Scientists have been experimenting with different materials to help bones heal better. They've created a new type of material that combines calcium phosphate with tiny amounts of sodium, magnesium, and zinc. This mix is then heated to a high temperature to make it strong. They also added a ceramic called zirconia to the mix. The amount of zirconia changed the hardne...
Childhood leukemia is a tough nut to crack. Doctors usually rely on glucocorticoids to treat it. But what happens when these drugs stop working? That's where the search for new treatments comes in. Ivermectin, a drug known for kicking out parasites, might have a hidden talent. Scientists think it could also fight cancer. This idea isn't just a shot in the dark. Stud...
Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that causes a lot of discomfort and can really affect how people live their lives. Doctors often prescribe pills like methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, and apremilast to help manage it, especially when the condition is severe and other treatments aren't an option. These medicines can work well, but they can also cause prob...
Mice with a specific genetic tweak might hold the key to understanding how to protect the liver from damage. It all starts with a gene called PLA2G6. This gene is linked to a protein that plays a role in inflammation in humans. In mice, when this gene is turned off specifically in certain immune cells, interesting things happen. These immune cells, known as myel...
Michelia Alba, a tree native to Southeast Asia, is more than just a pretty face. It's packed with unique chemicals called sesquiterpenoids. Scientists recently found two new ones in its branches and leaves. These are part of a larger group of eleven known sesquiterpenoids. The new ones are quite different from each other. One is a germacrane type, and the other is a ...
Scientists have been tinkering with molecules to create new tools to battle cancer. They started with a bunch of compounds called diethyl α-amino-α-aryl-methylphosphonates. These compounds were then mixed with different chemicals to create new versions. The process involved using phosphoryl chlorides, diphenylphosphinoyl chloride, and even a mix of diphenylchlorophos...
Scientists have been working hard to figure out how to predict if a substance will harm the liver. They've come up with a clever method that combines lab tests and computer analysis to guess if a compound might cause liver damage in humans. This new approach uses something called gene expression data, which is like a snapshot of how genes are behaving in response to ...
Sunlight can make water pollution worse. There are chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. They are found in water and can harm aquatic life. The problem is, when UV light from the sun hits these chemicals, they can become even more toxic. This is a big deal because we don't know much about how these chemicals affect aquatic life over long periods...
Cinnamic acid sugar esters, or CASEDs, are natural compounds known for their various biological benefits. But have you ever thought about using them in sunscreen? A recent study dived into this idea, creating a bunch of new cinnamic acid esters using glucose, ribose, and lactose. These compounds were made from specific acetals, which were obtained by a process called...
You might be surprised to know that tiny differences in how our bodies process certain food additives can lead to big differences in safety. Take methyleugenol (ME) and its cousin, methylisoeugenol (MIE), for example. Both are used in foods, but one's classified as a potential carcinogen, while the other's considered safe. Scientists recently found out why ME is mor...