LabRoots

Date: September 29, 2026 Time: 7:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM ET Colorectal cancer (CRC) is commonly stratified by microsatellite status into microsatellite stable (MSS) and microsatellite instability–high (MSI-H) disease. MSS tumors comprise the majority of CRCs, are typically immune “cold,” show limited CD8+ T-cell infiltration, and respond poorly to ICB. MSI-H tumors are more often immune “hot,” CD8+ T-cell–enriched, and ICB-responsive.

For years, the genetic studies of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, have pointed researchers towards the nervous system and the gut-brain axis. Now, the largest and most comprehensive genetic IBS study to date suggests the biological map may be more expansive, with new genetic links to liver metabolism and triglyceride regulation. About 10% of the population is predicted to suffer from IBS, but the cause of the disease is poorly understood.

A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that full-fat dairy may have health benefits, contradicting conventional advice suggesting that full-fat dairy should be avoided in favor of low-fat dairy. The study lasted 12 weeks and included 74 participants with overweight or obesity.

How will schools adapt to increasing heat waves? This is what a recent report published by the American Psychological Association (APA) hopes to address as a team of researchers from almost two dozen scientific and research organizations investigated a connection between extreme heat and the education system, including students, teachers, parents, and administrators.

A new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has shown that the greatest heart benefits may come from much more exercise per week than currently recommended; while current guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week, the greatest benefits may come from closer to 600 minutes per week. The study included a cohort of over 17,000 participants enrolled in the UK Biobank between 2013 and 2015.

How can ground-penetrating radar identify near-subsurface water ice on Mars? This is what NASA’s three SkyFall Mars helicopters hope to address as a team of engineers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory recently tested the ground-penetrating radar onboard the future Mars helicopters. These helicopters have the potential to help scientists identify near-subsurface water ice on Mars within the top few feet of regolith, which is difficult for orbiters to identify.

Poultry is a common source of protein in many individuals’ diets. The demand for poultry, specifically chicken, is increasing and has become a major source of revenue in the Western hemisphere. Many farmers provide their chickens and other animals with antibiotics to fight and prevent disease. A major reason is to make the meat safe to consume. Antibiotics can also be used to increase the size of the animals and produce more meat.

Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) developed a novel tool in which they can detect ‘softness’ of a tumor and help inform therapeutic outcomes. The physical attributes of tumors, particularly hardness, is a persistent obstacle for cancer immunotherapy. Historically, firmness of most solid tumors correlates with the penetration of therapy and could lead to drug resistance.

Date: September 15, 2026 Time: 7:00 AM PDT, 10:00 AM EDT, 4:00 PM CEST The Plachta lab has pioneered the use of live-imaging approaches to discover how the preimplantation embryo forms in real time. Our recent findings help to transform the field of preimplantation development by showing how diverse processes occurring at the level of transcription dynamics, cytoskeletal organization, and the action of mechanical forces are integrated to ensure proper embryo development.

In 2019, a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT01516216) investigated combining chemotherapy with vitamin D3 (VD3) for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. The study found that VD3, in both high-dose and standard-dose, yielded a slight, but not significant, difference in survival outcomes. However, the analysis showed an improved hazard ratio, a value that measures risks associated with outcomes, for high-dose VD3 plus chemotherapy compared to standard-dose VD3 plus chemotherapy.