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Source - EurekAlert – Biology:
Public Release: 18-Aug-2009
Scripps Research, UCSD, and University of Oslo team ties genetic variations to brain size
Using advanced brain imaging and genomics technologies, an international team of researchers co-led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has shown for the first time that natural variations in a specific gene influence brain structure. By establishing this link, the researchers have opened the door to a range of potential research efforts that could reveal gene variations responsible for a number of neurological conditions such as autism.
Contact: Mika Ono
mikaono@scripps.edu
858-784-2052
Scripps Research Institute
Public Release: 18-Aug-2009
Fine-tuning an anti-cancer drug
Biochemists at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen, in collaboration with researchers from San Diego-based Nereus Pharmaceuticals, have illuminated a reaction pathway that blocks the action of proteasomes, vital intracellular waste-processing plants. In the current issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, they report insights that could potentially lead to development of custom-tailored anti-cancer drugs with improved efficacy and safety.
Contact: Patrick Regan
regan@zv.tum.de
49-892-892-2743
Technische Universitaet Muenchen
Public Release: 18-Aug-2009
2 software tools that improve identification of cancer biomarkers earn certification
Two new software programs that improve the process of identifying cancer biomarkers from gene expression data earned silver-level compatibility certification from the the NIH/National Cancer Institute's cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid, also known as caBIG.
Contact: Abby Vogel
avogel@gatech.edu
404-385-3364
Georgia Institute of Technology Research News
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Does sugar feed cancer?
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah have uncovered new information on the notion that sugar "feeds" tumors. The findings may also have implications for other diseases such as diabetes. The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Contact: Linda Aagard
linda.aagard@hci.utah.edu
801-587-7639
University of Utah Health Sciences
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Research points to new target for stopping colon cancer
New research led by scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have found a drug target that suggests a potent way to kill colon cancers that resist current drugs aimed at blocking a molecule found on the surface of cells.
Contact: Les Lang
llang@med.unc.edu
919-966-9366
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Engineered protein-like molecule protects cells against HIV infection
With the help of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and molecular engineering, researchers have designed synthetic protein-like mimics convincing enough to interrupt unwanted biological conversations between cells.
Contact: Sam Gellman
gellman@chem.wisc.edu
608-262-3303
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Cancer's break-in tools possibly identified at Duke
A single cell in a 1-millimeter nematode worm is providing valuable new clues into cancer's deadliest behavior -- its ability to put down roots in new tissues after spreading throughout the body.
Contact: Karl Leif Bates
karl.bates@duke.edu
919-681-8054
Duke University
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Gene vital to brain's stem cells implicated in deadly brain cancer
Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a protein that activates brain stem cells to make new neurons -- but that may be hijacked later in life to cause brain cancer in humans. The protein called Huwe1 normally functions to eliminate other unnecessary proteins and was found to act as a tumor suppressor in brain cancer.
Contact: Elizabeth Streich
eas2125@columbia.edu
212-305-6535
Columbia University Medical Center
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
Faster, cheaper way to find disease genes in human genome passes initial test
Researchers have successfully developed a novel genomic analysis strategy for faster, cheaper discovery of gene-disease links. The strategy was tested on the genomes of unrelated individuals with the same inherited disorder. The method might be extended to common medical conditions with complex genetics by making it possible to study the genomes of large groups of people.
Contact: Leila Gray
leilag@u.washington.edu
206-685-0381
University of Washington
Public Release: 17-Aug-2009
New DNA test uses nanotechnology to find early signs of cancer
Using tiny crystals called quantum dots, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a highly sensitive test to look for DNA attachments that often are early warning signs of cancer.
Contact: Phil Sneiderman
prs@jhu.edu
443-287-9960
Johns Hopkins University
Public Release: 16-Aug-2009
UGA researchers propose model for disorders caused by improper transmission of chromosomes
University of Georgia scientists have developed a model system for plants and animals that shows the loss of a key structural protein can lead to the premature separation of one DNA copy called a chromatid. The new model shows for the first time that the loss of this protein can lead to aneuploidy -- the name given to birth disorders caused by extra or too few chromosomes.
