Israeli Airstrike Kills 9 in Gaza
An Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya killed 9 Palestinians as Hamas holds ceasefire talks in Cairo.
Scientists have unveiled the structure of uMtCK, a key enzyme cancer cells use for energy, offering new insights for targeted therapies to slow tumor growth.
Cancer cells are notorious for their insatiable hunger for energy, rapidly multiplying and hijacking normal cellular functions to meet their fuel demands. One of the critical processes they exploit involves a group of enzymes called creatine kinases (CK), which are responsible for shuttling energy within cells. A specific type of CK, known as ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK), plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells tap into and distribute energy, making it an essential target for potential cancer therapies.
In a breakthrough study, scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys and Mayo Clinic revealed the detailed structure of human uMtCK, uncovering how its shape changes when bound to energy molecules like creatine or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Using cutting-edge cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the team created 3D images of the protein and its interactions, offering insights that could pave the way for developing drugs to block this crucial energy transport mechanism in cancer cells.
Their research, published in Structure on February 3, 2025, also tested an existing CK inhibitor called CKi on breast cancer cells. The results showed that CKi was effective in slowing down breast cancer cell growth, confirming the potential of targeting this pathway in cancer treatment. However, the inhibitor isn’t selective for uMtCK alone, and could disrupt other vital processes, leading to high toxicity.
Building on these findings, the researchers are now working to design more targeted inhibitors that specifically block uMtCK without affecting other cellular functions, offering the promise of more effective and less toxic cancer therapies in the future.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
BioNTech forecasts a revenue decline for 2025, expecting between 1.7 billion and 2.2 billion euros, down from 2.75 billion euros last year. This drop is due to Pfizer write-downs and stable vaccination rates. BioNTech also plans significant job cuts and new hires.
Over a million displaced people in Myanmar are set to be affected by the World Food Programme’s cuts to food aid worldwide.
Measles cases in the European region surged to a 25-year high in 2024, more than doubling from the previous year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF reported on Thursday, urging immediate action to restore vaccination levels that declined after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases in Europe are expected to rise in the coming months, the ECDC warned, citing seasonal trends and low vaccination rates. With over 32,000 cases reported in the past year—mostly in Romania—health officials stress the urgent need for higher immunization to prevent further outbreaks.
Pope Francis had a restful night, the Holy See Press Office said on Wednesday, two days after the Pope's doctors said his prognosis was no longer guarded even if he requires more time in the hospital.
The World Health Organization WHO has announced a road map for cuts and tightening as it navigates a different reality in the absence of US funding.
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