Category: Uncategorized

Categories : UncategorizedTags : Leave a comment

Chemotherapy-Free Treatment Shows Promise for Some Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

On By ModernMedia

Phase 1/2 trial of a targeted treatment regimen showed promising activity and manageable side effects in patients with HR-positive, HER2-positive cancer

Colourised scanning electron micrograph of a breast cancer cell. Credit: NIH

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found that a chemotherapy-free combination of four targeted therapies showed encouraging results in patients with HR-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential first-line treatment option that may be more convenient for some patients and avoids chemotherapy. 

The findings, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, come from the multicentre phase 1/2 ASPIRE clinical trial, which evaluated anastrozole, palbociclib, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab as first-line treatment for patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. The regimen combines endocrine therapy with medicines that target two key pathways that drive tumour growth, potentially allowing patients to avoid chemotherapy in the initial treatment setting.

“This study demonstrates that a chemotherapy-free treatment approach can produce durable responses while maintaining a manageable safety profile for many patients with this subtype of metastatic breast cancer,” said senior author Amy Tiersten, MD, Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) and Clinical Director of Breast Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “Although these findings need to be confirmed in larger randomised clinical trials, they suggest that some patients may eventually have an effective alternative to chemotherapy as their first treatment.” 

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, and approximately 10 percent of breast cancers are HR-positive and HER2-positive. While current first-line treatments often combine HER2-targeted therapy with chemotherapy, chemotherapy can cause significant short- and long-term side effects that affect patients’ quality of life.  

The ASPIRE trial enrolled patients with previously untreated HR-positive, HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer across five clinical sites affiliated with Mount Sinai, NYU Langone Health, and Columbia University. Researchers first established the optimal dose of palbociclib before evaluating the four-drug combination in 29 patients.  

In the trial, 97 percent of patients experienced clinical benefit during the first six months of treatment. Patients lived a median of nearly 25 months before their disease progressed; median overall survival had not yet been reached at the time of the analysis. After a median follow-up of approximately 39 months, nearly 93 percent of participants were still alive. Several patients also experienced durable responses to treatment, including one who has remained on the regimen for more than six years. 

The treatment’s side effects were consistent with those expected from the medications used. The most common were neutropenia (having low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils in your blood), low white blood cell counts, diarrhea, and anemia. Only one patient discontinued treatment because of side effects, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. 

“The challenge in treating this type of breast cancer is balancing effectiveness with quality of life,” said Rima Patel, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) at the Icahn School of Medicine and first author of the study. “Many patients, particularly older adults or those with other medical conditions, may not be ideal candidates for chemotherapy. A targeted regimen that can be given primarily through oral medication and subcutaneous injection could offer a more convenient option while reducing some of chemotherapy’s burden.” 

Researchers caution that the study was relatively small and did not compare the regimen directly with current standard treatments. Because of those limitations, the findings should be viewed as hypothesis-generating until confirmed in larger randomized trials.  

The investigators are planning additional studies to determine whether the regimen can improve outcomes compared with current standard-of-care treatment. 

Source: Mount Sinai

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Coffee’s Biological Benefits Linked to Metabolic Health and Sex Hormones

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels

Coffee is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, and previous research has linked its consumption to a lower risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, the biological mechanisms behind these benefits remain unclear. A new Finnish study links habitual coffee consumption to healthier body composition and metabolic markers, while revealing distinct associations with sex hormones in men and women.

The study, conducted at the University of Oulu, analysed data from 2264 participants aged 46 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Researchers examined how habitual coffee consumption was associated with circulating metabolites, cardiometabolic risk markers and sex hormones.

Despite having a similar body mass index (BMI), individuals with higher coffee consumption had lower total and visceral fat and greater skeletal muscle mass than those who consumed less coffee.

In both men and women, higher coffee consumption was correlated with lower circulating levels of branched-chain amino acids, biomarkers that have previously been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes when chronically elevated.

The strongest sex-specific associations were observed in men. Higher coffee consumption was linked to a more favourable glucose–insulin profile, higher concentrations of total and bioavailable testosterone, and increased levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). At the same time, free testosterone and the free androgen index were modestly lower. In women, hormonal associations were more limited and were primarily characterised by higher SHBG and lower measures of free androgens.

