Cambridge scientists have created a breakthrough material that can sense tiny chemical changes in the body, such as the increased acidity during an arthritis flare-up, and release drugs exactly when and where they’re needed. By mimicking cartilage while delivering medication, this smart gel could ease pain, reduce side effects, and provide continuous treatment for millions of arthritis sufferers.
Read moreFor decades, scientists believed Alzheimer’s was driven mainly by sticky protein plaques and tangles in the brain. Now Purdue researchers have revealed a hidden culprit: fat. They found that brain immune cells can become clogged with fat, leaving them too weak to fight off disease. By clearing out this fat and restoring the cells’ defenses, researchers may have uncovered an entirely new way to combat Alzheimer’s — shifting the focus from plaques alone to how the brain handles fat.
Read moreA new wearable device, a-Heal, combines AI, imaging, and bioelectronics to speed up wound recovery. It continuously monitors wounds, diagnoses healing stages, and applies personalized treatments like medicine or electric fields. Preclinical tests showed healing about 25% faster than standard care, highlighting potential for chronic wound therapy.
Read moreAI-powered analysis of routine blood tests can reveal hidden patterns that predict recovery and survival after spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough could make life-saving predictions affordable and accessible in hospitals worldwide.
Read moreScientists have discovered that cancer uses a hidden hormone to switch off the body’s natural defenses, allowing tumors to grow unchecked. By uncovering this secret signal, they found a way to block it and restore the immune system’s ability to fight back. The breakthrough not only hints at powerful new cancer treatments but also suggests the same pathway could someday be used to calm autoimmune diseases.
Read moreAlcohol doesn’t just damage the liver — it locks its cells in a strange “in-between” state that prevents them from healing. Even after someone quits drinking, liver cells often get stuck, unable to function normally or regenerate. Scientists have now traced this problem to runaway inflammation, which scrambles the cell’s instructions and silences a key helper protein. By blocking these inflammatory signals in lab tests, they were able to restore the liver’s healing ability — a finding that could point to new treatments beyond transplants.
Read moreScientists have created a perovskite-based gamma-ray detector that surpasses traditional nuclear medicine imaging technology. The device delivers sharper, faster, and safer scans at a fraction of the cost. By combining crystal engineering with pixelated sensor design, it achieves record imaging resolution. Now being commercialized, it promises to expand access to high-quality diagnostics worldwide.
Read moreA sweeping analysis of nearly 10,000 patients reveals that knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise stand out as the most effective non-drug therapies for knee osteoarthritis. Unlike common pain medications that carry risks, these low-cost and accessible options reduce pain, improve mobility, and could shift treatment guidelines toward safer, drug-free approaches.
Read moreResearchers have created a two-stage acne patch with tiny arrowhead-shaped spikes that deliver healing compounds directly under the skin. Trials showed pimples vanished in seven days, and the technology may expand to treat other conditions.
Read moreScientists have uncovered how exercise suppresses appetite through a surprising molecular pathway. A compound called Lac-Phe, produced during intense workouts, directly quiets hunger neurons in the brain while boosting appetite-suppressing ones, causing mice to eat less without side effects. This discovery reveals a natural mechanism linking physical activity and reduced hunger, paving the way for new obesity treatments.
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