ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION

Researchers discover a compound that could change the treatment of traumatic brain injuries

The study demonstrates for the first time that this compound, made up of four amino acids, has therapeutic activity in brain injuries without the need to deliver additional drugs

Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

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Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), an institution under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, has discovered that a small compound—a peptide made up of four amino acids called CAQK—has a significant neuroprotective effect in mouse models of traumatic brain injury.

When administered intravenously shortly after injury in animal models (mice and pigs), CAQK specifically targets the damaged areas of the brain, attracted by a protein that is overexpressed in injured tissue following trauma. CAQK accumulates in the region marked by this protein and is able to reduce inflammation, cell death, and damage to brain tissue. Moreover, in mice, it improved functional recovery without apparent toxicity.

The results, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, open new possibilities for treating injured areas of the brain. The study was led by the company Aivocode (a spin-off of the Sanford Burnham Prebys Institute) in San Diego, California, in collaboration with the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) and the University of California, Davis.

Aivocode, founded by researchers Aman P. Mann, Sazid Hussain, and Erkki Ruoslahti (authors of the study), plans to soon seek authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin Phase I clinical trials in humans. Although no specific date has been set, the fact that CAQK is a short peptide—easy to produce and with good tissue penetration—makes it a strong candidate for drug development.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage typically caused by blows to the head, such as those resulting from traffic accidents, workplace incidents, or falls. It is estimated to affect around 200 people per 100,000 inhabitants each year. Currently, treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient by reducing intracranial pressure and maintaining blood flow, but there are no approved drugs to halt brain damage or its secondary effects, such as inflammation or cell death. In addition, the therapies under investigation require direct injections into the brain, an invasive technique that can cause complications.

“The current interventions for treating acute brain injury aim to stabilize the patient by reducing intracranial pressure and maintaining blood flow, but there are no approved drugs to stop the damage and secondary effects of these injuries,” explains Dr. Pablo Scodeller, researcher at IQAC-CSIC and co-author of the study.

The Great Challenge of Neurology

Finding a non-invasive way to treat an injured brain is one of the major challenges in neurology. This study moves in that direction, building on previous work carried out by the researchers in 2016 and published in Nature Communications.

At that time, researcher Aman P. Mann, together with Pablo Scodeller, working in the laboratory of Dr. Ruoslahti (senior author of both studies) at Sanford Burnham Prebys, discovered a peptide—a small chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins—that specifically targeted injured areas of the brain in mice. The peptide, named CAQK, was identified through a large-scale screening technique known as peptide-phage display, which allows the selection of molecules with affinity for specific tissues. In that earlier study, CAQK was used as a “vehicle” to deliver drugs directly to the damaged area. However, in their new work, the researchers went a step further and demonstrated that the CAQK peptide itself has therapeutic effects.

To evaluate its therapeutic activity, the peptide was first administered intravenously shortly after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, and it was observed that the peptide accumulated in the injured brains of mice and pigs (the latter having brains more similar to humans than mice). Furthermore, it was found that the peptide binds to special molecules called glycoproteins (proteins attached to sugars), which become more abundant after an injury and are part of the extracellular matrix—a supporting network that surrounds brain cells.

Treatment of mice with traumatic brain injury using this peptide resulted in a reduction in lesion size compared to control mice. “We observed less cell death and lower expression of inflammatory markers in the injured area, indicating that CAQK alleviated neuroinflammation and its secondary effects. Behavioral and memory tests conducted after treatment also showed improvement in functional deficits, with no evident toxicity,” explains the study’s first author, Dr. Mann.

The study’s results demonstrate that the CAQK peptide can help repair the damaged area, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications following trauma. “What’s exciting is that, in addition to proving highly effective, it’s a very simple compound—a short peptide that is easy to synthesize safely at large scale. Peptides with these characteristics show good tissue penetration and are non-immunogenic,” concludes Scodeller.

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Journal

EMBO Molecular Medicine

DOI

10.1038/s44321-025-00312-5 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

A neuroprotective tetrapeptide for treatment of acute traumatic brain injury

Article Publication Date

1-Oct-2025

COI Statement

Disclosure and competing interests statement. APM, SH, PS, and ER are inventors on the patents. APM, SH and ER have ownership interest in AivoCode and are founders and officers of the company. The remaining authors declare no competing financial interests.

 

A research team at IMDEA Networks designs a system that significantly reduces parking search time in cities

Cord-Approx strategy assigns different street parking spots to drivers using statistical predictions and an optimal matching algorithm

IMDEA Networks Institute

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A research team at IMDEA Networks Institute have developed a coordination system called Cord-Approx strategy that significantly cuts the time drivers spend searching for on-street parking. The study “Reducing Street Parking Search Time via Smart Assignment Strategies” tested the approach in detailed simulations of Madrid using a real traffic dataset. On average, drivers using Cord-Approx strategy found a parking spot in 6.7 minutes, compared to almost 20 minutes without it. The paper has been accepted and will be presented at ACM SIGSPATIAL’05, a flagship venue for data-driven research for smart-cities and other environments.