“Coffee is consumed by millions of people every day, yet we still know surprisingly little about how it relates to our metabolism and hormones. What stood out in our findings was a distinct hormonal signature that didn’t disappear even after we took into account BMI and lifestyle factors, with several of these associations differing between men and women,” says Luca Verroest, lead author of the study and Doctoral Researcher at the University of Oulu.

The results suggest that hormonal pathways may partly explain the relationship between coffee consumption and metabolic health. However, as this was an observational study, the findings demonstrate associations rather than cause-and-effect relationships.

The study is particularly relevant in Finland, one of the world’s highest coffee-consuming countries, where annual consumption averages around 11.8 kilograms per person.

The researchers say the findings provide a foundation for future studies aimed at determining whether coffee itself drives these biological changes and identifying the compounds responsible. These questions are currently being investigated in animal models, with the long-term goal of progressing to human intervention studies. Further research will be needed before the findings could inform dietary recommendations.

The study, Associations of habitual coffee intake with testosterone and cardiometabolic markers: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study, has been published in the European Journal of Nutrition on 16 July 2026.

Source: University of Oulu

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Researchers Develop a New Approach for Delivering Healing Treatment Deep into Wounds

On By ModernMedia
A bandage-like device delivers a naturally occurring gas directly to wounds, with the goal of improving blood flow and helping patients heal more effectively. Journal of Biological Engineering, 2026.

When wounds fail to heal, a common problem in patients with diabetes, the result can be infection, tissue damage and long-term complications. Now, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) are developing an approach that could improve healing by increasing blood flow directly at the wound site.

The research, which is published in the Journal of Biological Engineering, focuses on delivering hydrogen sulfide, a gas naturally produced in the body, through a device similar to a bandage that applies the gas directly to injured tissue. The device is being developed in collaboration with Exhalix, a company focused on developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for vascular health and wound healing. By targeting the wound itself rather than the entire body, the approach aims to improve circulation where it is needed most – a key factor in whether a wound is able to heal.

“If we can improve healing in these hard-to-treat wounds, it could make a real difference,” said Dr Cristine Heaps, interim head of VMBS’ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. “People are losing limbs to wounds most of us would never think twice about.”

Improving blood flow to support healing

Hydrogen sulfide plays an important role in the body’s ability to heal by improving circulation by helping vasodilation and promoting angiogenesis. Together, these processes increase blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach damaged tissue and support recovery.

This is especially important in patients with limited circulation, such as those with diabetes or ischemia, a condition in which tissues do not receive enough oxygen due to reduced blood flow. Chronic wounds are a significant challenge in these patients, often requiring ongoing treatment and increasing the risk of serious complications. Without adequate circulation, even minor wounds can struggle to heal.

“In many of these patients, the body just isn’t getting enough blood to the wound to support healing,” Heaps said.

Current treatments often involve cleaning the wound, managing infection and using specialised dressings or therapies to encourage healing, but they do not directly address the underlying lack of blood flow. The bandage-like device the research team is developing would, instead, apply hydrogen sulfide directly to the wound, using a specialised coating that generates controlled amounts of the gas at the wound site, a localised approach Heaps says is critical for safety.

For example, hydrogen sulfide distributed throughout the body could cause blood vessels to widen too much, reducing blood flow to vital organs like the brain.

“If that effect happened throughout the entire body, your blood pressure would drop too much because your vessels would all widen at once,” Heaps said. “By keeping it localised, we can target the wound without affecting the rest of the body.”

Early findings suggest that their device keeps the gas concentrated at the wound site, allowing it to act directly on damaged tissue without circulating through the rest of the body.

Building on existing treatments

In addition to developing this new approach, researchers are also exploring how it could work alongside current standards of care. One of the most widely used treatments for chronic wounds is negative pressure wound therapy, which uses controlled suction to remove fluids and promote healing.

“We’re using our device in combination with negative pressure wound therapy to see if we can improve outcomes beyond what either approach can do on its own,” Heaps said.

In this approach, hydrogen sulfide is delivered for a set period before suction is reintroduced, allowing the gas to act on the wound without being immediately removed. The team is studying whether this combined strategy can further improve blood flow and healing.

