Life Science

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) have discovered that remnants of ancient viral DNA — once considered genomic fossils — play a pivotal role in early embryo development. By creating a single-embryo atlas and comparing several mammalian species, the team found that these transposable elements reactivate shortly after fertilization, potentially influencing how cells specialize…

A study led by Professor Petter Brodin, a pediatrician and immunologist at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and Imperial College London, analyzed 191 children aged 0 to 18, all diagnosed with various solid tumors at Stockholm’s Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital between 2018 and 2024. Researchers examined tumor samples to identify genetic mutations and…

MAVERICK is a platform designed specifically for biologists, using Raman spectroscopy to streamline bioprocess development and optimization. It offers out-of-the-box capabilities for real-time monitoring of variables like glucose, lactate, and biomass, all through an intuitive touchscreen interface. This platform supports automation, remote access, and compliance with cGMP standards for pharmaceutical industry applications. While Raman spectroscopy…

  Researchers at the University of California San Diego have created and evaluated Spatial Modeling Algorithms for Reactions and Transport (SMART), a software package designed to simulate cell-signaling networks — complex molecular interactions that enable cells to respond to various environmental cues. These networks involve multiple steps and are heavily influenced by the three-dimensional structure…

Imagine a hospital spending millions on advanced imaging equipment yet relying on decades-old computers to run the software. That paradox propelled robotics and computer vision veteran Camilo Buscaron—a former systems engineer at NVIDIA and Chief Technologist for AWS Robotics—into action. In 2023, he set out to commercialize an open-source computer vision library known as Kornia,…

The MSP 320 automated digital slide scanner is designed to improve pathology workflows by providing secure digital access to high-resolution slide images, allowing remote review and shortening turn-around times. It scans up to 320 slides per session and integrates advanced AI and machine learning to analyze pathological features, reducing human error and enhancing diagnostic accuracy.…

Researchers at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center have pinpointed 13 “high probability risk genes” that directly contribute to osteoarthritis, a condition affecting over 32 million people in the U.S. The findings, published in Cell Genomics, mark a significant step toward developing targeted therapies to prevent disease progression. The challenge of osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis occurs when…

A study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has shown that increasing glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) activity in fat cells leads to significant weight loss in obese mice. Published in Cell Metabolism, the research highlights GIPR’s potential as a therapeutic target for obesity and related metabolic diseases. “Our study brings GIPR in fat…

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Orbitrap Astral mass spectrometer transforms proteomics by enabling rapid and detailed analysis of biological samples. It can identify over 8,000 protein groups from a human cell line digest in just eight minutes, significantly enhancing experimental scale and statistical power. The instrument integrates three advanced technologies: a high-resolution quadrupole mass filter, the Thermo…

Scientists at the University of California, Irvine, have developed a method for tagging RNA with a bioluminescent molecule, which enables real-time tracking of RNA as it moves throughout the body. This research, published in Nature Communications, could provide new insights into cellular processes, viral propagation, and memory formation in the brain. RNA is critical in…

A new study reveals that bacteria in our guts update their defenses against viruses far more slowly than expected. On average, these microbes modify their CRISPR-based immune system only once every three years. This finding challenges the assumption that gut bacteria are constantly adapting to viral threats and suggests they may rely on other, less…

Leica Biosystems, a provider of anatomic and digital pathology solutions, has announced a strategic investment in Indica Labs, a company specializing in AI-powered digital pathology software. The collaboration aims to advance AI-enabled companion diagnostics (CDx) and support breakthroughs in biomarker analysis for cancer and other conditions. As part of the agreement, Leica Biosystems and Indica…

New research from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) demonstrates the critical role of testing in pandemic preparedness. It estimates that public-private efforts to produce and distribute COVID-19 tests saved 1.4 million lives and prevented 7 million hospitalizations in the U.S. The findings were published in The Lancet Public Health. Key findings and tools In…

As 2025 gets underway, concerns are mounting about the stability of some high-paying STEM and R&D roles in an economy many once believed would remain recession-proof for engineers, software developers, and research scientists. A few bright spots include quickly-growing positions such as data scientists (36% growth, $108,020 median pay, according to BLS in 2024), computer…

Stem cell therapy shows promise in healing damaged tissues, yet existing scaffolds often do not replicate the natural flexibility of human tissue. This can result in cell detachment, death, and even secondary injury during recovery. Researchers at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, along with co-developers from the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering, have created a new type…

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, have received acclaim for their potential to reduce clinician workloads. These tools can collect patient histories, triage cases, and even offer preliminary diagnoses. Referred to as large language models, these technologies are already employed by patients who depend on them to interpret symptoms and comprehend medical test results.…

For many workers, it pays to have a job in an R&D or STEM-heavy field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 10.4% growth in STEM jobs through 2033, more than double the overall employment growth rate of 4%. However, the technology sector has experienced significant restructuring in 2024, with approximately 150,000 job cuts across more…

The next frontier of surgical robotics may well be autonomous—or at least far more self-directed than current systems. Traditional platforms rely on joystick-like hand controllers, which keeps surgeons firmly in command of each movement. Yet recent experiments at Johns Hopkins and Stanford point to a significant shift: advanced imitation learning methods that enable robots to…

Scientists at the Luxembourg Institute of Health’s Deep Digital Phenotyping Research Unit have developed a groundbreaking voice-based artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm to accurately detect Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). This innovative, noninvasive method has the potential to make diabetes screening more accessible and affordable, especially in underserved communities. Type 2 Diabetes remains a significant global health…

Pharma R&D has a reputation for glacial change, but AI could finally force the industry to pivot. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Global Life Sciences Sector Outlook released in late May, only about 16% of drug discovery efforts were using AI, though it projected triple-digit growth over the next few years. “It’s definitely early,” says AION…

The life sciences and analytical instruments industry has been on a roller coaster for the past several years. When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020, businesses rapidly expanded to meet the moment. But four years later, the market is decidedly unusual, for lack of a better term. Many analytical instruments organizations are rife with…

Thermo Fisher Scientific has obtained 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Applied BioSystems TaqPath COVID-19 Diagnostic PCR Kit. Previously authorized for emergency use, this clearance allows clinical and public health laboratories to adopt an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) workflow. The kit detects RNA from SARS-CoV-2 using nasopharyngeal and anterior nasal swabs and employs a…

Researchers at Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea, have developed a mechanochromic strain sensor that indicates mechanical stress through changing colors — without needing an external power source. The device, described in a study published on October 15, 2024, in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal, uses magnetic nanoparticles and elastic materials to detect stretching, bending,…

[Updated December 18, 2024 with new details on Databricks] In 2024, AI-focused startups continued to dominate the funding landscape with industry leaders like OpenAI ($6.6B), xAI ($6B), and Anthropic ($4B) leading the pack. Adding to this trend, MLflow and data lakehouse pioneer Databricks recently secured a $10 billion funding round that was primarily equity-based, at…

Dozens of ambitious scientific investigations — including projects aiming to improve cancer detection, advance treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, and enhance respiratory therapy — have safely returned to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). The nearly 50 experiments, sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory, were transported back on SpaceX’s 31st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission…