Bulletins - Sci-Tech Bulletin

An Evidence-Based Digital Platforms Can Help Cancer Patients Make Informed Decisions

A web-based knowledge database can provide cancer patients and patient navigators with evidence-based, easy-to-understand information. Using logfile data and patient surveys, it has been found that 65.9% of eligible patients accessed the platform. The most popular topics searched includes therapy, nutrition, side effects, and carcinogenesis. Nearly 69% of users reported that the database helped them make more informed decisions, while 75.7% found the information they needed. This suggests that accessible, trustworthy digital information can support health literacy and informed decision-making, by further narrowing technical barriers and upgrading the digital skills.

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A New Cell-Free Technology for Sustainable Vitamin B12 Manufacturing

A synthetic cell-free platform has been developed by scientists, containing 36 enzymes to produce adenosylcobalamin, an active form of vitamin B12. The complex biosynthetic pathway starts with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), an inexpensive compound, followed by more than 30 biocatalytic reactions optimized through enzyme screening, reaction-condition control, and cofactor regeneration. The optimized system produced 417.42 μg/L of vitamin B12 from 5-aminolevulinic acid and 5.78 mg/L from hydrogenobyrinic acid. The study thus demonstrates the potential of modular cell-free systems for manufacturing complex natural compounds beyond conventional microbial fermentation.

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Therapeutic Gardens Support Stress Recovery and Mental Well-Being

Therapeutic gardens, designed by combining the natural elements for relaxation, physical activity, reflection, and meaningful activities are known to provide familiarity, safety, and a sense of belonging to the people experiencing stress-related illness. The natural environment, mindfulness exercises, garden activities, professional support, and personal choice increase self-awareness and help people recognise destructive stress patterns. People develop individual coping strategies and gain confidence to adopt new approaches in daily life, highlighting the importance of supportive nature-based therapy environments for stress management and recovery.

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New Ebola Screening Platform, EBOV MiniG Plus, Advances High-Throughput Antiviral Drug Discovery

The EBOV MiniG Plus system could improve antiviral drug screening against Ebola virus under biosafety level 2 conditions. The study found that nucleocapsid proteins from several human coronaviruses, particularly SARS-CoV-2, significantly enhanced green fluorescent protein expression in the conventional Ebola virus minigenome system. Molecular analyses revealed increased transcriptional activity, with higher mRNA and cRNA levels. This enhanced system could achieve a higher Z-factor, indicating improved suitability for high-throughput screening. Testing with Remdesivir demonstrated concentration-dependent antiviral activity while maintaining comparable EC50 values, supporting its practical application in antiviral compound screening.

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Carcimun® Blood Test shows 95.4% accuracy in identifying cancer

Carcimun® is a blood-based multi-cancer early detection test that measures optical changes in plasma proteins. The test achieved 95.4% accuracy, 90.6% sensitivity, and 98.2% specificity in distinguishing cancer patients from healthy participants and individuals with inflammatory conditions. As a minimally invasive testing approach, Carcimun® offers a potentially sensitive and practical tool for early cancer detection and screening. The test may eventually help clinicians identify patients who require further investigation earlier and more efficiently, potentially enabling timely medical attention and intervention at earlier stages of cancer.

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Wheatgrass Juice Benefits for Anaemia, Immunity, Digestion, and Overall Health

Wheatgrass juice (WGJ), derived from young Triticum aestivum, is a nutrient-rich functional food containing chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and enzymes. Studies suggests that WGJ may help reduce oxidative stress, support haemoglobin levels, and promote gastrointestinal health. It has also shown potential benefits for cardiovascular health, diabetes management, immune support, and supportive cancer care. The findings thus highlight WGJ as a promising natural dietary intervention with diverse health applications.

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JPred4: Advanced Protein Secondary Structure Prediction for Modern Bioinformatics

JPred4 is an upgraded protein secondary structure prediction server designed to help researchers analyze protein sequences when experimental structures are unavailable. Its JNet 2.3.1 algorithm combines neural-network prediction, PSI-BLAST-derived evolutionary information, multiple sequence alignments, and improved HMM processing. Blind testing of the server efficiency on 150 previously unseen sequences achieved 82.0% three-state secondary structure accuracy, while solvent accessibility prediction reached up to 90.0%. The platform also offers batch processing, faster analysis, improved visualizations, and comprehensive alignment reports for protein structure modeling, fold recognition, functional-domain identification, mutation planning, and large-scale bioinformatics research.

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Early Antibiotic use increases Antibiotic Resistance in Preterm Infants

Study found that early antibiotic exposure affects antibiotic resistance in preterm infants. Analysis of meconium and stool samples from 30 preterm neonates, using metagenomic sequencing identified 175 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across 15 drug classes. Beta-lactam, tetracycline, and aminoglycoside resistance are the most prevalent antibiotic resistance discovered. As found, ARG diversity increases as infants grow, while treated infants show greater beta-lactam and tetracycline resistance. Antibiotic exposure also alter bacterial metabolic pathways linked to survival, adaptation, and stress tolerance, highlighting the importance of responsible antibiotic use and stewardship in neonatal care.

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Bilberry Pomace Shows Promising Anticancer Effects Against Breast Cancer

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) peel-enriched pomace has recently been explored as a potential natural anticancer agent in breast cancer models. A preclinical study demonstrated the extract’s antitumor potential, reducing tumor volume by up to 91% in a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer and decreasing tumor-cell proliferation. The extract also promoted apoptosis, reduced oxidative stress & expression of cancer stem-cell marker CD133, and altered epigenetic and microRNA profiles. A hexane-based bilberry extract showed anticancer activity and synergized with cisplatin in 3D breast cancer models.

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How Bioplastics Are Combating Plastic Pollution in the Anthropocene Era

Plastic pollution is a defining challenge of the Anthropocene, requiring solutions beyond conventional recycling. Biodegradable and bio-based plastics, particularly those produced from agricultural and food waste, offer a promising pathway toward a circular bioeconomy. The current scientific evidences, emphasizes the need for innovation in sustainable materials, improved waste management, and collaborative efforts among researchers, industries, policymakers, and consumers, reducing plastic waste while supporting environmentally responsible production and long-term sustainability.

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