What if you could create an organism that’s basically invincible to every known virus? That’s exactly what a team of researchers at Harvard, led by George Church’s lab, has done. They’ve engineered a special strain of E. coli bacteria that’s completely virus-resistant—at least so far—and it could be a game-changer for science and medicine.
Let’s break down what they did and why it’s so exciting.
Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for being good for your heart and brain, but now there’s promising news for your eyes too—especially if you’re worried about conditions like Alzheimer’s disease or diabetes. Scientists have developed a new form of omega-3 that can actually reach the retina and help prevent vision loss. That’s something older supplements couldn’t do.
Cancer cells are experts at hiding from the immune system. They use a sneaky trick: a thin but powerful shield called the glycocalyx. Think of it like armor made of sugar-coated proteins that keeps immune cells from attacking.
But now, scientists have found a way to peek behind the shield — and maybe even break through it.
For decades, child and teen deaths in the United States were on the decline, thanks to better medicine and public health efforts. But between 2019 and 2021, that progress took a major step backward.
According to a new editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the mortality rate for kids and teens (ages 1 to 19) jumped by 20% over just two years. This is the largest increase the U.S. has seen in over 50 years.
What’s Causing the Spike?
The main reason for the rise? Injuries. More children and teens are dying from things like:
Autoimmune diseases like Crohn’s, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis affect millions of people worldwide. These are conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues, leading to chronic pain, fatigue, and other serious symptoms.But a new discovery out of Japan might offer a fresh way to treat these diseases—without disrupting how the body normally functions.
We all know how important a good night’s sleep is. But for older adults, it might be even more crucial than we thought—especially when it comes to dementia risk.
A new study has uncovered some surprising links between different types of sleep problems and the likelihood of developing dementia. Some of the news is a bit worrying, but there’s also a silver lining.
Most of us don’t give our thymus a second thought — or even know what it does. But a new biotech start-up is putting this small, overlooked organ in the spotlight, with the goal of boosting our immune systems and even helping us live longer, healthier lives.
Meet Thymmune Therapeutics, a company launched with backing from big names like George Church (yes, that famous geneticist), venture firm Pillar VC, and former Alnylam CEO John Maraganore. The team just raised $7 million in seed funding and is ready to tackle some major health challenges.
Why the Thymus Matters
In a breakthrough that offers new hope for tackling Alzheimer’s disease, Israeli researchers say they’ve developed a synthetic molecule that completely restored brain function in mice with Alzheimer’s.
The research was carried out at Ben-Gurion University and published in the journal Translational Neurodegeneration. Although human trials are still years away, the scientists behind the study believe their discovery could one day lead to an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s.
How to Take Care of Your Lungs, One Day at a Time
We often don’t think much about our lungs until something goes wrong. But did you know that lung function starts to decline after your early 20s? A lot of damage can build up over time—long before you ever feel short of breath. The good news? There are simple, everyday things you can do to help keep your lungs healthy.
Morning Routine: Breakfast with Benefits
A deadly virus called Marburg has made headlines after an outbreak was confirmed in Equatorial Guinea, a small country in Central Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already reported at least nine deaths and is investigating more suspected cases.
If this sounds familiar, it's because Marburg is closely related to the Ebola virus. It spreads in a similar way and can be just as dangerous. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know.
What is the Marburg Virus?