A hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy of space immunology

A hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy of space immunology
In space, weakened immune function elevates disease risk. Continuous monitoring and targeted interventions are being proposed to protect astronaut immune health, while preventive measures aim to minimize long-term immune compromise. Credit: Huixan Du, Buck Institute for Research on Aging

With the advent of commercial spaceflight, an increasing number of people may be heading into space in the coming years. Some will even get a chance to fly to the moon or live on Mars.

One of the major health risks associated with spaceflight involves the immune system, which normally fights off viruses and cancer. It’s already established that spaceflight weakens immunity; current and past astronauts report clinical issues such as respiratory illnesses and skin rashes...

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This experimental “super vaccine” stopped cancer cold in the lab

“Super Vaccine” Stopped Cancer Cold in the Lab
UMass Amherst scientists created a nanoparticle “super adjuvant” vaccine that prevented melanoma, pancreatic, and breast cancers in mice. The innovation primes the immune system for lasting, body-wide protection against cancer spread. Credit: Shutterstock

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have shown that their nanoparticle-based vaccine can successfully prevent several aggressive cancers in mice, including melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Depending on the cancer type, up to 88% of vaccinated mice stayed tumor-free (depending on the cancer), and the vaccine also reduced — and in some cases completely prevented — the spread of cancer throughout the body.

“By engineering these nanoparticles to activate the immune system via multi-...

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World’s first full-cell dual-cation battery developed in Ireland

World's first full-cell dual-cation battery developed at University of Limerick, Ireland
Postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Syed Abdul Ahad and Associate Professor Hugh Geaney of UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences and Bernal Institute. Credit: Alan Place/UL

Researchers at University of Limerick (UL) have developed a battery that could reshape the future of electric vehicles and portable electronics. Their breakthrough in energy storage technology has seen the development of the world’s first full-cell dual-cation battery.

This innovative system combines lithium and sodium ions to significantly enhance both battery capacity and stability, marking a new frontier in sustainable energy research.

The work, published in Nano Energy, was led by Hugh Geaney, Associate Professor of Chemistry at UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences and Principal Investigator at UL’s Bernal Institute, ...

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First-ever detection of ‘heavy water’ in a planet-forming disk

This artist’s impression shows the evolution of heavy water molecules (H2O, HDO, and D2O) as they have been observed in giant molecular clouds, a planet forming-disk, and comets—before they eventually may have made their way to Earth.
Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/P. Vosteen, B. Saxton

The discovery of ancient water in a planet-forming disk reveals that some of the water found in comets—and maybe even Earth—is older than the disk’s star itself, offering breakthrough insights into the history of water in our solar system.

Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have made a first-ever detection of doubly deuterated water (D₂O, or “heavy water”) in a planet-forming disk around V883 Ori, a young star...

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