The methodology split drivers into two groups (app users vs. regular drivers) and simulated how different strategies affect search times and parking success rate. Cord-Approx strategy coordinates drivers by predicting likely spot availability from historical success patterns and assigning different drivers to different spots via an optimal matching algorithm, so they don’t all compete for the same one. This coordinated approach achieves results close to an ideal “all-knowing” scenario. “The key finding of the research is how much coordination boosts efficiency: by steering each driver to a specific spot, it turns a chaotic free-for-all into an organized process,” explains Behafarid Hemmatpour, PhD student at IMDEA Networks and first author of the paper.

From theory to practice

Cord-Approx strategy works by coordinating drivers, so they do not all compete for the same parking space. Unlike most commercial apps that mainly predict where spots might be available, this approach adds a city-wide coordination layer.

Its effectiveness has been tested against a theoretical benchmark proposed as the Oracle, which assumes perfect information on all drivers and parking spots. “Cord-Approx strategy comes very close to the ideal Oracle scenario in performance, capturing a large share of its theoretical advantage without requiring perfect data,” notes Hemmatpour.

Benefits for cities and population

The system can be integrated into existing mobility platforms such as Google Maps, Waze, or municipal apps through an API, providing drivers with real-time directions to available parking spaces as they approach their destination.

By guiding drivers to specific on-street parking spots, the system would save drivers time and reduce frustration. For instance, in Madrid they observed search time cut for drivers using the app by about 66% compared to the regular drivers, which translates to thousands of driver-hours saved daily. Fewer cars cruising for on-street parking reduce traffic congestion and emissions, contributing to improved air quality and a smaller environmental footprint.

Additionally, “city authorities could use such a system to manage on-street parking demand more efficiently, for example, by integrating it with municipal traffic management or even dynamic pricing. Another application is using the insights from this research for urban planning: city planners can identify hotspots of parking difficulty and take steps to address them”, highlight Hemmatpour.

Next steps

So far, the research has been simulation-based. The team is currently developing a fully functioning prototype to demonstrate the potential of the technology in real-world settings. They are exploring opportunities to test Cord-Approx strategy in real-world pilots with municipalities or mobility providers. “As of now, we have not yet partnered with municipal authorities or private companies to test the system in a live setting… the next step is to work with a city or a company to implement a trial,” says Prof. Nikolaos Laoutaris, Director of the Data Transparency Group of IMDEA Networks where the research was carried out.

The system has been designed to adapt to different urban contexts. Madrid was chosen as a case study because of its diverse urban layout and the availability of detailed traffic datasets. But according to Hemmatpour, the results are not limited to this city: “The algorithm isn’t Madrid-specific; it relies on inputs that any city can supply. Coordinated guidance should work wherever curb scarcity drives search traffic.”

“Think of it as a smart GPS guiding app for parking: instead of circling, the app coordinates drivers city-wide to assign each a street parking spot, slashing search time and, in turn, cutting traffic jams and pollution from cars cruising the block,” concludes Hemmatpour.

 

Global fashion giants unite to combat textile microfiber crisis

Leading fashion brands from across the globe gathered at Northumbria University in the UK recently for a landmark event showcasing cutting-edge research into microfiber pollution from textiles

Northumbria University

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Fashion industry representatives gathered at Northumbria as part of the Behind the Break project

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Credit: Bridget Upton

Leading fashion brands from across the globe gathered at Northumbria University recently for a landmark event showcasing cutting-edge research into microfibre pollution from textiles.

The meeting took place at the University's Fibre-fragmentation and Environment Research Hub (FibER Hub), established earlier this year through a collaboration between the University and The Microfibre Consortium (TMC), a science-led non-profit organisation that is leading global efforts to reduce fibre fragment loss and release from all textiles to the natural environment.

Industry giants including adidas, BESTSELLER and ON Running came together with textile manufacturers Positive Materials and Paradise Textiles, as well as global impact organisation Fashion for Good and TMC.

With further support from partners such as Levi’s, Under Armour, C&A, Kering, Inditex & Norrøna, the project marks a significant milestone in collaborative efforts to address one of fashion's most pressing environmental challenges.

The event at Northumbria concluded the initial phase of the Behind the Break: Exploring Fibre Fragmentation project, a comprehensive study examining microfibre shedding across 24 different fabric types.

Led by Fashion for Good in partnership with TMC and Northumbria University, the research tested materials representing various dyeing processes, construction methods, and manufacturing variables to understand the root causes of fibre fragmentation.

Dr Alana James is an Associate Professor at Northumbria University and Principal Investigator for the IMPACT+ network, which brings together academics and fashion representatives to share important knowledge that will help make the industry more sustainable and circular.

