ASCLS eNewsBytes

• FDA Grants 510(K) Clearance to Break Wave Lithotripsy Device for Kidney Stones January 27, 2026
  Break Wave lithotripsy device uses low-pressure ultrasound to fragment kidney stones non-invasively, requiring no anesthesia. The device offers a new treatment option for symptomatic and asymptomatic kidney stones, eliminating the need for ureteral stents.
• Maternal Genetic Factors May Reveal Why Pregnancy Loss Is So Common January 27, 2026
  By studying genetic data from nearly 140,000 IVF embryos, scientists have with unprecedented detail revealed why fewer than half of human conceptions survive to birth. The research uncovered the strongest evidence yet for how common genetic differences leave some individuals more vulnerable to pregnancy loss.
• A Global DNA Study Reveals a Hidden Threat in Diabetic Foot Infections January 27, 2026
  Scientists have uncovered new clues about why diabetic foot infections can become so severe and difficult to treat. By analyzing the DNA of E. coli bacteria taken from infected wounds around the world, researchers found an unexpected level of diversity, with many strains carrying genes linked to antibiotic resistance and aggressive disease.
• Decoding miRNA-Mediated Immunoregulation in SARS-CoV-2, HBV, HIV and HSV Infections January 27, 2026
  Eukaryotic cells regulate gene expression through multiple checkpoints, including posttranscriptional mechanisms mediated by microRNAs. These small non-coding RNAs inhibit translation by binding to target mRNAs, often within a complex regulatory network involving other RNA species such as circular RNAs and long non-coding RNAs.
• 4 Markers Capture Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells in Blood Samples January 27, 2026
  Researchers have developed a new approach to isolating circulating tumor cells from liquid biopsies of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Through the identification of four new cell surface markers specific to TNBC cells, this work could address a major limitation that has historically prevented the use of CTCs in the diagnosis and monitoring of TNBC.