Contact: Kelly Dawe
kelly@plantbio.uga.edu
706-542-1658
University of Georgia
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.
Prion Protein Identified As Novel Early Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker
August 18, 2009 — Mad cow disease is caused by the accumulation of an abnormal protein, the prion, in the brain of an affected patient. Outside of the brain, very little is known about prions. Researchers have, for ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817184439.htm
New, Faster Way To Diagnose, Fight Flu
August 18, 2009 — Researchers are using a new and faster method of rapidly producing highly targeted monoclonal antibodies for use in diagnostic tests as well as a temporary therapy to stave off infectious diseases ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090802194524.htm
New Devices Harness Carbon Nanomaterials For Drug Delivery Systems, Oxygen Sensors
August 18, 2009 — Two nanoscale devices recently reported in two separate journals harness the potential of carbon nanomaterials to enhance technologies for drug or imaging agent delivery and energy storage systems, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817190745.htm
New Method To Selectively Kill Metastatic Melanoma Cells Identified
August 18, 2009 — Scientists have 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 ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803132742.htm
Needle-free, Inhalant Powder Measles Vaccine Could Save Thousands Of Lives
August 18, 2009 — The first inhalable vaccine for measles is moving toward clinical trials next year in India, where the disease still sickens millions of infants and children and kills almost 200,000 annually, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090816170913.htm
Cardiovascular Diseases: Researchers Have Found A Way To Treat Ischemic Pathologies
August 18, 2009 — Scientists have developed a new area of research which looks extremely promising regarding the development of new therapeutic responses to ischemic pathologies and cardiovascular diseases in ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805075753.htm
Researchers Sequence 'Exomes' Of 12 People; New Strategy For Finding Disease Genes
August 17, 2009 — In a pioneering effort that generated massive amounts of DNA sequence data from 12 people, a team of researchers has demonstrated the feasibility and value of a new strategy for identifying
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090816171012.htm
Metastatic Cancer And Macrophages: Cells Thought To Protect Against Cancer May Actually Promote It
August 17, 2009 — The deadliest part of the cancer process, metastasis, appears to rely on help from macrophages, potent immune system cells that usually defend vigorously against disease, researchers ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810174303.htm
How To Make A Lung
August 17, 2009 — A tissue-repair-and-regeneration pathway in the human body, including wound healing, is essential for the early lung to develop properly. Genetically engineered mice fail to develop lungs when two ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817190648.htm
Nanomagnets Guide Stem Cells To Damaged Tissue
August 17, 2009 — Microscopic magnetic particles have been used to bring stem cells to sites of cardiovascular injury in a new method designed to increase the capacity of cells to repair damaged tissue, scientists ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817190640.htm
'Swiss Army Knife' Protein Plays Unexpected Role Protecting Chromosome Tips; Possible Tie To Metastatic Cancer
August 16, 2009 — A protein specialist that opens the genomic door for DNA repair and gene expression also turns out to be a multi-tasking workhorse that protects the tips of chromosomes and dabbles in a ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142440.htm
Inherited Risk Factors Increase Odds Of Developing Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
August 16, 2009 — Scientists have identified inherited variations in two genes that account for 37 percent of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including a gene that may help predict drug ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090816171005.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: Aug. 18, 2009
- Less Swine Flu Vaccine Than Expected by October, U.S. Says
- Vermont, Hawaii Tops in Healthy Behaviors
- German Doctors Implant World's Smallest Artificial Heart Pump
- FDA Approves New Drug for Gaucher Disease
'Prion' could become diagnostic tool, researcher says
Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 18, 2009
- High Cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia)
- Diabetes
- Depression (Ages 18-65)
Despite earlier study, new report finds no risk from common vitamin and mineral supplements
Pain Level May Predict Survival in Certain Cancer Patients
Discomfort should be monitored in those with head and neck malignancies, researchers say
Worries May Worsen Peripheral Arterial Disease
Distressed 'type D' personality associated with mortality risk, study suggests
Clinical Trials Update: Aug. 17, 2009
- Overactive Bladder
- Psoriasis (Ages 18-65)
- Alcoholism (Opiate Dependence)
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Sinovac says it finished swine flu vaccine tests
Chinese drugmaker Sinovac Biotech Ltd. said Tuesday it completed clinical testing of a swine flu vaccine and its product was successful at creating an immune system response to the virus.
