https://phys.org/nanotech-news/bio-medicine en-us The latest science news on nanobiology, nano medicine, nanotechnology, nanoscience, and nanotech. It has long been known that people can form defenses and thus antibodies against viruses. But antibodies can also develop against polyethylene glycol (PEG), a substance used in cosmetics, food and medicine. These influence the effectiveness of drugs. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nanocarriers-antibodies-polyethylene-glycol-german.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 20 Oct 2023 11:07:08 EDT news617018825 A team of researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has developed a new method for using extracellular vesicles to enhance responses to immunotherapy in glioblastoma, potentially opening the door for wider use of engineered messenger RNA (mRNA) for cancer therapy. The study was published today in Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-mrna-extracellular-vesicles-immunotherapy-response.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:55:49 EDT news616953346 Enzyodynamic therapy (EDT) is a new type of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related dynamic therapeutic modality, which adequately utilizes the enzyme-triggered catalytic reactions in living organisms and achieves disease treatment through controlling the generation or elimination of ROS. ROS refers to a highly active chemical substance containing oxygen free radicals in the body or natural environment. ROS at physiological concentration is beneficial for the development of living organisms. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-enzyodynamic-therapy-nanoscale.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:39:03 EDT news616952341 An international team of scientists has recently developed a novel type of nano engine made of DNA. It is driven by a clever mechanism and can perform pulsing movements. The researchers are now planning to fit it with a coupling and install it as a drive in complex nano machines. Their results have been published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-international-team-dna-nano.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 19 Oct 2023 11:00:01 EDT news616926184 In the latest stride toward combating neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), a team led by Professor Nathan Gianneschi from the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University has unveiled a novel approach that could transform patients' lives worldwide. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-protein-like-polymers-illuminate-path-macular.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 19 Oct 2023 08:28:55 EDT news616922932 Special nanoparticles could one day improve modern imaging techniques. Developed by researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), the properties of these unique nanoparticles change in reaction to heat. When combined with an integrated dye, the particles may be used in photoacoustic imaging to produce high-resolution, three-dimensional internal images of the human body, the team reports in the journal Chemical Communications. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-nanoparticles-contrast-agents.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Wed, 18 Oct 2023 16:15:02 EDT news616864501 Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an experimental vaccine that could prevent the spread of metastatic cancers to the lungs. The key ingredients of the vaccine are nanoparticles—fashioned from bacterial viruses—that have been engineered to target a protein known to play a central role in cancer growth and spread. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nanoparticle-vaccine-curb-cancer-metastasis.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 18 Oct 2023 10:39:28 EDT news616844365 Recent studies have found that Gires-Tournois (GT) biosensors, a type of nanophotonic resonator, can detect minuscule virus particles and produce colorful micrographs (images taken through a microscope) of viral loads. But they suffer from visual artifacts and non-reproducibility, limiting their utilization. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-deep-learning-based-biosensing-platform.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:37:01 EDT news616761418 Nanozymes are synthetic materials that mimic the properties of natural enzymes for applications in biomedicine and chemical engineering. Historically, they are generally considered too toxic and expensive for use in agriculture and food science. Now, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a nanozyme that is organic, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost effective. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nanozymes-suitable-agricultural.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 16 Oct 2023 17:17:03 EDT news616695421 Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are revolutionizing the therapy of cancer. They can be flexibly developed in a short period of time, allowing transient expression of multiple antigens for safe and efficient immunization. A diversity of mRNA vaccines is being explored in clinic to benefit patients with cancer. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-rational-mrna-nanovaccine-cancer-immunotherapy.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 16 Oct 2023 16:57:19 EDT news616694237 A technique developed by University of Texas at Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers to deliver medication through the blood-brain barrier has shown promise in a preclinical study for treating glioblastoma, the most common human brain cancer. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-drug-delivery-technique-vessel-targeted-gold-nanoparticles.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 16 Oct 2023 11:53:03 EDT news616675981 When Jedi Knights need to vanquish an enemy, they whip out their trusty lightsabers. In the future, thanks to Johns Hopkins researchers, doctors seeking to crush cancer may wield minuscule molecular nanoSABERs that allow them to look at tumors in ways never before possible. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-tiny-nanosabers-aid-cancer.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 12 Oct 2023 15:43:03 EDT news616344181 UCLA researchers have developed a new treatment method using a tiny nanocapsule to help boost the immune response, making it easier for the immune system to fight and kill solid tumors. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-drug-filled-nanocapsule-immunotherapy-effective-mice.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:00:02 EDT news616237180 A study published in Nature Nanotechnology shows how nanoclusters of insulin can control insulin activity. The results can lead to new types of insulin drugs, senior author Ana Teixeira at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB) at Karolinska Institutet, says. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nanoclusters-insulin.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:18:03 EDT news616151882 Researchers at Flinders University have taken a significant leap in the field of wound care using an innovative approach. By deploying an argon atmospheric plasma jet, they have successfully transformed Spirulina maxima, a blue-green microalgae, into ultrathin bioactive coatings. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-plasma-technology-microalgae-coating-wounds.