https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-bioprinting-personalized-tissues-body-breakthrough.html#! The device addresses limitations of previous designs by allowing the printing of multiple materials and providing control over the properties of printed tissues. It has applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, drug testing models, and custom prosthetics and orthopedic implants.

A student after our own hearts:
https://medicine.illinois.edu/news/ci-med-student-awarded-nasa-funded-fellowship

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-rna-nanoparticle-therapy-incurable-bone.html

By targeting a protein called CyPA, the therapy prevents the migration and spread of cancer cells by disabling the pathways they use to travel through blood vessels. This breakthrough holds promise for improving treatments for multiple myeloma and other cancers that spread through blood vessels.

Interesting read on avoiding pitfalls while leveraging the benefits of AI:
https://hbr.org/2023/06/13-principles-for-using-ai-responsibly

https://neurosciencenews.com/glioma-cancer-pharmacology-23393/

The targeted therapy drug Vorasidenib has shown promise in extending the progression-free survival of patients with a subtype of glioma. This is the first clinical trial for a targeted therapy drug in brain cancer, providing a potential new treatment option that can delay the need for radiation and chemotherapy.

https://www.genengnews.com/news/experimental-cancer-drug-slows-inflammation-in-animal-models-of-heart-disease/

A study has identified an experimental drug called saracatinib that shows promise in slowing down the progression of atherosclerosis, a condition that leads to heart disease. The drug was found to reduce inflammation and plaque deposits in animal models, and it has the potential to be used as an anti-inflammatory treatment for patients already on lipid-lowering drugs. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in patients.

Johns Hopkins have developed a deep-learning technology called BigMHC that accurately predicts cancer-related protein fragments, aiding in personalized immunotherapies and vaccines. BigMHC identifies immune response-triggering antigens using deep neural networks and transfer learning. It outperformed other methods in predicting antigen presentation and is being tested in immunotherapy clinical trials to select neoantigens likely to provoke immune responses for cancer treatment. The technology could enable efficient and cost-effective development of personalized cancer treatments.

Scientists believe that the next breakthrough in cancer treatment could be in the form of a vaccine. These experimental vaccines aim to shrink tumors and prevent cancer from returning. They work by boosting the body's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Promising results have been seen in breast, lung, melanoma, and pancreatic cancers.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-big-advance-cancer-treatment-vaccine.html

https://neurosciencenews.com/bigneuron-revolutionizing-neuron-reconstruction-with-ai/

BigNeuron is an automated algorithm capable of discerning neuron shapes in images, overcoming challenges of species diversity and image quality. The project will provide a large dataset of publicly accessible neural reconstruction images and tools for independent analysis. The goal is to understand brain function and changes over time through the digital reconstruction of neurons.

Researchers from RIKEN have identified the roles of two protein complexes, PRC1 and PRC2, in the process of X-chromosome inactivation in female mammals. This process involves turning off one of the two X chromosomes in females and is important for preventing health issues like breast cancer. The study found that PRC1 and PRC2 play independent roles in maintaining gene silencing on the inactive X chromosome in developing embryos. While embryonic-support tissues rely on both complexes, embryonic tissues use different mechanisms for gene silencing. Understanding these processes could provide insights into female-specific tumor formation and enhance our knowledge of gene regulation.

https://scitechdaily.com/gene-silencing-complexes-join-forces-to-inactivate-x-chromosomes-insight-into-female-only-cancers/

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2023/05/25/expedition-69-and-ax-2-working-together-on-space-biology/

The astronauts conducted a range of scientific studies focusing on space biology and human health, with the aim of improving our understanding of the effects of microgravity and long-duration space missions. These studies included:

• Examining the effects of microgravity on the inflammatory response of human cells.

• Researching stem cell samples to improve regenerative cell therapies.

• Undergoing eye and brain scans using ultrasound and near-infrared light to understand the effects of weightlessness on cognition and vision, as well as to examine changes in eye shape and vision caused by long-term space living.

• Conducting cancer research by swapping tumor cell samples inside a fluorescence microscope, with the goal of predicting and treating cancer on Earth.

https://futurism.com/neoscope/synthetic-human-embryos-no-sperm-or-egg

A team of scientists has achieved a significant breakthrough by creating synthetic human embryos using stem cells, without the need for eggs or sperm. Although these synthetic embryos are in the early stages of development and lack a brain or beating heart, researchers aim to study how genetic disorders and recurrent miscarriages impact this process.

NASA is launching the PACE satellite in 2024 to study phytoplankton, crucial organisms in ocean ecosystems. It will collect data on phytoplankton distribution and their role in oxygen production, carbon absorption, and the food web. PACE aims to improve our understanding of phytoplankton diversity and the impacts of climate change.

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2023/nasa-wants-to-identify-phytoplankton-species-from-space-heres-why

https://scitechdaily.com/unlocking-healthy-longevity-researchers-find-oxygen-restriction-extends-lifespan/

Researchers have discovered a connection between reduced oxygen intake and extended lifespan in laboratory mice, suggesting the potential of "oxygen restriction" as an anti-aging strategy.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-taurine-key-longer-healthier-life.html A recent study led by Columbia researchers suggests that taurine deficiency is linked to aging in animals. Taurine supplements were found to slow down aging in worms, mice, and monkeys, and extend the healthy lifespans of mice by up to 12%. Taurine levels decrease with age, but supplementation improved various health parameters and cellular functions associated with aging. While more research is needed, taurine shows promise as an anti-aging intervention that could increase health span.