The hottest Immunology Substack posts right now

Sequencing B and T cell receptors can help diagnose autoimmune diseases. This kind of testing is much faster and could lead to more accurate diagnoses.
Using machine learning and AI makes analyzing the complex data from these receptors easier. The technology can find patterns and help doctors understand patients' conditions better.
In the future, a full immunome could be a standard test to check how well someone's immune system is working. This could help prevent diseases before they become serious.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to outbreaks, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but outbreaks still happen due to various factors.
Vaccines like the MMR vaccine have some failure rates, meaning not everyone is protected even after receiving it. This raises concerns about how many children might still be at risk.
As more people travel internationally, the chance of measles spreading in the U.S. increases. More mandates for vaccinations may not solve the issue of rising measles cases, as herd immunity wanes.

The brain has a vital connection with the immune system, challenging the old belief that the brain is cut off from it. New studies show that brain immune cells can help prevent and treat diseases.
Recent research has discovered ways to program T cells to respond to brain issues, which may aid in treating brain tumors and autoimmune diseases. This could lead to better therapies by specifically targeting brain conditions.
There is a newly understood communication path between the body and brain that controls inflammation and immune responses. Understanding this connection can improve treatments for autoimmune diseases and conditions like Long Covid.

mRNA vaccines face big challenges because of how fast RNA viruses can change. It's unlikely they'll be able to completely eliminate the virus over time.
These vaccines can push viruses to evolve in ways that make them escape detection and survive better. This means the virus can keep changing and might even become more dangerous.
Natural immunity, from getting the virus instead of a vaccine, can be broader and may help prevent newer variants. This shows how different immune responses can affect how the virus evolves.

Current flu vaccines only work about 40% of the time and need to be updated every year. Scientists are trying to create a 'universal' flu vaccine that could offer better protection for a longer time.
Viruses like the flu change quickly, which makes it hard for existing vaccines to keep up. Researchers are working on new methods to make vaccines that can recognize and fight many different strains of the virus.
More than 200 new flu vaccine ideas are being tested, including ones that use nanoparticles or are delivered through the nose. The hope is to come up with a vaccine that can last several years and protect against various flu types.

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Arthritis isn't just one disease; it's a group of conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation, with osteoarthritis being the most common type. It can affect a lot of people, and understanding the differences is key to treatment.
There's a specific type of T cell that gets stuck in arthritic joints and seems to play a big role in causing inflammation. These T cells don’t directly cause pain but help other immune cells trigger the symptoms.
Current treatments for arthritis focus on reducing inflammation but don't eliminate the root cause. New research suggests targeting the stuck T cells and their signaling could lead to better, more lasting treatments.

Andrew Huberman has faced criticism for sharing misinformation regarding sunscreen and flu prevention.
Huberman's avoidance of common health interventions like sunscreen and vaccines while promoting cold plunges and supplements is concerning.
Critics have pointed out multiple inaccuracies in Huberman's claims about immunity, cold, and flu transmission, highlighting the importance of consulting credible experts.

A big connectomics study of Drosophila larva was published, revealing new insights into neural connections
Simulated neural networks can accurately replicate properties of connectomes in different species
Research proposal aims to comprehensively measure input-output functions of all 302 neurons in C. elegans, a significant project in neuroscience

Oxytocin is known as the 'love hormone' and is linked to feelings of bonding and social connection. It plays a role in childbirth and breastfeeding, helping to create strong bonds between parents and children.
A specific gut bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, can increase oxytocin levels in animals. This bacterium is important for healing and may influence our social behaviors and immune response.
Oxytocin can also affect how we view others, creating in-groups and out-groups. It can enhance connections within a group but might lead to negative feelings towards those outside the group, highlighting the complexities of human relationships.

Big data can't replace scientific intuition and understanding
Deep understanding is crucial for utilizing scientific findings effectively
Mechanistic insight in scientific journals like Science Signaling is exceptional