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Source - EurekAlert – Biology
Public Release: 19-Jun-2009
New supplement may help slow sight loss in elderly
Queen's University Belfast academics have helped develop an antioxidant supplement which may slow down sight loss in elderly people. The supplement may help those affected by the leading cause of blindness in the Western World, a five-year research program has found.
Contact: Andrea Clements
a.clements@qub.ac.uk
Queen's University Belfast
Public Release: 19-Jun-2009
Green tea may affect prostate cancer progression
According to results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, men with prostate cancer who consumed the active compounds in green tea demonstrated a significant reduction in serum markers predictive of prostate cancer progression.
Contact: Tara Yates
tara.yates@aacr.org
267-646-0558
American Association for Cancer Research
Public Release: 18-Jun-2009
Improved method developed to test carcinogen risk
Researchers at Oregon State University recently completed the largest animal study ever done in the field of toxicology, and the findings challenge some basic concepts about how to determine what level of a cancer-causing compound can be considered safe.
Contact: George Bailey
george.bailey@oregonstate.edu
541-737-3164
Oregon State University
Public Release: 18-Jun-2009
Cancer-causing protein can also help fight the tumors it causes
Tel Aviv University research uses the Ras protein to fight its own malign effects.
Contact: George Hunka
ghunka@aftau.org
212-742-9070
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Public Release: 18-Jun-2009
Johns Hopkins researchers edit genes in human stem cells
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have successfully edited the genome of human- induced pluripotent stem cells, making possible the future development of patient-specific stem cell therapies. Reporting this week in Cell Stem Cell, the team altered a gene responsible for causing the rare blood disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or PNH, establishing for the first time a useful system to learn more about the disease.
Contact: Audrey Huang
audrey@jhmi.edu
410-614-5105
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Public Release: 17-Jun-2009
Nonstick and laser-safe gold aids laser trapping of biomolecules
Biophysicists at JILA have made gold more precious than ever -- at least as a research tool -- by creating nonstick gold surfaces and laser-safe gold nanoposts to aid in trapping and fixing individual biomolecules for study.
Contact: Laura Ost
laura.ost@nist.gov
303-497-4880
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Public Release: 17-Jun-2009
Discovery of the cell's water gate may lead to new cancer drugs
The flow of water into and out from the cell may play a crucial role in several types of cancer. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have now found the gate that regulates the flow of water into yeast cells. The discovery, which will be published in the journal PLoS Biology, raises hopes of developing a drug that inhibits the spread and growth of tumors.
Contact: Krister Svahn
krister.svahn@science.gu.se
46-031-786-4912
University of Gothenburg
Public Release: 17-Jun-2009
Fallopian tubes offer new stem cell source
Human tissues normally discarded after surgical procedures could be a rich additional source of stem cells for regenerative medicine. New research from BioMed Central's open-access Journal of Translational Medicine shows for the first time that human fallopian tubes are abundant in mesenchymal stem cells which have the potential of becoming a variety of cell types.
Contact: Charlotte Webber
charlotte.webber@biomedcentral.com
44-203-192-2129
BioMed Central
Source - Science Daily:
Please note: Due to the format restrictions of Science Daily articles, you must click on the URL (web address) below the article summary, rather than the article title.
Gene Inhibition May Help Normalize Type 2 Diabetes
June 19, 2009 — In research that could lead to new approaches for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, scientists have found that suppressing a liver enzyme that induces glucose production helped diminish the symptoms ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618173246.htm
Vaccinating Children May Be Effective At Helping Control Spread Of Influenza
June 19, 2009 — Targeting children may be an effective use of limited supplies of flu vaccine, according to new research. The study suggests that, used to support other control measures, this could help control the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617080120.htm
Cerebrospinal Fluid Shows Alzheimer's Disease Deterioration Much Earlier
June 19, 2009 — It is possible to determine which patients run a high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and the dementia associated with it, even in patients with minimal memory ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618093240.htm
Genes Edited In Human Stem Cells
June 19, 2009 — Researchers have successfully edited the genome of human- induced pluripotent stem cells, making possible the future development of patient-specific stem cell therapies. They altered a gene ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618124942.htm
Donor Stem Cell Transplantation Associated With Survival Benefit For Patients With Leukemia
June 19, 2009 — An analysis of previous studies indicates that allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT -- stem cells from a compatible donor) is associated with significant overall and relapse-free survival ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609215941.htm
Immunology: Interleukin-21 Keeps Defense Cells In Good Trim
June 19, 2009 — Interleukin-21 plays a crucial role in fighting off chronic viral infections, scientists recently concluded. The discovery offers hope for specific treatments against HIV, hepatitis C and B, and ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619090456.htm
