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Study examines effect of phthalate exposure in humans’ sperm epigenetics

A new three-year, $440,000 study led by environmental health scientist Richard Pilsner at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is now underway to investigate whether phthalate levels in expectant fathers have an effect on the couples' reproductive success, via epigenetic modifications of sperm DNA.

12 Jun 2014

Intake of monounsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol influence disease activity in RA and OA respectively

Two new studies presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress have helped clarify the relationship between the dietary intake of monounsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) respectively.

12 Jun 2014

Findings provide new strategy for developing safe, effective vaccine against strep throat

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, have identified the genes encoding a molecule that famously defines Group A Streptococcus (strep), a pathogenic bacterial species responsible for more than 700 million infections worldwide each year.

12 Jun 2014

Leica Application Suite Advanced Fluorescence 4.0 now launched for advanced life science research

Leica Microsystems has launched the Leica Application Suite Advanced Fluorescence (LAS AF), the software platform for advanced life science research in widefield and confocal microscopy, in its 4.0 version.

12 Jun 2014

Obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis have higher disease activity scores

A new study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress showed that obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher DAS (disease activity) scores than non-obese patients, irrespective of their disease stage.

12 Jun 2014

Study identifies correlation between miRNAs and osteoarthritis

The results of a study presented today at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress identify a correlation between the presence of biomarkers in the blood, known as micro RNAs (miRNAs), and the development of severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip joint. The findings suggest that miRNAs may be used as biomarkers to predict severe OA disease in individuals.

12 Jun 2014

Risk factors for hospital readmissions identified in stroke patients

Hospital readmission, an important measure of quality care, costs the United States an estimated $17 billion each year. And according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, about half of those readmissions could be avoided.

11 Jun 2014

Researchers study structural aspects of DNA-particle/lipid interface directly using x-ray scattering

Scientists seeking ways to engineer the assembly of tiny particles measuring just billionths of a meter have achieved a new first-the formation of a single layer of nanoparticles on a liquid surface where the properties of the layer can be easily switched.

11 Jun 2014

Bacteria must be considered part of overall pathology of atherosclerosis

Scientists believe they have an explanation for the axiom that stress, emotional shock, or overexertion may trigger heart attacks in vulnerable people. Hormones released during these events appear to cause bacterial biofilms on arterial walls to disperse, allowing plaque deposits to rupture into the bloodstream, according to research published in published today in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

11 Jun 2014

Novel bone implants can keep germs at bay

Hospital germs can be fatal, since they are resistant to antibiotics. As a result, alternative methods of defense against bacteria are in demand. Fortunately, a German-French research team has been able to develop bone implants that keep the germs at bay.

11 Jun 2014

Modified mosquitoes produce sperm that only creates males

Scientists have modified mosquitoes to produce sperm that will only create males, pioneering a fresh approach to eradicating malaria.

11 Jun 2014

Brain structure linked to psychosis symptoms

A study of patients across the psychosis spectrum supports an association between brain structure and psychosis symptoms.

11 Jun 2014

Cognitive decline not apparent in bipolar patients

Cognitive dysfunction is persistent but generally stable over time in patients with bipolar disorder, Spanish researchers report.

11 Jun 2014

‘Real-world’ ambrisentan data unveiled

The use of and outcomes with ambrisentan in clinical practice are different to those in clinical trials, reflecting different patient characteristics in the “real world”, say researchers.

11 Jun 2014

Haemodynamic exercise variables “important” for PAH prognostication

Exercise haemodynamic variables, measured shortly after diagnosis, correlate with exercise capacity and predict survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, study findings indicate.

11 Jun 2014

Adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiation recommended for R1 resected cancer patients

A landmark survey of more than 700 specialists provides crucial real-world insight into the treatments most oncologists choose for lung cancer patients whose tumour has been incompletely resected, an expert from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) says.

11 Jun 2014

Dendrimer offers a simple way of creating vesicles

One of the defining features of cells is their membranes. Each cell's repository of DNA and protein-making machinery must be kept stable and secure from invaders and toxins. Scientists have attempted to replicate these properties, but, despite decades of research, even the most basic membrane structures, known as vesicles, still face many problems when made in the lab. They are difficult to make at consistent sizes and lack the stability of their biological counterparts.

11 Jun 2014

Reducing carbohydrate intake could reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence

Dartmouth researchers have found that reducing carbohydrate intake could reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence among women whose tumor tissue is positive for the IGF-1 receptor. The study, "Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Associated with Carbohydrate Intake and Tissue Expression of IGFI Receptor," will appear in the July issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.

11 Jun 2014

Text messages to smokers' mobile phones help quit smoking

Sending smokers individualized text messages to their mobile phones was found to be twice as effective at helping them quit smoking compared to simply providing self-help materials, according to a study in American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

11 Jun 2014

New mechanism explains novel aspects of how wiring of neurons in brain works

How neurons are created and integrate with each other is one of biology's greatest riddles. Researcher Dietmar Schmucker from VIB-KU Leuven unravels a part of the mystery in Science magazine.

11 Jun 2014