Biomarkers

New research has found that elevation of a biomarker predicts the worsening of multiple sclerosis disability up to two years before it occurs, providing a timeframe in which interventions can be implemented to prevent or slow worsening disability.

Researchers have developed a quick, cheap, and highly sensitive blood test to detect a telltale protein produced by cancer cells. The test can pick up a range of cancers before symptoms appear and could be key to early diagnosis of the disease.

Researchers have developed a more convenient way of measuring omega-3 fatty acid levels in the blood, an important biomarker of disease risk, making it easier to obtain critical information about cardiovascular and cognitive health.

Researchers have found a way to determine whether someone has suffered a concussion by measuring the blood levels of three biomarkers within six hours of the injury. The blood test could be used alongside existing tests for a more accurate diagnosis.

Three new prostate cancer biomarkers have been identified that improve the visibility of cancer cells used by pathologists to grade the disease’s severity, which could help determine which patients require urgent treatment and those who don’t.

Researchers have used nanowires to ‘catch-and-release’ DNA in urine, enabling them to detect mutations that signify the presence of a brain tumor. Their method may one day mean that invasive tissue biopsies are no longer required.

Researchers have identified biomarker proteins in genetically predisposed children that predict the autoimmunity that leads to type 1 diabetes months before symptoms appear. The discovery could lead to earlier detection and treatment of the disease.

Preeclampsia is a potentially deadly condition amongst pregnant women, but the condition can be difficult to diagnose. Now, Australian researchers have developed a quick, accurate new test using nanoparticle-based technology and novel biomarkers.

It is difficult to determine whether cognitive decline is caused by vascular problems or dementia. New research has now identified a biomarker associated with the vascular causes of cognitive impairment that may assist with differentiating the two.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms generally appear in the first two years of a child’s life. A new study has found that toddlers’ visual attention to geometric images is a reliable biomarker for the early identification of autism.

Harvard scientists have investigated why we age, and how we could stop it. In tests in mice, the team showed that epigenetic “software glitches” drive the symptoms of aging – and a system reboot can reverse them, potentially extending lifespan.

Although there are now a number of skin-worn sensors which identify metabolites in sweat, the technology is limited in what it can detect, plus the sensors often aren't reusable. A new one, however, utilizes a "molecularly imprinted polymer" to be much more useful.