Photosensitive cells in the eye - cones and rods - change their sizes for a moment when light flashes on them. Polish researchers have just explained why. This tiny, fast pulsation of retinal cells can be seen live thanks to the Polish method of eye imaging.
Scientists, including researchers from Poland, have explained the formation and functioning of an important structure, the so-called cap, which is part of the mRNA of trypanosomes. Their research may help create new strategies to fight these dangerous parasites of humans and cattle.
Identification of intestinal bacteria that metabolise testosterone, and thus can cause its deficiency, and microbes that can reverse this unfavourable process are the main research areas of the project led by Tomasz Janeczko, PhD, from the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
Scientists from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW) conduct promising research on the use of beta-glucans from oats in the treatment of colorectal cancer. The researchers believe that their work will lead to the development of non-invasive methods supporting the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug status to a compound developed by specialists from the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Kraków. This means that it may be given preferential treatment in further studies.
The team from the Histology and Embryology Department at the Wroclaw Medical University will focus on one of the markers of drug resistance in chemotherapy. In the case of breast cancer, it may be a certain protein. The university received a PLN 4.5 million grant from the Medical Research Agency for this research.
Professor Jacek Szepietowski from Wrocław University of Science and Technology, and an international team of researchers, have developed a new model of treatment for a burdensome skin disease - HS (hidradenitis suppurativa). He published the results of his work in the prestigious journal The Lancet.
Last year's research by a Polish-British team showed that the ratio of the length of the second to fourth digit can suggest which person is more prone to risky alcohol drinking. According to researchers, this ratio can also be a diagnostic marker in conditions related to hormonal disorders and a risk indicator in the prevention of certain diseases.
Patient non-compliance with therapeutic recommendations is one of the greatest challenges in healthcare. As many as 200,000 people die in Europe every year because of this, experts warned last week.
Polish scientists have studied the RNA metabolism of trypanosomes that cause serious diseases. The results, published in Nature Communications, may contribute to the development of new therapies, the authors of the study say.