March 2022 Volume 18, Issue 3

DDN | March 2022 | Volume 18 | Issue 3

Volume 18, Issue 3 | March 2022

March 2022

In this Issue

Vaccines

Doctor gives vaccine to patient

Scientists investigate the COVID-19 vaccine-menstruation mystery

As reports of disrupted menstrual cycles after COVID-19 vaccinations rose, researchers investigated the connection. Their reports revealed that while vaccine-associated menstrual changes may be small and temporary, knowledge of these potential side effects is vital for public trust.
Close up of mosquito on human skin

Scientists developed a vaccine targeting all mosquito-transmitted diseases

A new vaccine targeting mosquito saliva proteins proved safe and prompted a strong immune response in humans, moving scientists one step closer to halting the transmission of all mosquito-borne pathogens.
Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus

Opportunity and teamwork lead to new staph infection treatments

Victor Torres’ talented lab members joined forces with industry partners to develop treatments and a potential vaccine for lethal Staphylococcus aureus infections.
A baby girl sits in a hospital room wearing a mask as an adult places a hand on her head.

The quest for a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is almost complete

After tragedy struck during a 1960s clinical trial, development of a vaccine for RSV ground to a halt. But as new RSV vaccine candidates enter late-stage clinical trials, a safe and effective vaccine is finally in sight.

Editor's Focus

Close up Scottish fold cat head with shocking face and wide open eyes. Frighten or surprised cat when look at something.

A detective themed video game improves facial recognition skills

People with autism often struggle to understand nonverbal communication. Psychologist Suzanne Scherf wants to help them learn how to interpret this style of communication through the narrative power of video games.
Richard Frye, a neurologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, analyzed the morphology of mitochondria (red) in patient-derived fibroblasts to determine if there was a connection between autism symptoms, mitochondrial function, and mitochondrial morphology.

Researchers connect autism symptoms with mitochondrial morphology

Mitochondria aren’t just the bean-shaped powerhouses of the cell. They are dynamic organelles that modify their structures to match their functions. Now, new research shows that mitochondrial morphology correlates not only with function, but also with symptom severity in autism.

Pediatrics

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that change their morphology in response to the energetic needs of the cell. But in some diseases such as autism spectrum disorder, mitochondria don't appropriately respond, and the resulting metabolic dysfunction contributes to symptom severity.

Infographic: Mitochondria aren't always model employees 

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that change their morphology in response to the energetic needs of the cell. But in some disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, mitochondria don't appropriately respond, and the resulting metabolic dysfunction contributes to symptom severity.
The human Microbiome, genetic material of all the microbes that live on and inside the human body

Tracing autoimmunity’s roots to babies and bacteria

Microbiome researchers seek to predict and prevent autoimmunity in infants.
Mother measuring the temperature of her sleeping daughter

Ultra-rare childhood fevers are no match for this scientist

Recurrent high fevers in children are always worrying, but by studying patient cells, immunologist Lori Broderick hopes to reveal the underlying causes of these disorders.

Editors Insight

Snowshoe hare looking at us on a snowy day

The omicron variant forces scientists to change their course

Just as the delta outbreak subsided, the omicron outbreak peaked. How will we navigate this new pandemic terrain?

Neuroscience

A person wears a green shirt, white lab coat, stethoscope, and black virtual reality goggles.

Virtual reality is the latest trend in digital therapeutics

The FDA approved the first video game prescription in 2020. Since then, researchers are building more “prescription video games.” However, they aren’t sticking to 2D games; they are developing virtual reality experiences.

Milestone

Single-cell sequencing stock image

Milestone: Single-cell sequencing ushers in a new age of biological research

Following innovations in amplification and scaling over the past 30 years, single cell sequencing technologies have permeated all corners of biomedical research, providing cellular insights into diseases such as heart failure or the immune response during COVID-19 infection.
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Gold circles with attached purple corkscrew shapes represent gold nanoparticles against a black background.

Driving gene therapy with nonviral vectors 

Learn why nonviral vectors are on the rise in gene therapy development.
A 3D digital illustration of a viral spike protein on a cell surface, surrounded by colorful, floating antibodies in the background

Milestone: Leapfrogging to quantitative, high throughput protein detection and analysis

Researchers continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible with protein analysis tools.
Blue cancer cells attached to a cellular surface against a bright blue background in a 3D rendering of a cancer infection.

Advancing immuno-oncology research with cellular assays

Explore critical insights into immunogenicity and immunotoxicity assays for cancer therapies.
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