Life Science

Researchers at Arc Institute, in collaboration with NVIDIA and teams from Stanford University, UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco, have introduced Evo 2: an AI foundation model trained on the genetic sequences of more than 100,000 species. Evo 2 can identify meaningful patterns in a range of genomes and accurately predict mutations that influence disease…

The R&D World Index saw gains this week, driven partly by a surge in Intel’s value amid significant developments across various sectors. Honda and Nissan have ended their merger talks, citing concerns over autonomy and decision-making, while GlaxoSmithKline consolidates its vaccine R&D in Cambridge, MA. Novartis is set to reacquire rights to a blood clot…

The Cultivated B has discovered a chemical class of FGFR1 agonists intended to mimic the effects of basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) on cell proliferation, a critical component of cell-culture media. According to the company, these small molecules provide a stable, cost-effective alternative that could have wide-ranging implications for cultivated meat, biopharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, and…

Among the circa 15 million people worldwide who live with spinal cord injuries (SCI), many lose critical hand function, making everyday tasks like picking up a water bottle or reaching into a cupboard extraordinarily difficult. Now, a team of UC Berkeley researchers has developed a “backhand” robotic grasper that is showing promising results—enabling individuals with…

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Invitrogen EVOS S1000 Spatial Imaging System, designed to help researchers generate more efficient, high-quality, multiplexed images of tissue samples. The system uses advanced spectral technology to capture images of up to nine targets simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple imaging rounds and preserving tissue integrity. “Understanding tissue structure and function…

Imagine AI predicting cancer’s next move, paving the way for personalized treatments that truly match each patient’s needs. To help make that goal a reality, Google is partnering with the newly formed Institute of Women’s Cancers to combat breast and gynecological cancers using AI. Announced at the France AI Action Summit, this collaboration unites Google’s…

Texas A&M researchers have developed a photodynamic approach using curcumin — turmeric’s active compound — to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a Scientific Reports study. The method achieved substantial reductions in bacterial viability across lab tests. The results point to a potential to revitalize existing antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a well-documented growing public…

Paralyzed patients are walking again. Silent minds are finding their voice. Robotic limbs are feeling. Neurotechnology is now merging human intention with machine intelligence, transforming concepts once confined to science fiction—like the cyberspace decks from William Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984) and the neural implants from his 1981 story Johnny Mnemonic—into clinical reality. Think AI-powered brain implants that decode…

Ericsson has introduced Cognitive Labs, a virtual research initiative dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Active Learning, and Large-Scale Language Models (LLMs). The program operates with teams in Madrid, Málaga, and Cairo. Focus areas include enhancing mobile communications and exploring emerging technology applications in sectors like healthcare. The…

[Updated with additional details on February 6, 2025] Quick Overview: New CIA Finding (January 2025): COVID-19 “most likely” began from a lab incident in Wuhan, but this conclusion carries a “low confidence” rating—meaning evidence remains limited or uncertain. House Oversight Committee report (December 2024): Reaches a similar lab-origin conclusion, citing factors like the virus’s furin…

As therapeutic pipelines grow more complex — with multispecific antibodies, cell therapies, and genomic medicines demanding rigorous immunological characterization — flow cytometry is a core enabler of advanced immunophenotyping and functional analysis. Yet while experiments require unprecedented precision (high parameters are commonplace with sometimes 18+ color panels), manual workflows can struggle to meet throughput demands…

A looming U.S. surgeon shortage—projected to reach up to 19,900 unfilled positions by 2036 per AAMC data—is set to collide with an aging population and frequently crumbling rural healthcare infrastructure. Rural communities face the sharpest edge of this predicament: 136 rural hospitals closed between 2010–2021, leaving 60% of non-metro counties lacking adequate surgical care in…

In the early 1990s, the internet seemed poised to improve our lives by democratizing knowledge, publishing, and communication. While it did achieve many of these goals, it also introduced security risks ranging from malware to phishing. The online world of 2024 feels more like a war zone than a digital playground, “If you connect a…

Researchers have made significant strides in predicting a protein’s structure from its sequence using large language models. However, this method hasn’t been as effective for antibodies, primarily due to their hypervariability. This makes it challenging to identify treatments for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases. MIT researchers have developed a computational technique that more accurately predicts…

Some individuals with mental health disorders hesitate to discuss personal issues with a clinician due to concerns about judgment or stigma. This is especially true for people with addiction disorders, yet foregoing professional help can harm both mental and physical health. Now, researchers at Cedars-Sinai say artificial intelligence (AI) may play a role in addressing…

In the decades-long search for a “silver bullet” to tackle the U.S. obesity crisis, immense sums have been spent on diets, pills, and intensive workout programs. Now, researchers say GLP-1 — originally a treatment for type 2 diabetes — also addresses obesity, effectively solving two problems at once. But there may be additional benefits. A…

In a demonstration of “mind over matter,” a 69-year-old man with C4 AIS C spinal cord injury — whose remaining movement was largely restricted to low-amplitude muscle twitching — has piloted a virtual quadcopter merely by thinking about moving his paralyzed fingers. This achievement stems from an intracortical brain-computer interface (iBCI) primarily developed and tested…

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…