Why bladder cancer cells that shed their Y chromosome become more aggressive
In this episode:
00:45 Why losing the Y chromosome makes bladder cancer more aggressiveLoss of the Y chromosome in bladder cancer cells is associated with increased severity of disease, but the reasons behind this have been unclear. Now researchers show that the loss of this chromosome helps tumour cells evade the immune system. However, this mechanism also makes the cells more vulnerable to certain chemotherapy treatments, and the researchers hope their findings could help improve outcomes for patients in the future.
Research article: Abdel-Hafiz et al.
07:30 Research Highlights
How pollution particles ferry influenza virus deep into the lungs, and why artificial lights could dazzle glow worms into extinction.
Research Highlight: Flu virus hitches a ride with haze particles deep into the lung
Research Highlight: Glow-worms\u2019 \u2018come-hither\u2019 signals are lost in the glare of human lights
10:10 Engineering synthetic cartilage
The cartilage in our joints is able to withstand and dissipate a lifetime of impacts, protecting our bones and muscles from damage. But the mechanical properties of cartilage have made it difficult to mimic, and developing synthetic cartilage to replace damaged tissue has proved challenging. Now a team has developed a protein-based material that shares some of cartilage\u2019s characteristics, and shown its potential in helping heal damaged tissue.
Research article: Fu et al.
17:44 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, how early magnetic minerals might help explain why nature shows a preference for the \u2018left handed\u2019 or \u2018right handed\u2019 versions of certain molecules, and how human\u2019s thirst for groundwater has made the North Pole drift.
Science: \u2018Breakthrough\u2019 could explain why life molecules are left- or right-handed
Nature News: Rampant groundwater pumping has changed the tilt of Earth\u2019s axis
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.