Types of Vaccines: Whole Pathogen, Subunit and Nucleic Acid (mRNA & DNA)

This past year of the pandemic has brought with it much suffering, but it has also brought an amazing advancement in medical science. It will be the first vaccine that uses a form of nucleic acid, in this case, mRNA (messenger RNA).

Not only will this vaccine bring the world out of the shadow of COVID-19, but it will also open the door to a myriad of other healthcare developments.

Stock Images of mRNA

First, an overview of how vaccines work. Your body is naturally good at defending itself against intruders such as bacterias and viruses. In fact, you are exposed to thousands each day. If any make it through your first line of defense, your immune system takes action.

A virus is called an antigen. It alerts your immune system to create antibodies, which kill the virus or render it ineffective. Depending on the virus, these antibodies, once triggered, stay effective for months, years, and often a lifetime.

A vaccine works by tricking the body into creating these protective antibodies, without the body needing to get sick.

Traditional or classic vaccines use a method referred to as Whole Pathogen. They use the entire virus, either inactivated (dead) or attenuated (weakened) form.

Another type of vaccine is called Subunit. It uses only part of the virus.

Art Prints and Posters of Microbiology on Fine Art America

The newest form of vaccine and the type used for COVID-19 is a Nucleic Acid vaccine, which uses either DNA or mRNA (messenger RNA). This genetic material tells the cells to manufacture the virus or a portion of it. The COVID-19 vaccine uses mRNA that creates just the spike protein that is found on the coronavirus. Our immune system will create antibodies that then attack the coronavirus since it is covered in these spike proteins.

It is the first nucleic acid vaccine ever approved and in use. It is certainly laying the groundwork for many other vaccines to help rid humanity of other diseases.

Without this worldwide health crisis bringing focus and a global collaborative effort, it may have taken many years or even decades for Medicine to have advanced to this point.

Down Syndrome Awarness

 

Last month was Down Syndrome Awareness Month. According to The National Down Syndrome Society, the month is an opportunity to spread awareness about people with Down Syndrome by celebrating their abilities and accomplishments, rather than their disability.

Stock image and video gallery of down syndrome awareness

Over the years, The National Down Syndrome Society has devoted itself to the specific health and education needs of people with Down Syndrome. The NDSS raises money through direct donations and fundraisers such as the Buddywalk each election year. They also advocate for legal protections for people with down syndrome and fight to preserve government assistance programs.

Down Syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal diseases, affecting about 6,000 newborns each year. While there is no cure for Down Syndrome, organizations such as the NDSS continue to provide people with the condition with the help and opportunities they need to live happy and fulfilling lives. As their website mentions, people with Down Syndrome drive cars, go to college, get jobs, date, and get married every day! Find out how you can help them fulfill their dreams by visiting the NDSS website below.

DNA and Genetics Themed Gifts and Home Decor

At Science Source, we proudly celebrate people from different backgrounds and experiences. We are excited to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month by offering a broad and inclusive selection of stock images and videos.

The National Down Syndrome Society

Immunotherapy: Your Immune System is Cancer's Biggest Enemy

There’s no doubt about it - our immune systems are powerful. We’ve all had moments where we don’t pay much attention to our immune systems because of lack of sleep or high stress and had to endure bouts of sneezing, coughing, or fever in the coming days. Some of us have taken extra steps to make sure our immune systems are as strong as possible and noticed how invincible it feels to go months without getting sick. Everyday function, brain power, and physical ability depend strongly on our body’s ability to fight off viruses and disease.

The power that our immune system provides in determining our health can even be utilized to fight cancer. Immunotherapy is a method of cancer treatment that helps to strengthen the immune system to be able to fight cancer cells better, as well as direct the immune system towards specific cancer cells.

RF and RM Images and Video of Immunotherapy

A large number of cells in our body aid in the immune system. White blood cells (lymphocytes) recognize foreign bodies such as viruses and fight them with antibodies, which are proteins that are sent out to bind to these foreign bodies. T cells are a specific type of white blood cell that search for, capture and destroys foreign bodies and infected cells.

Immunotherapy works with these cell types to focus in on cancer cells and kill as many as possible. There are many different methods of immunotherapy that enhance the immune system in a variety of ways.

Proteins called monoclonal antibodies (therapeutic antibodies) can be created in a laboratory and used for immunotherapy. These antibodies are introduced into the body to flag cancer cells so the immune system can more easily detect them.

