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Source - EurekAlert – Biology
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Study gives clues to how adrenal cancer forms
When telomeres -- the bits of DNA at the end of chromosomes -- become dysfunctional, it can trigger cancer, researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found. The study was done in a mouse model that targeted the extremely rare adrenal cancer.
Contact: Nicole Fawcett
nfawcett@umich.edu
734-764-2220
University of Michigan Health System
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
'Shock and kill' research gives new hope for HIV-1 eradication
Latent HIV genes can be "smoked out" of human cells. The so-called "shock and kill" technique, described in a preclinical study in BioMed Central's open-access journal Retrovirology, might represent a new milestone along the way to the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDS.
Contact: Graeme Baldwin
graeme.baldwin@biomedcentral.com
44-787-741-1853
BioMed Central
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Engineered pig stem cells bridge the mouse-human gap
Researchers have created a line of embryonic-like stem cells from adult pigs. As pigs are large animals with a physiology very similar to humans, this work provides a valuable model to study the clinical potential of this new "induced pluripotent stem cell" technology.
Contact: Nick Zagorski
nzagorski@asbmb.org
301-634-7366
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Promising antimicrobial attacks virus, stimulates immune system
A promising antimicrobial agent already known to kill bacteria can also kill viruses and stimulate the innate immune system, according to researchers at National Jewish Health.
Contact: Adam Dormuth
dormutha@njc.org
303-398-1082
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Sleuths follow lung stem cells for generations to shed light on healing
More than one kind of stem cell is required to support the upkeep and repair of the lungs, according to a new study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell. Scientists at Duke University Medical Center painstakingly followed and counted genetically labeled cells in the mouse lung for over a year, under differing conditions, to learn more about natural renewal and healing processes. This information may shed light on what goes wrong in conditions like lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
Contact: Mary Jane Gore
mary.gore@duke.edu
919-660-1309
Duke University Medical Center
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Ottawa scientists discover new way to enhance stem cells to stimulate muscle regeneration
Ottawa scientists have discovered a powerful new way to stimulate muscle regeneration, paving the way for new treatments for debilitating conditions such as muscular dystrophy. The research, to be published in the June 5 issue of Cell Stem Cell, shows for the first time that a protein called Wnt7a increases the number of stem cells in muscle tissue, leading to accelerated growth and repair of skeletal muscle.
Contact: Jennifer Paterson
jpaterson@ohri.ca
613-614-5253
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
Scientists identify gene for deadly inherited lung disease
A rare, deadly developmental disorder of the lungs called alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) that usually kills the infants born with it within the first month of life results from deletions or mutations in the FOXF1 transcription factor gene, said a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine in a report that appears in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Contact: Glenna Picton
picton@bcm.edu
713-798-4710
Baylor College of Medicine
Public Release: 4-Jun-2009
A new lead for autoimmune disease
A major challenge in treating autoimmune disorders has been suppressing inflammatory attacks on body tissues without generally suppressing immune function. Now, a drug from Chinese medicine shows potential for easing these disorders. In both mice and humans, it selectively inhibits development of Th17 cells, newly-recognized immune cells that were recently implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, eczema and psoriasis. It also eased a multiple-sclerosis-like autoimmune disease in mice.
Contact: Rob Graham
rob.graham@childrens.harvard.edu
617-919-3110
Children's Hospital Boston
Public Release: 2-Jun-2009
GEN reports on efforts to quickly develop swine flu vaccine
Scientists around the world are accelerating their efforts to develop a vaccine against the H1N1 influenza virusas rapidly as possible, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.
Contact: John Sterling
jsterling@genengnews.com
914-740-2196
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Public Release: 2-Jun-2009
Genetically corrected blood cells obtained from skin cells from Fanconi anemia patients
A collaboration research carried out by Spanish researchers has resulted in the generation of blood cells from skin cells of patients with a genetic disease known as Fanconi anemia. The process is based on gene therapy and cell reprogramming techniques in which cells similar to embryonic stem cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells can be generated. The research article was published in this week's digital version of Nature.
Contact: Maria Jesus Delgado
MariaJesus.Delgado@uab.cat
34-935-814-049
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
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.
