ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a tough disease that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It's a challenge for scientists to understand the molecular pathways involved in ALS and other neurological diseases. In a recent study, researchers took a closer look at two types of brain cells: astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. These cells play a big ...
Scientists have been using a powerful new tool to fight cancer. Now, they are testing it on a different kind of battle: rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This therapy, called CAR-T cell treatment, gives immune cells superpowers to fight diseases. In RA, the body's defense system turns against itself, causing painful joint inflammation. Researchers are exploring if CAR-T cel...
Chinese herbs have been used for ages to treat various ailments, and one such herb, Atractylodis rhizoma (AR), has shown promise in managing gastrointestinal issues. Researchers decided to dig deeper into how an alcohol-based extract of AR (EEAR) could help with ulcerative colitis (UC), a condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon. In experiments wit...
Asthma is a widespread respiratory condition that affects people of all ages. It is marked by inflammation that leads to airway problems. The main treatment involves inhaled corticosteroids, but these have their limits. To find better treatments, scientists are looking into the tiny details of how asthma works at the cellular level. In a recent study, researchers cr...
A compound from a plant is showing promise in the fight against a specific type of cancer. This compound is called ponicidin. It comes from a plant known as Rabdosia rubescens. It has been found to have strong anti-cancer properties. The big question is, how does it work against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)? This is a type of cancer that affects the esop...
Obesity is a major health concern that goes beyond just weight. It is linked to a higher chance of developing cancer. This connection is not just about how much someone weighs. It is about how fat cells behave and interact with other cells in the body. This interaction can lead to cancer in various ways. First, let's talk about hormones. Obesity can cause hormonal i...
Bone tumors, specifically giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB), are tricky. They are not made up of just one type of cell. Instead, they are a mix of different cells. This mix makes them hard to understand and even harder to treat. To make things worse, these tumors are not uniform. They vary from one person to another. This variation is what makes them so challenging. ...
Bile duct cancer, also known as biliary tract cancer, is a serious illness. The outlook for patients has not been great. However, researchers have made big strides in understanding how this cancer grows. This understanding has led to new ways of treating it. The focus now is on finding even better ways to fight this disease. The big question is how to make c...
Ever wondered why some workouts feel more effective than others? It turns out, the time of day you exercise and eat can make a big difference. Your body has an internal clock, called the circadian clock, that controls many of its processes. This clock can influence how your muscles respond to exercise and food. Researchers have found that exercising in the l...
Glioblastoma, a nasty type of brain tumor, has a sneaky way of communicating with its surroundings. It sends out tiny bubbles, called exosomes, that can change how immune cells, called microglia, behave. These exosomes are like secret messengers, carrying instructions that can turn microglia into helpers for the tumor instead of fighters against it. But how do these...