Category Biology/Biotechnology

This new single-agent phototherapy system may form a valuable new approach to fighting cancer. Credit: Graphic courtesy of Oregon State University

Oregon State University today announced an important advance in the field of cancer imaging and phototherapy. It uses a single chemical compound, silicon naphthalocyanine, that has both diagnostic and therapeutic value. It makes cancer cells glow when exposed to near-infrared light, so a surgeon can identify the cancer and remove it + the compound creates heat and reactive oxygen species within any remaining cancer cells, killing them.

In tests completed with laboratory animals, tumors were completely eradicated without side effects, and did not return...

This is a photograph of brain areas whose pattern of activation matched significantly while watching a video and remembering that same video. Credit: James Keidel

Rehearsing information immediately after being given it may be all you need to make it a permanent memory, a new study suggests. Psychologists found that the same area of the brain activated when laying down a memory is also activated when rehearsing that memory. It has implications for any situation in which accurate recall of an event is critical, such as witnessing an accident or crime.

The study showed that the brain region known as the posterior cingulate – an area whose damage is often seen in those with Alzheimer’s – plays a crucial role in creating permanent memories...

Schematic and characterization of tri-agonist compound, Indole_Lox_CpG. (a) Chemical structure of covalently conjugated tri-agonist compound (Indole_Lox_CpG) (left). Diagram illustrating how each TLR agonist (pyrimido-indole, loxoribine, or CpG-ODN) and the corresponding combinations (Indole_Lox, Lox_CpG, or Indole_CpG) contributed to innate immune activation (right). (b) Confirmation of synthesized Indole_Lox_CpG via MALDI-TOF. (c) Analysis of Indole_Lox_CpG via gel electrophoresis: CpG-ODN1826 reference (lane 1) and Indole_Lox_CpG reaction mixture (lane 2). Tri-agonist was extracted from the gel and isolated as purified Indole_Lox_CpG.

Some vaccines, like the flu shot, contain a dead or weakened version of the disease-causing pathogen...

1st link between oxytocin and anandamide, which has been called the ‘bliss molecule’ for its role in activating cannabinoid receptors in brain cells to heighten motivation and happiness. Anandamide is among a class of naturally occurring chemicals in the body known as endocannabinoids that attach to the same brain cell receptors as does marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, with similar outcomes.

The researchers discovered that social contact increased production of anandamide in a brain structure called the nucleus accumbens, which triggered cannabinoid receptors there to reinforce the pleasure of socialization. When cannabinoid receptors were blocked, this reinforcement disappeared.

Piomelli’s team then looked for a possible connection between anandamide and oxytocin, which is well known ...