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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Scientists investigate how broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy affects interaction of gut bacteria

The human gut is teeming with billions of beneficial bacteria. Therapies that use antibiotics often destroy most of them.

7 Nov 2018

Researchers identify pathway to resolve allergic asthma

A group of Brazilian researchers succeeded in preventing allergic asthma from progressing in experimental models by increasing the amount of a protein. This increase, in turn, blocked the CD4+ T lymphocytes responsible for producing a cytokine that triggers a cascade of events resulting in the onset and progression of the disease.

6 Nov 2018

Cancer risk linked to mobile phone radiation in rats but cannot be extrapolated to humans

A new study on laboratory rats has shown that mobile phone radiation exposure is linked to cancers of the brain, heart and the adrenal glands. The rats however were exposed to very high amounts of radiation which is much more than what humans are exposed when they use cell phones.

5 Nov 2018

New research explains how large virus shells are formed

A virus, the simplest physical object in biology, consists of a protein shell called the capsid, which protects its nucleic acid genome -- RNA or DNA. The capsid can be cylindrical or conical in shape, but more commonly it assumes an icosahedral structure, like a soccer ball.

5 Nov 2018

Slime in showerheads could harbour dangerous lung bacteria finds study

A study has shown that the showerheads contain slime that can be home to potentially dangerous bacteria which lead to severe lung disease. Mycobacterial bacteria are responsible for lung diseases explain experts.

4 Nov 2018

Study offers new hope to patients with rare brain cancer

sGBM is a rare type of brain cancer in adults. The incidence varies from 2 to 5 per million people per year. For example, if Hong Kong's base population of 7.5 million people is taken as a reference, over 15 people will be diagnosed with sGBM tumors annually.

2 Nov 2018

Genetic factors linked to obesity may lower metabolic risk

Experts believe that where on the body people store surplus fat, whether round their middle or round the liver, may be genetically determined.

2 Nov 2018

New way of identifying potential cancer drugs could streamline development of therapies

A new way of identifying potential cancer drugs could streamline the development of therapies, following a discovery by scientists.

2 Nov 2018

Male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation develop cancer, finds study

The National Toxicology Program concluded there is clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation like that used in 2G and 3G cell phones developed cancerous heart tumors, according to final reports released today.

2 Nov 2018

Illumina signs agreement to acquire Pacific Biosciences

Illumina, Inc. and Pacific Biosciences today announced they have signed an agreement for Illumina to acquire Pacific Biosciences at a price of $8.00 per Pacific Biosciences share in an all-cash transaction.

2 Nov 2018

C-Path, CHDI and CDISC announce availability of Huntington's Disease Therapeutic Area User Guide

The Huntington's Disease Regulatory Science Consortium, launched in March 2018 by the Critical Path Institute and CHDI Foundation, today, along with the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium, announce the open availability of a newly developed Huntington's Disease Therapeutic Area User Guide

2 Nov 2018

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What the Health?’ Open enrollment and a midterm preview

Nov. 1 marks the start of Open Enrollment for people buying their own coverage for 2019 in most states. Despite the turmoil surrounding the Affordable Care Act, most consumers will have more choices and mostly flat — and in some cases lower — premiums.

1 Nov 2018

New form of therapy may stop or reverse progressive vision loss

A new form of therapy may halt or even reverse a form of progressive vision loss that, until now, has inevitably led to blindness.

1 Nov 2018

MCG selected as designated laboratory for NCI-MATCH trial

The Georgia Esoteric and Molecular Laboratory at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University has been selected as a designated laboratory for the National Cancer Institute's Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice, or MATCH trial, which is assessing the effectiveness of targeting cancer-causing gene changes rather than cancer type.

1 Nov 2018

UCLA researchers investigate how a protein factor contributes to cancer cell migration

UCLA researchers have discovered a new protein factor that contributes to a fibroblast cell's ability to migrate to a wound and participate in its healing process. The study's results could help scientists prevent cancer cells from using the same mechanisms to move throughout the body and spread.

1 Nov 2018

Scientists decode the longest ever continuous DNA sequence

Scientists have decoded the longest continuous DNA sequence to date, measuring around 10,000 times longer than normal sequencing reads.

1 Nov 2018

Researchers uncover link between RNA abnormalities and multiple myeloma progression

Multiple myeloma is the second most common type of blood cancer where cancer cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells.

1 Nov 2018

Repair defect in neurons hints at possible therapy for preventing ALS

Houston Methodist researchers have discovered a repair defect in nerve cells that send messages to the brain, opening the door to a possible therapy for preventing or slowing down ALS.

1 Nov 2018

Research reveals how Mycoplasma pathogens sneak past our line of defense

New research reveals that Mycoplasma pathogens make DNA in a unique way that may protect them from our immune response. The result could provide new avenues to combat the pathogens that utilize this strategy.

1 Nov 2018

New evidence reveals link between antioxidant intake and increased tumor growth

Now there is additional evidence of the connection between the intake of antioxidant supplements and increased tumor growth. Experiments on animals and human cancer tissue confirm that addition of some antioxidants increases the growth of the severe malignant melanoma type of skin cancer.

1 Nov 2018