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New research suggests that commonly used artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame K may reduce the effectiven...
29/09/2025

New research suggests that commonly used artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame K may reduce the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy—a powerful treatment that helps the immune system detect and destroy cancer cells.

In a study of 157 patients with melanoma or lung cancer, those who consumed even small amounts of sucralose—just 5% of the FDA’s recommended daily limit—had significantly poorer outcomes.

For instance, people with non-small cell lung cancer who consumed less sucralose lived a median of 11 months longer without cancer progression than those who consumed more.

The effect appears to stem from changes in the gut microbiome, which can alter immune function. In mice, adding sucralose to their diet during immunotherapy led to faster tumor growth and reduced survival, as immune cells known as T-cells were less effective.

Genetic analysis showed the gut microbes began breaking down more arginine—an amino acid critical for T-cell activity. Supplementing mice with arginine helped restore immune function, offering a potential workaround.

While these findings are preliminary and human responses may differ, they raise important questions about whether everyday sweeteners could quietly interfere with cutting-edge cancer treatments. More research is needed—but this could open a path to improving outcomes simply by adjusting diet.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Kristin M. Morder et al, " Sucralose consumption ablates cancer immunotherapy response through microbiome disruption.", Cancer Discovery (2025)

In a major breakthrough, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to detect and eliminate dormant b...
29/09/2025

In a major breakthrough, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to detect and eliminate dormant breast cancer cells, offering new hope in preventing cancer from returning years after initial treatment.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows that already-approved drugs can clear these “sleeper” cells—also known as minimal residual disease (MRD)—which silently linger in the body and can reignite aggressive tumors even decades later.

In a randomized Phase II trial called CLEVER, 51 breast cancer survivors were screened for MRD using bone marrow tests. Patients with detectable dormant cells received six cycles of therapy with one or both of two repurposed drugs. Within 6–12 months, 80% had no detectable tumor cells. After 42 months, over 90% remained cancer-free, and those on combination therapy saw a 100% non-recurrence rate.

These findings mark the first clinical evidence that targeting dormant tumor cells before symptoms reappear can stop recurrence. The drugs work by disrupting the pathways that allow these cells to stay hidden—specifically autophagy and mTOR signaling.

Lead researchers Dr. Angela DeMichele and Dr. Lewis Chodosh say this discovery could shift post-treatment care from “wait and see” to proactive prevention. Larger follow-up trials (ABBY and PALAVY) are now underway.

This advancement brings the possibility of a future where breast cancer doesn’t just go into remission—it stays gone for good.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 DeMichele, A., Clark, A.S., Shea, E. et al. Targeting dormant tumor cells to prevent recurrent breast cancer: a randomized phase 2 trial. Nat Med (2025).

Research suggests that the size of melanoma skin cancer cells may play a key role in how effectively they respond to dif...
29/09/2025

Research suggests that the size of melanoma skin cancer cells may play a key role in how effectively they respond to different treatments—a discovery that could pave the way for more personalized cancer therapies.

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research in London analyzed millions of melanoma cells caused by common BRAF and NRAS mutations. Using high-powered imaging, they found a wide size range—from 17 to 50 micrometres—and discovered that cell size correlates with distinct biological properties and drug vulnerabilities.

Smaller melanoma cells were found to have elevated levels of DNA repair proteins, making them more resistant to damage but potentially more sensitive to drugs that block DNA repair. These agents, when combined with DNA-damaging chemotherapy, may prove especially effective against smaller cells.

Conversely, larger melanoma cells already carry more DNA damage and rely less on repair mechanisms. This could make them less responsive to chemotherapy but more visible to the immune system, and therefore better candidates for immunotherapy, which helps the body recognize and attack cancerous cells.

The study also implicates the CCND1 protein, which regulates cell growth and shape, as a potential driver of these size differences. The team is now investigating whether similar patterns exist in other cancers, such as those of the head and neck.

Ultimately, tailoring treatment based on cell size could improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary side effects—offering a new dimension in precision oncology.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Ian Jones et al, "Characterization of proteome-size scaling by integrative omics reveals mechanisms of proliferation control in cancer.", Sci. Adv. 9, eadd0636 (2023)

A large meta-analysis involving over 1.5 million people has found a striking contrast between coffee and energy drinks w...
29/09/2025

A large meta-analysis involving over 1.5 million people has found a striking contrast between coffee and energy drinks when it comes to su***de risk.

While high coffee consumption (over 60 cups per month) was linked to a 30% reduction in su***de attempts, even a single can of an energy drink per month was associated with increased suicidal thoughts, with risk tripling at higher levels of consumption.

Dr. Guillaume Davido, an addiction psychiatrist, explains that the key difference may lie in what else is in energy drinks: psychoactive compounds like taurine, guarana, and ginseng, plus high sugar content, can worsen anxiety and mood instability — especially in young men, the primary consumers. Energy drinks are also often part of a broader risky lifestyle, involving substance use, poor diet, and sleep disruption — all of which are known su***de risk factors.