Checkpoint inhibitors can be put into a patient’s bloodstream to disable proteins that stop the immune system from attacking cancer cells. These proteins attach to T cells, and can activate or deactivate the immune system when needed. Because cancer cells can pose as normal cells and pass a T cell checkpoint without any activation of the immune system, checkpoint inhibitors are used to make sure that T cells will be activated to help destroy cancer cells with each encounter.

Adoptive cell transfer is a form of therapy that can also help boost the function of T cells. In this method, T cells are taken from the body, and the cells that are most defensive are grown and multiplied in a lab and put back into the body intravenously.

Prints of Cancer and the Immune System

Through the technology that scientists now have available in labs, immunotherapy provides another option for cancer treatment which can give many patients more hope. Although this type of therapy has its own side effects, and sometimes has the potential to damage the body, it has been known to successfully treat some cancers when radiation or chemotherapy failed, and can also enhance the effectiveness of other methods of treatment when used in combination.

Overall, it has the potential to provide hope to many of millions of people around the world affected by cancer.

• livescience.com
• cancer.gov
• immunology.org
• pacificimmunology.com
• tcells.org

Don't Sweat It: How Mosquitos Find Us

Scientists recently came one step closer to figuring out how to stop mosquitoes from biting us.

Mosquitos have plagued humans and other warm-blooded mammals for eons. Aside from ruining an otherwise beautiful summer evening with their itchy bites, they transmit some of the worst diseases known to man. Malaria, zika, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile Virus, encephalitis, and chikungunya are some of the deadliest.

RF & RM Stock Images of Mosquitos

Many of these have no cure and may cause congenital disabilities or death.

In the United States West Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, La Crosse encephalitis, dengue, and yellow fever are all transmitted by mosquitoes.

The good news is that scientists continue to discover precisely how mosquitoes find us? It will help us figure out how to stop them from biting us.

The recent finding confirms that it is the acids in our sweat that attract them. Genetically altered mosquitoes that couldn't sense these acids were not drawn to us.

For now, the best method is still to use repellent with DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) or another chemical that masks the smell of our sweat.

The future is looking brighter than ever for us to prevent mosquito bites and thereby eradicate many diseases.

Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a Growing Concern for Parents

Flu season is here, but parents have a new condition to be worried about for their kids: Acute Flaccid Myelitis, or AFM. It has been making headlines as alarming numbers of children are being paralyzed in a pattern that resembles polio scares in the past.

AFM has been in existence for a long time, but the recent rise in cases is what’s signaling danger. Polio was eradicated in the United States in 1979, however, at this point in time, there is no such future hope for AFM.

This dreaded condition has several possible causes including viruses, environmental toxins, and genetic disorders. Symptoms often follow an infection and high fever. The suspected viruses that may cause AFM include poliovirus or non-polio enteroviruses, West Nile Virus and adenoviruses.

RF Images & RM Images of Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Although adults may contract this condition, most cases are in those under 18 years old. Symptoms parents should look out for include the sudden onset of drooping eyelids, difficulty moving the eyes, loss of reflexes or weakness in the limbs.

One of the more dangerous aspects of this condition is when the muscles of the lungs are affected, causing respiratory distress. Medical help should be sought immediately upon finding any of these or similar symptoms.

Scans, such as MRIs, of the spinal cord and brain will assist in the diagnosis of AFM. It is important to rule out other conditions such as Guillain-Barre that may have similar symptoms.

We currently do not have a specific treatment for AFM, but neurologists and physical therapists can sometimes recommend methods to help relieve symptoms.

The best prevention is common sense advice that would help to avoid any type of infection. Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water to avoid germs from others, and wear insect repellent to avoid mosquito bites that may transmit the West Nile Virus.

Summertime: Rising Both Temperatures and Skin Cancer Concerns

Beach weather gives us the opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up some Vitamin D, but also brings concerns about excessive sun exposure. With stronger and more frequent sun comes a higher risk for skin to be damaged by UV rays, making the body more susceptible to skin cancer.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. The cause is most often UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Skin cancer is generally categorized into two groups, melanoma, and nonmelanoma.

Melanoma cancer begins in melanocytes, which are cells that produce skin pigment (melanin) and reside deep within the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). Melanoma is known to often be more serious than nonmelanoma cancer because it has the tendency to advance and spread rapidly. The number of new melanoma cases are also on the rise. That being said, the earlier the detection of melanoma, the higher the chances are of it being curable. Skin affected by melanoma can look similar to a normal mole, but there are a few qualities that differentiate these growths from benign (noncancerous) growths. If the growth shows an unusually dark color or multiple colors, has uneven and unclear borders or is larger than other moles, it would be a good idea to see a doctor.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is more common, and there are many different types of skin cancer that fall under this category. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are diagnosed most frequently. Unlike melanoma, basal cell cancer rarely spreads to other sites in the body and is not commonly life-threatening. Other nonmelanoma cancers can be very deadly, so the spectrum of severity is large within this classification. Nonmelanoma cancers also house a large range of physical appearances from open sores, to reddish patches, to scaly growths.

