Liver Disease
Northwestern scientists develop 15-minute hepatitis C diagnostic test
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Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a rapid PCR test that can diagnose hepatitis C in about 15 minutes using whole blood samples. Adapted from a COVID-19 detection system and built on the DASH rapid PCR platform, the test aims to enable same-day treatment and bolster global efforts to eliminate the virus, with early evaluations showing accuracy comparable to existing commercial platforms.
Researchers have discovered that combining silybin and carvedilol is more effective against liver fibrosis than either drug alone. The pair targets key drivers of liver scarring, reducing collagen buildup in experimental models. Both drugs are already approved for other uses, paving the way for quick clinical testing.
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New research from MIT demonstrates that prolonged high-fat diets push liver cells into a primitive state, increasing their vulnerability to cancer. By analyzing mice and human samples, scientists uncovered how these cellular changes prioritize survival over normal function, paving the way for tumors. The findings, published in Cell, highlight potential drug targets to mitigate this risk.