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Findings pave way for personalized probiotic therapies for obesity-related diseases

Our genetic makeup influences whether we are fat or thin by shaping which types of microbes thrive in our body, according to a Cornell-led study published today in the journal Cell.

7 Nov 2014

Researchers discover new genetic cause of rare, complex form of epilepsy

A research team led by scientists at the Scripps Translational Science Institute has used whole genome sequencing to identify a new genetic cause of a severe, rare and complex form of epilepsy that becomes evident in early childhood and can lead to early death.

7 Nov 2014

Eribulin drug has minor added benefit in one patient group, indication of lesser benefit in others

Eribulin (trade name: Halaven) is approved for women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in whom the disease has progressed despite prior drug therapy. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether the drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy in these patient groups.

7 Nov 2014

LSTM awarded research grants to develop Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage model

Respiratory specialists at Liverpool School Tropical Medicine have been awarded two substantial research grants to further develop and utilise their Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) model.

7 Nov 2014

Liposomes can help prevent bacterial toxins from killing human cells

Published in Nature Biotechnology, the study at the University of Liverpool showed that specially engineered lipid (fat) bodies, called liposomes, can be used to prevent bacterial toxins from killing human cells.

7 Nov 2014

Should we be screening for colorectal cancer earlier?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women. Last year it was estimated that there had been around 143,000 new cases of CRC and 51,000 deaths due to CRC in the United States. The introduction of bowel screening for the over 50s has seen annual decreases in the overall incidence of CRC since 1998, giving cause for optimism.

7 Nov 2014

Surgical treatment of obesity, diabetes as safe as other commonly performed surgical procedures

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in patients with type 2 diabetes, once considered a high-risk procedure, carries a complication and mortality rate comparable to some of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in America, including gallbladder surgery, appendectomy, and total knee replacement, according to new research from the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and Metabolic Institute.

7 Nov 2014

Regenerative medicine may offer new standard of advanced treatment for foot and leg ulcers

These are exciting times for regenerative medicine. Unlike conventional medicines, the regenerative approach can potentially work to restore the lost functionality of tissues or organs—the major reason for intensive focus on research and development in the field.

7 Nov 2014

Health benefits of modified formulation of curcumin supplements

The health benefits of over-the-counter curcumin supplements might not get past your gut, but new research shows that a modified formulation of the spice releases its anti-inflammatory goodness throughout the body.

7 Nov 2014

Researchers obtain detailed picture of how Gas5 RNA interacts with steroid hormone receptors

It arises from what scientists previously described as "junk DNA" or "the dark matter of the genome," but this gene is definitely not junk.

7 Nov 2014

Single mutation in beta-catenin gene can lead to infertility

Scientists from the RIKEN BioResource Center in Tsukuba, Japan, have discovered that a single mutation in the beta-catenin gene, which codes a protein known to be deeply involved in a number of developmental and homeostatic processes, can lead to infertility not through a disruption of the production of egg or sperm cells, but rather by leading to abnormalities in the morphology of the sexual organs, making natural reproduction impossible.

7 Nov 2014

Researchers synthetize molecules to block virus that causes influenza A

The influenza A virus is a contagious and severe respiratory infection that affects animals but also humans. Researchers from the University of Barcelona have synthetized some molecules which are able to block the virus that causes influenza A and some of the mutations that make it resistant to common drugs.

7 Nov 2014

Exposure to indoor air pollution affects children's lungs

Children with asthma and hay fever often struggle with their breathing. Add secondhand smoke, kerosene and biomass fuel to the mix and allergy and asthma symptoms increase.

7 Nov 2014

School lunches have greater nutritional quality than packed lunches

Approximately 60% of the more than 50 million public elementary and secondary education students obtain a substantial portion of their daily calories from school lunches. The 2012-2013 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) nutritional standards govern what those students eat; for those who bring packed lunches, there are no nutritional standards, however.

7 Nov 2014

Study shows strong correlation between low-calorie sweetener consumption, healthy lifestyles

New research from the University of Washington examining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of more than 22,000 people has found that consumers of foods and beverages made with no, low, and reduced-calorie sweeteners have better quality diets and are more likely to be physically active.

7 Nov 2014

Study shows racial disparity in autism identification

The number of children diagnosed with autism has increased in recent years, but a new study co-authored by a University of Kansas professor shows that while the number of students with autism increased in every state from 2000 to 2007, black and Hispanic children were significantly underrepresented.

7 Nov 2014

McLean Hospital lab explores use of stem cell therapy to treat epilepsy

McLean Hospital and Harvard Stem Cell Institute scientists have new evidence that stem cell transplantation could be a worthwhile strategy to help epileptics who do not respond to anti-seizure drugs.

7 Nov 2014

Applying lessons learnt from failed Alzheimer's studies for future research

Disappointing results in clinical Alzheimer's studies discourage doctors and scientists from continuing their research into ɣ-secretases and a possible treatment against Alzheimer's disease. In the prestigious journal Cell, the Alzheimer's expert Bart De Strooper (VIB-KU Leuven) argues that these studies are not pointless, but merely indicate what the next steps should be for the Alzheimer's research.

7 Nov 2014

New algorithm could help determine how to treat patients having difficulty breathing

Paramedics respond to a 911 call to find an elderly patient who's having difficulty breathing. Anxious and disoriented, the patient has trouble remembering all the medications he's taking, and with his shortness of breath, speaking is difficult. Is he suffering from acute emphysema or heart failure? The symptoms look the same, but initiating the wrong treatment regimen will increase the patient's risk of severe complications.

7 Nov 2014

Genetically diverse mouse model can predict human response to chemical exposures

A genetically diverse mouse model is able to predict the range of response to chemical exposures that might be observed in human populations, researchers from the National Institutes of Health have found. Like humans, each Diversity Outbred mouse is genetically unique, and the extent of genetic variability among these mice is similar to the genetic variation seen among humans.

7 Nov 2014

Medical Research News

Findings pave way for personalized probiotic therapies for obesity-related diseases

Researchers discover new genetic cause of rare, complex form of epilepsy

Eribulin drug has minor added benefit in one patient group, indication of lesser benefit in others

LSTM awarded research grants to develop Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage model

Liposomes can help prevent bacterial toxins from killing human cells

Should we be screening for colorectal cancer earlier?

Surgical treatment of obesity, diabetes as safe as other commonly performed surgical procedures

Regenerative medicine may offer new standard of advanced treatment for foot and leg ulcers

Health benefits of modified formulation of curcumin supplements

Researchers obtain detailed picture of how Gas5 RNA interacts with steroid hormone receptors

Single mutation in beta-catenin gene can lead to infertility

Researchers synthetize molecules to block virus that causes influenza A

Exposure to indoor air pollution affects children's lungs

School lunches have greater nutritional quality than packed lunches

Study shows strong correlation between low-calorie sweetener consumption, healthy lifestyles

Study shows racial disparity in autism identification

McLean Hospital lab explores use of stem cell therapy to treat epilepsy

Applying lessons learnt from failed Alzheimer's studies for future research

New algorithm could help determine how to treat patients having difficulty breathing

Genetically diverse mouse model can predict human response to chemical exposures

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

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