Health Research: Millions of smokers have undiagnosed lung disease ♦ How DNA protects itself from UV light ♦ Obesity: Small intestine contributes to chronic inflammation

Research team evolves CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with novel properties Researchers found a way to expand the use and precision of the powerful gene-editing tools called CRISPR-Cas9 RNA-guided nucleases. The investigators describe evolved versions of the DNA-cutting Cas9 enzyme that are able to recognize a different range of nucleic acid sequences than is possible with the naturally occurring form of Cas9

Millions of smokers have undiagnosed lung disease More than half of long-term smokers and ex-smokers who are considered disease-free because they passed lung-function tests have respiratory-related impairments when more closely evaluated with lung imaging, walking and quality-of-life tests. Many of those people likely have the earliest stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Molecular sunscreen: How DNA protects itself from UV light Using X-rays, scientists measured the ultrafast response of DNA nucleobases to UV light. They found that the UV excited state in the nucleobase thymine decays rapidly, harmlessly dissipating the potentially destructive UV energy. The findings give new insight on how the nucleobases inside DNA protect themselves from light-induced damage.

Obesity: Small intestine contributes to chronic inflammation Obesity is caused by numerous and complex factors, some of which are as yet unsuspected. Scientists have now shown that severe obesity is accompanied by inflammation of the small intestine and enhanced immune response in that region.

Primed for medical nanotechnology? Soft core, hard shell Medical science is placing high hopes on nanoparticles that could be used as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery. Scientists have for the first time succeeded in assaying the stability of these particles and their distribution within the body. Their results show that a lot of research is still needed in this field

Health Research: Persistence yields progress in AIDS vaccine research ♦ Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy achieves better survival for early lung cancer

Fish and other animals produce their own sunscreen: Copied for potential use in humans

Fish can produce their own sunscreen, scientists have discovered. Following suit, the researchers have copied the method used by fish for potential use in humans.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy achieves better overall survival than surgery for early lung cancer Patients with operable stage I non-small cell lung cancer could achieve better overall survival rates if treated with Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy rather than the current standard of care – invasive surgery – according to research.

Medical marijuana pill may not be effective in treating behavioral symptoms of dementia

Medical marijuana pills may not help treat behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as aggression, pacing and wandering, a new study concludes. However, researchers did find that the drug dosage used in the clinical trial was safe and well-tolerated.

When it comes to testosterone, more isn't always better Increased diabetes risk has been connected to higher levels of testosterone to prostate enlargement. Anthropologists suggests that to muchtestosterone may be a prime culprit. Building on previous research they conducted with the Tsimane, an isolated indigenous population in central Bolivia, researchers examined the prevalence of BPH among a group of approximately 350 adult males.

Persistence yields progress in AIDS vaccine research

After 30 years of working on AIDS research, an American lab has developed new vaccine candidates that appear promising enough to consider advancing into clinical trials within the next two years.