When immune cells stop fighting cancer and start helping it

Scientists have uncovered a surprising way tumors turn the immune system to their advantage. Researchers at the University of Geneva found that neutrophils—normally frontline defenders against infection—can be reprogrammed inside tumors to fuel cancer growth instead. Once exposed to the tumor environment, these immune cells begin producing a molecule called CCL3 that actively promotes tumor progression.

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Scientists find a clue to human brain evolution in finger length

Human evolution has long been tied to growing brain size, and new research suggests prenatal hormones may have played a surprising role. By studying the relative lengths of index and ring fingers — a clue to oestrogen and testosterone exposure in the womb — researchers found that higher prenatal estrogen was linked to larger head size in newborn boys.

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A secret cell alliance may explain why ovarian cancer is so deadly

Scientists have discovered why ovarian cancer spreads so rapidly through the abdomen. Cancer cells enlist normally protective abdominal cells, forming mixed groups that work together to invade new tissue. These helper cells lead the way, allowing cancer to spread faster and resist chemotherapy. The findings uncover a critical weakness that future treatments may target.

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Menopause linked to grey matter loss in key brain regions

A major study suggests menopause is linked to changes in brain structure, mental health, and sleep. Brain scans revealed grey matter loss in areas tied to memory and emotional regulation, while many women reported increased anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Hormone therapy did not reverse these effects, though it may slow age-related declines in reaction speed. Researchers say menopause could represent an important turning point for brain health.

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Why colorectal cancer breaks the immune system’s rules

Colorectal cancer has long baffled scientists because, unlike most tumors, patients often do better when their cancers are packed with immune-suppressing regulatory T cells. New research finally explains why. Scientists discovered that these T cells aren’t all the same: one subtype actually helps keep tumors in check, while another shields cancer from immune attack. The balance between these “good” and “bad” cells can determine whether a tumor grows or shrinks.

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Why colorectal cancer breaks the immune system’s rules

Colorectal cancer has long baffled scientists because, unlike most tumors, patients often do better when their cancers are packed with immune-suppressing regulatory T cells. New research finally explains why. Scientists discovered that these T cells aren’t all the same: one subtype actually helps keep tumors in check, while another shields cancer from immune attack. The balance between these “good” and “bad” cells can determine whether a tumor grows or shrinks.

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New nasal vaccine shows strong protection against H5N1 bird flu

As bird flu continues to circulate in animals and spill over into humans, researchers are racing to stop it before it adapts to spread widely between people. A new nasal spray vaccine showed strong protection against H5N1 in animal tests, outperforming traditional flu shots. Because it targets the nose and lungs, it may prevent infection at the earliest stage.

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Why heart disease risk in type 2 diabetes looks different for men and women

Scientists are digging into why heart disease risk in type 2 diabetes differs between men and women—and sex hormones may be part of the story. In a large Johns Hopkins study, men with higher testosterone had lower heart disease risk, while rising estradiol levels were linked to higher risk. These hormone effects were not seen in women. The results point toward more personalized approaches to heart disease prevention in diabetes.

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Scientists find hidden pathways pancreatic cancer uses to spread

Researchers have discovered how pancreatic cancer reprograms its surroundings to spread quickly and stealthily. By using a protein called periostin, the tumor remodels nearby tissue and invades nerves, which helps cancer cells travel and form metastases. This process also creates a tough, fibrous barrier that makes treatments less effective. Targeting periostin could help stop this invasion before it starts.

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A Trojan horse cancer therapy shows stunning results

Scientists at Mount Sinai have unveiled a bold new way to fight metastatic cancer by turning the tumor’s own defenses against it. Instead of attacking cancer cells head-on, the experimental immunotherapy targets macrophages—immune cells that tumors hijack to shield themselves from attack. By eliminating or reprogramming these “bodyguards,” the treatment cracks open the tumor’s protective barrier and allows the immune system to flood in and destroy the cancer.

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