“This could apply to a wide range of patients – not just those with diabetes, but anyone with wounds that are slow to heal,” Heaps said. “It could also help surgical patients and those recovering from injuries that limit blood flow.”

The research remains in the early, preclinical stage and has yet to be evaluated in human patients.

“We’re still working to understand the best dosing and how often it should be delivered to get the greatest benefit,” Heaps said.

While more research is needed, early findings suggest that delivering hydrogen sulfide directly to wounds could offer a new way to improve healing – especially for patients who face the greatest challenges in recovery.

Source: Texas A&M University

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

South African Scientists Make Breakthrough in Decoding Cancer’s Most Effective Survival Strategy

On By ModernMedia
Scanning electron micrograph of just-divided HeLa cells. Zeiss Merlin HR-SEM. Credit: National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research

Kevin Naidoo, University of Cape Town

In the intricate biology of the human body, organs such as the breast, the colon and the lungs are lined with a defensive barrier known as the epithelium. At the heart of this barrier sits a remarkable protein called Mucin-1 (MUC1). In a healthy body, MUC1 is like a sentinel.

It stands on the cell wall, draped in a complex “armour” of long chains of sugar molecules (carbohydrates), where it serves as a physical shield against bacteria, viruses and toxins. Crucially, it communicates with the immune system, telling our natural defences when the body is under threat.

But in the case of cancer, this guardian exchanges its sugar coat armour for shorter sugar chains and so turns into a traitor. It stops sending danger signals to the immune system and instead binds to the immune cells, creating an anti-inflammatory microenvironment that promotes tumours.

The team I lead at the Scientific Computing Research Unit at the University of Cape Town is home to computer modelling experts and experimental chemical biology research scientists. The molecular details of this MUC1 alteration, which contributes to the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells, were recently published in Nature Communications, and provide a new look at exactly how this process happens.

By developing a novel “test-tube” synthetic biology approach, we modelled and decoded the molecular assembly line reorganisation that allows cancer to “redecorate” MUC1, turning it from a protective shield into a cloak of invisibility. We used our own computational chemistry algorithms to map the exact sugar coating positions that create a tumour-promoting environment.

Understanding the location and nature of the MUC1 sugars that prevent the immune system from detecting tumours provides the foundation for our laboratory and others in the field to develop cancer vaccines, biomarkers and therapeutics.

This South African-led discovery represents a major leap forward in our ability to decode one of cancer’s most effective survival strategies.

The problem: a malignant makeover

In a normal cell, the sugar molecules attached to MUC1 are long and complex. The process of attaching sugars is called glycosylation. In cancer cells, however, this process goes haywire. The sugar molecules are often cut short or altered, creating “aberrant” structures like the Tn and sialyl-Tn (sTn) antigens. These are specific types of sugar-protein combinations that are tags for tumour cells.

These altered sugars do two dangerous things: they allow the tumour to evade detection by the immune system, and they actively trigger the process of turning a normal cell into a cancerous one.

Because MUC1 is found in so many different types of cancer, the US National Cancer Institute has ranked it as the most accesible target.

To stop the cascading effect of the MUC1 changes from normal to tumour cells, scientists first had to understand exactly how the “assembly line” breaks down.

The discovery: relocating the factory

Our research team set out to do something ambitious: recreate the transition from a healthy sugar coating to a cancerous one in a laboratory setting.

In normal cells, the enzymes that build these sugar chains (long molecules) live in a part of the cell called the Golgi apparatus, the cell’s “packaging and delivery centre”. We built an in vitro (test-tube) model to simulate what happens when these conditions change. We discovered that in tumour cells, the enzymes responsible for starting the sugar chains are relocated to another part of the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum, essentially the cell’s “factory floor”.

This relocation changes everything. Here, the enzymes are no longer inhibited by the usual cellular checks and balances. They take over the sugar sites on the MUC1 protein, creating the foundation for the cancerous Tn antigen.

To take the study even further, we used quantum chemistry. We simulated the behaviour of atoms and molecules at the most fundamental level to find out where these changes are most likely to happen. We identified a specific location on the MUC1 protein, known as the T13 site, which cancer enzymes prefer. This specific interaction is what drives the massive increase in the sTn antigen seen in malignant tumours.

