https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. Understanding how cells within and around a tumor interact provides key information about a cancer's architecture, a patient's immune response to the disease and even how susceptible the cancer may be to various types of treatment. But deducing these cellular "neighborhoods" using traditional techniques is time-consuming and expensive. https://phys.org/news/2026-07-inferring-multicellular-interactions-tumors-standard.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:40:01 EDT news702638952 A new computational tool infers changes occurring at the ends of the chromosomes housing our DNA. It does so by detecting structural alterations in cells and tissues captured in images taken of routine medical biopsies, according to findings published in Cell Reports Methods. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-telomere-length-routine-biopsy-images.html Biotechnology Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:00:01 EDT news692627101 Pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps) are among the ocean's most enigmatic inhabitants—rarely seen and largely unstudied. They live far offshore in small groups, diving in search of squid and fish. Their quiet behavior and elusive nature have made it difficult to study them in the wild. Pygmy sperm whales are rarely encountered free-swimming. Most scientific knowledge about them has come from stranded individuals—especially along the southeastern coast of the United States, where these whales strand more frequently than nearly any other large marine mammal species. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-bacteria-florida-stranded-pygmy-sperm.html Plants & Animals Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:40:05 EST news690715463 Programmed cell death serves as a critical defense mechanism during viral infection. The kinases RIPK1 and RIPK3, central regulators of programmed cell death pathways, undergo precise modulation through various post-translational modifications. The ADP-ribosylation of RIPK1/3 has been documented, but the functional consequences of this modification on kinase activity and downstream cell death signaling remain elusive. https://phys.org/news/2025-06-reveal-mechanism-parp12-cell-death.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:12:02 EDT news668952721 A unique web-based resource of Daphnia, a sentinel species for environmental pollution, commonly used to help us detect and understand the potential toxic effects of chemicals in the environment, has just been established by Penn State researchers. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-access-daphnia-atlas-view-sentinel.html Environment Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:39:36 EST news656005173 The National Veterinary Research Institute in Poland reports the first molecular detection of Sarcocystis miescheriana in a condemned pig carcass in that country. The research confirms only the fourth known occurrence of visible cystic lesions caused by sarcocystosis in domestic pigs worldwide. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-fourth-global-protozoan-parasite-pigs.html Veterinary medicine Mon, 06 Jan 2025 16:00:01 EST news655401345 University of Pittsburgh researchers have identified evidence of H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats. Work centered on a rural outbreak in South Dakota, where multiple cats died after showing neurological and respiratory symptoms. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-south-dakota-outbreak-reveals-potential.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:34:11 EST news653240044 The results of a study into whether cancer detection dogs can smell bladder cancer in other dogs' urine suggests that this could be an effective new way to diagnose the disease in dogs. The research, involving University of Bristol researchers, is published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-dogs-cancer.html Plants & Animals Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:44:20 EST news652707856 Researchers with the global Human Cell Atlas (HCA) consortium report significant progress in their quest for a better understanding of the cells of the human body in health and disease, with the publication on 20 November of a collection of more than 40 papers in Nature and other Nature Portfolio journals. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-human-cell-atlas-body.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:00:01 EST news651318783 For hundreds of years, the clarity and magnification of microscopes were ultimately limited by the physical properties of their optical lenses. Microscope makers pushed those boundaries by making increasingly complicated and expensive stacks of lens elements. Still, scientists had to decide between high resolution and a small field of view on the one hand or low resolution and a large field of view on the other. https://phys.org/news/2024-06-microscopy-technique-route-crisp-images.html Optics & Photonics Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:28:22 EDT news638800097 Biological processes are framed by the context they take place in. A new tool developed by the Stegle Group from EMBL Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) helps put molecular biology research findings in a better context of cellular surroundings, by integrating different forms of spatial data. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-universal-framework-spatial-biology.