Andrew Wong knew from an early age that running a restaurant required improvisation, having watched his parents steer their London Chinese restaurant through nearly 30 years of good times and bad.

Sea level rise estimates are moving upwards. There could be at least a 1.3 metre rise by 2100, which would spell disaster for coastal communities

NASA on Thursday selected space firms SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics to build lunar landing systems that can carry astronauts to the moon by 2024, the White House's accelerated deadline under the space agency's moon-to-Mars campaign. Jillian Kitchener has more.

The coronavirus pandemic is making life feel slower than ever, but observing timescales across the universe can bring us some comfort, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Title: Gastro Woes More Common in Kids With Autism: Review
Category: Health News
Created: 4/28/2014 9:36:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/28/2014 12:00:00 AM

Title: Long Periods in Space Alter Astronauts' Brains
Category: Health News
Created: 4/14/2020 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 4/15/2020 12:00:00 AM

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common sarcoma, is characterized by KIT protein overexpression, and tumors are frequently driven by oncogenic KIT mutations. Targeted inhibition of KIT revolutionized GIST therapy and ushered in the era of precision medicine for the treatment of solid malignancies. Here, we present the first use of a KIT-specific DNA aptamer for targeted labeling of GIST. We found that an anti-KIT DNA aptamer bound cells in a KIT-dependent manner and was highly specific for GIST cell labeling in vitro. Functionally, the KIT aptamer bound extracellular KIT in a manner similar to KIT mAb staining, and was trafficked intracellularly in vitro. The KIT aptamer bound dissociated primary human GIST cells in a mutation agnostic manner such that tumors with KIT and PDGFRA mutations were labeled. In addition, the KIT aptamer specifically labeled intact human GIST tissue ex vivo, as well as peritoneal xenografts in mice with high sensitivity. These results represent the first use of an aptamer-based method for targeted detection of GIST in vitro and in vivo.

The apparent detection of an exoplanet orbiting Fomalhaut was announced in 2008. However, subsequent observations of Fomalhaut b raised questions about its status: Unlike other exoplanets, it is bright in the optical and nondetected in the infrared, and its orbit appears to cross the debris ring around the star without...

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor that arises from the epithelial cells of the bile duct and is notorious for its poor prognosis. The clinical outcome remains disappointing, and thus more effective therapeutic options are urgently required. Cordycepin, a traditional Chinese medicine, provides multiple pharmacological strategies in antitumors, but its mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we reported that cordycepin inhibited the viability and proliferation capacity of CCA cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assay. Flow cytometry and Hoechst dye showed that cordycepin induced cancer cell apoptosis via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 deactivation. Moreover, cordycepin significantly reduced the angiogenetic capabilities of CCA in vitro as examined by tube formation assay. We also discovered that cordycepin inhibited DEK expression by using Western blot assay. DEK serves as an oncogenic protein that is overexpressed in various gastrointestinal tumors. DEK silencing inhibited CCA cell viability and angiogenesis but not apoptosis induction determined by Western blot and flow cytometry. Furthermore, cordycepin significantly inhibited tumor growth and angiogenic capacities in a xenograft model by downregulating the expression of DEK, phosphorylated ERK1/2 CD31 and von Willebrand factor (vWF). Taken together, we demonstrated that cordycepin inhibited CCA cell proliferation and angiogenesis with a DEK interaction via downregulation in ERK signaling. These data indicate that cordycepin may serve as a novel agent for CCA clinical treatment and prognosis improvement.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature-sensing ion channel mainly expressed in primary sensory neurons (A-fibers and C-fibers in the dorsal root ganglion). In this report, we characterized KPR-5714 (N-[(R)-3,3-difluoro-4-hydroxy-1-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)butan-2-yl]-3-fluoro-2-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]benzamide), a novel and selective TRPM8 antagonist, to assess its therapeutic potential against frequent urination in rat models with overactive bladder (OAB). In calcium influx assays with HEK293T cells transiently expressing various TRP channels, KPR-5714 showed a potent TRPM8 antagonistic effect and high selectivity against other TRP channels. Intravenously administered KPR-5714 inhibited the hyperactivity of mechanosensitive C-fibers of bladder afferents and dose-dependently increased the intercontraction interval shortened by intravesical instillation of acetic acid in anesthetized rats. Furthermore, we examined the effects of KPR-5714 on voiding behavior in conscious rats with cerebral infarction and in those exposed to cold in metabolic cage experiments. Cerebral infarction and cold exposure induced a significant decrease in the mean voided volume and increase in voiding frequency in rats. Orally administered KPR-5714 dose-dependently increased the mean voided volume and decreased voiding frequency without affecting total voided volume in these models. This study demonstrates that KPR-5714 improves OAB in three different models by inhibiting exaggerated activity of mechanosensitive bladder C-fibers and suggests that KPR-5714 may provide a new and useful approach to the treatment of OAB.

We hypothesized that, in mice, histamine via the histamine receptor subtype 4 (H₄R) on colon epithelial cells affects epithelial barrier integrity, perturbing physiologic function of the colonic mucosa and thus aggravating the severity of colitis. To test this hypothesis, bone marrow–chimeric mice were generated from H₄R knockout (H₄R^–/–) and wild-type (WT) BALB/cJ mice and subjected to the dextrane sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute colitis model. Clinical symptoms and pathohistological derangements were scored. Additionally, total RNA was extracted from either mouse whole-colon homogenates or primary cell preparations enriched for epithelial cells, and gene expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The impact of the H₄R on epithelial barrier function was assessed by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistence of organoid-derived two-dimensional monolayers from H₄R^–/– and WT mice using chopstick electrodes. Bone marrow–chimeric mice with genetic depletion of the H₄R in nonhematopoietic cells exhibited less severe DSS-induced acute colitis symptoms compared with WT mice, indicating a functional proinflammatory expression of H₄R in nonimmune cells of the colon. Analysis of H₄R expression revealed the presence of H₄R mRNA in colon epithelial cells. This expression could be confirmed and complemented by functional analyses in organoid-derived epithelial cell monolayers. Thus, we conclude that the H₄R is functionally expressed in mouse colon epithelial cells, potentially modulating mucosal barrier integrity and intestinal inflammatory reactions, as was demonstrated in the DSS-induced colitis model, in which presence of the H₄R on nonhematopoietic cells aggravated the inflammatory phenotype.

