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    How Killer Cells take out Tumors

    June 4, 2017, Categories  Biology/Biotechnology, Health/Medical

    Cancer immunotherapy under the microscope: In the center of the image, three killer cells (violet, smaller) attack a cancer cell (violet, larger; leukemia cells are shown here). Credit: Schliemann et al.: Cancer Immunol Res 2015, 3: 547

    Cancer immunotherapy under the microscope: In the center of the image, three killer cells (violet, smaller) attack a cancer cell (violet, larger; leukemia cells are shown here). Credit: Schliemann et al.: Cancer Immunol Res 2015, 3: 547

    The use of immunotherapy to treat cancer is celebrating its first successes but there are still many knowledge gaps in the underlying mechanisms of action. In a study of mice with soft tissue tumors, ETH researchers have now shown how endogenous killer cells track down the tumors with the help of dormant viruses. The promising drug is F8-TNF. When injected into the bloodstream, it lures killer cells towards sarcomas which destroys the tumors...

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    Studies of Epilepsy patients uncover clues to how the Brain Stores and Retrieves Memories

    June 4, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Scientists at NIH used electrical recordings to study how the human brain remembers. Credit: Courtesy of Zaghloul lab, NIH/NINDS

    Scientists at NIH used electrical recordings to study how the human brain remembers.
    Credit: Courtesy of Zaghloul lab, NIH/NINDS

    In a pair of studies, scientists at the National Institutes of Health explored how the human brain remembers. One study suggests that the brain etches each memory into unique firing patterns of individual neurons. Meanwhile, the second study suggests that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored. The studies were led by Kareem Zaghloul, M.D., Ph.D., a neurosurgeon-researcher at the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Persons with drug resistant epilepsy in protocols studying surgical resection of their seizure focus at the NIH’s Clinical Center enrolled in this study. To help locate the source of the seizures, Dr...

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    Takeoff and cruise: Toyota making ‘Flying Car,’ Luxury Boat (Update)

    June 4, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    1. Tsubasa Nakamura, project leader of Cartivator, second from left, watches the flight of the test model of the flying car on a former school ground in Toyota, central Japan, Saturday, June 3, 2017. Cartivator Resource Management, in which Toyota invested 42.5 million yen ($386,000), showed to reporters Saturday a test flight of a concoction of aluminum framing and propellers. It took off several times, hovering at eye level for a few seconds, before falling to the ground. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda) 2. This undated artist rendering released by Cartivator shows a flying car Cartivator plans to develop in the future. Cartivator Resource Management, in which Toyota invested 42.5 million yen ($386,000), showed to reporters Saturday, June 3, 2017, a test flight of a concoction of aluminum framing and propellers in Toyota, central Japan. It took off several times, hovering as high as eye level for a few seconds, before falling to the ground. Cartivator's goal is to deliver seamless transition from driving to flight so a tiny car can fly and light the Olympic torch in the 2020 games, according to project leader Tsubasa Nakamura. (Cartivator via AP) 3, In this May 26, 2017, photo, staff operate a Lexus luxury concept "yacht," in Tokyo Bay. With a streamlined curvaceous design, inspired by a dolphin and as evocative of a Lexus car, it's being promised as a commercial product in the next few years. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

    1. Tsubasa Nakamura, project leader of Cartivator, second from left, watches the flight of the test model of the flying car on a former school ground in Toyota, central Japan, Saturday, June 3, 2017. Cartivator Resource Management, in which Toyota invested 42.5 million yen ($386,000), showed to reporters Saturday a test flight of a concoction of aluminum framing and propellers. It took off several times, hovering at eye level for a few seconds, before falling to the ground. (AP Photo/Koji Ueda)
    2. This undated artist rendering released by Cartivator shows a flying car Cartivator plans to develop in the future. Cartivator Resource Management, in which Toyota invested 42...

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    Hubble ‘Traps’ a Vermin galaxy

    June 4, 2017, Categories  Astronomy/Space

    This shows a distant galaxy -- visible as the smudge to the lower right -- as it begins to align with and pass behind a star sitting nearer to us within the Milky Way. This is an event known as a transit. The star is called HD 107146, and it sits at the center of the frame. Its light has been blocked in this image to make its immediate surroundings and the faint galaxy visible -- the position of the star is marked with a green circle. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

    This shows a distant galaxy — visible as the smudge to the lower right — as it begins to align with and pass behind a star sitting nearer to us within the Milky Way. This is an event known as a transit. The star is called HD 107146, and it sits at the center of the frame. Its light has been blocked in this image to make its immediate surroundings and the faint galaxy visible — the position of the star is marked with a green circle.
    Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA

    The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is famous for its jaw-dropping snapshots of the cosmos. The Picture of the Week is a distant galaxy – visible as the smudge to the lower right – as it begins to align with and pass behind a star sitting nearer to us within the Milky Way. This is an event known as a transit...

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