Cancer has many faces − 5 counterintuitive ways scientists are approaching cancer research to improve treatment and prevention

From math to evolutionary game theory, looking at cancer through different lenses can offer further insights on how to approach treatment resistance, metastasis and health disparities.

Vivian Lam, Associate Health and Biomedicine Editor • conversation
Nov. 1, 2023 • ~11 min

Cancer drug could hold hope for treating inflammatory diseases including gout and heart diseases

A cancer drug currently in the final stages of clinical trials could offer hope for the treatment of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, including gout,

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Nov. 1, 2023 • ~5 min

An itching paradox – a molecule that triggers the urge to scratch also turns down inflammation in the skin

Itch-sensing neurons in your skin are intertwined with your immune cells. Counterintuitively, the molecule that connects them triggers responses that both worsen and improve skin conditions.

Marlys Fassett, Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Oct. 13, 2023 • ~7 min

Spicy food might burn in the moment, but it likely won't harm your health in the long term

After a 14-year-old died doing a viral spicy chip challenge, many parents have called for more awareness about the risks of these challenges.

Paul D. Terry, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Tennessee • conversation
Oct. 10, 2023 • ~7 min

Cell death is essential to your health − an immunologist explains when cells decide to die with a bang or take their quiet leave

Your cells die to keep you alive. Cell death does everything from fighting cancer cells and pathogens to forming your fingers and toes.

Zoie Magri, Ph.D. Candidate in Immunology, Tufts University • conversation
Oct. 4, 2023 • ~8 min

How does fever help fight infections? There's more to it than even some scientists realize

The heat and chills that come with fever are not only uncomfortable but also metabolically costly. Increased body temperature, however, can make all the difference when you’re sick.

Joe Alcock, Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico • conversation
Sept. 11, 2023 • ~8 min

Could a single drug treat the two leading causes of death in the US: cancer and cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease and cancer share many parallels in their origins and how they develop. Nanoparticles offer one potential way to effectively treat both with reduced side effects.

Bryan Smith, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University • conversation
Sept. 6, 2023 • ~9 min

Immune cells that fight cancer become exhausted within hours of first encountering tumors – new research

T cells recognize and kill cancer cells but quickly lose their effectiveness. This fast dysfunction may help explain why immunotherapy doesn’t lead to long-term remission for many patients.

Michael Rudloff, MD-Ph.D. Candidate in Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Aug. 3, 2023 • ~6 min

2 anti-inflammatory drugs prevented COVID deaths

Anti-inflammatory drugs didn't speed recovery for people hospitalized with COVID-19, but they did prevent deaths, researchers find.

Diane Duke Williams-WUSTL • futurity
July 11, 2023 • ~7 min

How do spices get their flavor?

Humans have figured out how to season their food with virtually every part of plants.

Beronda L. Montgomery, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, Grinnell College • conversation
June 19, 2023 • ~5 min

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