Stem Cells Cultured On Contact Lens Restore Sight In Patients With Blinding Corneal Disease
In a world-first breakthrough, medical researchers have used stem cells cultured on a simple contact lens to restore sight to sufferers of blinding corneal disease. Sight ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605081151.htm
Sleuths Follow Lung Stem Cells For Generations To Shed Light On Healing
June 5, 2009 — More than one kind of stem cell is required to support the upkeep and repair of the lungs, according to a new study. Scientists painstakingly followed and counted genetically labeled cells in the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604144336.htm
Hitting Where It Hurts: Exploiting Cancer Cell 'Addiction' May Lead To New Therapies
June 5, 2009 — A new study uncovers a gene expression signature that reliably identifies cancer cells whose survival is dependent on a common signaling pathway, even when the cells contain multiple other genetic ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601121657.htm
Needle Biopsies Safe In 'Eloquent' Areas Of Brain, Study Suggests
June 5, 2009 — Scientists have concluded that performing a stereotactic needle biopsy in an area of the brain associated with language or other important functions carries no greater risk than a similar biopsy in a ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603180930.htm
Promising Antimicrobial Attacks Virus, Stimulates Immune System
June 5, 2009 — A promising antimicrobial agent already known to kill bacteria can also kill viruses and stimulate the innate immune system, according to ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604095121.htm
Two-drug Combination Appears Safe And Active In Metastatic Kidney Cancer
June 5, 2009 — Investigators report that a two-drug blockade of mTOR signaling appears safe in metastatic kidney cancer in a phase I trial. Early data suggests that a combination of temsirolimus and bryostatin may ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090531141331.htm
New Imaging Technique: Toward Spinal Cord Regeneration?
June 5, 2009 — Scientists have revealed the interaction between the regrowth of axons inside the spinal cord and the development of blood vessels in cases of spinal cord injury in mice. The result was obtained ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605091854.htm
Advanced Image Analysis Can Provide Better Risk Assessment In Hardening Of The Arteries
June 5, 2009 — Ultrasound examination of the carotid artery is a patient-friendly and inexpensive method for assessing atherosclerosis and thereby predicting the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers have ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605112331.htm
First Heart Patients Implanted With Next-generation Mechanical Heart Pump
June 4, 2009 — Three patients have just been implanted with a next-generation artificial heart pump called the DuraHeart Left-Ventricular Assist ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602133557.htm
Electronic Pill Shows Its Smarts By Measuring pH Levels In Digestive Tract
June 4, 2009 — An electronic diagnostic tool called the SmartPill is swallowed by patients in order to take measurements as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract. A new study by physician-scientists used ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603180926.htm
Common Diabetes Drug May 'Revolutionize' Cancer Therapies: Unexpected T-cell Breakthrough
June 4, 2009 — Researchers have discovered that a widely used anti-diabetic drug can boost the immune system and increase the potency of vaccines and cancer ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603131433.htm
Mobile Health Care: Preventative Medicine Returns $36 For Every Dollar Invested, Study Suggests
June 4, 2009 — Researchers have developed a prototype "return on investment calculator" that can calculate the value of prevention services delivered by mobile health clinics. Using a Boston-based mobile health ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601211423.htm
New Way To Enhance Stem Cells To Stimulate Muscle Regeneration
June 4, 2009 — Scientists have discovered a powerful new way to stimulate muscle regeneration, paving the way for new treatments for debilitating conditions such as muscular dystrophy. The research shows for the ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090604124025.htm
Ruptured Brain Aneurysms: Minimally Invasive Stroke Treatment Produces Better Patient Outcomes Than Surgical Operation, Study Finds
June 3, 2009 — While minimally invasive coil treatments for those with a ruptured brain aneurysm have proved to be a more effective technique than traditional surgical operation in selected patients, the superior ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529132123.htm
Scientists Uncover Mode Of Action Of Enzyme Linked With Several Types Of Cancer
June 3, 2009 — Scientists have discovered a key mechanism used by cells to efficiently distribute chromosomes to new cells during cell ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603131435.htm
Slicing Chromosomes Leads To New Insights Into Cell Division
June 2, 2009 — By using ultrafast laser pulses to slice off pieces of chromosomes and observe how the chromosomes behave, biomedical engineers have gained pivotal insights into mitosis, the process of cell ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529183252.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: June 5, 2009
- Susan Boyle Leaves Mental Health Clinic
- Puerto Rico Has High HIV Infection Rate: Study
- Big Differences Among States in Drug Abuse, Mental Illness: Report
- EPA Investigating Safety of Rubber Playgrounds, Sports Fields
But report said the health-care system would be overburdened if an outbreak were more severe
Clinical Trials Update: June 5, 2009
- Cardiac Surgery
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD - Adults)
- Depression
- Migraine
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Finding could help those with potentially deadly conditions
Clinical Trials Update: June 4, 2009
- Gastroparesis
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Cancer/Tumors
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Constipation
- Epilepsy
- Crohn's Disease
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Novavax shares jump on NIH swine flu agreement
Novavax Inc. stock surged Thursday after the company said it is working with the National Institutes of Health to evaluate a potential swine flu vaccine.
