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New investigative tool may explore intracellular processes with unprecedented clarity

Nongjian Tao and his colleagues at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University have pioneered a new technique capable of peering into single cells and even intracellular processes with unprecedented clarity.

25 Jan 2011

New research reveals dynamics behind signal transmission in brain

Surprising rate at which neuronal networks in the cerebral cortex delete sensory information. The dynamics behind signal transmission in the brain are extremely chaotic. This conclusion has been reached by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization at the University of Göttingen and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Göttingen.

24 Jan 2011

Laparoscopic grasp instrument can reduce complications in keyhole surgery

The number of complications following keyhole surgery can be reduced by giving the surgeons a better feeling of how hard they are grasping the tissue with their operating instruments. This is made possible by designing the instrument in such a way that it sends tangible feedback signals to the handle held by the surgeon.

24 Jan 2011

Bax factor that promotes cell death is also involved in regulating mitochondria behavior

New research led by UC Davis scientists provides insight into why some body organs are more susceptible to cell death than others and could eventually lead to advances in treating or preventing heart attack or stroke.

24 Jan 2011

UWE researcher receives two CSPCT grants to improve clinical delivery of treatments

A researcher from the University of the West of England has been awarded two grants to fund work that will encourage people with serious joint conditions to move and excercise more.

24 Jan 2011

University of California study may shed light on human ability to adapt hypoxia

In an important study that may shed light on human ability to adapt to hypoxia, or inadequate levels of oxygen, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have proven that the genome of flies exposed to long-term hypoxia are changed to permanently affect gene expression.

24 Jan 2011

New study shows biomarker test can aid in early, precise diagnosis of melanoma

A new study shows that a test of biomarkers for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier, more precise diagnosis of melanoma.

24 Jan 2011

Breast and lung cancer: Shared risk and treatment

New research has shown that women who are heavy smokers before menopause, especially prior to giving birth, may significantly increase their risk of developing breast cancer. In the US study looking at almost 150,000 women from the Nurses’ Health Study; it was found that breast cancer rates increased with higher levels of smoking among younger age groups. The study appeared in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

24 Jan 2011

Sleep on it to remember it better: Study

A new study says that the best way to remember something important is to remember it while you are asleep. The research, led by Bjorn Rasch of the University of Basel in Switzerland says that newly learned memories during sleep rather than when awake does a better job of strengthening the memory trace. This could help people with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) feel researchers.

24 Jan 2011

Blocking rogue gene may stop cancer spread: Study

In a new breakthrough British scientists have discovered a “rogue gene” which helps cancer spread around the body and add that this could mean specific therapy, if developed against the gene, could stop cancer spread.

24 Jan 2011

Weighty matters

The Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA) has launched the “Healthy Weight Week”. The DAA says that 61 per cent of Australian adults and 25 per cent of Australian children are either overweight or obese. At present there are really no drugs that provide long term weight loss. The only resort is surgery.

24 Jan 2011

Unrealistic optimism appears common in early cancer trials

Can optimism be ethically problematic? Yes, according to a new study, which found unrealistic optimism prevalent among participants in early-phase cancer trials and suggested that it may compromise informed consent.

24 Jan 2011

Fat grafting safety review published; no increased risk of cancer

Published clinical experience in over 2,000 patients who received autologous fat grafts showed no evidence of increased risk of development, metastasis or recurrence of breast cancer in contrast to laboratory data.

24 Jan 2011

USAID Administrator responds to conservative Republicans' call for reducing agency's budget

In an interview with Foreign Policy's blog "The Cable," USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said a Republican Study Committee (RSC) proposal to trim the U.S. foreign aid budget, in addition to other non-defense programs, could weaken U.S. national security.

24 Jan 2011

New voluntary dental insurance policy from Aflac

Aflac, the No. 1 provider of voluntary and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, today announced its new voluntary dental insurance policy. Aflac Dental offers policyholders more choices with multiple levels of coverage to choose from and bigger benefits ranging from higher annual maximums to enhanced orthodontic coverage.

24 Jan 2011

NBC News examines drug-resistant malaria along Thai-Cambodian border

NBC News' "World Blog" reports on the emergence of drug-resistant malaria along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. "The Pailin area [in Cambodia] is now the epicenter of a fight to contain a growing resistance to Artemisinin, which is the world's main anti-malarial drug," the blog writes before noting the global health community's efforts to contain the spread of drug-resistant malaria.

24 Jan 2011

Myriant closes $60M strategic equity investment from PTT Chemical

Myriant Technologies, Inc., a privately-held, biotech developer and manufacturer of renewable bio-based chemicals, announced today the closing of a $60 million strategic equity investment from PTT Chemical Group, Thailand's largest petrochemical producer.

24 Jan 2011

BMJ News examines ongoing investigation of WHO's handling of H1N1

BMJ News reports on the ongoing external investigation of the WHO's handling of the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, following recent statements to the WHO's executive board meeting by review committee chairman, Harvey Fineberg.

24 Jan 2011

EU awards 3 million euros for improving assessment of MRI scans for Crohn’s disease

Colonoscopy is the standard intestinal examination for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease. It is a stressful procedure in which a flexible tube fitted with a camera is passed into the large intestine. MRI scans are therefore often used as an alternative to monitor the course of the disease and how it is responding to treatment.

24 Jan 2011

Wall Street Journal looks at challenges facing U.S. aid operations in Pakistan

"A massive U.S. aid program that has made Pakistan the world's second-largest recipient of American economic and development assistance is facing serious challenges, people involved in the effort say," the Wall Street Journal reports in an article detailing the difficulties.

24 Jan 2011