Why this matters: from lab to patient

Understanding the “how” and the “where” of these sugar changes is the first step towards stopping them. The research didn’t stop at the test tube; the team is already looking at what this means for patients.

The next phase of the research, as detailed in a recent paper in Glycobiology, involves building a sophisticated “systems biology” computational model. A model can connect the changes in the MUC1 sugar coating to the behaviour of immune cells. For example, scientists found that when these cancerous sugars interact with macrophages (a type of white blood cell), they trigger the release of specific signals that tell the tumour to grow and spread.

We are refining these details for various types of cancer. We are comparing common forms of breast cancer with more aggressive, currently untreatable types to see if the “sugar code” differs between them.

By using this accurate, atomic-level data to build computer models of the entire biological system, we hope to identify new drugs that can block these signals. The goal is to move towards precision medicine: treatments that can strip away cancer’s sugar shield, allowing the patient’s own immune system to finally see and destroy the tumour.

Kevin Naidoo, Professor of Scientific Computing and Physical Chemistry, University of Cape Town

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Human Cells Can Exchange Genomic DNA that Alters Cell Behaviour

On By ModernMedia

Children’s Research Institute scientists discover that DNA transferred between cells can be inherited, remain biologically active

Live-cell microscopy shows a DNA-containing micronucleus (green) moving directly from one human cell into a nearby cell (red).

Scientists at Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) have discovered that large pieces of DNA can transfer directly between human cells, and the DNA can persist and change how the recipient cell functions. The findings, published in Cell, challenge a long-standing view that the genomes of individual human cells evolve independently from one another.

The study shows DNA damage and errors in cell division can cause pieces of genomic DNA to escape from the nucleus and move into nearby cells through nanotubes – thin, tubelike structures that briefly form when some cells come into contact.

Once inside a recipient cell, transferred DNA can enter the nucleus and become incorporated into the cell’s genome. Researchers found that transferred DNA persisted through multiple rounds of cell division, remained biologically active, and conferred new traits to recipient cells.

“This was a surprising discovery,” said study leader Peter Ly, PhD, Assistant Professor in CRI and of Cell Biology, Pediatrics, and in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Our findings suggest neighbouring cells may be able to directly reshape one another’s genomes in ways we did not anticipate.” 

Study first author Elizabeth Maurais, PhD, a recent graduate of the Genetics, Development and Disease Program at UT Southwestern, and other Ly Lab researchers uncovered this process while studying how cells respond to genomic instability, including DNA damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Using advanced live-cell microscopy, the team observed DNA moving from one cell to another. In one experiment, pieces of the Y chromosome transferred from male cells into female cells. The transferred DNA carried male-specific genes that became active in the female cells, indicating the transferred DNA remained functional after entering the recipient cell.

“There are many open questions. We now want to understand how widespread this process is, how it is regulated at the cellular and molecular levels, and what role it may play in human health and disease, including cancer,” Dr. Ly said. “These findings may have important implications for understanding how cancer genomes evolve and acquire large-scale chromosomal alterations.” 

Researchers also observed DNA transfer between different types of human cells, which Dr. Ly said suggests the findings may be a general feature of human cell biology. 

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Categories : Uncategorized

Four Minutes of Daily Resistance Training Can Quadruple Fitness in Older Adults

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Mikhail Nilov

By Marina Naumova

Just four minutes of daily strengthening exercise dramatically increases key factors in quality of life for ageing adults, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. Results published in PLOS One showed that strength – which impacts fall risk, longevity, independent living and more – significantly improved for adults aged 65 and older in as little as 12 weeks.

Mobility, or physical fitness, is a critical indicator of quality of life for adults ages 65 and above, allowing for completion of daily tasks and movement. Unintentional injuries such as tripping or falling are among the top leading causes of death among adults ages 65 and over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A lack of physical fitness in aging persists because people believe that they can only reap the benefits of exercise with more extensive resistance training workouts – but that’s not the case, according to lead author Christopher Sciamanna, professor of medicine and of public health at Penn State College of Medicine. He said a short four-minute workout is enough to improve upon several factors of critical mobility indicators.

“The human body is designed to improve very quickly,” Sciamanna said. “And just a few repetitions of an exercise performed regularly can lead to huge improvements. Exercise is about forward thinking – think about what you want to be able to do and train for it.”

