Researchers at Brown University Health and Brown University have identified a molecule, miR-181d, that may explain why some glioblastoma patients, known as 'exceptional responders' live significantly longer than expected. The study found that miR-181d both weakens tumors by blocking their ability to repair DNA and helps activate the immune system to fight cancer. This dual effect could lead to new therapies aimed at improving survival for all glioblastoma patients, with plans underway to test the approach in future clinical trials.

 A new study funded by the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health finds that how high school students perceive the costs of sun protection and the rewards of tanning play a significant role in whether they practice sun-safe behaviors. The work will help inform more effective skin cancer prevention efforts during adolescence.

Conservation tillage practices, such as no-till and reduced till, are critical for sustainable agriculture, and they are gradually becoming popular with farmers across the Midwest. Monitoring tillage usage can provide insights into soil health, water levels, and nutrient loss, as well as guide management and policy decisions. A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team has developed a dynamic framework that uses satellite imagery and machine learning to detect tillage practices over large areas and long time periods. The team discusses their methodology and findings in a new paper.

A team of anatomists from Midwestern University, in collaboration with SeaWorld San Diego and Scarlet Imaging, has published a detailed study of the limb musculature of the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), uncovering previously unknown features that help explain how these birds swim, dive, and even stand upright.