Health & Medicine
Understanding SARS-CoV-2: A closer look into its genome
A team of BARJ scientists from the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh have conducted significant research on SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for causing COVID-19. In a recent research project, BARJ researchers collected samples from positive coronavirus patients and conducted a comparative study to analyse differential host responses in various SARS-CoV-2 infection systems. In another project, the research team predicted […]
Lateral flow test detects SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies
Novodiax Inc., under the guidance of Dr Jianfu Wang, has produced a novel lateral flow device called CoNAb. The device detects neutralising antibodies (NAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19). Measuring NAbs is important to help us determine whether vaccination programmes are effective by measuring the level of immunity of vaccine recipients. They are also a vital tool for […]
Asbestos and bile duct cancer
Professor Giovanni Brandi and Dr Simona Tavolari, from the University of Bologna, study the association between asbestos exposure and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Case-control analyses in Italy and four Nordic countries found strong associations between occupational exposure to asbestos and ICC. Therefore, asbestos is suggested as a risk factor for ICC development. This could be due to asbestos fibres becoming trapped […]
Autism research: Pointing in the right direction
Professor Mila Vulchanova at the Norwegian University of Science & Technology, in collaboration with Sara Ramos-Cabo and Valentin Vulchanov, has been investigating the deficits in language and communication of individuals with Autism spectrum disorder. The group have made important insights into the specific features of communication deficits in autism which might assist with future diagnoses and subsequent treatment of individuals […]
How does nutrition underpin developmental milestones in toddlers?
Toddlerhood, here referred to as the period between one and three years of age, includes major cognitive, motor, and social-emotional milestones. These milestones are underpinned by different biological as well as environmental factors, such as nutrition. Understanding the links between toddlerhood, developmental milestones and nutrition, means that we are better placed to help toddlers thrive. High nutritional needs during toddler […]
Quantum light for biomedical imaging
Normally, when we photograph an object, we rely on visible light from the sun that is captured directly by the camera sensor. When it comes to looking at cells and tissue samples though, it is often better to use infrared light. Inna Kviatkovsky and Dr Sven Ramelow at the Humboldt University Berlin, together with their collaborators at Max Delbruck Center […]
Thermodynamic modelling of dynamic cell phenotypes
The observed traits, or phenotypes, of living cell populations depend on complex networks of biological processes. How cells process information through those biochemical networks can be described by the mathematics of statistical thermodynamics. Through research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a multidisciplinary team has clearly shown how the physics of thermodynamics can enable an understanding of […]
Common beans: A sustainable and inexpensive super food to fight against CVD
Legumes, such as common beans, are well known for their health benefits, including their ability to lower blood cholesterol and lipid levels. However, prior to consumption, beans need to be cooked or processed. These techniques often cause changes in the bean matrix, which can potentially influence their positive physiological effects. Dr Cristina Fernández-Fraguas, Assistant Professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and […]
Is it possible to train medical experts using Artificial Intelligence (AI) training methods?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining traction in all walks of human life. Today, apps that recognise and respond to human speech and self-driving cars are no longer the stuff of science fiction but facts of life. But what if AI – more specifically, a method called deep learning that is used for training smart computers – were used to […]
Potential breakthrough in cataract treatment
Cataracts are a global economic and social burden that is increasing with our ageing population. Since surgery is currently the only treatment, preventative pharmacological interventions are needed. Antioxidants and aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) can tackle oxidative and osmotic stress, which are the main causes of age related and diabetic cataracts, respectively. In the veterinary market, a topical nutraceutical formulation has […]