NOVAVAX Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Protects Against 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus
Novavax, Inc. announced positive preclinical results with Novavax's 2009 novel H1N1 influenza virus-like particle vaccine.
Amgen's Vectibix meets goal in colon cancer study
Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Monday its cancer drug Vectibix met the key treatment goals in a late-stage study focusing on patients with colon cancer.
Source - Google Health News:
Swine flu may hit Africa hardest
The Southern Times
Although H5N1 bird flu led to increased diagnostic and surveillance capacity in some countries, many still have no capacity and surveillance efforts cover ...
Goudsmit, - Crucell Receives NIH Award for the Development of ...
Ad-Hoc-News (Pressemitteilung)
They were also found to be active against the pandemic 'swine flu' H1N1 influenza viruses and the avian H5N1 'bird flu' viruses, which are still circulating ...
BioSante Pharmaceuticals Reports 100% Protection From H1N1 ...
Business Wire (press release)
... a BioVant-adjuvanted matrix protein M1 vaccine, and to H5N1 (bird flu), using a BioVant-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine delivered via intranasal administration
GSK starts first trials for H1N1 vaccine in Germany
Pharmafocus
GSK said in clinical studies using the bird flu influenza strain (H5N1), its adjuvanted formulation has been shown to stimulate a higher immune response ...
H1N1 vaccine wars to plague world
PRESS TV
... a vaccine - as in mock-up vaccines for changing H5N1 to H1N1 - does not substantially affect the safety or level of protection offered by the vaccine. ...
Gene Therapy Treatment for Blindness Proves Safe--and Effective ...
Scientific American
By Katherine Harmon MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: Although some previous trials have gone awry, gene therapy appears to have been both safe and effective in this ...
Source - Medical News Today:
Second Wave Of Swine Flu Could Overwhelm Resources In Europe And North America Say Canadian Experts
A panel of experts in Canada has written an article in a leading medical journal suggesting that if the H1N1
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160981.php
Alarming Rise In Oral Cancer Rates Among Forty-somethings
Rates of oral cancers
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160943.php
SVS Clarifies Surgeons' Role In Diabetic Foot Care
The Society for Vascular Surgery® (SVS) represents more than 3,000 practicing vascular surgeons in the United States, dedicated to the prevention and management of vascular disease. The Society is responding to President Barack Obama's remarks on August 11, 2009 at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire. President Obama stated "Right now if we paid a family if a family care physician works with his or her patient to help them lose weight, modify diet, monitors whether they're taking their medications in a timely fashion, they might get reimbursed a pittance. But if that same diabetic ends up getting their foot amputated, that's $30,000, $40,000, $50,000 immediately the surgeon is reimbursed." This statement obviously does not accurately reflect the actual reimbursement to the surgeon for this procedure; surgeons receive reimbursement of less than $1,000, which includes follow-up care provided for 90 days after the operation. Furthermore, surgeons perform amputations only as last resort in an effort to save a patient's life, when and only when all attempts at limb salvage are exhausted. SVS is dismayed by those remarks. As vascular surgeons, we have the privilege of caring for a large number of Medicare
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160914.php
FDA Approves New Cholesterol-Lowering Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the 4 milligram maximum dose of Livalo (pitavastatin), a drug intended to improve blood cholesterol
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160898.php
Dermatologist Skin Examinations Detect More, Thinner Skin Cancers Than Patients Identify Themselves
Most melanomas detected in a general-practice dermatology clinic were found by dermatologists during full-body skin examinations of patients who had come to the clinic for different complaints, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, cancers
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160748.php
Delinquent Duo May Help Trigger Alzheimer's Disease
For close to a decade, pharmaceutical researchers have been in hot pursuit of compounds to activate a key nicotine receptor that plays a role in cognitive processes. Triggering it, they hope, might prevent or even reverse the devastation wrought by Alzheimer's disease
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160765.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review:
Bone-setting Glue
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23270/
From the Labs: Biomedicine
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/23176/
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