Scientists at Northwestern University and University of California San Diego have developed a new, potent injectable therapy that can protect the heart from damage after a heart attack. After showing success in cell culture, the scientists tested their new therapy in a rat model of heart attack. Following a single, low-dose intravenous injection, the animals experienced decreased inflammation and cell death along with improved cardiac function and increased growth of new blood vessels.

Historically, small molecule drugs have been precisely designed down to the atomic scale. Considering their relatively large complex structures, nanomedicines have lagged behind. Researchers argue this precise control should be applied to optimize new nanomedicines. "By controlling structure, we can create the most potent medicines with the lowest chance of adverse side effects," researcher says.

Unique immune cell structures in tumors can boost immunotherapy effects and enhance survival for patients with high-risk advanced melanoma, but testing is labor-intensive and not yet common. New AI-driven testing methods utilize low-cost and easily accessible technologies. They are designed to expedite testing, which could in turn facilitate physician-patient discussions on potential immunotherapy benefits.

Researchers, led by Penn State biologists, have comprehensively predicted the location of potential non-B DNA structures in the newly available telomere-to-telomere genomes of the great apes.