Category: 2018-19

2018-19

Disruption of GABPβ1L Reverses Immortality of Glioblastoma Cells

By Riya Gandhi ‘22 Researchers in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California have made a progressive discovery regarding tumor cell immortality, especially in brain-related cancers such as glioblastoma, which recently claimed the life of Senator John McCain. Their work involved TERT promoter mutations, which are responsible for activating telomerase and thereby enabling cell immortality. Approximately 90 percent of human tumors reactivate … Continue reading Disruption of GABPβ1L Reverses Immortality of Glioblastoma Cells

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2018-19

Somatic Mutations as Markers for Size and Lifetimes of Blood Stem Cells

By Riya Gandhi ‘22 Despite the importance of hematopoiesis — a process that balances production and destruction of specialized blood cells — in the human body, scientists were unable to quantify the population size and lifetime dynamics that govern the process until now. Researchers from the Wellcome-Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, and the University of Cambridge conducted a recent study under principle … Continue reading Somatic Mutations as Markers for Size and Lifetimes of Blood Stem Cells

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2018-19

Malignant Regenerative Cells Induced by Chemotherapy: A Possible Cause of AML Relapse

By Riya Gandhi ‘22 Relapse of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) — or any type of cancer, for that matter — has always posed an enormous challenge to patients and physicians alike. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at McMaster University has found that it is not predominantly leukemic stem cells that induce such recurrence but rather leukemic-regenerating cells that arise post-chemotherapy. In this study, … Continue reading Malignant Regenerative Cells Induced by Chemotherapy: A Possible Cause of AML Relapse

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2018-19

Elimination of Senescent-Expressing Genes Prevents Neurodegeneration

By Allan Mai ‘20 Much medical research is dedicated to the challenge of preventing the buildup of the proteins that cause diseases or accelerate their progression. Many researchers have devoted their careers to finding ways to prevent these diseases at the molecular level. One researcher and his colleagues are currently looking into senescent cells in hopes of finding answers on neurodegeneration which is the loss … Continue reading Elimination of Senescent-Expressing Genes Prevents Neurodegeneration

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2018-19

The Role of Vegetables in Cancer Therapy

By Allan Mai ‘20 It’s no secret that eating vegetables improves your health in more ways than one. A recent study is adding to the repertoire of already known health benefits; benzyl isothiocynate (BITC), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, is showing indications of a role in decreasing hepatic precancerous lesions in mice. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most … Continue reading The Role of Vegetables in Cancer Therapy

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2018-19

Focused Ultrasounds Increase Chemotherapy Drug Uptake

By Allan Mai ‘20 The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain from infections that enter through the bloodstream. However, this barrier also poses an enormous challenge for researchers developing drugs to specifically target the brain via the blood vessels. For brain tumors specifically, a current method for chemotherapy delivery are Gliadel Wafers: surgeons resect the tumor from the brain and fill the crater left behind … Continue reading Focused Ultrasounds Increase Chemotherapy Drug Uptake

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2018-19

Lasers, micro-needling, and platelet-rich plasma

By Ellie Teng ‘21 Advances in skin treatments have expanded to laser therapy, micro needling, and platelet rich plasma to restore and reverse the effects of aging and scarring or pigmentation. Restoring tone and reversing the effects of environmental and genetic aging through non surgical modalities have attracted a great deal of attention for their reduced downtime, risk of complication, and sufficient treatment outcomes. The … Continue reading Lasers, micro-needling, and platelet-rich plasma

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2018-19

Mediterranean Diets and SGA

By Ellie Teng ‘21 Known for its appealing and delectable taste, the Mediterranean diet is very rich in nutrients. Olive oil, a main component of the Mediterranean diet, benefits the human health when consumed directly or indirectly, and is the main source of healthy fat in the diet. This study tests the effects of olive oil on small for gestational age infants (SGA). Infants who … Continue reading Mediterranean Diets and SGA

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2018-19

Stem cells in Dermatology and Anti-aging skin care

By Ellie Teng ‘21 Aging is a biological process that every organism must experience. It’s evident, however, that humans are especially concerned about the physical features associated with aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles on the face and skin. Many anti-aging skin treatments contain ingredients such as stem cells, which are advertised to prevent or reverse the effects of aging. Stem cells are activated … Continue reading Stem cells in Dermatology and Anti-aging skin care

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