Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and other North American institutions, have provided the first technical description for using focused ultrasound to reliably open the blood-brain barrier. The findings, recently published in Device, pave the way for expanding the use of this experimental device to open the blood-brain barrier to improve treatments and diagnostics for patients with brain tumors and other neurological disorders. 

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that originates in the colon or rectum from precancerous polyps, which can evolve into cancerous growths over time. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of CRC, its subtypes, clinical manifestations, point-of-care diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. The clinical presentation of CRC often includes symptoms such as blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, fatigue, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, and anemia. The identification of these signs prompts healthcare professionals to initiate diagnostic measures without delay. Point-of-care diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the early detection of CRC, employing screening tests such as stool tests and colonoscopies. These diagnostic modalities enable healthcare professionals to identify precancerous polyps or early-stage tumors, facilitating timely intervention and significantly improving treatment outcomes. Adherence to screening guidelines is crucial for the prevention and early detection of CRC. Despite advancements in screening and treatment options, there remains a crucial need for more specific, minimally invasive screening methods with minimal side effects. By improving current detection methods, a better screening approach for CRC can be developed. Recent advancements, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence integration, hold great promise for enhancing early diagnosis and advancing personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, no tobacco use, and limited alcohol consumption, can significantly lower the risk of CRC. By emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications, early screening, and timely intervention, healthcare professionals can significantly reduce the burden of CRC and improve patient outcomes.

Ultrack and inTRACKtive, from scientists at CZ Biohub San Francisco, could shake up how biologists study development, cancer, the immune system, and more

Brain cancer researchers have achieved a global-first, using an innovative process to learn how a new drug suppresses tumour activity and provides hope to patients with low-grade gliomas (LGG). It’s the first clinical trial to be conducted through the pioneering Brain Perioperative platform, or “BrainPOP”.

Researchers at The University of Osaka and collaborating institutions have developed a cryo-optical microscopy technique that rapidly freezes live cells with millisecond precision during optical imaging. This enables detailed quantitative imaging of fast cellular events via optical microscopy techniques, including super-resolution fluorescence and Raman microscopy. With near-instant immobilization, a single time point in the cells can then be visualized with multiple imaging techniques, providing new insights across cell biology, biophysics, and medical research.