In contrast, while caffeine has long been suspected to harm sleep and increase stress, coffee may actually have neuroprotective and mood-stabilizing benefits when consumed in moderation. It’s also rich in antioxidants and may positively influence the gut microbiome, unlike sugar-laden energy drinks, which may reduce microbial diversity and trigger inflammation.

Dr. Davido advises physicians to ask patients — especially those with psychological concerns — about energy drink consumption, as it could be a red flag for deeper issues like substance misuse, metabolic complications, or undiagnosed mood disorders. While more research is needed, energy drinks may pose an underrecognized mental health risk.

📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Low, C.E. et al, "Association of Coffee and Energy Drink Intake with Su***de Attempts and Su***de Ideation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.", Nutrients 2025, 17, 1911.

In a historic medical breakthrough, a child with aggressive neuroblastoma has remained cancer-free for over 18 years aft...
29/09/2025

In a historic medical breakthrough, a child with aggressive neuroblastoma has remained cancer-free for over 18 years after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, a treatment typically used for blood cancers like leukemia. This marks the longest-known remission for any patient treated with this approach.

The patient was just 4 years old when chemotherapy and radiotherapy failed to fully eliminate the tumour. In 2005, as part of a clinical trial led by Cliona Rooney at Baylor College of Medicine, they were treated with CAR T-cells—immune cells genetically engineered to hunt and destroy cancer.

Neuroblastoma, a solid tumour cancer that arises from nerve tissue in young children, is notoriously resistant to immune therapies, making this long-term success even more remarkable. Of the 11 children treated in the trial, only one other participant remained cancer-free for nearly nine years before exiting the study. The rest, sadly, succumbed to their illness.

The reason behind the remarkable response in this case remains unknown. It may be due to unique characteristics of the patient’s T-cells, tumour environment, or immune history. What’s clear, however, is that CAR T-cells persisted in the bloodstream longer in those who survived longer.

This milestone is fueling new efforts to improve CAR T-cell designs, making them more effective against solid tumours without raising toxicity.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Che-Hsing Li et al, "Long-term outcomes of GD2-directed CAR-T cell therapy in patients with neuroblastoma", Nature Medicine (2025)

🐜 Ants Show Humans How to Work Together…BetterWeaver ants have cracked a teamwork secret that humans—and even robots—str...
28/09/2025

🐜 Ants Show Humans How to Work Together…Better

Weaver ants have cracked a teamwork secret that humans—and even robots—struggle with: they get stronger as their teams grow. Unlike people, who often contribute less in larger groups, these ants actually double their individual pulling force when working in bigger chains.

Researchers from Macquarie University discovered that the ants use a clever “force ratchet” strategy. Some ants pull actively at the front, while others anchor at the back, storing tension and maximizing overall force. The longer the chain, the more grip and power the group generates—turning cooperative effort into something greater than the sum of its parts.

This phenomenon directly challenges the century-old Ringelmann effect, which showed that humans tend to slack off in larger teams. For weaver ants, teamwork literally multiplies strength.

Beyond biology, this insight has potential applications in robotics, where multi-legged robots could mimic ant strategies to work together more efficiently, performing tasks that individual robots alone cannot.

“Programming robots to adopt ant-inspired cooperative strategies could transform swarm robotics,” says Dr. Chris Reid, co-author of the study in Current Biology.

RESEARCH PAPER 📄

Madelyne Stewardson et al, “Superefficient teamwork in weaver ants.”, Current Biology (2025)

Scientists have uncovered how cold plasma can pe*****te deep into tumors and destroy hidden cancer cells—offering a pote...
28/09/2025

Scientists have uncovered how cold plasma can pe*****te deep into tumors and destroy hidden cancer cells—offering a potential new tool in cancer treatment.

Cold plasma is an ionized gas that produces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species—short-lived molecules that can disrupt cellular survival. Using newly developed 3D hydrogel tumor models, researchers observed how plasma molecules spread within tissue.

They discovered that peroxynitrite and other short-lived molecules pe*****ted several millimeters deep, strongly affecting tumor cells. Surprisingly, hydrogen peroxide—long thought to be the main active ingredient—played only a minor role, as plasma remained effective even when it was removed.

The team also simulated surgical conditions by applying plasma to artificial tumor wounds. Plasma treatment effectively targeted residual cancer cells, including those that had already spread into nearby tissue, suggesting it could reduce the risk of relapse after surgery.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Lea Miebach et al, “Gas plasma technology mediates deep tissue and anticancer events independently of hydrogen peroxide.”, Trends in Biotechnology (2025)

Lab-Grown Mini Spinal Cords Offer Hope for Healing ParalysisIn a groundbreaking study, scientists at the University of M...
27/09/2025

Lab-Grown Mini Spinal Cords Offer Hope for Healing Paralysis

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the University of Minnesota have developed a new method to restore function in severed spinal cords—combining 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissue engineering.

