

CAR T Therapy May Cause Rare Cancer & How CRISPR Could Be The Solution

(Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2023)

Could CAR T Therapy, an innovative treatment for certain blood cancers, cause lymphoma? Reports from clinical trials and data released after product approval suggest that the treatment could trigger the development of cancerous T cells in rare cases. Although the therapy’s benefits continue to outweigh this potential danger, the read full

A Colorful Cure: How Gene Therapy Is Treating Blue Cone Monochromacy

(Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2023)

Relief for Lower Back Pain May Be On the Way for Millions