Cells can be programmed like a computer to fight cancer, influenza, and other serious conditions - thanks to a breakthrough in synthetic biology by the University of Warwick. Led by Professor Alfonso Jaramillo in the School of Life Sciences, new research has discovered that a common molecule - ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is produced abundantly by humans, plants and animals - can be genetically engineered to allow scientists to program the actions of a cell.
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'Exciting' discovery on path to develop new type of vaccine to treat global viruses
Scientists at the University of Southampton have made a significant discovery in efforts to develop a vaccine against Zika, dengue and Hepatitis C viruses that affect millions of people around the world. In a study published in Science Immunology, researchers have shown that natural killer cells (NK cells), which are a fundamental part of the body's immune system, can recognise many different viruses including global pathogens such as Zika, dengue and Hepatitis C viruses, through a single receptor called KIR2DS2.
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Protein research could help in hunt for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's cures
Research carried out at the University of Kent has the potential to influence the future search for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases that are linked to a family of protein molecules known as 'amyloid'. The findings by a team of scientists led by Dr Wei-Feng Xue in the School of Biosciences could lead to a better understanding of the diseases, and suggest potential diagnostics and therapeutics strategies to combat amyloid-associated disease progression and their possible infectivity.
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Scientists find answer to resistance
Research at the University of Southern Denmark has revealed that a new combination of clinically tested drugs inhibits the growth of tumours, thereby potentially improving patients' survival. Scientists at the University of Southern Denmark have found a new strategy for overcoming the resistance, which many lung cancer patients develop towards a recent drug, which can arrest the growth of tumours.
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Recurrence of prostate cancer could be reduced thanks to exciting new discovery
Ground breaking research could reduce the recurrence of prostate cancer in males, a new study in the journal Nature Communications reports. During this in depth study, an international team of researchers led by British scientists investigated the impact of anti-hormone therapy on samples taken from patients with prostate cancer.
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Dark chocolate with olive oil associated with improved cardiovascular risk profile
Dark chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil is associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile, according to research presented at ESC Congress. (1) This study tested the association between consumption of dark chocolate enriched with extra virgin olive oil or Panaia red apple with atherosclerosis progression in healthy individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.
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Antibiotic resistance rises in 'lonely' mutating microbes
A major study led by The University of Manchester has discovered that so called 'lonely' microbes, those living at low population densities, are more likely to mutate causing higher rates of antibiotic resistance. After analysing 70 years of data and nearly 500 different measurements of mutations, the study shows individual microbes - such as bacteria - found in denser microbial populations mutate much less than microbes in sparser groups.
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