GBP Health / Biotech News 04-22-2010:
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EurekAlert - Biology:
Public Release: 22-Apr-2010
Cell Host and Microbe
The silence of the genes
Viruses can hide from the immune system by using small RNAs to silence the expression of cellular genes. Scientists of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich have now identified the human genes targeted by herpes viruses that cause cancer. This represents a significant first step towards the development of new antiviral therapies.
Contact: Professor Juergen Haas
haas@lmb.uni-muenchen.de
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Public Release: 21-Apr-2010
American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting
Mammographic density and risk of breast cancer
Women who have a breast density of 75 percent or higher on a mammogram have a risk of breast cancer that is four to five times greater than that of women with little or no density, making mammographic breast density one of the strongest biomarkers of breast cancer risk.
Contact: Jeremy Moore
jeremy.moore@aacr.org
267-646-0557
American Association for Cancer Research
Public Release: 21-Apr-2010American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting
Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to increased cancer risk
Researchers have detected a link between alcohol consumption, cancer and aging that starts at the cellular level with telomere shortening.
Contact: Jeremy Moore
jeremy.moore@aacr.org
267-646-0557
American Association for Cancer Research
Public Release: 20-Apr-2010Langmuir
Carbon nanotubes boost cancer-fighting cells
Yale University engineers have found that the defects in carbon nanotubes cause T cell antigens to cluster in the blood and stimulate the body's natural immune response. Their findings, which appear as the cover article of the April 20 issue of the journal Langmuir, could improve current adoptive immunotherapy, a treatment used to boost the body's ability to fight cancer.
Contact: Suzanne Taylor Muzzin
suzanne.taylormuzzin@yale.edu
203-432-8555
Yale University
Public Release: 20-Apr-2010
Scientists create artificial human skin with biomechanical properties using tissue engineering
A biomaterial fibrin-agarose complex was used to generate the artificial skin that was later grafted onto athymic nude mice. Optimal skin development, maturation and functionality results were obtained. This finding could be useful in developing new treatment approaches for dermatological pathologies.
Contact: Jose Maria Jimenez Rodriguez
josemaria755@gmail.com
34-665-242-152
University of Granada
Public Release: 19-Apr-2010Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Sensor gives valuable data for neurological diseases and treatments
A new biosensor developed at Purdue University can measure whether neurons are performing correctly when communicating with each other, giving researchers a tool to test the effectiveness of new epilepsy or seizure treatments.
US Office of Naval Research
Contact: Brian Wallheimer
bwallhei@purdue.edu
765-496-2050
Purdue University
Public Release: 19-Apr-2010Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Researchers identify new gene involved in the development of liver cancer
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified a new tumor-promoting gene that may play a key role in the development of liver cancer. Levels of the gene's expression are significantly higher in more than 90 percent of patients with the disease compared to their healthy counterparts.Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation
Contact: Sathya Achia Abraham
sbachia@vcu.edu
804-827-0890
Virginia Commonwealth 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.
Key Molecular Step to Fighting Off Viruses Identified
April 22, 2010 — Researchers have determined how a protein that normally latches onto molecules inside cells and marks them for destruction also gives life to the body's immune response against ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421121454.htm
Does the Weather Cause Northerners to Get More Prostate Cancer?
April 22, 2010 — Cold, dry weather has been linked to an increased incidence of prostate cancer. Researchers suggest that meteorological effects on persistent organic pollutants, such as some pesticides and ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100420220753.htm
Gene Therapy Cures Canines of Inherited Form of Day Blindness
April 22, 2010 — Veterinary ophthalmology researchers have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421133122.htm
For Stem Cells, Practice Makes Perfect
April 22, 2010 — Multipotent stem cells have the capacity to develop into different types of cells by reprogramming their DNA. In a new study, researchers have found that reprogramming is imperfect in the early ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100405152549.htm
April 22, 2010 — Laboratory research and clinical studies are beginning to demonstrate that DNA vaccines can be as effective as traditional vaccines. A number of factors are driving the growth of the field, ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419132450.htm
Sensitive Nerve Cells: Research Sheds Light on What Triggers Parkinson's Disease
April 22, 2010 — In Germany alone, more than 300,000 people are afflicted by Parkinson's disease and the number is growing steadily. However, despite comprehensive research, scientists are still somewhat in the dark
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100406172644.htm
April 21, 2010 — Researchers say they have discovered the way in which red wine consumption may protect the brain from damage following a ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421133118.htm
Toward a Urine Test for Detecting Colon Cancer
April 21, 2010 — Scientists are reporting an advance toward development of a urine test for detecting colon cancer, the third most common cancer in the United States. Such a test could eventually compliment or even ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100421121505.htm
Carbon Nanotubes Boost Cancer-Fighting Cells
April 21, 2010 — Engineers have found that the defects in carbon nanotubes cause T cell antigens to cluster in the blood and stimulate the body's natural immune response. Their findings could improve current adoptive ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100420132846.htm
'Vicious Circle' Offers New Acute Leukemia Treatment Target
April 21, 2010 — Researchers have discovered a network of protein and microRNA molecules that, when imbalanced, contributes to abnormally high levels of a protein called KIT and favors the development of acute ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100413160905.htm
Too Much Insulin a Bad Thing for the Heart?
