Tag: Medical Research
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First Step Toward TBE Treatment: Scientists Identify Virus Entry Door
Overview: Why this discovery matters for TBE treatment Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) remains a significant public health concern in Europe and parts of Asia, where colder winters and milder seasons have contributed to a growing presence of ticks and a higher risk of transmission. While vaccination provides solid protection for many, immunization is not universal, and…
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MRI Finds Brain Shape Changes Linked to Dementia Risk
Aging brain shape changes may signal dementia risk Aging brains don’t merely shrink; they also change shape in systematic ways. A Nature Communications study published on September 29 reveals that these global brain shape shifts, detected through MRI, are closely tied to cognitive status and could help clinicians assess dementia risk earlier in the disease…
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COVID-19 May Accelerate Vascular Aging in Women: New Findings
COVID-19 may accelerate vascular aging in women: key findings A new international study published in the European Heart Journal reports that infection with SARS-CoV-2 could hasten the loss of elasticity in the walls of blood vessels among women. The increase in arterial stiffness after COVID-19 begins to resemble vascular aging that would typically take several…
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Blood Test for Breast Cancer: A New AI-Driven Screening for Young Women
Turning a blood test into a screening tool for breast cancer Researchers in Montreal are pursuing a blood-based screening that could one day detect breast cancer earlier in younger women. Led by Dr. Saima Hassan, the team combines laser profiling of immune cells with artificial intelligence to interpret complex signals in blood samples, aiming to…
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Universal Cancer Immunotherapy: A Breakthrough Promise
A potential universal breakthrough in cancer care Researchers in the United States have unveiled an experimental immunotherapy that could work against a wide spectrum of cancers, offering the tantalizing promise of a universal cancer treatment. By focusing on vulnerabilities common to many tumors, the therapy aims to destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy tissues intact.…
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Biobanks: New Tools for Large-Scale Medical Research
What is a biobank and why does it matter for research? A biobank is a repository that stores biological samples—such as blood, saliva, or urine—along with health and lifestyle information from donors. In medical research, these resources provide researchers with material and context to explore how biology and behavior shape disease risk, progression, and treatment…
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Biobanks: The New Era of Large-Scale Medical Research
What is a biobank? A biobank is a large repository that stores biological samples—such as blood, saliva, and urine—alongside health information and lifestyle data from voluntary donors. Far from being mere storage facilities, biobanks are structured, ethical ecosystems designed to enable researchers to study how genetics, environment, and behavior influence health and disease across populations.…
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Biobanks: The New Tools for Large-Scale Medical Research
What is a biobank? A biobank is a carefully organized repository that combines biological samples—such as blood, saliva, or urine—with health, lifestyle, and demographic information about donors. In medical research, these biobanks make it possible to study diseases across thousands or even millions of individuals, identify risk factors, and track how conditions progress over time.…
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Huntington’s Disease Gene Therapy: Promise Amid Unanswered Questions
New Hope in Huntington’s Disease Gene Therapy A European biotech company, uniQure, has released preliminary results from an experimental gene therapy (AMT-130) aimed at Huntington’s disease. The data suggest the therapy could slow disease progression by about 75% over three years in patients receiving the highest dose. The treatment is delivered directly into the brain…
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Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis Identified Years Before Diagnosis
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an incurable neurological condition that primarily impacts the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord. Considered an autoimmune disease, MS occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerves, known as myelin. This disruption hampers communication between the brain and the body,…