Near-atomic imaging reveals promising target for ‘Brain on Fire’ condition
Scientists have identified a promising target for treatment of a devastating autoimmune disease affecting the brain.
Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes
Physician group releases guideline on biologic management in severe asthma
The American College of Chest Physicians recently released a new clinical guideline on biologic management in severe asthma. Published in the journal CHEST, the guideline contains seven evidence-based recommendations to provide a framework for pulmonol…
Immune response to Epstein-Barr virus linked to brain damage in multiple sclerosis
The immune system’s reaction to the common Epstein-Barr virus can ultimately damage the brain and contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research from Karolinska Institutet, published in Cell. The study provides new insight into the lo…
Gut bacteria protect mice with influenza A from bacterial pneumonia, study finds
Select gut bacteria protect mice against post-influenza virus secondary bacterial pneumonia, according to a study published by researchers in the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University.
TB harnesses part of immune defense system to cause infection, study finds
Scientists have made a discovery that helps explain why humans and animals are so susceptible to contracting tuberculosis (TB)—and it involves the bacteria harnessing part of the immune system meant to protect against infection.
High glutamine levels suppress immune response in head and neck cancer tumors
A novel tumor suppressor, BATF2, can be silenced by factors in the tumor microenvironment, leading to a reduced immune response in five preclinical models of head and neck cancer, according to researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer…
Visual analog scale has comparable validity for perennial allergic, nonallergic rhinitis
The visual analog scale (VAS) demonstrates comparable validity for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) severity and quality-of-life (QoL) impairment, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in The Journal of Allergy a…
How pregnancy and breastfeeding enhance local immunity that cancer-proof the breast
For centuries, physicians observed that nuns, who are celibate, had much higher rates of breast cancer, leading to the theory that pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding might be associated with lower breast cancer risk. Numerous epidemiological stud…
Melanoma cancer cells secrete extracellular vesicles to paralyze immune cells
A new international study led by Prof. Carmit Levy of the Department of Human Genetics and Biochemistry at the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University finds that melanoma cancer cells paralyze immune cells by secreting extracel…
COVID-19 virus manipulates host cell RNA to shut down the immune system, study reveals
Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil have discovered that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, uses a sophisticated tactic to evade the human body’s defense system. In addition to its ability to evade the immune…