Japanese National Institute of Infectious Diseases Scientists Identify Hemispherx Biopharma's Drug Technology as the "Most Promising Mucosal Adjuvant for Influenza"
Incyte rises following drug trial clarification
Shares of Incyte Corp. climbed Friday after the company gave Wall Street more details about the planned design of a trial for a drug designed to treat myelofibrosis, a bone marrow disease.
Source - Google Health News:
Fears of Avian Flu Said to Help US Prepare for Swine Flu
New York Times - United States
After the H5N1 avian flu emerged widely in Asia in 2003, killing about 60 percent of those infected by it, many countries took steps to head off the crisis ...
WHO closer to declaring H1N1 flu outbreak a pandemic
News-Medical.net - Sydney,Australia
The money expands upon the World Bank's preexisting $500 million credit line created in 2006 to help countries to deal with the H5N1 (bird) flu. ...
Diseased cells could be 'fixed' and mass produced
New Scientist - UK
But if efforts to make this step safer succeed, the technique could provide a limitless supply of healthy, personalised iPS cells, says team member Inder Verma.
Cancer Vaccines Show Promise in Therapeutic Studies
Voice of America - USA
"I think this is another step along the way that we are seeing some daylight with a cancer vaccine, inducing a big phase-three randomized study some benefit ...
Source - Medical News Today:
Eating Curry Every Week 'could Prevent Dementia'
Eating a curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The magic ingredient in curry is curcumin, a component of the spice, turmeric. Professor Murali Doraiswamy, director of the Mental Fitness Laboratory at the Department of Psychiatry, Duke University Medical Center, Carolina, told delegates at the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Annual Meeting in Liverpool that curcumin prevented the spread of amyloid plaques, found outside brain cells.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152768.php
Nanoparticle To Treat Cardiovascular Disease In Mice Tested By Reasearchers
Scientists and engineers at UC Santa Barbara and other researchers have developed a nanoparticle that can attack plaque - a major cause of cardiovascular disease. The new development is described in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The treatment is promising for the eventual development of therapies for cardiovascular disease, which is blamed for one third of the deaths in the United States each year. Atherosclerosis, which was the focus of this study, is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease. In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up on the walls of arteries and can cause heart attack and stroke.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152788.php
'Shock And Kill' Research Gives New Hope For HIV 1 Eradication
Latent HIV genes can be 'smoked out' of human cells. The so-called 'shock and kill' technique, described in a preclinical study in BioMed Central's open access journal Retrovirology, might represent a new milestone along the way to the discovery of a cure for HIV/AIDS. Dr. Enrico Garaci, president of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (the Italian Institute of Health) and Dr. Andrea Savarino, a retrovirologist working at the institution, worked with a team of researchers to study the so-called "barrier of latency" which has been the main obstacle to HIV eradication from the body.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152737.php
Stopping Fatty Change In Heart Cells
Heart failure is one of the world's most frequent causes of death - caused by conditions such as diabetes
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152730.php
Cancer Therapy Success May Be Determined Using MRI And Oxygen
A simple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test involving breathing oxygen might help oncologists determine the best treatment for some cancer patients, report researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Prior research has shown that the amount of oxygen present in a tumor can be a predictor of how well a patient will respond to treatment. Tumors with little oxygen tend to grow stronger and resist both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Until now, however, the only way to gauge the oxygen level in a tumor, and thus determine which treatment might be more effective, was to insert a huge needle directly into the cancerous tumor.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152588.php
New Drug Hope For Advanced Melanoma
Early results of a trial found that a new drug that targets a genetic mutation found in over half of melanoma cases and some other cancers caused tumors to shrink and patients to live around 6 months longer without their disease getting worse, including those whose cancer had spread to the liver, lung and bone. The results of the phase I trial on the experimental drug PLX4032 were released earlier this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Orlando, Florida. The drug is being developed by Roche and Plexxikon.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152375.php
Revolutionising The Diagnosis Of Serious Disease
Revolutionary ultrasonic nanotechnology that could allow scientists to see inside a patient's individual cells to help diagnose serious illnesses is being developed by researchers at The University of Nottingham. The new technique would utilise ultrasound technology - more commonly used to look at whole bodies such as fetal scanners - to look inside cells. The components of the new technology would be many thousand times smaller than current systems.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152397.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review
A startup aims to develop a minimally invasive neural prosthesis for disabled patients.
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22739/?nlid=2073
Getting Arsenic Out of Water
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