Health & Medicine
Biosimilars: An effective treatment at a lower cost
While most medications are both safe and effective, unfortunately many are also expensive. Biosimilars – new versions of a drug that are similar to the original in every meaningful way – offer a potentially less expensive alternative to costly original biological drugs. Professor Tore K. Kvien of the University of Oslo, Norway, and his colleagues have demonstrated that one biosimilar, […]
Placental immune editing switches (PIES) and cancer progression
Exceptional mechanisms have evolved over millions of years to allow the foetus to grow directly inside the mother’s womb. These mechanisms, named placental immune editing switches, are orchestrated by the placenta and are responsible for locally switching off the mother’s immune system to protect the foetus. However, Dr Miguel Hernández-Bronchud from Clínica Corachan in Barcelona, suggests that the existence of […]
Novel imaging technique could lead to early diagnosis of lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the most widespread forms of the disease. As with many other cancers, the best chance of survival comes with early diagnosis; unfortunately, at present this often doesn’t happen. In research that has the potential to improve the prognosis of lung cancer patients, Dr Claudio Scafoglio and colleagues at the University of California, Los […]
Pain care: The role of social class on nurses’ patient management
Research on social disparities in pain care has so far mainly been focused on issues such as racism and sexism in the way healthcare professionals assess and manage patients’ pain. Professor Sónia Bernardes of Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, Portugal, is interested in how social class impacts nurses’ care and attitudes toward their patients. The research she and her associates conduct […]
Science and Oslerian friendship support therapeutic caring of the neglected in India and China
Professor Terence Ryan, dermatologist and Emeritus Fellow of Green Templeton College in Oxford, UK, is currently mentoring two studies that explore how friendship can impact on health and wellbeing. Both programmes centre on the principles of William Osler, who maintained that science (a care technology) and humanity (a care attitude) must work together holistically, and they demonstrate that friendliness can […]
Treating low testosterone in males: A nasal gel shows promising results
Ranjith Ramasamy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urology, University of Miami. His clinical work focuses on treating male infertility and sexual dysfunction, and he is involved in several research projects. One such project investigated a novel treatment for low testosterone, a nasal gel known as Natesto. An initial clinical trial showed that Natesto is a promising treatment […]
Engineering virus nanoparticles to modulate coagulation
Using chemistry, Dr Andrew K. Udit, Occidental College, Los Angeles, is exploring novel ways that bacteria-infecting viruses (bacteriophage) may be able to reverse the anti-clotting effects of heparin. By specifically engineering a bacteriophage nanoparticle known as Q-beta, he has identified several candidates and now focuses on optimising and understanding what makes these nanoparticles so effective, as well as further studying […]
Direct cardiac reprogramming to regenerate the heart
Infarction causes the loss of a consequent number of cardiac muscle cells. Unable to self-regenerate, these cells are replaced by fibroblasts. This can lead to heart failure. Priyadharshni Muniyandi, doctoral researcher and Dr M. Sheikh Mohamed, Associate Professor at the Bio-Nano Electronics Research Centre, Toyo University, work on direct cardiac reprogramming. Their technique uses microRNA encapsulated in a non-viral nanocarrier: […]
Free blood donation vs. the plasma market
Blood products are vital both for transfusion purposes and the production of blood-derived medicines. Currently, the two ways of obtaining blood products are via free blood donations or via the international plasma market, an industry reliant on paid blood donations. Professor Jean Mercier Ythier of the University of Paris Panthéon-Assas explores the economics and ethics of the plasma market and […]
Breath hold techniques during volumetric modulated arc therapy in breast cancer patients
The research of Dr Vishruta Dumane, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, focuses on developing approaches to radiotherapy that will minimise risk to neighbouring organs and tissues, whilst maximising the impact of treatment to the tumour. Her recent work adds further support for the use of deep inspiration breath holds during radiotherapy (VMAT) to reduce exposure of […]