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:06:05 EDT news633092762 A nanoemulsion containing particles of curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been found capable of modulating the gut microbiota of mice with intestinal inflammation in experiments conducted by researchers at the University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE) and São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-curcumin-nanoemulsion-treatment-intestinal-inflammation.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:15:03 EST news629046901 A novel therapeutic strategy developed by researchers at São Paulo State University (UNESP) could revolutionize the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) transmitted by sandflies. Some 12 million people suffer from the disease worldwide, and 700,000 to 1 million new cases of occur annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). https://phys.org/news/2024-02-nanoparticles-natural-substance-visceral-leishmaniasis.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 20 Feb 2024 13:12:03 EST news627657121 A research group led by Dr. Tomoaki Murakami from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has revealed that fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis, a previously unreported disease in animals other than humans, is highly prevalent in Japanese squirrels (Sciurus lis). In this study, they compared the pathology with that of humans, and suggested the importance of Japanese squirrels in the comparative pathological analysis of fibrinogen Aα-chain amyloidosis. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-japanese-squirrels-human-hereditary-diseases.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 18 Aug 2023 10:51:04 EDT news611574662 Using new gene mapping methods, researchers have found connections between atopic dermatitis (eczema) in dogs and several regions of the genome. Some of the genes identified coincide with genes linked to similar problems in humans. The filaggrin gene region, for example, which is regarded as the most powerful risk factor for atopic eczema in humans, has now also been linked to this disease in Labrador retrievers. https://phys.org/news/2022-12-atopic-dermatitis-dogs-linked-genome.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 09 Dec 2022 13:36:03 EST news589815361 A team of scientists, led by Xiling Shen, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, and Professor at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), has reached new levels in patient model development. They have developed improved methods for generating micro-organospheres (MOS) and have shown that these MOS have superior capabilities for a variety of clinical uses. As documented in a recent publication in Stem Cell Reports, their MOS can be used as patient avatars for studies involving direct viral infection, immune cell penetration and high-throughput therapeutic drug screening, something that is not obtainable with conventional patient-derived models. https://phys.org/news/2022-08-patient-avatars-possibilities-micro-organospheres.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:34:03 EDT news580059241 It is now possible to deliver therapeutics based on short interfering RNAs to hepatocytes; however, new delivery solutions are necessary to target additional organs. In a new report now published in Nature Biotechnology, a team of researchers including Kirk M. Brown, Jayaprakash K. Nair, and Maja M. Manas, led by Vasant Jadhav at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Cambridge MA, U.S., discussed the safe conjugation of 2'-O-hexadecyl (C16) to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) for potent and durable silencing in target organs of rodents and non-human primates, with broad cell specificity. The experiments delivered sustained RNA interference activity for at least three months. The team observed intravitreal and intranasal administration, which relied on potent and durable knockdown. They investigated the preclinical efficacy of the siRNA targeting amyloid precursor protein via intracerebroventricular dosing in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, which ameliorated physiological and behavioral defects of the disease. The team showed the safety of C16 conjugation of siRNAs for therapeutic silencing of target genes outside the liver. https://phys.org/news/2022-06-rna-rnai-therapeutics-lab-clinic.html Biotechnology Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:40:02 EDT news574934961 The colon might be the last place people would consider getting a tattoo, but endoscopic tattooing is an important medical technique for marking colorectal lesions for surgery or follow-up. Today, scientists report a next-generation ink for these markings that diffuses less and is more biocompatible than existing inks. The new formulation could make it easier to identify and remove complex colonic polyps and tumors, the researchers say. https://phys.org/news/2022-03-ink-colon-tattoos.html Materials Science Tue, 22 Mar 2022 05:00:03 EDT news567141951 Researchers have developed a way to produce high-resolution virtual microscopy images that allow detailed visualization of tissue without time-consuming staining procedures. This approach is an important step toward the ability to perform histopathology analysis during surgery, rather than waiting days for results. https://phys.org/news/2021-11-virtual-histology-approach-groundwork-tissue.html Optics & Photonics Wed, 17 Nov 2021 07:36:24 EST news556356981 Researchers have developed a new intravascular imaging technique that could one day be used to detect coronary plaques that are likely to lead to a heart attack. Heart attacks are often triggered when an unstable plaque ruptures and then blocks a major artery that carries blood and oxygen to the heart. https://phys.org/news/2021-03-imaging-technology-heart.html Optics & Photonics Tue, 16 Mar 2021 13:42:03 EDT news535120917 Lanthanide-doped inorganic upconversion nanocrystals (UCNCs) are attracting more attention, as they are potential fluorescent diagnostic and therapeutic agents for in vivo applications including biological imaging and disease theragnostics. