Paper Talk

By 淼淼Elva

Sharing research articles, tracking the latest developments... more

· Science

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FAQs about Paper Talk:

How many episodes does Paper Talk have?

The podcast currently has 527 episodes available.

Paper Talk episodes:

February 09, 2026490-Peroxisome-Mediated Intestinal Repair in Long COVID
SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs in the gut cause long COVID gastrointestinal issues by disrupting the VLCFA-PPAR-peroxisome axis. This impairment halts intestinal stem cell differentiation and epithelial repair. Treatments like fenofibrate restore regeneration and alleviate symptoms.
References:

Wang M, Chen Y, Guo M, et al. Impaired VLCFA-peroxisome-mediated intestinal epithelial repair causes gastrointestinal sequelae of long COVID[J]. Developmental Cell, 2026.
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17min
February 09, 2026489-MYRF: Regulator of Lung Mesothelium Fate and Plasticity
Luna et al. found that Myrf is essential for mesothelium function and lung development. Deleting Myrf causes lung hypoplasia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Without Myrf and Yap/Taz, mesothelial cells transform into ectopic smooth muscle, mimicking adult PPFE.
References:

Luna G, Verheyden J M, Tan C, et al. MYRF controls mesothelium specification, signaling, and plasticity in lung development[J]. Developmental Cell, 2026.
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15min
February 09, 2026488-Neddylation: Link Between Neuronal Aging and Alzheimer's
Researchers used CRISPR screening to identify neddylation as a vital regulator of neuronal aging. Blocking this pathway in stem cell-derived neurons triggers senescence, DNA damage, and proteostasis failure. These age-related hallmarks drive Tau pathology and cell death.
References:

Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies neddylation as a regulator of neuronal aging and AD neurodegeneration

Saurat, Nathalie et al.Cell Stem Cell, Volume 31, Issue 8, 1162 - 1174.e9
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17min
February 08, 2026487-Peripheral Glia Orchestrate Early Immune Responses
Injury-activated peripheral glia form a pro-reparative niche essential for skin healing. These repair glia recruit macrophages via the CCL2-CCR2 axis, which in turn drive fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast transition. Glial depletion impairs this immune-fibrotic crosstalk.
References:

Stierli S, Salas-Bastos A, Micheli S, et al. A peripheral glial niche orchestrates the early stages of skin wound healing[J]. Cell Stem Cell, 2026.
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17min
February 08, 2026486-3D Nichoids Enhance Gene Therapy
Nichoid-based 3D culture improves gene therapy by preserving hematopoietic stem cell (HSPC) functionality. This nanoengineered substrate regulates cytoskeletal architecture and metabolism to reduce DNA damage and oxidative stress, ensuring superior engraftment and clonal output.
References:

Midena F, Alessandrini L, Conci C, et al. Nanoengineered 3D culture substrate enables superior persistence and polyclonal engraftment of genetically engineered hematopoietic stem cells[J]. Cell Stem Cell, 2026.
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19min
February 08, 2026485-Clinical Translation of Fertilo for In Vitro Maturation
Researchers developed Fertilo, a clinical-grade product using hiPSC-derived ovarian support cells to improve in vitro fertilization. By mimicking the ovarian microenvironment, it enhances oocyte maturation and pregnancy rates. Phase 3 trials confirm its safety and efficacy.
References:

Paulsen B, Barrachina F, Piechota S, et al. Development of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived ovarian support cells as a clinical-grade product for in vitro fertilization[J]. Cell Stem Cell, 2026.
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18min
February 07, 2026484-Metabolic Restoration of Stem Cell Fitness
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fitness declines as divisions accrue, shifting BCAA usage from catabolic to anabolic activity. This metabolic drift accelerates the cell cycle and causes lineage infidelity. Supplementing with the metabolite aKIC restores balanced output and regeneration.
References:

Bartram J, Treichel S, Song B A, et al. Activation of a branched-chain amino acid rheostat restores replication-dependent hematopoietic stem cell fitness[J]. Cell Stem Cell, 2026.
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18min
February 07, 2026483-Screening Organoids for Pancreas Acinar Specification
In this study, researchers utilized high-content, image-based screening to investigate the development and morphogenesis of human pancreatic organoids. By testing a library of small molecules, they identified 54 compounds that significantly alter cellular identity and physical structure, specifically focusing on the role of GSK3 inhibitors. The scientists discovered that activating WNT signaling while simultaneously suppressing FGF signaling drives pancreatic progenitors to differentiate into functional acinar cells. These findings are critical for understanding human organogenesis because acinar cells are the suspected site of origin for pancreatic cancer. The research ultimately provides a robust methodological framework for using automated imaging and multivariate analysis to study complex, heterogeneous organoid models.
References:

Keshara R, Kuodyte K, Janosch A, et al. High-content screening of organoids reveals the mechanisms of human pancreas acinar specification[J]. Cell Stem Cell, 2026.
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15min
February 07, 2026482-Mapping Brain Connectivity Changes
This research study utilizes topological data analysis (TDA) to examine how brain functional connectivity changes during healthy aging and in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By applying a method called persistent homology, researchers developed a new metric known as node persistence to identify specific brain regions linked to these conditions at global and local scales. The findings reveal that age-related and ASD-related changes are concentrated in networks responsible for movement, social cognition, and memory. Significantly, many of the regions pinpointed by this mathematical tool overlap with areas targeted in non-invasive brain stimulation therapies to improve cognitive or motor functions. This approach provides a scalable and efficient way to map the brain's complex architecture, potentially guiding more effective clinical interventions. In summary, the study bridges advanced geometry and neuroscience to better understand the topological signatures of neurodevelopmental and age-related shifts.
References:

Madhumita Mondal, Yasharth Yadav, Jürgen Jost, Areejit Samal. Node persistence from topological data analysis reveals changes in brain functional connectivity. Patterns. 2025.
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19min
February 06, 2026481-Microbiota-Driven TH17 Trans-differentiation
This research explores how specific gut bacteria influence the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy through a process called antigenic mimicry. Scientists found that Segmented Filamentous Bacteria (SFB) can prime immune cells in the intestine that later travel to distant tumors sharing similar protein markers. Once inside the tumor, these cells transform into pro-inflammatory helpers that activate a robust attack by cytotoxic T cells, significantly slowing cancer growth. In contrast, other microbes like Helicobacter hepaticus fail to trigger this response because the immune cells they produce maintain a suppressive role even after migrating to the tumor site. The study concludes that the gut microbiome can be strategically leveraged to enhance anti-PD-1 treatments and improve clinical outcomes.
References:

Najar T A, Hao Y, Hao Y, et al. Microbiota-induced T cell plasticity enables immune-mediated tumour control[J]. Nature, 2026: 1-10.
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15min

FAQs about Paper Talk:

How many episodes does Paper Talk have?

The podcast currently has 527 episodes available.