The research, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, marks a major step toward regenerative treatments for spinal cord injuries, which currently affect over 300,000 people in the U.S. alone.

At the heart of the breakthrough is a 3D-printed organoid scaffold, a tiny framework with microscopic channels that guide spinal neural progenitor cells (sNPCs)—stem cells that can become specialized nerve cells. These scaffolds were implanted into rats with fully severed spinal cords. Over time, the stem cells developed into neurons and extended new nerve fibers in both directions, reconnecting the broken circuits.

This process creates a “relay system” that bypasses the damaged spinal cord section. Remarkably, the lab-grown cells integrated with the host tissue and led to significant recovery of movement in the animals.

“This is one of the first times we’ve seen such functional recovery in a model with complete spinal cord transection,” said lead author Guebum Han. The team now aims to refine the method for human-scale applications.

While still in early stages, the study represents a leap forward in regenerative medicine, pointing toward a future where paralysis may no longer be permanent.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Guebum Han et al, "3D-Printed Scaffolds Promote Enhanced Spinal Organoid Formation for Use in Spinal Cord Injury.”, Advanced Healthcare Materials (2023)

A new randomized controlled trial has confirmed that ketogenic diets, which emphasize high fat and very low carbohydrate...
25/09/2025

A new randomized controlled trial has confirmed that ketogenic diets, which emphasize high fat and very low carbohydrate intake, can result in greater fat loss—but they also come with potential downsides, including raised cholesterol and altered gut bacteria.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Bath, followed 53 non-obese adults over four weeks. Participants on the keto diet lost an average of 1.6 kg of fat—more than those on a low-sugar diet (1 kg) or a moderate-sugar control diet (no fat loss). This fat loss was driven by reduced calorie intake, not increased physical activity.

However, the ketogenic group also showed a 16% rise in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and a 26% increase in apolipoprotein B—a protein linked to clogged arteries and heart disease. Additionally, their levels of Bifidobacterium, a beneficial gut microbe, declined—likely due to lower fiber intake.

In contrast, those on a low-sugar diet experienced reduced LDL cholesterol and maintained healthier gut bacteria. While the keto diet may be effective for short-term fat loss, experts urge caution. Long-term impacts on heart health and the microbiome remain unclear, especially among people with obesity or pre-existing conditions.

Nutritionists emphasize that sustainability is key: people tend to succeed on any diet they can stick to—whether it’s low-carb, low-fat, or calorie-controlled.

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📄 RESEARCH PAPER

📌 Aaron Hengist et al, "Ketogenic diet but not free-sugar restriction alters glucose tolerance, lipid metabolism, peripheral tissue phenotype, and gut microbiome: RCT", Cell Reports Medicine (2024)

Traditionally, it’s believed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads people to use alcohol to cope. However, a ...
25/09/2025

Traditionally, it’s believed that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) leads people to use alcohol to cope. However, a new study from Emory University suggests the reverse may also be true: increased alcohol use after trauma may raise the risk of developing PTSD symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks.

The study followed 286 emergency room patients in the U.S. who had recently experienced traumatic events such as sexual assault or life-threatening injuries. Participants reported their alcohol consumption and PTSD symptoms shortly after admission and again over the following six months.

Notably, by week eight, 35% of participants had increased their alcohol intake, with average drinking scores rising from 12 to 42. The researchers found a moderate association (0.41) between higher alcohol use at week eight and the emergence of PTSD symptoms by month three. No consistent pattern emerged at other time points, but this result suggests that substance use may precede PTSD symptoms in some individuals.

One explanation is that alcohol’s neurotoxic effects on the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory and emotional regulation, may increase vulnerability to PTSD. Heavy drinking could also place individuals in risky situations, compounding trauma exposure.

These findings challenge long-held assumptions and highlight the complex, individual nature of PTSD development. Early intervention strategies post-trauma may benefit from monitoring not only for signs of PTSD but also changes in alcohol use, which could act as an early risk marker for later mental health struggles.

Source: New Scientist (https://bit.ly/464rLjn)

Science is catching up with what ancient wisdom always knew—rosemary can boost your brain.The key lies in 1,8-cineole, a...
25/09/2025

Science is catching up with what ancient wisdom always knew—rosemary can boost your brain.

The key lies in 1,8-cineole, a compound in rosemary’s essential oil. Just inhaling its scent can enhance memory, alertness, and mental clarity by influencing neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, which plays a major role in memory formation.

📈 In lab studies, people exposed to rosemary aroma performed better on memory tasks, especially those involving planning and number recall.

🔬 Even low doses of rosemary extract have been shown to boost cognitive speed and attention, particularly in older adults.

Reference:
Moss, M., Cook, J., Wesnes, K., & Duckett, P. (2003). Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. International Journal of Neuroscience, 113(1), 15–38.

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