New enzyme could mean better drugs
Just as a choreographer's notation tells a dancer to strike a particular pose, an enzyme newly discovered by Rice University scientists is able to tell specific molecules precisely how to arrange themselves, down to the angle of single hydrogen bonds.....»»
A better way to make RNA drugs: Enzymatic synthesis method expands capabilities while eliminating toxic byproducts
While the COVID-19 vaccines introduced many people to RNA-based medicines, RNA oligonucleotides have already been on the market for years to treat diseases like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and amyloidosis. RNA therapies offer many advantages over tra.....»»
Research team models connection between enzyme activity and yields for the first time
A team from the University of Illinois has developed a modeling framework connecting enzyme activity related to photosynthesis to yield. This is the first time a model has tied the dynamic photosynthetic pathways directly to crop growth......»»
Phage-derived enzyme targets E. faecalis biofilms to mitigate acute graft-versus-host disease
Allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) involves transferring healthy donor stem cells to recipients with conditions such as blood cancer, bone marrow failure, or certain genetic blood disorders. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD.....»»
Study shows leaf shape and size can"t reliably distinguish wild coca plants from those grown to make cocaine
A new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution indicates that while the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has collected annual data on areas of coca cultivation in South America for decades to monitor the establishment of illegal plantations a.....»»
Newly identified enzyme helps pathogenic fungus build protective cell wall
Researchers at the School of Medicine have identified a novel enzyme involved in building the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes lung infections and potentially deadly cases of meningitis, primarily in people with AIDS. About.....»»
New weight-loss and diabetes drugs linked to lower risk of 10 cancers
For diabetes patients, GLP-1 drugs linked to lower cancer risks compared to insulin. Enlarge / Ozempic is a GLP-1 drug for adults with type 2 diabetes. (credit: Getty | Steve Christo) For patients with Type 2 diabetes, t.....»»
AI approach optimizes development of antibody drugs
Proteins have evolved to excel at everything from contracting muscles to digesting food to recognizing viruses. To engineer better proteins, including antibodies, scientists often iteratively mutate the amino acids—the units that are arranged in a.....»»
A combination of multicore magnetic nanoparticles and chemotherapy drugs achieves greater efficacy against cancer cells
The path to a cure for cancer is not unique, as the disease is an extremely complex process. Multiple factors are involved in the process of effectively eliminating a tumor and therefore, being able to have different strategies against cancer is key.....»»
Not Everyone Loses Weight on Ozempic
For many patients, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy lead to substantial weight loss. But some see much less benefit, and researchers are trying to figure out why......»»
Researchers capture never-before-seen view of gene transcription
Every living cell transcribes DNA into RNA. This process begins when an enzyme called RNA polymerase (RNAP) clamps onto DNA. Within a few hundred milliseconds, the DNA double helix unwinds to form a node known as the transcription bubble, so that one.....»»
New mRNA technology turns cells into long-lasting drug factories
A team of researchers has established a ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based method that drives cells in the body to produce therapeutic proteins and secrete them into the bloodstream. The approach could potentially extend the lifespan of drugs in the body,.....»»
Understanding how zwitterionic polymers can lead to safer drugs and disease prevention
Proteins are vital biomolecules responsible for performing various functions in the human body and are thus regarded as the workhorses of a cell. The primary structure of a protein is composed of different amino acids coming together. The structure s.....»»
To what extent are pharmaceutical and illicit drugs contaminating city rivers?
In research published in Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, investigators sampled water from 19 locations across the Hudson and East Rivers in 2021 and 2022 to identify and quantify the prescribed pharmaceuticals and drugs of abuse that are making.....»»
Study shows transgenic expression of rubisco factors increases photosynthesis and chilling tolerance in maize
Maize is one of the world's most widely grown crops and is essential to global food security. But like other plants, its growth and productivity can be limited by the slow activity of Rubisco, the enzyme responsible for carbon assimilation during pho.....»»
Driver barricades after freeway crash in San Ramon, CHP says he was under influence of drugs
Driver barricades after freeway crash in San Ramon, CHP says he was under influence of drugs.....»»
"Facebook probably knows I sell drugs"—how young people"s digital footprints can threaten their future prospects
Social media and messaging apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Messenger are increasingly used to buy and sell drugs in many countries. New Zealand is no exception......»»
The next food marketing blitz is aimed at people on new weight-loss drugs
Taking a weight-loss drug? Food makers have just the new food for you. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Jeffrey Greenberg) As new diabetes and weight-loss drugs help patients curb appetites and shed pounds, food manufacturers ar.....»»
Scientists" new drug-delivery technology is possible breakthrough for multi-strain vaccines
A new way to deliver drugs using a common protein could be used to develop mosaic vaccines, which are vaccines effective against multiple strains of a virus like COVID-19, among other medicines in a global first......»»
Cancer drug pollution is a growing global concern
As incidence of cancer increases globally, the use of cancer drugs is also growing at a rate of approximately 10 percent per year in developed countries......»»
“Outrageously” priced weight-loss drugs could bankrupt US health care
Prices would need to be dramatically slashed to avoid increasing the national deficit. Enlarge / Packaging for Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is seen in this illustration photo. (credit: Getty | Jakub Porzycki) Wi.....»»