Study May Redefine How A Chronic Auto-immune Disease Is Diagnosed
June 18, 2009 — New research may redefine how chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is diagnosed. The study may help doctors more effectively diagnose and treat ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124821.htm
'Motion-frozen' Technology Meets High-definition PET: Helping Heart Patients
June 18, 2009 — Combining high-definition positron emission tomography (PET) and "motion-frozen" technology provides enhanced cardiac ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144325.htm
3D Printing For New Tissues And Organs
June 18, 2009 — A more effective way to build plastic scaffolds on which new tissues and even whole organs might be grown in the laboratory is being ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618085752.htm
Less Invasive CT-scan Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Method Shows Good Accuracy
June 18, 2009 — Computed tomographic colonography may offer patients at increased risk of colorectal cancer an alternative to colonoscopy that is less-invasive, is better-tolerated and has good diagnostic accuracy, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616163952.htm
Structures From The Human Immune System's Oldest Branch Shed Light On A Range Of Diseases
June 18, 2009 — How molecules of the oldest branch of the human immune system have interconnected has remained a mystery. Now, two new structures, both involving a central component of an enzyme important to the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617123437.htm
AIDS: Clues To Virus-cancer Link Uncovered
June 18, 2009 — Scientists have uncovered clues to the development of cancers in AIDS ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617131402.htm
Telemedicine Expands Reach Of Care For Parkinson's Patients
June 18, 2009 — A unique and innovative telemedicine project is providing distant nursing home patients with Parkinson's disease access to neurologists. A pilot study of the project demonstrates that the system can ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090617123654.htm
Nearly Half Of Older Patients Projected To Die While Waiting For Kidney Transplant
June 18, 2009 — Forty-six percent of patients over age 60 currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant will die before they receive an organ from a deceased donor, reports a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618173033.htm
Targeting Tumor Behavior May Lead To New Liver Cancer Drugs
June 18, 2009 — Cancer researchers have used computational and genomic methods to identify possible anti-cancer agents that target multiple genes simultaneously. The researchers were seeking agents that might ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090618124952.htm
Potential For Non-invasive Brain Tumor Treatment
June 17, 2009 — Engineers have taken a first step toward a minimally invasive treatment of brain tumors by combining chemotherapy with heat administered from the end of a ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616103309.htm
New Nanoparticles Could Lead To End Of Chemotherapy
June 17, 2009 — Specially engineered nanoparticles could someday target and destroy tumors, sparing patients from toxic, whole-body ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616121343.htm
Early and Easy Detection Of Alzheimer's Disease?
June 17, 2009 — A new diagnostic technique which may greatly simplify the detection of Alzheimer's disease has been discovered. There is currently no accepted blood test for Alzheimer's, and the diagnosis is usually ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122113.htm
Single Gene Found To Control Growth Of Some Cancers
June 17, 2009 — A single gene can control growth in cancers related to the Epstein-Barr virus and that existing therapeutics can inactivate it, according to new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612092739.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: June 19, 2009
- Cookie Dough Linked to E. Coli Cases
- Bayer Threatened With Lawsuit Over Men's Vitamin Claims
- Trainers Urge Halt to Two-a-Day Football Practices in August
- Food Safety Bill Clears House Committee
Finding also might apply in other types of cancer, researcher says
Study Finds Possible Genetic Indicator of Colorectal Cancer
If perfected, screening method could make disease detection easier, experts say
Clinical Trials Update: June 19, 2009
- Neuropathy
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Bladder Disorders
- Overactive Bladder
- Healthy Volunteers (Females 18-40)
- Keloids (Raised Scars)
Newly approved device allows pain-free mobility, experts say
Clinical Trials Update: June 18, 2009
- Schizophrenia
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Oral Contraceptive (Female Healthy Volunteers)
- Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders
- Healthy Patient Studies
- Rash
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Asthma
- Chronic Migraine
- Hysterectomy
- Lower Back Pain
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Amarillo Biosciences Announces Completion of Screening Process for Influenza Study in Australia
FDA Action Sends Stem Cell Stocks Moving
News from the FDA spurred some action among stem cell stocks on Thursday.
Source - Google Health News:
The Signature Features of Influenza Pandemics — Implications for ...
New England Journal of Medicine (subscription) - MA,USA
Although the A/H5N1 influenza subtype has spread to avian populations in more than 30 countries and infected nearly 400 persons, with a case fatality rate ...
A Robust Response
Alibaba News Channel - New York,NEW YORK,USA
The H5N1 avian flu virus is highly pathogenic but not very contagious. The A/H1N1 virus is just the opposite. If these two viruses combine, the result could ...
