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Source - EurekAlert – Biology:
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
A 'super sensor' for cancer and CSIs
Tel Aviv University's Prof. Rishpon has coupled biological materials with an electrode-based device to create a customizable sensor that can detect pathogens and biomarkers.
Contact: George Hunka
ghunka@aftau.org
212-742-9070
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
Researchers identify new method to selectively kill metastatic melanoma cells
An international team of researchers has identified a new method for selectively killing metastatic melanoma cells, which may lead to new areas for drug development in melanoma -- a cancer that is highly resistant to current treatment strategies.
Contact: Sathya Achia Abraham
sbachia@vcu.edu
804-827-0890
Virginia Commonwealth University
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
La Jolla Institute discovers novel tumor suppressor
La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology researchers studying an enzyme believed to play a role in allergy onset, instead have discovered its previously unknown role as a tumor suppressor that may be important in myeloproliferative diseases and some types of lymphoma and leukemia. Myeloproliferative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by an overproduction of blood cells by the bone marrow and include chronic myeloid leukemia. Lymphoma and leukemia are cancers of the blood.
Contact: Bonnie Ward
contact@liai.org
619-303-3160
La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
Groundbreaking study shows exercise benefits leukemia patients
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that exercise may be an effective way to combat the debilitating fatigue that leukemia patients experience.
Contact: Ellen de Graffenreid
edegraff@med.unc.edu
919-962-3405
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
Millions of US children low in vitamin D
Seven out of 10 US children have low levels of vitamin D, raising their risk of bone and heart disease, according to a study of over 6,000 children by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
Contact: Deirdre Branley
sciencenews@aecom.yu.edu
718-430-2923
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Public Release: 3-Aug-2009
Viral mimic induces melanoma cells to digest themselves
Recent research has uncovered an unexpected vulnerability in deadly melanoma cells that, when exploited, can cause the cancer cells to turn against themselves. The study, published by Cell Press in the August issue of the journal Cancer Cell, identifies a new target for development of future therapeutics aimed at selectively eliminating this aggressive skin cancer which is characterized by a notoriously high rate of metastasis and treatment-resistance.
Contact: Cathleen Genova
cgenova@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press
Public Release: 2-Aug-2009
Stem cell 'daughters' lead to breast cancer
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute scientists have found that a population of breast cells called luminal progenitor cells are likely to be responsible for breast cancers that develop in women carrying mutations in the gene BRCA1.
Contact: Penny Fannin
fannin@wehi.edu.au
61-393-452-345
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
Public Release: 29-Jul-2009
Little-known protein found to be key player
Italian and US scientists have found that a little-understood protein previously implicated in a rare genetic disorder also plays critical role in building and maintaining healthy cells. Even more surprising, the research published online this week in Nature shows that the protein builds structures by fusing intracellular membranes in a fundamentally new way. The research was conducted at Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute in Conegliano, Italy, and Rice University in Houston.
Contact: Jade Boyd
jadeboyd@rice.edu
713-348-6778
Rice University
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.
Virulence Of Pandemic H1N1 Virus In Swine Populations
August 3, 2009 — Laboratory studies are making headway in the effort to control the pandemic H1N1 virus. Researchers are developing better testing tools, creating a "diagnostic arsenal" to use if H1N1 were to spread ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730111200.htm
Targeted Therapy Delivers Chemo Directly To Ovarian Cancer Cells
August 3, 2009 — With a novel therapeutic delivery system, scientists have successfully targeted a protein that is over-expressed in ovarian cancer cells. Using the EphA2 protein as a molecular homing mechanism, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090729170644.htm
Scientists Program Blood Stem Cells To Become Vision Cells
August 3, 2009 — Researchers were able to program bone marrow stem cells to repair damaged retinas in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for one of the most common causes of vision loss in older people. The ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731085823.htm
Scientists Uncork Potential Secret Of Red Wine's Health Benefits
August 3, 2009 — Scientists have unraveled a mystery that has perplexed scientists since red wine was first discovered to have health benefits: How does resveratrol control inflammation? New research not only ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730103742.htm
Ovarian Cancer Tests 'Woefully Ineffective' According To Researchers
August 3, 2009 — Current diagnostic tests for ovarian cancer are woefully ineffective for early detection of the disease, say researchers. A new study finds that in order to make a significant dent in the mortality ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727203609.htm
Stem Cells: Environmental Factors Instruct Lineage Choice Of Blood Progenitor Cells