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-biodegradable-inorganic-upconversion-nanocrystals-vivo.html Nanomaterials Thu, 14 Jan 2021 09:20:27 EST news529838424 A team of University of Alberta engineers is refining a new imaging technique that could reduce the number of repeat surgeries patients undergo to remove cancerous tumors. https://phys.org/news/2020-04-non-invasive-imaging-technique-cancer-surgeries.html Optics & Photonics Fri, 24 Apr 2020 09:03:54 EDT news506937830 A major challenge for cancer surgeons is to determine exactly where a tumor starts and where it ends. Removing too much tissue can impair normal functions, but not taking enough can mean the disease could recur. The "MasSpec Pen," a handheld device in development, could someday enable surgeons to distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissue with greater certainty in seconds, while in the operating room. Today, researchers report first results of its use in human surgeries. https://phys.org/news/2019-08-masspec-pen-accurate-cancer-surgery.html Analytical Chemistry Tue, 27 Aug 2019 05:00:01 EDT news486096267 Researchers have developed a method of chemical imaging which identifies colon cancer more accurately and efficiently than traditional methods. https://phys.org/news/2019-08-chemical-imaging-aid-diagnosis-colon.html Analytical Chemistry Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:37:00 EDT news485606210 Nanozymes are catalytic nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics that have attracted enormous recent research interest. The catalytic nanomaterials offer unique advantages of low cost, high stability, tunable catalytic activity and ease of mass production and storage. These properties are highly desirable for a wide range of applications in biosensing, tissue engineering therapeutics and environmental protection. However, conventional nanozyme technologies face critical challenges relative to their size, composition and facet-dependent catalysis, in addition to inherently low active site density. https://phys.org/news/2019-05-single-atom-nanozymes.html Nanomaterials Tue, 14 May 2019 09:30:01 EDT news476949773 Researchers have developed the first wearable probe that enhances the sense of touch by imaging and quantifying the stiffness and elasticity of biological tissue. The device is being developed to improve the surgical removal of breast cancer and might also be useful for brain and liver surgery and other types of cancer. https://phys.org/news/2019-03-finger-mounted-optical-probe-breast-cancer.html Optics & Photonics Tue, 12 Mar 2019 09:09:47 EDT news471600582 Healing is a complex process in adult skin impairments, requiring collaborative biochemical processes for onsite repair. Diverse cell types (macrophages, leukocytes, mast cells) contribute to the associated phases of proliferation, migration, matrix synthesis and contraction, coupled with growth factors and matrix signals at the site of the wound. Understanding signal control and cellular activity at the site could help explain the process of adult skin repair beyond mere patching up and more as regeneration, to assess biomechanics and implement strategies for accelerated wound repair in regenerative medicine. https://phys.org/news/2019-02-skin-wound-regeneration-bioactive-glass-gold.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 14 Feb 2019 09:30:04 EST news469351192 Histology is used to identify structural details of tissue at the microscale in the pathology lab, but analyses remain two-dimensional (2D) as they are limited to the same plane. Nondestructive 3D technologies including X-ray micro and nano-computed tomography (nanoCT) have proven validity to understand anatomical structures, since they allow arbitrary viewing angles and 3D structural detail. However, low attenuation of soft tissue has hampered their application in the field of 3D virtual histology. In a recent study, now published on Scientific Reports, Mark Müller and colleagues at the Department of Physics and Bioengineering have developed a hematein-based X-ray staining method to specifically target cell nuclei, followed by demonstrations on a whole liver lobule of a mouse. https://phys.org/news/2018-12-nucleus-specific-x-ray-d-virtual-histology.html General Physics Thu, 27 Dec 2018 09:30:01 EST news465122561 A new microscope system can image living tissue in real time and in molecular detail, without any chemicals or dyes, report researchers at the University of Illinois. https://phys.org/news/2018-06-tissue-imaging-technology-enable-real-time-diagnostics.html Optics & Photonics Wed, 20 Jun 2018 12:14:37 EDT news448715662 In an important step toward endoscopic diagnosis of cancer, researchers have developed a handheld fiber optic probe that can be used to perform multiple nonlinear imaging techniques without the need for tissue staining. The new multimodal imaging probe uses an ultrafast laser to create nonlinear optical effects in tissue that can reveal cancer and other diseases. https://phys.org/news/2017-04-fiber-optic-probe-endoscopic-diagnosis.html Optics & Photonics Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:00:02 EDT news412487740