April 21, 2010 — A team of researchers in Japan has generated data in mice that suggest that using insulin to treat diabetes could be harmful if the patient has chronic high blood ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419233109.htm
April 21, 2010 — Researchers are working to develop a novel first-in-class cancer drug that works by targeting the stem-like properties of some cancer cells, and so far, results of an ongoing Phase I clinical trial ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419162117.htm
Promising New Drug Target for Alzheimer's Disease
April 20, 2010 — Researchers have identified a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a receptor that is embedded in the membrane of neurons and other cells. A protein fragment associated ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100420114236.htm
Artificial Human Skin With Biomechanical Properties Created Using Tissue Engineering
April 20, 2010 — A biomaterial fibrin-agarose complex was used to generate the artificial skin that was later grafted onto athymic nude mice. Optimal skin development, maturation and functionality results were ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100420101218.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: April 22, 2010
- Major Study Will Examine Cell Phone Health Risks
- Americans Confused About New Health Care Law: Poll
- Blood Test Could Reduce Heart Transplant Biopsies
- New Method for Treating Opioid Addiction Unveiled
- No Bones for Fido: FDA
Clinical Trials Update: Apr. 22, 2010
- Endometriosis
- Bipolar Depression
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea
Gene-Targeted Therapy Might Help Prevent Paralysis
In rats, approach minimized dangerous bleeding around spinal cord
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Vical announces positive vaccine study data - AP - Thu 8:45 am ET
Drug developer Vical Inc. said Thursday a drug aimed at preventing a potentially fatal virus in stem cell transplant patients showed positive results in a midstage study.
Novavax says it is a contender for contract - AP - Thu 8:30 am ET
Biotechnology company Novavax Inc. said Thursday that it is a contender with the Department of Health and Human Services for a flu contract.
Source - Google Health News:
IAVI and Lentigen to Collaborate on Design of Novel AIDS Vaccine ...
Earthtimes (press release)
NEW YORK and GAITHERSBURG, Md., April 22 -- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Lentigen today announced a collaboration to design a ...
'Dead as Doornail' Gene Therapy Revival Spurs Hope for Genzyme
Bloomberg
Erickson's treatment was part of a gene therapy experiment funded by Genzyme Corp., one of 354 US studies employing the technique, said the Food and Drug ...
Gene therapy cures canines of inherited form of day blindness, Penn veterinary ...
R & D Magazine
By EurekAlert PHILADELPHIA –- Veterinary ophthalmology researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone ...
Mesothelioma Researchers Studying Immuno- Gene Therapy
Asbestos.com
According to an article recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, immuno- gene therapy may be a beneficial ...
Cancer gene therapy results in 90pct success rate
Times of India
"To be able to make tumours not just shrink but vanish is a great breakthrough for us, particularly as there's currently no gene therapy of this kind on the ...
cancer gene therapy result hailed
BBC News
Scientists believe they may have made a "breakthrough" in using gene therapy to treat cancer tumours. Researchers at Strathclyde University in Glasgow have ...
Gene therapy `may prevent blindness`
Contactlenses.co.uk
By Adrian Galbreth A new study has revealed that gene therapy may be used to prevent an eye condition which can lead to future blindness. ...
Source - Medical News Today :
Ovarian Cancer Study Offers Vital Clues For New Therapies
Scientists have taken a major step forward in the understanding of ovarian cancer , which could improve treatment for patients with the condition. Researchers have found that patients with hereditary ovarian cancer - whose tumours are caused by faulty genes - are more likely to experience secondary tumours in their liver and spleen. This is despite the fact that their overall prognosis is better than other patients.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186336.php
Creation Of Artificial Human Skin With Biomechanical Properties Using Tissue Engineering
Scientists from the University of Granada, Spain, have generated artificial human skin by tissular engineering based on agarose-fibrin biomaterial. The artificial skin was grafted onto mice, and optimal development, maturation and functionality results were obtained. This pioneering finding will allow the clinical use of human skin and its use in many laboratory tests on biological tissues - which, additionally, would avoid the use of laboratory animals. Further, this finding could be useful in developing new treatment approaches for dermatological pathologies. This research was conducted by José María Jiménez Rodríguez, from the Tissular Engineering Research group of the Department of Histology of the University of Granada, and coordinated by professors Miguel Alaminos Mingorance, Antonio Campos Muñoz and José Miguel Labrador Molina.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186185.php
Common Obesity Gene Linked To Brain Tissue Loss, Raising Alzheimer's Risk
New research from the US reveals that a common variant of the FTO obesity gene carried by more than one third of Americans that causes them to gain weight and puts them at risk for obesity, also leads to loss of brain tissue, thereby increasing their risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's later in life. The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and private industry, appears in the early online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was led by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186070.php
Laboratory research and clinical studies are beginning to demonstrate that DNA vaccines can be as effective as traditional vaccines, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN). A number of factors are driving the growth of the field, especially new approaches to electroporation, vaccine formulation, and vector design, according to the April 15 issue of GEN. "A lot of development is focused on the creation of DNA vaccines for humans," says John Sterling, Editor in Chief of GEN. "Many of the advances being made are due to the introduction of new technologies and improvements in older methodologies."
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/186032.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review :
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