Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and almost 300,000 individuals are diagnosed with it each year in the U.S. To develop a consistent method of estimating prostate cancer size, which can help clinicians more accurately make informed treatment decisions, Mass General Brigham researchers trained and validated an AI model based on MRI scans from more than 700 prostate cancer patients. The model was able to identify and demarcate the edges of 85% of the most radiologically aggressive prostate lesions. Tumors with a larger volume, as estimated by the AI model, were associated with a higher risk of treatment failure and metastasis, independent of other factors that are normally used to estimate this risk. Furthermore, for patients who received radiation therapy, the tumor volume performed better than traditional risk stratification for predicting metastasis. Researchers believe the tool could be used to help clinicians understand a tumor’s aggressiveness, to inform more personalized treatment plans, and to guide radiation therapy. The study is published in the journal Radiology. 

Today, people increasingly seek non-alcoholic versions of beer or wine. Despite boasting different flavors, these two drinks share many aromas, which makes it difficult to produce alcohol-free versions that mimic the real thing. Researchers in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry report on a literature analysis and experiment to characterize the chemical compounds that give beer and wine their unique fragrances. They say their findings could aid the development of flavorful, non-alcoholic substitutes.

What if a microbe could help curb the climate crisis? Meet UTEX-3222, aka "Chonkus," a cyanobacterium discovered living in the volcanic CO₂ seeps off the coast of Vulcano, Sicily. Chonkus is like other photosynthetic cyanobacteria in that it consumes CO₂ and incorporates it into its cells. However, what sets UTEX-3222 apart is its rapid, high-density growth, which allows it to consume CO₂ more efficiently than most other similar currently known cyanobacteria. It is also 5 to 10 times larger than the average microbial cell, allowing it to sink quickly after consuming CO₂ so the carbon can be sequestered or captured for use in biomanufacturing. 

Albumin is a major prognostic factor for patients with advanced liver disease, dependent on its concentration and biological activity. This study aimed to improve the method of active albumin detection and elucidate its predictive validity of albumin activity across hepatic disease progression and etiology.