August 3, 2009 — Scientists have developed a new bioimaging method for observing the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) at the single-cell level. With this method the researchers were able to ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715075140.htm
Heavy Drinkers Face Significantly Increased Cancer Risk
August 3, 2009 — Heavy drinkers of beer and spirits face a much higher risk of developing cancer than the population at large, say epidemiologists and cancer researchers. Heavy consumption of beer and spirits have ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803122726.htm
Switch To Digital Mammography Leads To Increased Cancer Detection Rates
August 3, 2009 — The use of digital mammography equipment alone is responsible for an increased number of breast cancers detected at a community-based mammography facility, according to a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803110956.htm
Synthetic Biology: Opportunities And Risks
August 3, 2009 — The new research field of synthetic biology will, in the medium term, open up a great deal of potential for combining novel genetic methods with engineering principles. This will facilitate the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803084010.htm
Dementia Induced And Blocked In Parkinson's Fly Model
August 2, 2009 — Researchers have modeled Parkinson's-associated dementia for the first time. Scientists showed that a single night of sleep loss in genetically altered fruit flies caused long-lasting disruptions in ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090801092731.htm
Common Diabetic Therapy Reduces Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer
August 2, 2009 — Taking the most commonly-prescribed anti-diabetic drug, metformin, reduces an individual's risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 62 percent, according to new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090801092715.htm
Antibody Targeting Of Glioblastoma Shows Promise In Preclinical Tests
August 2, 2009 — Cancer researchers have successfully tested a small, engineered antibody they say shuts down growth of human glioblastoma tumors in cell and animal studies. Glioblastoma is the deadliest of brain ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090731085821.htm
Virus Linked To Some Cases Of Common Skin Cancer
August 1, 2009 — A virus discovered in a rare form of skin cancer has been found in people with squamous cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer. Researchers identified the virus in more than a third of 58 SCC patients ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730121048.htm
Advanced Targeted Therapies Effective As First-line Treatment For Lung Cancer
August 1, 2009 — Several new studies show that targeted therapies, as first-line treatment, have the potential to slow cancer growth and improve patient ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090801133135.htm
Natural Born Killers: How The Body's Frontline Immune Cells Decide Which Cells To Destroy
July 31, 2009 — The mechanism used by "natural killer" immune cells in the human body to distinguish between diseased cells, which they are meant to destroy, and normal cells, which they are meant to leave alone, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727203741.htm
Artificial Intelligence Used To Diagnose Metastatic Cancer
July 31, 2009 — When doctors are managing care for women with breast cancer, the information available to them profoundly influences the type of care they recommend. Knowing whether a woman's cancer has ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728083249.htm
Nanoparticle-delivered 'Suicide' Genes Slowed Ovarian Tumor Growth
July 31, 2009 — Nanoparticle delivery of diphtheria toxin-encoding DNA selectively expressed in ovarian cancer cells reduced the burden of ovarian tumors in mice, and researchers expect this therapy could be tested ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730073607.htm
Hunt For The Blood Test To Determine Melanoma Survival Rates
July 31, 2009 — New research will be breaking new ground in the search for a simple blood test that could tell whether a patient with melanoma has the condition in an aggressive form. Melanoma is the most aggressive ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075447.htm
High Blood Pressure May Lead To 'Silent' Strokes
July 30, 2009 — "Silent" strokes, which are strokes that don't result in any noticeable symptoms but cause brain damage, are common in people over 60, and especially in those with high blood pressure, according to ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727191241.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: Aug. 3, 2009
- Clarcon Skin Products Pose Health Threat: FDA
- FDA Approves Avastin for Most Common Kidney Cancer
- Blocking Protein May Prevent Premature Labor
- Pneumonic Plague Outbreak In China Claims Second Victim
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Testosterone and Pain
- High Cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia)
Tight job market fuels interest in cheaper, less-invasive procedures, survey shows
Breast CT Scanner Could Improve Cancer Screen Comfort
Researchers study system designed for diagnosis as way to treat disease
After Neuroblastoma, Chronic Problems Often Await
Survivors are found to have more health and social issues years later
Response Times Vary for In-Hospital Heart Attacks
Uneven results seen with defibrillation delays, researchers say
Clinical Trials Update: July 31, 2009
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Opioid-Induced Constipation
- High Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease or Type 2 Diabetes
- Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
- High Cholesterol
- Depression
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Repros shares fall, Proellex development halted
Shares of Repros Therapeutics Inc. plunged Monday after the company said it is halting development of its experimental drug Proellex because of an increase in liver enzymes in patients.