While resistance training can greatly increase strength in just a few months, less than one in five older adults exercise for the recommended two days per week of muscle-strengthening activity, partially due to routine length, pain and other limitations.

“Exercise is actually really complicated, because you have to decide how many repetitions, how far, how many sets, how much rest and how many times per week,” said co-author Smita Dandekar, associate professor of paediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine. “It’s hard work, so there’s huge problems with people wanting to do exercise. If we can make it short, we’re part way there.”

Previously, the team had conducted a study called FAST (Functional Activity Strength Training)-1, a smaller-scale experiment where 24 older adults performed 30 seconds of push-ups and squats daily, resulting in improved squat performance over six months. Other studies have also shown that a few sets of exercise per week can lead to nearly the same improvements as longer-length routines. Building off of those findings, Sciamanna’s team decided to test the efficacy of a shorter routine.

In the current study, researchers from Penn Statue tested the effects of a program, called FAST-2, to see if it improved mobility and physical capability in adults older than 65. A total of 97 participants with an average age of 74 years old were randomly assigned to receive either the exercise regimen treatment or no intervention. Prior to the study, participants reported performing an average of about 18 minutes of total exercise each week, which is much lower than the recommended amount of at least 150 minutes’ moderate or 75 minutes’ vigorous exercise for adults, Sciamanna explained.

The FAST-2 program included four exercises: push-ups, chair stands, two-arm rows and stair stepping. Participants performed each movement for 30 seconds followed by a 30-second rest. Participants received four elastic resistance bands and a stepper with an adjustable height. Written explanations and modifications were provided for the exercises, such as performing pushups with hands on a countertop or wall, or chair stands with hands on the knees.

As participants improved, they were encouraged to progress to higher levels of difficulty, like performing the original version of the exercise if they were doing a modified version or increasing step height on the stepper. To measure participants’ progress, the researchers assessed the participants’ ability and speed at standing up and ability to stand on one leg at the beginning, middle and end of the study.

The tests mimic the movements required in everyday activities, making them useful predictors of potential risks and future need for care, the researchers said.

The authors found that this exercise regimen, which included only 60 seconds of lower body resistance training, was enough to give significant improvements in functional performance: 4.2 more repetitions in a 30 second chair stand, 3.6 more seconds in one-legged stand time and a decrease of 2.3 seconds in sit-to-stand time. These changes point to related improvements in daily life fitness, such as standing up from a chair, climbing stairs and walking, Sciamanna explained.

“These indicators predict your future ability to go into a nursing home, your future likelihood of falling and of developing difficulty walking,” Sciamanna said. “They give you a sense of whether or not you’re going to be able to be active in the future.”

One of the additional benefits of a shorter program like FAST-2, Sciamanna explained, is a higher chance that people will stick to the routine. Participants completed the exercise on 81% of days during the study period, demonstrating that the program can fit into days even with time constraints or other concerns that may keep people from continuing an exercise program, even though it could lead to improvements in everyday life.

The findings are a promising indication that resistance training regimens do not have to be long to make a big difference in strength, mobility and quality of life, Sciamanna explained.

“Exercise is the key to freedom,” he said. “Freedom is the ability to be able to do what you want to do, and I would say that if you can’t do what you want to do, you’re not free. I approach exercise by thinking of what I want to be able to do in 20 years, and then I train to do that.”

Source: Pennsylvania State University

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Depression Can Reduce Income for Years

On By ModernMedia

Study shows that income remains lower for up to 10 years after diagnosis

Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash

A diagnosis of depression in connection with hospital treatment can have long-term consequences for personal finances. This is shown in a new registry-based study from the Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, which follows nearly five million people in Denmark over time.

The study found that income is around 10% lower 10 years after diagnosis compared with people without depression, and the gap does not disappear. At the same time, the income loss for depression is greater than for several physical illnesses such as stroke and breast cancer.

Mental illness has the greatest financial impact

The study compares depression, alcohol use disorder, stroke and breast cancer. Income falls after illness in all four groups, but the decline is greatest for mental disorders.

“We see that mental disorders affect not only health, but also people’s economic life course to a considerable extent,” says Emily K. Johnson, PhD Student at the Danish Centre for Health Economics, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark.

