Space Travel: The Radiation and Microgravity Effects on the Cardiovascular System.

Space flight modulates the functions of the cardiovascular system. The exposure to space conditions can alter the cerebral blood flow, as well as the venous return. Anemia, cardiac output changes, and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system can also be seen.

Multiplexed spatial transcriptomics methods and the application of expansion microscopy.

While spatial transcriptomics has undeniably revolutionized our ability to study cellular organization, it has driven the development of a great number of innovative transcriptomics methods, which can be classified into sequencing (ISS) methods, hybridization (ISH) techniques, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based sequencing with region capture. These technologies not only refine our understanding of cellular processes, but also open up new possibilities for breakthroughs in various research domains. One challenge of spatial transcriptomics experiments is the limitation of RNA detection due to optical crowding of RNA in the cells.

Apoptosis regulation by the tyrosine-protein kinase CSK.

C-terminal Src kinase (CSK) is a cytosolic tyrosine-protein kinase with an important role in regulating critical cellular decisions, such as cellular apoptosis, survival, proliferation, cytoskeletal organization and many others. Current knowledge on the CSK mechanisms of action, regulation and functions is still at an early stage, most of CSK's known actions and functions being mediated by the negative regulation of the SRC family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs) through phosphorylation. As SFKs play a vital role in apoptosis, cell proliferation and survival regulation, SFK inhibition by CSK has a pro-apoptotic effect, which is mediated by the inhibition of cellular signaling cascades controlled by SFKs, such as the MAPK/ERK, STAT3 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

mRNA-based vaccine technology for HIV.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses a major health problem around the globe, resulting in hundred-thousands of deaths from AIDS and over a million new infections annually. Although the standard treatment of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, has proven effective in preventing HIV transmission, it is unsuitable for worldwide use due to its substantial costs and frequent adverse effects. Besides promoting HIV/AIDS awareness through education, there is hardly an alternative for inhibiting the spread of the disease.

First COVID-19 Vaccines Receiving the US FDA and EMA Emergency Use Authorization.

On December 31, 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission reported an increase in the incidence of pneumonia from an unknown cause. Shortly after, SARS-CoV-19 was identified as the responsible coronavirus for the heavy progress of the disease, which can manifest itself distinctively in different individuals. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggered a pandemic because of its high contagiousness before COVID-19 associated symptoms actually appear.