September 2022- Volume 18, Issue 9
In this Issue
Editor's Focus
Science comedy gets to the heart of science communication
Science comedy gets to the heart of science communication
Using comedy to talk about technical topics makes science more accessible.
Explained: How does cancer spread?
Explained: How does cancer spread?
Cancer cells acquire new skills to break free of their environmental constraints and spread to new locations in the body.
Genetic Disease
Missing mutations solve a genetic mystery
Missing mutations solve a genetic mystery
In a journey that spanned the genomes of more than 150,000 Icelanders, archival samples, and a fetus in utero, researchers not only identified genetic variants missing from the population, but also proved that these missing mutations cause three rare genetic diseases.
A drug that protects against Alzheimer’s disease may help with Wolfram Syndrome
A drug that protects against Alzheimer’s disease may help with Wolfram Syndrome
Wolfram Syndrome is a rare disease that causes a myriad of challenges, including deafness, diabetes, and depression. New research suggests that an agonist used to treat neurodegenerative disorders may help alleviate some of the symptoms.
Cancer
Electric fields disrupt cancer cell division
Electric fields disrupt cancer cell division
A novel, non-invasive treatment using electrical currents exploits physiological properties of dividing cancer cells to prolong survival and augment current therapies.
Precision Medicine
A worldwide effort to bank patient DNA
A worldwide effort to bank patient DNA
Researchers around the world are on a mission to bank biological samples from millions of people. So far, these efforts have disclosed the effects of arsenic exposure on the genome, supported development of early cancer diagnostics, and even revealed the ideal timing for COVID-19 boosters.
Infectious Disease
Lipoproteins hide Lyme bacteria from the immune system
Lipoproteins hide Lyme bacteria from the immune system
Scientists identified two proteins that help Lyme bacteria evade detection by the human complement system, paving the way for new therapeutics and vaccine targets.
What the Pox is Going On?
What the Pox is Going On?
Monkeypox virus is a close relative of the smallpox virus and the latest zoonotic pathogen to infect human beings.
Understanding plant-based vaccines
Understanding plant-based vaccines
Plants offer several unique advantages for accelerated vaccine production.