She is first author of the study, which has been published in JAMA Health Forum.

“The income loss grows over time and can still be measured 10 years later. Even though mental disorders are more common in women, losses are generally greater for men,” Emily K. Johnson explains.

Not just a temporary loss

While earlier studies have often focused on short-term sick leave, the new study shows that income loss persists and in many cases grows over time.

– It is not only about being away from work for a period. We see changes in the entire income trajectory, says Emily K. Johnson.

This may, among other things, reflect reduced ability to keep a job, change jobs or progress in a career.

May reinforce social inequality

Income loss is greatest among people in the middle of working life, when earnings would normally be increasing. At the same time, the loss grows over time for younger people.

“If you are affected early in your career, you may lose your footing in the labour market. That can be difficult to recover later,” says Emily K. Johnson.

People outside the labour market are also hit particularly hard. For them, illness may make it even harder to enter employment. The findings therefore suggest that illness can reinforce existing social inequality.

Income falls before the illness is registered

Income already begins to decline in the years before people receive a diagnosis of depression in hospital care. This suggests that the consequences begin before the illness is formally registered and treated.

The study includes people who had contact with a hospital, either as inpatients or outpatients, including psychiatric hospital care. People treated only by their general practitioner or by private psychologists or psychiatrists are not included.

“This suggests that the course of illness starts earlier and that the consequences for working life emerge gradually,” Emily K. Johnson explains. Job loss, income loss and poor mental health can reinforce one another over time,

The study is based on Danish registry data and includes all non-retired residents aged 18 to 65 between 2000 and 2018. People with illness were compared with similar people without a diagnosis, matched on factors including age, sex, education and income, and baseline health.

Income was measured as disposable income, meaning post-tax income including wages, transfers and capital income.

Can inform health policy priorities

According to the researchers, the findings can help improve decision-making in health and social policy.

“Priority setting should not be based only on how many people become ill, but also on how illness affects people’s working lives and finances, especially for those early in their careers,” says Emily K. Johnson.

The study adds new knowledge by comparing mental and physical illnesses using the same method, making it possible to assess their relative consequences.

Limitations

The study includes only people who had contact with a hospital and therefore does not cover everyone with depression. At the same time, it cannot establish cause and effect with certainty, especially in the case of mental disorders which are difficult to measure. In addition, only people who survive the course of illness are included in the analyses of income over time.

By Marianne Lie Becker

Source: University of Southern Denmark

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Neanderthals May Have Used Birch Tar for Its Anti-bacterial Properties

On By ModernMedia

Experiments confirm anti-biotic properties of birch bark extract

The bark of birch trees has been used to produce tar for more than 150 000 years. The centre photo shows birch bark tar condensed onto a rock that borders a hearth. When scraped off the rocks, the viscous tar can be used as both an adhesive and antibiotic.

Neanderthals probably used birch tar for multiple functions, including treating their wounds, according to a study published March 18, 2026 in the open-access journal PLOS One by a team of researchers led by Tjaark Siemssen of the University of Cologne, Germany, and the University of Oxford, UK.

Birch tar is commonly found at Neanderthal archaeological sites, and in some cases this tar is known to have been used as an adhesive to assemble tools. Recently, some researchers have raised the question of whether Neanderthals had multiple uses for this substance. For instance, Indigenous communities in northern Europe and Canada use birch tar to treat wounds, and there is growing evidence that Neanderthals also employed a variety of medical practices.

To investigate the medicinal potential of birch tar, Siemssen and colleagues extracted tar from modern birch tree bark, specifically targeting species known from Neanderthal sites. They used multiple extraction methods, including distillation of tar in a clay pit and condensation of tar against a stone surface, both of which would have been methods available to Neanderthals. When exposed to different strains of bacteria, all of the tar samples were found to be effective at hindering the growth of Staphylococcus bacteria known to cause wound infections.

These experiments not only support the efficacy of Indigenous medicinal practices, but also reinforce the possibility that Neanderthals used birch tar to treat wounds. The authors note that there are other potential uses of birch tar, such as insect repellent, as well as other plants to which Neanderthals had access. Further exploration of the multiple potential uses of these natural ingredients will enable a more thorough understanding of Neanderthal culture.

