A new hydrogel supports living cells and can withstand dynamic environments to help repair tissue in the heart, muscles, and vocal cords. A rendered image of the vocal cord bioreactor for testing…
Author: Carolyn Gramling
Omicron reduces vaccine efficacy, but boosters improve protection
Preliminary data indicates that booster shots improve antibody levels 25-fold compared to just two doses. Image credit: Mat Napo on Unsplash As fears continue to circulate around the possibility that mutations in…
An inhaled COVID-19 vaccine makes it to human trials
The aerosol platform promises broader protection against SARS-CoV-2, and is currently being trialed as a booster. Fiona Smaill and research coordinator Emilio Aguirre demonstrate the use of the nebulizer with a volunteer….
Antibodies active against SARS-CoV-2 found in 20-year-old library
Three potent antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 identified in healthy individuals decades ago raises interesting questions about their origins and evolution. Image credit: CDC on Unsplash As cases in COVID-19 spike around the world,…
A doomed alien planet has a 16-hour orbit around its star
TOI-2109b is the second hottest exoplanet discovered so far, with a year lasting just 16 hours. Image credit: NASA, ESA, G. Bacon Researchers have reported the discovery of a unique ultrahot Jupiter…
An alternative to adhesives helps cells better interact with their environment
A natural chemical tether helps researchers attach cells to inert biomaterials for better cell models and therapies. Building artificial tissues that mimic the intricacy of their living counterparts is tricky business. One…
How can bacteria “robots” improve cancer therapy?
Living machines made from drug-carrying bacteria target tumors to improve the effectiveness and safety of chemotherapies. Image credit: CDC on Unsplash Researchers have been developing some pretty creative ways of getting medicines…
Real progress made this year in the fight against malaria
Image credit: Shutterstock/mycteria 2021 has seen some incredible gains in malaria research, with two new vaccines on the horizon — one of which has already received WHO endorsement — and new developments…
Are stem cells just hype?
While stem cell therapies have been touted as “miracle cures”, data indicates that there are still hurdles keeping them out of the clinic. Stem cells have the unique ability to develop into…
New Pfizer and Merck antivirals look hopeful
Image credit: JC Gellidon Unsplash Two new oral medications designed to treat COVID-19 were recently announced by pharmaceutical companies Merck and Pfizer. The medications aim to prevent the worst of the disease,…