A staple warning sign for all types of skin cancer is a growth or abnormality that is becoming bigger or changing over time. Make sure to get to know your skin and look out for any changes, especially in the months that have stronger sun.

There are many misconceptions about skin cancer prevention, so it’s important to keep up-to-date on trustworthy prevention guidelines from credible sites such as skincancer.org or cancer.gov. Tanning beds and sunburns do increase your risk of skin cancer, and you are still susceptible to skin cancer even if your skin doesn’t typically burn. Always using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is essential, and make sure to apply 30 minutes before sun exposure. It’s also a good idea to cover up with clothing and seek shade when possible.

Although skin cancer is such a common disease, education on how to reduce the risk and ensure early detection can help us decrease the number of deaths from the disease as well as the billions of dollars that are being spent on skin cancer treatments annually.

Stock Images & Stock Video of Melanoma

• cancer.gov
• skincancer.org

Alzheimer's Disease, a Tragic Future for Our Aging Population

An estimated 82 million people will have dementia by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. By 2050, the number of people with dementia in the U.S. will be double what it is today, and 80% of these individuals will have Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's is a noncurable condition that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. A person can have the beginnings of Alzheimer's for years without any visible symptoms. It progressively worsens over time and never improves.

Most people develop Alzheimer's after age 65, although some people may get Early-Onset Alzheimer's decades earlier. 

The greatest factors in getting Alzheimer's is aging and having Alzheimer's in your family. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes also increase the odds. Head injuries and not sleeping regularly contribute to a lesser degree as well.

At first, symptoms may not be very noticeable. Misplaced keys, a lost book, a missed appointment. After all, everyone forgets things on occasion. However, with those suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, memory loss and confusion become more frequent, eventually interfering with daily living. They will also exhibit bouts of unexplained anger, depression and mood swings. Usually, close family and friends are the first to notice that something is not right.

In the long run, a patient suffering from Alzheimer's will need care 24 hours a day. They will not recognize family, will forget basic vocabulary, and not know how to feed themselves or accomplish even the most basic day-to-day tasks without assistance.

The brain of an Alzheimer's patient deteriorates due to the development of a type of plaque in brain cells called beta-amyloid, as well as tangles in nerve cells called tau. 

Treatment is limited, as there are only 5 drugs available that slow the progression of memory loss but do not stop it. Sleep drugs, anti-depressants and other mood enhancing drugs are usually prescribed to deal with common symptoms.

We have no way to cure Alzheimer's, nor to restore parts of the brain that have been lost. 

Luckily, there are many new drugs in development. Researchers are working on drugs to slow the deterioration of brain cells. Some hope to develop drugs that may one day even prevent Alzheimer's altogether. 

If pharmaceutical companies are successful, there may be a much brighter future for the elderly and the world may never reach the 82 million patients currently expected to develop this terrible disease.

Stock Images & Stock Video About Alzheimer's Disease

• alz,org
• webmd.com

A Tragic Family of Diseases - Neurodegenerative Disease

There is a family of diseases with two things in common – they involve the death of nerve cells over time and they have no known cure. They are called neurodegenerative diseases.

Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and Huntington's 

are a few of the more universally known ones. What they have in common is the progressive loss of structure, function or  death of nerve cells - called neurons.  Neurons are the building blocks of your brain and spinal cord. The body cannot replace or reproduce them,  so once they are damaged, they are lost.

Drugs and treatments are available to provide palliative care. Some may slow the progression or relieve or minimize symptoms such as shaking or pain. As these diseases progress, often over the course of years, they become debilitating and lead to the eventual end of someone's life.

Sadly, at this time there is no known cure for any of the diseases in this family.

The only hope lies in fully understanding the mechanism of these diseases on the sub-cellular level and the neuron circuitry of our bodies on a system-wide level.

Celebrities have brought light to this terrible and tragic condition to help move research forward.  These include Stephen Hawking, Michael J. Fox, Neil Diamond, Muhammad Ali, and Janet Reno. Many of them have used their celebrity to increase awareness and thereby encourage hope for the future.

Alzheimer Foundation of America

ALS Association

Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

VIEW STOCK IMAGES & VIDEO 

NEURON THEMED PRODUCTS