Sunflower pollen may find use in a better, stronger 3D-bioprinting ink

When it comes to the 3D bioprinting of replacement body parts or other implanted items, the material that's used needs to be strong yet flexible, and also biocompatible. According to new research, sunflower pollen may be the way to go.

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Lung fibrosis reversed in mice using existing FDA-approved drug

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition involving excessive scarring that affects patients’ breathing, and currently can’t be cured. But now, scientists have found a way to reverse the condition in mice, using a drug already available for other uses.

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“Intestinal bandage” designed to better heal digestive tract wounds

When it comes to closing incisions or other wounds in the digestive tract, sutures alone aren't enough to keep fluids or food waste from leaking out into the abdomen. A new hydrogel patch is designed to help, by thoroughly sealing such injuries up.

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Internal-wound-healing wafer is powered by patients’ muscles

Although we've already heard how electrical stimulation can help speed the healing of wounds, electrical devices themselves often can't be implanted in soft tissue. That could soon change, though, thanks to the development of a "piezoelectric wafer."

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Ultrasound guides supercharged immune cells to only attack cancer

CAR T cell immunotherapy is a promising treatment for cancer, but it can trigger dangerous side effects. A new study precisely targets cancer by engineering CAR T cells to activate at higher temperatures, then heating tumors with ultrasound.

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CRISPR therapy for rare blood disease delivers “life-changing” results

Data from the United States’ first CRISPR clinical trial indicates the treatment is safe and effective two years after initial dosing. Targeting a pair of rare blood diseases, the therapy has so far been 100 percent effective in all 22 patients treated.

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Blood vessel coating could make anti-rejection drugs unnecessary

When a patient receives an organ transplant, they have to take drugs in order to keep their immune system from rejecting the organ. Such medication may one day no longer be necessary, however, thanks to a new blood vessel coating.

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What role can urine testing play in the future of cancer diagnosis?

In the wide-ranging search for new weapons against cancer, some see great potential in the idea of a urine test that can reveal telltale signs of the disease. So where does the technology stand right now?

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Triple-combo of drugs targeting pancreatic cancer looks to human trials

New preclinical work has found a combination of three experimental immunotherapy drugs could help shrink pancreatic tumors. Each of the drugs have demonstrated safety in early human trials and the hope is to begin testing the triple combo by the end 2021.

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Less invasive neuron-activating device shines light through the skull

Optogenetics is a very promising technique – among other things, it may one day be used to reduce anxiety, treat addiction, and even reverse blindness. A newly developed device could soon also make it considerably less invasive, and thus more doable.

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