Itching, and the subsequent urge to scratch, can make eczema worse. Kinga Krzeminska/Moment via Getty ImagesItching can be uncomfortable, but it’s a normal part of your skin’s immune response to external threats. When you’re itching from an encounter with poison ivy or mosquitoes, consider that your urge to scratch may have evolved to get you to swat away disease-carrying pests. However, for many people who suffer from chronic skin diseases like eczema, the sensation of itch can fuel a vicious c
Researchers have discovered that an important group of immune cells in the large bowel — gamma delta T cells — are crucial to preventing bowel cancer.
Programmed cell death such as apoptosis is a common stage of cellular life. Nanoclustering/Science Photo Library via Getty ImagesLiving cells work better than dying cells, right? However, this is not always the case: your cells often sacrifice themselves to keep you healthy. The unsung hero of life is death. While death may seem passive, an unfortunate ending that just “happens,” the death of your cells is often extremely purposeful and strategic. The intricate details of how and why cells die c
Immune cells do not just passively follow chemical cues in order to reach their target. In fact, they are capable of navigating complex environments in a self-organised manner.