Big Pharma

 Advancing microscopy to capture protein orientation in 3D Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes, and sometimes two instruments, ingeniously recombined, can accomplish feats that neither could have done on its own. Such is the case with a hybrid microscope, born at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), that for the first time allows scientists to simultaneously image the full 3D orientation and position of an ensemble of molecules, such as labeled proteins inside cells. The research is published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The microscope combines polarized fluorescence technology, a valuable tool...

 New computational tool iDOMO improves prediction of drug synergy Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a powerful computational tool, named iDOMO, to improve the prediction of drug synergy and accelerate the development of combination therapies for complex diseases. The study, published in Briefings in Bioinformatics on February 20 [10.1093/bib/bbaf054], highlights iDOMO's ability to identify synergistic drug combinations using gene expression data, outperforming existing methods.Advancing drug discovery through computational approaches Combination therapies, which use multiple drugs to target different pathways involved in disease, are increasingly critical for treating complex conditions such as cancer. However, the...

 Medicare patients with cancer often receive aggressive treatment over supportive care Many Medicare patients with advanced cancer receive potentially aggressive treatment at the expense of supportive care, according to a study that analyzed Medicare records.  The study, published in JAMA Health Forum, examined the quality of end-of-life care among 33,744 Medicare decedents. The study involved patients of diverse ethnic backgrounds, age 66 or older who died from breast, prostate, pancreatic or lung cancers. Overall, claims records showed that 45% of the patients experienced potentially aggressive care (such as multiple acute care visits within days of death), while there was a...

Tombot and Creature Shop create "hyper-realistic" robotic puppy for dementia patients US robotics company Tombot has unveiled Jennie, a battery and AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide companionship and comfort to those struggling with cognitive health. With artistic design by Muppets creator Jim Henson's Creature Shop, Jennie was created by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens in response to his mother's dementia, which resulted in the pair re-homing a dog after she could no longer properly care for the pet. The robotic dog was presented this week at tech fair CES in Las Vegas. Tombot has unveiled a robotic pet dog at...

10 Quick Tips for Crushing Your New Year’s Diet Resolution The term “New Year’s Resolutions” has become a punchline for many and rightfully so. While people start January 1st with good intentions, the rate of individuals who fail, quickly surpasses those who succeed. Studies show that 23% of people quit within the first week and 64% give up on their resolutions by the end of January. Sounds defeating, right?It’s unfortunate though since the start of a new year is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and commit to your health goals. While the majority of people fall off track within the first few months,...