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:04:03 EDT news616151041 Using micro-engineered soil models, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have investigated the effect of tiny polystyrene particles on bacteria and fungi. While these nanoplastics reduced both bacterial and fungal growth, the fungus actually managed to "clean up" their surroundings, thereby easing the effect of the plastics. Their work has been published in Science of The Total Environment. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-vacuum-cleaner-effect-fungi-nanoplastics-bay.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:50:58 EDT news616071055 Can particles as minuscule as viruses be detected accurately within a mere five minutes? Osaka Metropolitan University scientists say yes, with their innovative method for ultrafast and ultrasensitive quantitative measurement of biological nanoparticles, opening doors for early diagnosis of a broad range of diseases. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-super-efficient-laser-light-induced-cancer-cell-derived.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 06 Oct 2023 09:45:21 EDT news615804315 Changes in the mechanical properties of cells are among the earliest signs of development of a cancer. Until now, one of the major obstacles to the use of mechanics in cancer diagnosis has been the lack of a standardized measurement procedure that would guarantee reproducibility and reliability of results. Thanks to European scientific cooperation involving the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow, this obstacle has now been removed. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-important-method-early-cancer-diagnosis.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 05 Oct 2023 15:56:04 EDT news615740161 Creating artificial life is a recurring theme in both science and popular literature, where it conjures images of creeping slime creatures with malevolent intentions, or super-cute designer pets. At the same time, the question arises: What role should artificial life play in our environment here on Earth, where all life forms are created by nature and have their own place and purpose? https://phys.org/news/2023-10-medicine-future-artificial-life.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:00:01 EDT news615716783 A new study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, may offer a strategy that mitigates negative side effects associated with intravenous injection of nanoparticles commonly used in medicine. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-future-nanotechnology-safer-side-effects.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 05 Oct 2023 11:00:01 EDT news615716838 A research team led by Dr. Ho Sang Jung of the Department of Nano-Bio Convergence at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS), a research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, in collaboration with the KOTITI Testing & Research Institute, has developed the world's first technology to rapidly and highly sensitively detect microplastics (MPs), which can cause human and genetic toxicity through environmental pollution and the food chain. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-microplastics-kit-ai-technology.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:57:03 EDT news615718621 A new study by the University of Barcelona could drive the design of future strategies to regenerate damaged brain areas in neurodegenerative diseases. The study emphasizes the role of neuron-derived extracellular vesicles in the processes that modulate synaptic plasticity and neuronal signaling pathways. In addition, the results outline a new scenario for using these extracellular vesicles derived from healthy neurons—capable of transporting molecules between cells—in treatments against neurodegenerative diseases. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-extracellular-vesicles-outlines-strategies-combat.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:54:02 EDT news615657241 A probable early driver of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of molecules called amyloid peptides. These cause cell death and are commonly found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have now shown that yeast cells that accumulate these misfolded amyloid peptides can recover after being treated with graphene oxide nanoflakes. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-graphene-oxide-nanoflakes-toxicity-alzheimer.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Wed, 04 Oct 2023 10:01:06 EDT news615632462 UMass Amherst researchers have pushed forward the boundaries of biomedical engineering one hundredfold with a new method for DNA detection with unprecedented sensitivity. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-nano-mechanoelectrical-approach-dna-sensitivity.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:42:03 EDT news615548521 Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, bacteria have evolved numerous ways to evade or outright ignore the effects of antibiotics. Thankfully, health care providers have an arsenal of infrequently used antibiotics that are still effective against otherwise resistant strains of bacteria. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-team-wearable-sensor-line-defense.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:24:34 EDT news615547469 Australian researchers have developed a molecular-sized, more efficient version of a widely used electronic sensor, in a breakthrough that could bring widespread benefits. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-electronic-sensor-size-molecule-potential.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:10:46 EDT news615546640 Scientists at the Materials Research Center (MRC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed a new type of enzyme mimetic that can degrade toxic chemicals in industrial wastewater effectively in the presence of sunlight. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-scientists-nanozyme-mimetic-degrades-effluents.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:34:05 EDT news615544441 A team of chemical and biological engineers working with a group of nanotechnologists at Northwestern University in Illinois has developed a type of super-strong colloidal crystal metamaterial by gluing together metal nanostructures using strands of DNA. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-dna-nanostructures-ultra-strong-colloidal-crystal.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Mon, 02 Oct 2023 11:30:04 EDT news615464615 The sex hormone commonly known as estrogen plays an important role in multiple aspects of women's health and fertility. High levels of estrogen in the body are associated with breast and ovarian cancers, while low levels of estradiol can result in osteoporosis, heart disease, and even depression. (Estrogen is a class of hormones that includes estradiol as the most potent form). Estradiol is also necessary for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women and regulates the reproductive cycle. https://phys.org/news/2023-09-wearable-aptamer-nanobiosensor-wirelessly-estrogen.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:10:09 EDT news615132601 In a recent study published in Science Advances, researchers from the California Institute of Technology, led by Dr. Wei Gao, have developed a machine learning (ML)–powered 3D-printed epifluidic electronic skin for multimodal health surveillance. This wearable platform enables real-time physical and chemical monitoring of health status. https://phys.org/news/2023-09-scientists-3d-printed-epifluidic-electronic-skin.html Bio & Medicine Nanomaterials Thu, 28 Sep 2023 12:51:49 EDT news615124300