March 13, 2024
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method to detect enveloped bacteria and viruses. High-accuracy virus/bacteria-detection methods such as PCR require DNA amplification and are time-consuming. On the other hand, the Purdue technology rapidly detects small amounts of the RNA released when the viral/bacterial envelope is compromised under high-temperature conditions. This technology uses single-stranded DNA primers specific to a virus/bacterial strain, coated between layers of graphene and a flexible polymeric substrate. This device can be used as a platform of point-of-care testing for enveloped bacteria and viruses.
Purdue News: Device for Rapid Detection of Bacterial and Viral RNA in Biological Fluids
March 13, 2024
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method to deter opioid tampering. Drug abusers may tamper with opioids to experience the analgesic effects as quickly as possible. Tampering methods include pulverizing the drugs or extracting them with common household solvents such as ethanol or vinegar. Abuse deterrent formulations (ADFs) are used to limit the physical and chemical tampering of drugs without compromising their therapeutic effects. However, there are publicized methods to circumvent ADFs. The Purdue researchers' method to prevent opioid tampering uses nanoparticles along with ADFs. The researchers encapsulated opioid compounds in nanoparticles resistant to household solvents to prevent solvent extraction. The nanoparticle-based ADF is also resistant to pulverization because they are too small to crush. What's more, if injected, nanoparticles preferentially accumulate in the liver, where they are converted to inactive forms. The nanoparticle ADFs used by the researchers also prevent physical manipulation by gelling when subjected to liquids.
Purdue News: Nanoparticle-based Opioid Abuse Deterrent Formulations
March 12, 2024
Obesity, which could reach 50% of the population in certain developed countries by 2030, is a major public health concern. It not only affects the health of those who suffer from it, but could also have serious consequences for their offspring. Scientists have studied the impact of maternal obesity on the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer. Using an animal model, the team discovered that this risk was indeed much higher in the offspring of mothers suffering from obesity.
March 8, 2024
New research describes the science behind a promising technique to treat infertility by turning a skin cell into an egg that is capable of producing viable embryos. The technique could be used by women of advanced maternal age or for those who are unable to produce viable eggs due to previous treatment for cancer or other causes. It also raises the possibility of men in same-sex relationships having children who are genetically related to both parents.
March 6, 2024
Living in neighborhoods with more white residents and greater lifetime experiences of racial discrimination are linked to increased systemic inflammation during pregnancy among Black women, according to new research
Psychosocial stressors linked to higher inflammation in Black pregnant women
March 6, 2024
Males and females have differential physiological responses to COVID-19 infections, with males having larger increases in skin temperature, breathing rate and heart rate during an acute infection, according to a new study that used data from wearable devices.
COVID-19 physiological impacts vary by sex, wearable technology reveals
March 6, 2024
Certain factors associated with developing age-related hearing loss differ by sex, including weight, smoking behavior, and hormone exposure, according to a new study.
Factors associated with age-related hearing loss differ between males and females
March 5, 2024
The monthly dapivirine vaginal ring and daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine were each found to be safe for HIV prevention among cisgender women who started using one of them in their second trimester of pregnancy, according to findings presented today at the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Denver. Pregnant people are estimated to be three times more likely to acquire HIV through sexual intercourse than similarly aged people who are not pregnant.
Vaginal Ring and Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Found Safe for HIV Prevention Throughout Pregnancy
March 5, 2024
Biochemical messengers called extracellular vesicles could earn role in personalized medicine
Purdue News: Researchers explore noninvasive method for sampling drug response
February 26, 2024
A report from the world's leading scientific and medical experts on hormone-related health conditions raises new concerns about the profound threats to human health from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that are ubiquitous in our surroundings and everyday lives. Everyday exposures to EDCs in the environment may be linked to increasing rates of infertility, diabetes, immune deficiencies, and other serious conditions; Highly Hazardous Pesticides pose ongoing threats.
Latest science shows endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics, pesticides, and other sources pose health threats globally