February 2022- Volume 18, Issue 2
In this Issue
Editor's Focus
Aloe vera may soothe bladder pain
Aloe vera may soothe bladder pain
An upcoming clinical trial will test the effectiveness of a highly concentrated aloe vera pill to relieve the painful bladder symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis.
A live parasite vaccine for deadly leishmaniasis
A live parasite vaccine for deadly leishmaniasis
A GLP-grade non-replicative Leishmania major parasite protects hamsters from lethal leishmaniasis infection, setting the stage for human clinical trials and the first potential vaccine for leishmaniasis.
Infectious Disease
Red blood cells sometimes behave like immune cells
Red blood cells sometimes behave like immune cells
Red blood cells may play a role in COVID-19 and other infections.
Biometric data from smartwatches might predict COVID-19
Biometric data from smartwatches might predict COVID-19
A bioengineer mines the biometric data from smartwatches and smartphones to find digital biomarkers for respiratory infections like COVID-19.
Bioengineering
Researchers use actin to develop synthetic condensates
Researchers use actin to develop synthetic condensates
Cell membranes act as containers for cell contents. Synthetic cells need them too. Researchers developed a new vessel that uses an unusual border: actin.
Engineers developed a blood brain barrier on a chip
Engineers developed a blood brain barrier on a chip
When a research question can’t be answered using the tools available, bioengineer Kiana Aran makes new tools. Recently, she developed a new type of brain-on-a-chip to answer questions about the blood brain barrier.
Women's Health
Anti-Müllerian hormone may be the next big thing in women’s health
Anti-Müllerian hormone may be the next big thing in women’s health
A hormone only discussed among specialized scientists is making a big splash in the ovarian health field. It may soon become a household name.
What cows can tell us about aging eggs
What cows can tell us about aging eggs
Aging is the ultimate Achilles heel. But researchers used cows to understand how mammals age and to look for a way to slow the effects of time.
Immunotherapy
The race to develop more effective IL-2 cancer therapies
The race to develop more effective IL-2 cancer therapies
Immunotherapy was a game-changer for the cancer field, but immunotherapies using cytokines like IL-2 often cause severe side effects. Researchers are developing a newly engineered blueprint to improve the therapeutic efficacy and safety of IL-2 and other cytokines.