The authors add: “We found that the birch tar produced by Neanderthals and early humans had antibacterial properties. This has important implications for how Neanderthals may have mitigated disease burden during the last Ice Ages, and adds to a growing set of evidence on healthcare in these early human communities.”

“By bringing together research on indigenous pharmacology and experimental archaeology, we begin to understand the medicinal practices of our distant human ancestors and their closest cousins. Additionally, this study of ‘palaeopharmacology’ can contribute to the rediscovery of antibiotic remedies whilst we face an ever more pressing antimicrobial resistance crisis.”

“The messiness of birch tar production deserves a special mention. Every step of the production is a sensory experience in itself, and getting the tar off our hands after spending hours at the fire has been a challenge every time.”

Provided by PLOS

Press preview: https://plos.io/3P6QrS5

In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS One: https://plos.io/4le9beh

Contact: Tjaark Siemssen, tjaark.siemssen@arch.ox.ac.uk

Image caption: The bark of birch trees has been used to produce tar for more than 150,000 years. The centre photo shows birch bark tar condensed onto a rock that borders a hearth. When scraped off the rocks, the viscous tar can be used as both an adhesive and antibiotic.

Image credit: Tjaark Siemssen, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

High-resolution image link: https://plos.io/4cteLHD

Citation: Siemssen T, Oludare A, Schemmel M, Puschmann J, Bierenstiel M (2026) Antibacterial properties of experimentally produced birch tar and its medicinal affordances in the Pleistocene. PLoS One 21(3): e0343618. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343618

Author countries: U.K., Canada, Belgium, Germany

Funding: Tjaark Siemssen is funded by the Boise Trust of the University of Oxford and the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung). Aderonke Oludare was funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant 420598 awarded to Matthias Bierenstiel. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Rapid Diagnostics Alone Do Not Cut Antibiotic Prescribing for Respiratory Infections

On By ModernMedia
Credit: Scientific Animations CC4.0

Two international studies, a clinical trial led by the University of Oxford and University of Utrecht, and a qualitative study led by the University of Oxford and University of Antwerp, report that point-of-care diagnostic testing, when used alone is unlikely to reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in primary care. The findings indicate that testing must be embedded within broader antimicrobial stewardship strategies to be effective.

The results of the PRUDENCE trial, published in The Lancet Primary Care took place in 13 European countries. Part of the randomised controlled trial with 2639 patients in all 13 countries was an in-depth qualitative evaluation involving clinicians and patients in six countries.

Together, the studies provide the most comprehensive evaluation to date of whether rapid diagnostic testing can meaningfully decrease antibiotic use in real-world primary care settings without having a negative impact on patient recovery.

Around 90% of antibiotics are prescribed by GPs in primary care, and most of these prescriptions are for respiratory infections such as sore throats and coughs, which are usually caused by viruses and do not need antibiotics.

Point-of-care tests have been widely promoted as a diagnostic tools to help clinicians in treatment decision making, thereby reducing unnecessary prescriptions.

Clinical trial across 13 countries shows no overall reduction in antibiotic prescribing

The clinical trial ran from December 2021 to January 2024. The trial enrolled 2,639 patients aged one year and older who presented with a cough or sore throat. All participants were included because their clinician was considering to prescribe antibiotics.

Participants were randomly assigned to usual care alone or to usual care plus a point-of-care testing strategy. Depending on symptoms and season, testing could include a CRP test (a blood test measuring inflammation), a group A streptococcus test (a rapid throat swab), an influenza A and B test, or a combination of these tests depending on clinical presentation and influenza season.

Antibiotics were prescribed to 45.7% of patients in the point-of-care testing group and 47.1% in the usual care group, a difference that is not statistically significant. Both groups recovered at the same rate, taking an average of four days to return to their usual daily activities. The study also found no increase in complications or serious adverse events linked to the testing strategy.

The trial concludes that point-of-care testing, when introduced as a standalone strategy in situations where clinicians are already inclined to prescribe antibiotics, does not substantially reduce antibiotic prescribing.

Qualitative study reveals why testing alone is insufficient

The qualitative study embedded within the trial explored how clinicians and patients experienced and used point-of-care testing. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 56 patients and 33 clinicians across six countries.

