Author Archives: Marina

Google Advanced Search

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While the advantage of Google has always been viewed as an example of searching simplicity, its developers recognize the need for search precision functionality when needed.

Recently we reported that Google began implementing the ability to use Boolean searching within the Google interface. Google also has an Advanced search that offers some limited options for refining a search by using preset search boxes to assist users. These preset search boxes offer a guided way for achieving the same results as with using Boolean Operators, double quotes, filters, etc. For example, “All These Words” equals the “AND” Boolean Operator, “Any of These Words” equals the “OR” Boolean Operator.

Unfortunately, these options are not quickly found when doing a Google search. To get to it, click on the Settings in the right lower corner of the Google search screen and then on Advanced Search.

You can also bookmark the direct URL (https://www.google.com/advanced_search) for easy access.

Simply fill out the search box and then use another set of options to narrow your search down by Language, Region and other criteria.

Narrowing Down Google Results

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Once you run a Google search, you have several options to narrow your search results.

One way is searching Google using its general search box and then limiting the search results to News, Images, Videos or other common material formats. You can then further refine your search by format:

  • Type your search terms in the Google search box
  • Once you get the search results, click on the format icon of your choice (e.g. News, Images, Videos) located under the Google search box
  • Click on Tools (also located under the Google search box) to see drop down menus with options that allow refining your chosen format search

These options are sensitive to each format. For example, you can refine your Images search by Size, Color, Usage Rights, etc., while your Videos search can be refined by Duration, Source, etc.

Predicting Immunotherapy Response, Cancer Relapse and More

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  • The researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center discovered that cancer cells express DUX4, a gene responsible for certain muscular dystrophies, to protect themselves from the effects of immunotherapy, in particular – from immune checkpoint inhibitors. The implications of this research would be development of therapies that would target DUX4 and thus make treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors more efficient. The study is due to be published in Developmental Cell.
  • Researchers from the University of Western Australia in collaboration with Telethon Kids Institute and 13 health research organizations looked into the genes in cancer samples and devised a way of using cancer samples to identify potential response to immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy before initiating immunotherapy treatment. This could help identify drugs that improve response to checkpoint inhibitors. The study was published in Science Translational Medicine.
  • Researchers from the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center have come close to developing a blood test, based on a patient’s immune response, which may predict relapse of breast cancer. The study was published in Nature Immunology.
  • It is known that cancer cells spread in the body by feeding on sugar. British researchers discovered that if deprived of sugar, cancer cells switch, with the help of a protein called AKR1B10, to fatty acids as a source of energy to boost their spread. The implications could be for diagnosis, as increased levels AKR1B10 may predict metastatic spread; and for management, which means development of new treatments that would prevent cancer cells from using fatty acids. This preclinical study was published in Nature Communications.