When health risks become visible in black and white, perspectives often shift. A study from Umeå University shows that when ultrasound images of atherosclerosis in subjects’ carotid arteries, combined with a motivational dialogue, they are more likely to be motivated to improve their lifestyle habits and take preventive medication.

A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has developed a new biochip that, when paired with Artificial Intelligence (AI), can detect quickly and accurately extremely small amounts of microRNAs, which are tiny genetic markers linked to diseases such as heart disease.

 

Published in the scientific journal Advanced Materials, the new biosensing platform combines a specially designed nanophotonic chip with AI-automated image analysis.

 

With a tiny drop of blood loaded into the chip, it can rapidly detect multiple microRNA biomarkers. With its integrated AI imaging function, thousands of microRNA signals can be imaged and analysed in a single snapshot.

 

Compared with the current gold standard of detecting microRNA – PCR (polymerase chain reaction) detects tiny amounts of genetic material by copying them many times – the new device can cut detection time from hours to 20 minutes.

Patients suffering from refractory ventricular tachycardia, a life-threating heart condition, who are not suitable for existing treatment options now have another potential avenue for recovery thanks to a promising novel offering from University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute.

Fibroblasts are an essential component of the heart, as they play key roles in its structure, development and response to cardiac damage. In this context, a recent study led by the University of Barcelona presents an innovative in vitro model that enables the precise analysis of the activation mechanisms, cellular identity and functional properties of cardiac fibroblasts. These cells are not only fundamental during the embryonic development of the heart, but also play a decisive role in the fibrosis processes associated with various cardiovascular diseases.

Centromeres act as the control centers of chromosomes, ensuring accurate genetic inheritance during cell division, yet they remain among the least understood genomic regions due to their repetitive structure.