Research and development - Articles
Anti-Tumor APIs: Pioneering Cancer Treatment Anti-tumor Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are vital in today's medical landscape, addressing one of the most pressing health challenges: cancer. These APIs form the foundation of various therapeutic strategies aimed at inhibiting or destroying tumor cells in the human body. The classification of anti-tumor APIs often falls into four main types: chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapy drugs, immunotherapy drugs, and hormone therapy drugs. Each of these targets the malignancy through different mechanisms, offering multiple ways to tackle the disease. Chemotherapy APIs function by disr…
AI in Healthcare: Key Innovations and 5 Companies to Watch in 2025…
Among the various frameworks of this server-side scripting language, two of the most powerful are CodeIgniter and Laravel. Both are different and showcase different features and capabilities. Laravel offers more features and is a robust framework, while CodeIgniter is speedy, lightweight, and simple. The exceptional offerings they both share have significantly benefitted the needs of the business. Since both offer robust features and outstanding capabilities, finding the right framework becomes difficult. Depending on your business's requirements, you can either perform in-depth research or take assistan…
Fluorescence labeling is a powerful technique that significantly enhances the functionality of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Technical Principles Fluorescence labeling methods, such as covalent coupling with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and click chemistry, are pivotal in the synthesis of fluorescently labeled magnetic nanoparticles. The process begins with nanoparticle synthesis, where MNPs are typically composed of biocompatible materials like iron oxide. These nanoparticles serve as carriers for the fluorescent probes, which not only provide the abili…
The continuous advancement of biomaterials has led to the development of various copolymers, among which Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) copolymers have garnered significant attention. These materials are extensively utilized in drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Biocompatibility Biocompatibility is a crucial factor when selecting a biomaterial for medical applications. PLGA copolymers exhibit excellent biocompatibility, being well-tolerated by the body with minimal adverse reactions.…
Introduction to Reusable Medical Devices Reusable medical devices are instrumental in modern healthcare, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to disposable equipment. From surgical instruments to endoscopes and anesthesia machines, these devices are designed for multiple uses, making them an economical choice for hospitals and clinics that need to manage expenses without compromising patient care. Despite their advantages, the complexity and potential for contamination in reusable devices pose significant challenges. As a result, ensuring their safety and efficacy through rigorous testing becomes critically important. Comprehensive R…
If you take numerous prescriptions for your condition, your care may fall under polypharmacy. Some have negative experiences during this process, so how can polypharmacy be prevented in older adults? Here’s what life science research shows about this medication use. What Is Polypharmacy? Polypharmacy includes taking five or more medications to treat a condition. This care strategy is more prevalent when you age, considering your risk for chronic illnesses increases. A 2023 Global Health Research and Policy study found polypharma…
Cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) has transformed the way healthcare professionals treat degenerative disc disease and other spinal conditions. Unlike traditional spinal fusion, ADR preserves movement and reduces stress on surrounding vertebrae. However, ensuring cervical ADR safety requires extensive life sciences research, from studying the biocompat…
The evolution of 3D printing technology has opened up new avenues in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the fabrication of novel drug delivery systems. One such advancement is the 3D printing of Oral Thin Films (OTFs), which are ultra-thin films used to deliver drugs via oral mucosa. Unlike traditional methods, 3D printing allows the precise layering of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), enabling the creation of intricate structures that optimize drug delivery. These films offer unique advantages in terms of dosage accuracy and controlled release, which are critical in pharmaceutical development. At the forefront of th…
CdTe Quantum Dots, or cadmium telluride quantum dots, are a type of semiconductor nanocrystals that have gained significant attention due to their unique optical and electronic characteristics. These quantum dots have emerged as a promising material for various applications, including biomedical imaging, solar cells, optoelectronic devices, and many others. Introduction to CdTe Quantum Dots CdTe Quantum Dots are made up of cadmium and tellurium atoms arranged in a specific lattice structure, forming a crystal. These nanocrystals are usually in the range of 2 to 10 nanometers in size and exhibit unique optical and ele…
The Food and Drug Administration approval in December 2023 of the first CRISPR therapeutic, Casgevy to treat sickle cell, came 11 years after the discovery of the revolutionary gene-editing technology. And it took nearly 10 months after approval for patients to start receiving infusions of the drug, as they waited for their insurers to approve the treatment, which came to market with a $2.2 million list price.[i] Now there are an estimated 300 CRISPR therapies in the pipeline, most of which are in early development for a range of diseases,[ii] including diabetes, HIV/AIDS and several types of cancer.[iii] How can we speed these innov…
Conductive Polymers for Enhanced Photocatalysis Conductive polymers (CPs) are conjugated organic structures with alternating double and single bonds and delocalized π electrons. They have unique electrochemical and optical properties and have wide applications in the field of photocatalysis. The photocatalytic activity of transition metal oxide semiconductors can be effectively improved by sensitizing transition metal oxides with organic conducting polymers. Alfa Chemistry Catalysts provides a wide range of conducting polymers with enhanced photocat…
Drugmakers, academics and logistics professionals are using artificial intelligence to address the industry’s most pressing issue — drug shortages. Is this technology as successful as many claim it is? Could it make pharmaceutical product scarcity a thing of the past? 1. Predictive Analytics Makes Disruptions Avoidable According to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, drug shortages increased by around 30% from 2021 to 2022. At the year’s end, it reached a five-year high of 295 active shortages. Even though…
Securing early-stage funding is one of the most significant challenges life sciences startups face. From groundbreaking research to developing innovative solutions, bringing ideas to life in this industry often requires substantial financial resources. However, the process of obtaining life sciences startup funding can be overwhelming, especially for first-time founders. Understanding the Funding Landscape Breaking into th…
The medical device industry is at the forefront of innovation, transforming healthcare delivery through groundbreaking technologies. At the center of this progress are life science innovations, which provide the foundation for diagnostic, treatment, and patient care advancements. From insights gained in cellular biology to cutting-edge nanotechnology, medical devic…
Shigella infection can cause severe discomfort in humans, emphasizing the need for mechanisms to understand it. With new technologies and animal models, you can see how far life science researchers have come. These tools have paved the way for healthcare providers to treat Shigella-related diseases. What Are Shigella Infections? A Shigella infection — otherwise known as shigellosis — attacks your intestines. These germs work together to cause diarrhea, fever, stomach pain, and other discomfort…
What Are Sputtering Targets? Sputtering targets are the source materials for the preparation of sputtered thin films. In particular, high-purity sputtering targets are used in the physical vapor deposition (PVD) process for the manufacture of electronic components, and are key materials for the preparation of surface electronic films such as wafers, panels, and solar cells. In a vacuum state, accelerated ions are used to bombard the solid surface. The ions and the atoms on the solid surface exchange momentum, so that the atoms on the solid surface leave the solid and deposit on the substrate surface…
Structure and Synthesis The structural hallmark of boronic acids is their boron atom, which exhibits the ability to form a tetrahedral coordination complex with various substrates. A key aspect of their chemistry is the balance of acidity and complex stability, where th…
By understanding these characteristics, scientists and engineers can optimize a polymer's performance for specific applications in industries such as packaging, automobile manufacturing, and electronics. In this article, we explore some of the essential techniques used in the characterization of polymers, focusing on molecular mass, molecular structure, morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical properties. Molecular Mass Characterization The molecular mass of polymers is a critical factor that influences…