Mini-colon and brain ‘organoids’ shed light on cancer and other diseases

[ad_1] Part of a brain organoid made using human stem cells (purple).Credit: Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library Researchers have hailed organoids — 3D clusters of cells that mimic aspects of human organs — as a potential way to test drugs and even eliminate some forms of animal experimentation. Now, in two studies published on 24 April … Read more

Fungal diseases are spreading undetected

[ad_1] Surgeons operate to remove ‘black fungus’ from a person’s lung.Credit: Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Lire en français In mid-2021, a deadly fungal disease called mucormycosis began surging in India’s crowded hospitals. Often referred to as ‘black fungus’, and caused by various common mould species, mucormycosis typically invades structures in the face and brain. But … Read more

Ancient malaria genome from Roman skeleton hints at disease’s history

[ad_1] The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum infecting a red blood cell.Credit: Dennis Kunkel Microscopy/Science Photo Library Researchers have sequenced the mitochondrial genome of the deadliest form of malaria from an ancient Roman skeleton. They say the results could help to untangle the history of the disease in Europe. It’s difficult to find signs of malaria … Read more