Biotech Drug Company Preparing for Worst Case H1N1 Flu Scenario Using Extremely Promising New Technology (NYSE Amex: CVM)
Source - Google Health News:
Swine Flu: Bringing the Pandemic Out of the Box
The Faster Times
  Another diverse influenza A virus, H5N1 (bird flu) caused global alarm in recent years. Like swine flu, bird flu can infect humans. ...
Swine Flu Mandate US Government puts states on notice
Examiner.com
In February they have found that the vaccine was contaminated by the H5N1 - Avian flu virus, which is on the list of the possible biological weapons and is ...
Treating Parkinson's Disease - Investment Opportunities and Challenges
Seeking Alpha
In addition to implantable pump delivery technology, gene therapy is considered one of the most promising approaches to developing a novel effective ...
Nanotech Therapy Delivers Suicide Gene To Ovarian Cancer Cells
RedOrbit
The study is just one demonstration of the potential uses for nanoparticles in non-viral gene therapy, Anderson said. The team also plans to study ...
International team in the midst of developing gene therapy to ...
HealthJockey.com
An international team of experts have come together to try and develop a gene therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. This particular therapy is ...
Gene therapy shows HIV promise
SX
The largest clinical trial yet staged to test a gene therapy for HIV/AIDS has shown promise, reports the journal Nature Medicine. ...
Construction of a MUC-1 promoter driven, conditionally replicating ...
7thSpace Interactive (press release) (press release)
IntroductionThe sodium iodide symporter (NIS) directs the uptake and concentration of iodide in thyroid cells. This in turn allows for radioiodine imaging ...
Source - Medical News Today:
7 Out Of 10 American Children Low In Vitamin D
New research suggests that 7 out of 10 children in the US have low levels of vitamin, nudging millions of them toward higher risk of bone disease, high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease. The study was led by Dr Michal L. Melamed, assistant professor of medicine and of epidemiology and population health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, Bronx, New York, and is published in the 3 August online issue of Pediatrics.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159636.php
Obama Issues Directive To Enact New Embryonic Stem Cell Research Rules
President Obama on Thursday issued a directive to federal agencies to begin following new NIH guidelines on federally funded embryonic stem cell research, Reuters/New York Times
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159560.php
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Audit Reveals Striking Differences In Breast Cancer Treatment Based On Age
Older breast cancer patients are not receiving a full range of treatment options, according to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer. Data from the Breast Cancer Clinical Outcome Measures (BCCOM) Project, a pioneering audit of breast cancer treatment funded by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, also suggests regional differences in breast cancer care.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159512.php
Americans Spend $34 Billion A Year On Complementary And Alternative Medicine
According to a new report based on a government survey in 2007, in the previous 12 months Americans had spent a total of $33.9 billion out of their own pockets on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The report was compiled by Dr Richard L. Nahin of the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and colleagues and was published in the 30 July issue of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health Statistic Report.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159419.php
Avastin(R) (bevacizumab) Now Approved For Use In Combination With Docetaxel For The First Line Treatment Of Metastatic Breast Cancer, UK
More patients with metastatic breast cancer could benefit from Avastin
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159368.php
Sirona Biochem Starts Testing First Batch Of Drug Candidates Designed To Combat Diabetes And Obesity
Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX-V: SBM), an emerging biotech company focused on diabetes
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159343.php
Higher Intensity Physical Exercise Can Reduce The Likelihood Of Death From Cancer
People who are more active and exercise harder are less likely to develop cancer and die, suggests research published ahead of print in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. A higher use of oxygen consumption during physical activity is linked to a reduction in the level of illness in a person and their likelihood of dying from cancer. Researchers from the universities of Kuopio and Oulu in Finland studied 2,560 men aged between 42 and 61 from eastern Finland with no history of cancer and assessed their leisure time physical activity over a 12-month period.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159225.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review:
Nanotube-Powered X-Rays
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23107/
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