The Promise of a Cure: 20 Years and Counting
Science Magazine (subscription) - USA
But even after so much hard work, not a single therapy based on the CF gene has reached the market. Some promising treatments, especially gene therapy, ...
New gene therapy cuts of tumour's blood, nutrient supply in mice
Newspost Online - Baroda,India
Researchers at the University of Florida in the US have come up with a novel gene therapy that can cut off a tumour's blood and nutrient supply. ...
Study might pave way for hemophilia gene therapy
SmartBrief - Washington,DC,USA
The researchers hope the findings will lead to successful human trials and eventually the development of a gene therapy for hemophilia A. Forbes (06/16
Source - Medical News Today:
Swine Flu Expected To Continue Through The Summer, US
Health officials said on Thursday that it looks like the novel H1N1 swine flu virus will continue to spread in the US through the summer months, and then resurge in the autumn. This is different to the previous expectation that the swine flu virus would follow a seasonal flu pattern: abate in the northern hemisphere as it approached the summer, spend a few months in southern hemisphere countries that are now approaching winter, and then return to the northern hemisphere in the fall. Two senior officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta held a telebriefing with journalists yesterday and spoke about the pattern of swine flu transmission in the US and also about infections among health workers and the need for more rigour in H1N1 infection control in health care settings.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154588.php
Actual Imaging Use Far Below President's Recommend 95 Percent Utilization Rate For Medicare
The amount of time imaging equipment is in use in outpatient settings does not approach use rates President Obama and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommend Medicare utilize to calculate reimbursement for imaging, according to data recently collected by the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), a national association of business professionals in radiology. The RBMA data, which consist of 261 imaging machines in 46 centers, show, using current Medicare assumptions, that imaging equipment in rural regions of the country operates only 48 percent of the time an office is open, while equipment in non-rural areas operates 56 percent of the time a center is open for business. Neither rural nor urban non-hospital diagnostic imaging providers operate equipment at rates anywhere near the levels the President or MedPAC recommend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) use to base reimbursements. President Obama recently recommended CMS base its reimbursement formula on a 95 percent utilization rate for advanced imaging equipment. MedPAC has recommended a 90 percent utilization rate for equipment that costs more than $1 million.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154664.php
Scientists Discover Possible Link Between Missing DNA And Neuroblastoma, A Deadly Childhood Cancer
Discovering for the first time that copy number variation or CNV, where a strip of DNA is duplicated or missing, may increase risk of developing cancer, US scientists found a link between a particular CNV and neuroblastoma, a deadly cancer that mostly affects children. The study was led by Dr John M Maris, chief of Oncology and director of the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is published in the 18 June issue of the journal Nature. Maris is also on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and scientists from several other research centres worked on the research with him.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154412.php
Cancer Immunotherapy Can Use Small Numbers Of Stem-Like Immune Cells To Destroy Large Tumors In Mice
A new approach to stimulating immune cells enhances their anticancer activity, resulting in a powerful anti-tumor response in mice, according to a study by researchers at the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health. This work represents an important advance in the development of immunotherapy for cancer and appears online June 14, 2009 in Nature Medicine. Researchers found that a subset of immune cells, T lymphocytes called CD8+ memory stem cells
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154467.php
They Are Young And Need The Job: A Second Chance For Dangerous T-cells
The immune system's T-cells react to foreign protein fragments and therefore are crucial to combating viruses and bacteria. Errant cells that attack the body's own material are in most cases driven to cell death. Some of these autoreactive T-cells, however, undergo a kind of reeducation to become "regulatory T-cells" that keep other autoreactive T-cells under control. A group led by immunologist Professor Ludger Klein of LMU Munich has now shown that the developmental stage of an autoreactive T-cell is decisive to its ultimate destiny. Young autoreactive T cells are very readily reeducated into regulatory T-cells. Under identical conditions, however, older T cells become fully activated and can cause damage they are in a way resistant to reeducation. "We now intend to study at the molecular level what makes a T-cell accessible for reeducation," said Klein, "because then it may be possible to convert even normal adult T-cells, which can be obtained easily and in great numbers from blood. Possibly, they could then be used as regulatory T-cells in therapies for autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154406.php
University Of Central Florida Researcher's Nanoparticles Could Someday Lead To End Of Chemotherapy
Nanoparticles specially engineered by University of Central Florida Assistant Professor J. Manuel Perez and his colleagues could someday target and destroy tumors, sparing patients from toxic, whole-body chemotherapies. Perez and his team used a drug called Taxol
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154232.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review:
A Skin Test for Alzheimer's Disease
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22892/
A Stem-Cell Therapy for Blindness
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22871/
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