The findings from this study help explain why the trial did not lead to a reduction in prescribing rates.

Clinicians often used test results to confirm decisions they had already made, rather than to change them. When the initial clinical assessment strongly suggested a bacterial infection, clinicians frequently prioritised clinical judgement over test results. They also highlighted importance of relying on clinical intuition, and questioned the accuracy of the test rather than revising their prescribing decision.

Point of care tests were more effective in cases of genuine diagnostic uncertainty, when symptoms were non-specific or when it was difficult to distinguish a bacterial from a viral infection. In these cases, a test result could change the prescribing decision in either direction. However, perceived patient expectations, perceived severity of illness, timing of presentation, and cultural norms around antibiotics often outweighed test results.

The question is no longer whether point of care tests work in primary care, but under what conditions they can function optimally and how policy and medical practice can actively create those conditions.

Professor Sarah Tonkin-Crine at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and senior co-author of the qualitative study, said: ‘The results of our study suggest that diagnostic tests alone are not sufficient. Clinicians across six very different countries and health systems described the same patterns; the primacy of clinical intuition, the pressure of perceived patient expectations and the difficulty of acting on a test result those conflicts with your own assessment. are fundamental to how clinical decisions. This tells us that point-of-care testing needs to be part of a broader strategy, one that includes clinician training, communication support, and clear guidance on how to act safely on test results.’

Professor Chris Butler, Associate Head for Research at the Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences and lead author of the trial, said: ‘Point-of-care tests have real potential, but our study shows that diagnostics on their own do not inevitably change prescribing decisions. When clinicians are already leaning towards antibiotics, test results often reinforce that choice. To make a meaningful difference, rapid testing must be combined with clear guidance, clinician training, and support to manage patient expectations. In addition, we need better evidence about the safety of following the prescribing implications of tests.’

Diagnostic testing has been widely promoted in national and international action plans as a key mechanism to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. The results of these studies suggest that diagnostics tests alone are not sufficient to reduce antibiotic prescribing. They must be combined with structured clinician training, clear guidance on the safety of following test results, and strategies to address the cognitive dissonance- the discomfort of holding conflicting information that arises when test results challenge a clinician’s initial assessment.

The paper, ‘Point-of-care testing strategy versus usual care to safely reduce antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections in primary care (PRUDENCE): a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial in 13 countries‘, is published in The Lancet Primary Care.

Source: Oxford University

Categories : UncategorizedTags :

Revealing How Transplanted Neural Stem Cells Preserve Vision

On By ModernMedia
Photoreceptor cells in the retina. Credit: Scientific Animations

Cedars-Sinai investigators working to optimise a cell-based treatment for retinitis pigmentosa have uncovered how transplanted neural stem cells interact with host retinal cells to preserve vision. The findings, published in Nature Communications, may guide future research toward strategies to treat degenerative eye disease.

“We used single-cell analysis to show that neural stem cells can protect vision in several ways, including providing protective proteins, restoring retinal cells to a healthier state, reducing cellular stress, and maintaining retinal integrity,” said Clive Svendsen, PhD, executive director of the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and co-corresponding author of the study.

Investigators transplanted neural stem cells into the retinas of laboratory rats with retinal degeneration. Previous studies have shown the transplants significantly reduced vision loss in the animals for up to 180 days, the equivalent of about 20 years in humans. In this study the team examined interactions between the transplanted cells and diseased retinal cells to better understand the neural stem cells’ protective effects.

“Our study reveals that the interaction between neural stem cells and host retinal cells dynamically changes over time,” said Shaomei Wang, MD, PhD, professor of Biomedical Sciences and co-corresponding author of the study.  “Through a better understanding of this process, we may be able to develop more powerful approaches to treat eye diseases in the future.”

Investigators are now evaluating the use of neural stem cells engineered to express key protective proteins identified in this study to further improve the host retinal environment. 

Additional Cedars-Sinai authors include Saba Shahin, Shaughn Bell, Bin Lu, Hui Xu, Jason Chetsawang, Stephany Ramirez, Jorge S. Alfaro, Alexander Laperle and Soshana Svendsen.

Other authors include Somanshu Banerjee and Vivek Swarup.

Source: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center