Platelets Exacerbate Immune Response

Right click to download: Platelets (green)
Platelets (green) contribute to the activation of inflammasomes in human macrophages (red; nuclei: blue) and thus to an increased IL-1 production. © artistic representation (based on microscopic images): B. Franklin / L. Ribeiro/UKB

Platelets not only play a key role in blood clotting, but can also significantly intensify inflammatory processes. This is shown by a new study carried out by scientists from the University of Bonn together with colleagues from Sao Paulo (Brazil). In the medium term, the results could open up new ways to treat autoimmune diseases. They have now been published in the journal Cell Reports.

For a long time, the role of platelets appeared to be clear: in the event of an injury, they adhere to the wound and stick to each other to rapidly stop the bleeding...

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Scientists demonstrate Quantum Radar Prototype

Illustration of a quantum radar prototype. © IST Austria/Philip Krantz
Illustration of a quantum radar prototype. © IST Austria/Philip Krantz

Physicists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) have invented a new radar prototype that utilizes quantum entanglement as a method of object detection. This successful integration of quantum mechanics into our everyday devices could significantly impact the biomedical and security industries. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.

Quantum entanglement is a physical phenomenon where two particles remain inter-connected, sharing physical traits regardless of how far apart they are from one another...

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Hayabusa2 reveals more Secrets from Ryugu

A line diagram with red and blue sections
History of Ryugu. A diagram to show how researchers believe the surface of Ryugu evolved over time © 2020 Morota et al.

Ryugu’s interaction with the sun changes what we know about asteroid history. In February and July of 2019, the Hayabusa2 spacecraft briefly touched down on the surface of near-Earth asteroid Ryugu. The readings it took with various instruments at those times have given researchers insight into the physical and chemical properties of 1-kilometer-wide asteroid. These findings could help explain the history of Ryugu and other asteroids, as well as the solar system at large.

When our solar system formed around 5 billion years ago, most of the material it formed from became the sun, and a fraction of a percent became the planets and solid bodies, including asteroids...

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Imaging reveals Bowel Abnormalities in Patients with COVID-19

Coronal CT of the abdomen and pelvis with IV contrast in a 47-year-old man with abdominal tenderness demonstrates typical findings of mesenteric ischemia and infarction, including pneumatosis intestinalis (arrow) and non-enhancing bowel (*). Frank discontinuity of a thickened loop of small bowel in the pelvis (thin arrow) is in keeping with perforation.

Patients with COVID-19 can have bowel abnormalities, including ischemia, according to a new study published recently in the journal Radiology.

Several studies have evaluated the chest imaging findings in COVID-19, which helped improve understanding of how the disease affects the lungs. More recently, reports have documented that gastrointestinal symptoms, liver injury, and vascular findings are common in these patients...

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