Iconic amphibians took an unexpected path across the globe, study finds — with toxins as a “game changer”. The Asian common toad, which was accidentally introduced to Madagascar by humans, secretes deadly toxins from specialized glands behind its eyes.
Mouse research shows lung tumor cells can hijack neurons for growth signals: Scientists working with mouse models found that metastasizing small-cell lung cancer cells can wire themselves into brain circuits, forming synapse-like connections that deliver growth signals to tumors. Disrupting these nerve interactions by severing a key nerve slowed tumor growth in the lungs, pointing to new strategies for treating lung cancer.
Human embryo implantation filmed for the first time: For the first time, researchers have captured live, real-time videos of human embryos implanting into a simulated womb made up of a collagen-based gel to mimic uterine tissue, which could help explain why implantation often fails and guide new fertility treatments. The study, published in Science Advances, showed embryos forcefully burrow into the matrix using enzymes and physical pressure, a process that may explain implantation cramps reported by many women.
Smart menstrual pads have potential to detect disease biomarkers: Inge Herrmann and researchers in her lab at ETH Zurich have developed MenstruAI, a menstrual pad embedded with test strips that change color when they come into contact with specific disease biomarkers in menstrual blood. The researchers also developed a companion smartphone app that analyzes an image of the pad before it is discarded.
Women create organoids to study reproductive health: Scientists Ashley Moffett, Margherita Turco, Linda Griffith, Mirjana Kessler, and Victoria Roberts are among the women leading research on women’s reproductive health, creating organoids of the reproductive system to understand normal biology and disease. The researchers have created models of the placenta, ovary, endometrium and vagina to learn more about pre-eclampsia, menstruation and endometriosis.
Brain triggers immune response at sight of illness: Seeing virtual representations of people with signs of illness, such as coughs or rashes, activates brain regions linked to personal space and triggers an innate immune response that mimics the body’s response to a real infection. This brain-driven immune activation suggests potential uses of virtual reality to boost vaccine responses by priming the immune system before exposure, researchers reported in Nature Neuroscience.
AI-designed viruses target antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Scientists at Stanford University have created the first AI-designed viruses capable of targeting and killing E. coli bacteria. This breakthrough, detailed in a preprint on bioRxiv, demonstrates AI’s potential in designing biotechnological tools and therapies. Using AI models Evo 1 and Evo 2, the researchers generated viral genomes that successfully infected antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, showcasing a promising advancement for phage therapy. However, the study also raises biosafety concerns as the technology progresses toward AI-generated life.
Oral bacteria linked to heart attack risk: DNA from oral bacteria was found in a significant portion of arterial plaques from sudden death victims and surgical patients, and when activated by external triggers, these bacteria may provoke immune responses that contribute to plaque rupture and the onset of myocardial infarction, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The findings highlight both the potential for biofilm-targeted therapies to prevent heart attacks and the importance of oral hygiene in cardiovascular health.
From pig organs to 3D printing: The future of transplants – Science writer Mary Roach’s latest book, “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy,” explores the history and future of replacing human body parts, from 16th-century prosthetic noses to modern advances in gene editing and 3D-printed tissue. Roach traces how pigs became the standard model for organ transplants, why genetic editing is crucial to reduce rejection and how scientists are working to print muscle that mimics natural structures.
Mouse study shows that maternal inflammation linked to long-term anxiety risk in offspring: A study with mice showed that that prenatal inflammation or stress during pregnancy can trigger epigenetic changes in specific neurons in the offspring’s hippocampus, leaving them primed for anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood. Researchers say these findings link prenatal adversity to lasting brain changes and may guide the search for early biomarkers and new treatments.