Immune System News and Research

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Scientists discover mechanism of cell death in people living with HIV

Professor Simona Stäger's team has made a breakthrough in the study of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

13 Jul 2023

How shift work and other types of unconventional work affects the gut microbiome

Researchers review different studies analyzing the impact of unconventional work on worker’s health and gut microbiota.

13 Jul 2023

Mast cells act as sensors to help avoid harmful antigens

The function of mast cells, which are part of the immune system, is still a mystery. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown in mice: mast cells function as a sensor that signals the animals to avoid antigens, including harmful allergens, and thereby protect themselves from health-threatening inflammatory reactions.

12 Jul 2023

Study shows potential for treating ALS with two existing drugs

New research suggests that targeting autoimmune inflammation associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using two drugs, one of them already approved for multiple sclerosis, could be a promising approach for treatment.

12 Jul 2023

Researchers find new way to target leprosy infection

Leprosy has existed since at least Biblical times, yet scientists still don't know exactly how Mycobacterium leprae causes the disease's symptoms.

12 Jul 2023

Immune system plays a crucial role in changing our behaviors, research shows

Simply the smell of seafood can make those with an allergy to it violently ill — and therefore more likely to avoid it. The same avoidance behavior is exhibited by people who develop food poisoning after eating a certain meal.

12 Jul 2023

Light-powered technology could guide immune cells to infections and cancer

The immune system's ability to send its army of immune cells to the right location with the right level of response is key to the body's ability to fight an infection or a growing tumor.

12 Jul 2023

2023 recipients of the Diversity in Lupus Research Awards announced

The Lupus Research Alliance is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the Career Development and Postdoctoral Awards to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research.

12 Jul 2023

Retrotransposons hijack cell's dna repair machinery to form circular DNA

Like its viral cousins, a somewhat parasitic DNA sequence called a retrotransposon has been found borrowing the cell's own machinery to achieve its goals.

12 Jul 2023

UCSF's new pain clinic in Walnut Creek offers hope for children with chronic pain

Each year, too many kids in the East Bay suffer needlessly from pain related to long-term serious illness, including migraines, joint and abdominal pain, sickle cell anemia and more. A new UCSF Health pain clinic in Walnut Creek is opening to provide relief.

11 Jul 2023

New insights into how dendritic cells arm T cells to fight disease

As part of the immune system, dendritic cells are essential for fighting body cells that have degenerated or are infected with a virus.

11 Jul 2023

New mouse model mimics the development of frailty in older adults

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have developed a mouse model that successfully mimics the development of frailty as mammals — likely including people — get older.

11 Jul 2023

Researchers identify glycolipid that blocks infection with SARS-CoV-2 and RSV

7DW8-5, a glycolipid that utilizes the body's non-specific immune response to quickly combat viral infections, including COVID-19 in vivo.

11 Jul 2023

Fibromyalgia patients may be at increased risk of death

Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes persistent widespread pain and fatigue, may be linked to a heightened risk of death as a result of vulnerability to accidents, infections, and especially suicide, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the open access journal RMD Open.

10 Jul 2023

New drug shows synergistic effect with antifungals in killing drug-resistant fungi

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil shows that brilacidin, a new drug tested for treatment of diseases ranging from bacterial skin infections to COVID-19, can kill drug-resistant strains of fungi when combined with two classes of antifungals available on the market.

10 Jul 2023

High tumor monocyte content linked to better outcomes for esophageal cancer patients

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has discovered that the presence of relatively high numbers of immune cells known as monocytes in tumors is linked to better outcomes in esophageal cancer patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, or immunochemotherapy.

10 Jul 2023

Prolonged T-cell response during severe COVID-19 does not contribute to long COVID

Persistent immune activation and elevated cytokine levels were observed in patients with severe COVID-19, even months after recovery. However, the correlation between immune activation and long COVID symptoms appeared to be independent, suggesting other factors influencing disease severity.

9 Jul 2023