Milestone for the Early Detection of Sepsis

A team led by Christoph W. Sensen (right), head of the Institute of Computational Biotechnology at TU Graz, has succeeded in using biomarkers to diagnose sepsis 2 to 3 days before the first clinical symptoms appear. © Lunghammer – TU Graz (photo was made in 2017)

Researchers are developing a ground-breaking method that uses biomarkers to detect sepsis 2 to 3 days before the first clinical symptoms appear. This can significantly increase the chances of survival in cases of blood poisoning by bacteria or fungi.

Whether activating or silencing genes, breaking down defective cells or building new tissue, our body is constantly working to repair itself, even in cases of illness. To fight a disease, our body sends out signals, often long before we ourselves notice the disease...

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Researchers achieve Remote Control of Hormone Release

MIT engineers have developed magnetic nanoparticles (shown in white squares) that can stimulate the adrenal gland to produce stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Image: Courtesy of the researchers

Abnormal levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are linked to a variety of mental health disorders, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MIT researchers have now devised a way to remotely control the release of these hormones from the adrenal gland, using magnetic nanoparticles.

This approach could help scientists to learn more about how hormone release influences mental health, and could eventually offer a new way to treat hormone-linked disorders, the researchers say...

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Faster-degrading Plastic could promise Cleaner Seas

Chemists create faster-degrading plastic for marine uses | Cornell ...

To address plastic pollution plaguing the world’s seas and waterways, Cornell University chemists have developed a new polymer that can degrade by ultraviolet radiation, according to research published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

“We have created a new plastic that has the mechanical properties required by commercial fishing gear. If it eventually gets lost in the aquatic environment, this material can degrade on a realistic time scale,” said lead researcher Bryce Lipinski, a doctoral candidate in the laboratory of Geoff Coates, professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Cornell University. “This material could reduce persistent plastic accumulation in the environment.”

Commercial fishing contributes to about half of all floating plastic waste that ends ...

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ALMA reveals unusual Composition of Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov

Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF, S. DagnelloArtist impression of the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov as it travels through our solar system. This mysterious visitor from the depths of space is the first conclusively identified comet from another star. The comet consists of a loose agglomeration of ices and dust particles, and is likely no more than 3,200 feet across, about the length of nine football fields. Gas is ejected out of the comet as it approaches the Sun and is heated up.
Credit: NRAO/AUI/NSF, S. DagnelloCredit: NRAO/AUI/NSF, S. Dagnello

2I/Borisov likely formed in extremely cold environment, high amounts of CO show. A galactic visitor entered our solar system last year — interstellar comet 2I/Borisov...

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