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Biglycan protein offers potential therapy for muscular dystrophy

A novel potential therapy based on a natural human protein significantly slows muscle damage and improves function in mice who have the same genetic mutation as boys with the most common form of muscular dystrophy, according to a paper published online Dec. 27 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

28 Dec 2010

Study sheds light on how bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics

Studying how bacteria incorporate foreign DNA from invading viruses into their own regulatory processes, Thomas Wood, professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, is uncovering the secrets of one of nature's most primitive immune systems.

27 Dec 2010

Researchers receive $6.78 million NIH grant for community-based study on heart disease

Researchers at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston were recently awarded a $6.78 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to extend a 23-year-old large-scale, community-based study of heart disease.

27 Dec 2010

Cancer survival rates improving

Survival rates for cancers of the bowel, breast, lung and ovary that were diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 were compared between Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Overall, survival rates improved in all six countries. However, survival was found to be “persistently lower” in Denmark, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. This was particularly the case after the first year of diagnosis and for patients aged 65 and over. In UK cancer survival rates have improved significantly. Breast cancer survival at five years, for example, increased from 74.8% in 1995-9, to 81.6% in 2005-7. Despite this, the UK still has the lowest breast cancer survival rate at five years.

27 Dec 2010

Stress may boost memory: Study

In a new study researchers have found that stress can enhance ordinary, unrelated memories. This may open up new avenues in management of patients of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related afflictions say experts.

27 Dec 2010

Placebos work

According to a new study people who knowingly take a dummy pill or placebo may benefit from it. These pills are usually made from sugar or other inert non-harmful materials. Usually when used in clinical trials patients are unaware whether they are taking the tested drug or a placebo to ensure the medical benefits of a potential new drug are assessed rigorously. However this new study published in the science journal PLoS ONE, found placebos may work even when patients are aware that they are taking them.

27 Dec 2010

New findings reveal long-term influences of infant formula composition

New findings from the Monell Center reveal that weight gain of formula-fed infants is influenced by the type of formula the infant is consuming. The findings have implications related to the infant's risk for the development of obesity, diabetes and other diseases later in life.

27 Dec 2010

New findings may solve mystery about how starvation hormone affects multiple biological systems

New findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers may solve a 17-year-old mystery about how the so-called "starvation hormone" affects multiple biological systems, including preventing insulin sensitivity and promoting cell survival.

27 Dec 2010

Amygdala may contribute to rich, varied social life among humans: Scientists

Scientists have discovered that the amygdala, a small almond shaped structure deep within the temporal lobe, is important to a rich and varied social life among humans. The finding was published this week in a new study in Nature Neuroscience and is similar to previous findings in other primate species, which compared the size and complexity of social groups across those species.

27 Dec 2010

Researchers develop microfluidic device to orient hundreds of embryos for research

Researchers have developed a microfluidic device that automatically orients hundreds of fruit fly and other embryos to prepare them for research. The device could facilitate the study of such issues as how organisms develop their complex structures from single cells -- one of the most fascinating aspects of biology.

27 Dec 2010

Research reaffirms bovine TB's threat to humans, animals, and to international trade

As part of his doctoral research at The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Demelash Biffa has carried out extensive field and laboratory work on bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Ethiopia since 2007. The main aims of his study were to investigate risk factors associated with prevalence of the disease and to discover the molecular genetic characteristics of mycobacteria, which cause serious pathologic lesions in cattle. The work has led to the development of a new numeric expression approach known as Spoligotype Evolutionary Index (SEI).

24 Dec 2010

China emerging as world leader in stem-cell R&D

Recent breakthroughs show that China is emerging as a world leader in stem-cell research and development, says Emerging Healthcare Solutions President and CEO Cindy Morrissey.

24 Dec 2010

Researchers study relationship between MITF, ATF2 in melanoma development

Melanoma is one of the least common types of skin cancer, but it is also the most deadly. Melanocytes (pigment-producing skin cells) lose the genetic regulatory mechanisms that normally limit their number, allowing them to divide and proliferate out of control. One such regulator, called MITF, controls an array of genes that influence melanocyte development, function and survival.

24 Dec 2010

Study shows vegetarian diet lowers blood, urine phosphorous levels

Phosphorous levels plummet in kidney disease patients who stick to a vegetarian diet, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The results suggest that eating vegetables rather than meat can help kidney disease patients avoid accumulating toxic levels of this mineral in their bodies.

24 Dec 2010

InfraReDx to receive $862,000 as part of MLSC Tax Incentive Program

InfraReDx, Inc., a medical device company developing intelligent cardiovascular diagnostic imaging technologies, today announced that it has been selected to receive an award of nearly $862,000 as part of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Tax Incentive Program. In conjunction with the award, InfraReDx has committed to create 32 new jobs during 2011.

24 Dec 2010

Electronic health records have only limited effect on improving quality of medical care: RAND study

Use of electronic health records by hospitals across the United States has had only a limited effect on improving the quality of medical care, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

24 Dec 2010

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

The travelling exhibition organised by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), "Humans and Microbes - Robert Koch's Legacy and Modern Infection Research", has already proved to be a visitor magnet during its very first year. In total, the interactive exhibition attracted more than 36,000 visitors at its three ports of call (Berlin, Bonn and Würzburg), including 400 school classes.

23 Dec 2010

Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, Sarah Cannon, and Virginia Cancer join Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) today announced that it has expanded its clinical research network to include Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center (Dallas, TX), Sarah Cannon /Research Institute (SCRI, Nashville, TN) and Virginia Cancer Specialists (Fairfax, VA). These new centers join the 13 existing MMRC Member Institutions in promoting and facilitating collaborative research and accelerating drug development in multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

23 Dec 2010

Delayed sex among couples leads to better marriages

While there are still couples who wait for a deep level of commitment before having sex, today it's far more common for two people to explore their sexual compatibility before making long-term plans together.

23 Dec 2010

Scientists pinpoint brain site where leptin hormone may trigger onset of puberty

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have pinpointed a tiny site in the brain where the hormone leptin may help trigger the onset of puberty.

23 Dec 2010

Medical Research News

Biglycan protein offers potential therapy for muscular dystrophy

Study sheds light on how bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics

Researchers receive $6.78 million NIH grant for community-based study on heart disease

Cancer survival rates improving

Stress may boost memory: Study

Placebos work

New findings reveal long-term influences of infant formula composition

New findings may solve mystery about how starvation hormone affects multiple biological systems

Amygdala may contribute to rich, varied social life among humans: Scientists

Researchers develop microfluidic device to orient hundreds of embryos for research

Research reaffirms bovine TB's threat to humans, animals, and to international trade

China emerging as world leader in stem-cell R&D

Researchers study relationship between MITF, ATF2 in melanoma development

Study shows vegetarian diet lowers blood, urine phosphorous levels

InfraReDx to receive $862,000 as part of MLSC Tax Incentive Program

Electronic health records have only limited effect on improving quality of medical care: RAND study

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, Sarah Cannon, and Virginia Cancer join Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium

Delayed sex among couples leads to better marriages

Scientists pinpoint brain site where leptin hormone may trigger onset of puberty

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS

Freezing Point Osmometry in Life Science Applications

Precision in every drop: Inside Hamilton’s syringe technology

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