Speaking about the event, she said: “The level of industry engagement we've witnessed demonstrates the urgent need for science-led solutions to microfibre pollution. Having global brands travel from the US and Europe to Northumbria to participate in this event shows there's real appetite for understanding and addressing the root causes of this environmental issue.”

During the two-day event, attendees received exclusive demonstrations of three different test methods used to determine fibre loss, including advanced characterisation techniques across different university facilities.

The FibER Hub features state-of-the-art equipment designed to understand exactly what and how much fibre different fabrics shed throughout their lifespan.

The research has revealed complex challenges within the textile supply chain, including potential contamination as fabrics travel thousands of miles from manufacturing to finished products. Participants expressed keen interest in understanding these contamination levels and their implications for microfibre shedding.

Dr Kelly Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer of TMC and Associate Professor in Forensic Science at Northumbria University, said: “This collaboration enables us to expand our knowledge offering to our growing signatory base by drawing on Northumbria's interdisciplinary skills and technical capabilities. The interest and enthusiasm displayed at this event reinforces the critical importance of addressing fibre fragment pollution through robust, comprehensive research.”

The Behind the Break project was launched earlier this year in partnerships with textile manufacturers including Paradise Textiles in China, Positive Materials in Portugal & Artistic Milliners in Pakistan, alongside major fashion brands.

However, the research has highlighted that with hundreds of tests conducted on 24 fabrics, this represents just a small sample when considered against the variety of raw materials and complexity of manufacturing processed performed in the supply chain.

Following the success of the event at Northumbria, all participating brands have expressed interest in continuing the research into additional phases. Plans are already underway to expand the study with larger sample sizes and explore different fabric characteristics and finishes.

The FibER Hub collaboration forms part of the broader IMPACT+ project, a multi-disciplinary network funded through UK Research and Innovation's circular fashion and textile programme NetworkPlus.

Established in 2023, IMPACT+ includes academics from Northumbria University, King's College London and Loughborough University, working alongside industry partners to challenge how environmental impact is measured across fashion and textile industries.

While current research has focused on simulated laundering as the industry standard test method, future work being carried out by the FibER Hub will expand to examine microfibre loss through air and other environmental pathways. Recent funding from Innovate UK has already supported TMC and Northumbria's development of potential new test methods for capturing and quantifying airborne microfibres.

The research emphasises addressing microfibre pollution at its source rather than relying solely on downstream solutions such as washing machine filters, aligning with TMC's mission to facilitate science-led change within the industry through its Microfibre 2030 Commitment and Roadmap.

Northumbria University offers an MA Sustainable and Ethical Fashion which equips students with the knowledge to become an expert in ethics and sustainability, anticipating the demands of the future fashion industry.

 

The hidden highways of the sky mapped

Lund University

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High above us, the atmosphere is teeming with life. Birds, bats and insects share the airspace, but divide it into different lanes of traffic. New research from Lund University in Sweden reveals how the atmosphere is an ecosystem, with complex ecological processes that affect how animals move between different altitude levels. 

We often consider the air as simply a void – but it is in fact alive and vital. In a new study, researchers in Lund, the Netherlands and the USA introduce a framework for understanding the air as a habitat, just like a forest or ocean. The study highlights how environmental factors and interaction between species affect how animals are distributed in the aerial habitat.

“It concerns not only where animals fly, but also why. Wind, temperature and air pressure are factors, as is the location of other animals. It’s a dynamic environment that requires adaptation,” explains Cecilia Nilsson, researcher in biology at Lund University.

The study discusses how slower insects prefer to fly closest to the ground, where the wind is moderate and temperature more equable. Bats’ favourite altitude is in the medium range, where they can hunt and feed on faster insects. At the highest altitudes, it is the birds that dominate, utilising thermals and tail winds for efficient flight.

“Then, of course, there are a lot of exceptions, such as insects, which in certain cases can be transported to high altitudes in thermals, and many birds that hardly ever venture up to higher altitudes but rather stay at the lower levels,” says Cecilia Nilsson.

In contrast to other habitats, the air is extremely volatile. Weather changes quickly, which affects access to food, energy consumption and competition between species. In the study, the researchers analysed both abiotic factors (e.g. weather and air pressure) and biotic factors (e.g. interactions between species) to understand why certain species fly high and others low – and why it can change from day to day.

“We want to encourage more studies that map which species use different altitudes, and under what conditions. It’s crucial for our understanding of how human impacts – such as wind power, drones or urban development – affect flying animals,” says Cecilia Nilsson.

These insights are not only of theoretical value, as they can have a direct bearing on nature conservation, urban planning and energy provision. Building tall structures often affects animals without us realising it.

“We hope that our framework will be a tool for both researchers and decision-makers. To preserve flying animals, we must understand that the air is an arena for ecological processes that is equally important as the land and ocean,” concludes Cecilia Nilsson. 

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Journal

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

DOI

10.1016/j.tree.2025.08.006 

Article Title

Animal niches in the airspace