Purpose:

Gastrointestinal cancers remain areas of high unmet need despite advances in targeted and immunotherapies. Here, we demonstrate potent, tumor-selective efficacy with PF-07062119, a T-cell engaging CD3 bispecific targeting tumors expressing Guanylyl Cyclase C (GUCY2C), which is expressed widely across colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies. In addition, to address immune evasion mechanisms, we explore combinations with immune checkpoint blockade agents and with antiangiogenesis therapy.

The FGFR2b inhibitor bemarituzumab was effective in high-FGFR2b gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Perhaps astronomers need help from something that thinks a bit less like a human.

Huge constellations of satellites like SpaceX’s Starlink could make ground-based astronomy impossible, and we’re running out of time to deal with the problem

Astrology is bunk, but a new book exploring its ancient history argues that it has crucial lessons for today's data science with its seemingly opaque algorithms

The first US woman to spacewalk flew on three shuttle missions and says nothing beats space flight – but her proudest achievement is helping to repair the Hubble Space Telescope

The International Astronomical Union has concluded a review of satellite mega constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink satellites and found they will have a major impact on large telescopes, but not naked eye astronomy

A huge black hole in a distant galaxy caused the largest explosion we have ever seen, with the energy of 10 billion suns – and it isn't clear why it was so big

An explosion 4.6 billion light years away has released 10 times more energy than the sun will put out in its lifetime, making it the most extreme supernova ever found

Spending at least six months in microgravity can cause astronauts’ brain volumes to increase, causing pressure to build up in their heads and creating vision problems

The coronavirus pandemic is making life feel slower than ever, but observing timescales across the universe can bring us some comfort, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

For the first time, NASA's Astrobee robot has demonstrated autonomous free flight in space

Astronomers using the Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS) on the MPG/ESO 2.2-m telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory have found a stellar-mass black hole in HR 6819 (also known as HD 167128), a naked-eye stellar system located 1,119 light-years away in the constellation of Telescopium. The system is made up of an inner binary [...]

Astronomers using the MeerKAT telescope at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory in Cape Town, South Africa, have solved a longstanding mystery of X-shaped radio galaxies. Many galaxies far more active than the Milky Way have enormous twin jets of radio waves extending far into intergalactic space. Normally these go in opposite directions, coming from [...]

Lucianne Walkowicz says the American Girl doll 'Luciana Vega' stole her name and likeness

Experts theorize there are between 100 million to 1 billion black holes in the Milky Way

The newfound 'invisible' object is only 1,000 light years from home

((This April 30 story has been corrected to say Starship can carry more than 100 metric tonnes of cargo, not 100 pounds in paragraph 9. The error occurred in a previous version as well.))

Two NASA astronauts gearing up to ride SpaceX's new space taxi will now be on a mission planned to last more than a month, instead of a week, to help the short-handed crew aboard the International Space Station, the U.S. space agency said on Friday.

Read our live coronavirus updates HERE Coronavirus: The symptoms

More than a century ago, Einstein predicted how much the star's orbit changes, and now the data collected by scientists exactly matches his theory.

American astronauts will be back on the Moon within five years "by any means necessary," the US Vice President has announced.

Leaders of a town said the coronavirus lockdown could trigger an "employment catastrophe" in a part of the UK that is predicted to suffer the biggest economic hit from the pandemic.

Earth's closest black hole has been discovered by astronomers and it is big enough to swallow the whole of Washington DC.

Nicola Sturgeon has extended the coronavirus lockdown in Scotland by three weeks, insisting that any easing of restrictions could be "very risky".

Just 1,000 light years from Earth, its two companion stars are visible to the naked eye.

Scientists usually find black holes by detecting X-rays they emit as they devour nearby stars. But this one was quietly hidden 1,000 light-years away.

Astronauts had to stay locked away on their own for longer than usual, with no visits from loved ones

Death of massive star 4.6 billion light years away could aid search for universe's oldest stars

'We can tell you that the Earth still looks just as stunning as always from up here, so it's difficult to believe all the changes that have taken place since both of us have been up here,' one astronaut had said before coming back home

Tracing out the shape of a galaxy may offer clues to the size of its supermassive black hole. And a new study shows citizen scientists are actually better at it than computer algorithms.

This quiet black hole sits just 1,000 light-years from Earth. But the two stars that dance around it are possible to pick out with the naked eye.

Astronomers believe they have found the closest black hole to our solar system, lying just 1,000 light-years away, which in astronomical terms, is right in our neighbourhood.

Fans had speculated that Lowe could be Baskin's first husband Michael Murdock in disguise

'Do you want your freedom or Covid-19? Because you're going to end up with both'

Each Saturday we add 15 (or so) new songs to a Spotify playlist to soundtrack your physical distancing amid coronavirus – and help artists you love get paid

We’ve published a bunch of articles about how the coronavirus crisis has impacted the Australian arts industry. But there are small things you can do. It’s an imperfect solution, but streaming Australian music can help.

Each week, in partnership with Sounds Australia, Guardian Australia will add some 15 new songs to a playlist for you to put on repeat.

The lockdown has us turning to the stars for guidance