What’s been going on in the life sciences world this week? Check out Week in Brief for an overview of the biggest news from the last seven days.
Genomic evolution of malaria-spreading mosquito mapped. Scientists have sequenced hundreds of Anopheles funestus mosquitoes to show how the malaria-carrying species has adapted across Africa. They found insecticide-resistance mutations, plus evidence that gene-drive approaches used to combat malaria spread by other mosquitoes could also work in this vector.
New AI model detects disease risk years in advance. Researchers have developed an AI model that can forecast health outcomes for over 1,000 diseases a decade in advance of current methods. The model was trained on anonymised health data from individuals in the UK and Denmark and could allow for earlier interventions.
Kidney transplant rejection tied to lymphatic vessel changes. A study has shown that in chronic kidney transplant rejection, the lymphatic vessels become disorganised and invade deeper parts of the kidney where they aren’t normally present. The study used a combination of single-cell sequencing and advanced 3D imaging.
CRISPR-based test could simplify tuberculosis detection. Researchers have developed a CRISPR-based test that could detect tuberculosis from a simple tongue swab, allowing for more widespread screening and access to the right treatments.Tuberculosis is the world’s most deadly infectious disease, and has been notoriously hard to diagnose due to the need for sputum for testing.
Genetic variants protect from obesity-related conditions. Researchers have found over 200 genetic variants that put people at higher risk of obesity but protect them from related conditions like diabetes and heart disease. The findings showed that obesity has different subtypes, which may lead to better ways of predicting, preventing and treating its complications.
Sugary drinks fuel metastasis in late-stage colorectal cancer. A new study has shown that mixes of glucose and fructose (like those in many sugary drinks) boost colorectal cancer cell mobility and accelerate liver metastasis in lab models. The glucose-fructose mix was seen to activate an enzyme known as SORD, increasing glucose metabolism and the cholesterol pathway.
Childhood blood cancers linked to medical imaging radiation. A study of nearly 4 million children in the US and Canada finds that radiation exposure from medical imaging may be linked to about 1 in 10 pediatric blood and bone marrow cancers. Head CT scans were particularly strongly associated, and the researchers advised that unnecessary imaging be avoided where possible.
Oral microbes associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer. A major cohort study has revealed that 27 species of bacteria and fungi living in the mouth are linked to a 3.5-fold higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Using these findings, the researchers developed a tool to predict cancer risk.
Digital cell twin sheds new light on lung cancer. Researchers have developed a digital cell twin of a lung cancer cell line, focusing on bioelectric processes and calcium dynamics within the cell. This model provides the most detailed functional depiction of bioelectricity in cancer cells to date.
New class of antibiotics could combat AMR. Scientists have discovered Novltex, a new class of antibiotics, which appears to be effective against many multi-drug resistant pathogens. This new finding could assist in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Check out last week’s Week in Brief here.
