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Genetic differences impact winter vitamin D status

Vitamin D is somewhat of an unusual "vitamin," because it can be made in the body from sunlight and most foods do not contain vitamin D unless added by fortification. Synthesis of vitamin D in the body requires exposure to ultraviolet light and can be influenced by genetics, skin color, and sun exposure.

20 Nov 2010

Study sheds light on poorly understood aspect of interaction of HIV with natural killer cells

Natural killer cells are major weapons in the body's immune system. They keep the body healthy by knocking off tumors and cells infected with viruses, bombarding them with tiny lethal pellets. But natural killer cells are powerless against HIV, a fact that has bedeviled science for over 20 years.

20 Nov 2010

New I-SPY 2 study to evaluate effectiveness of medical treatment for breast cancer

A clinical trial that aims to speed up the study of new treatments for certain subtypes of breast cancer now has a designated study site at the Diane O'Connor Thompson Breast Center at the University of Colorado Hospital.

20 Nov 2010

Early nephrology care associated with lower mortality and incidence of end stage renal disease

Earlier care from a nephrologist reduces the chance of kidney patients developing end-stage renal disease and lowers their risk of death during the first year of dialysis, according to a study by the University of Michigan Kidney Epidemiology & Cost Center.

20 Nov 2010

Scientists identify gene variants associated with eating disorder

Scientists at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have identified both common and rare gene variants associated with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

20 Nov 2010

Children with higher waist circumferences more likely to have heart-related disorders: Researchers

In a study of more than 4,500 children, researchers found those with higher waist circumferences had significantly higher pulse pressures, which is known to increase the risk of heart-related disorders, according to an abstract presented today at the American Society of Nephrology's Renal Week conference in Denver.

20 Nov 2010

Scientist suggests functional amino acids play a critical role in human health

Functional amino acids play a critical role in the development of both animals and humans, according to a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.

20 Nov 2010

USC Norris designated Phase I Clinical Trial Center of Excellence

The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (USC Norris) has been designated a Phase I Clinical Trial Center of Excellence by global pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The collaboration will bring a number of new phase I clinical trials to USC Norris, and will enable the cancer center's clinical and basic scientists to provide guidance in early phase drug development and trial design.

20 Nov 2010

UH physicists study workings of PGK enzyme that may cause Alzheimer's, cancer

University of Houston physicists are using complex computer simulations to illuminate the workings of a crucial protein that, when malfunctioning, may cause Alzheimer's and cancer.

20 Nov 2010

Discovery could provide new approaches to treat metabolic disorders

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified a novel synthetic activator of a pair of proteins that belong to a protein family playing key roles in human metabolism and immune function. The discovery could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to diseases ranging from diabetes to osteoporosis.

20 Nov 2010

Study highlights poor outcomes for patients with ESRD admitted over weekend

Patients with end-stage renal disease who are admitted to the hospital during the weekend are at increased risk of death, according to a study presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 43rd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition.

20 Nov 2010

Researchers develop medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells

Researchers in the United States have developed a medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells harvested from a patient's own bone marrow. The research, published in STEM CELLS, is especially relevant for paediatric patients suffering from abnormally developed bladders, but also represents another step towards new organ replacement therapies.

20 Nov 2010

Reprogrammed amniotic fluid cells can generate iPS cells

Reprogrammed amniotic fluid cells can generate all types of body cells. High hopes rest on stem cells: one day, they may be used to treat many diseases. To date, embryos are the main source of these cells, but this raises ethical problems. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin have now managed to convert amniotic fluid cells into pluripotent stem cells.

20 Nov 2010

Consuming a variety of fruit reduces lung cancer risk by 23%

Eating five portions of fruit and vegetables per day is one of the means that experts most frequently recommend for preventing cancer. Now, the European EPIC study carried out by researchers from 10 countries has shown that, in the case of lung cancer, the important thing is not just the quantity but also the variety of fruit consumed, which can reduce the risk by up to 23%.

20 Nov 2010

Childhood obesity linked to adult metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease

Mounting evidence linking childhood obesity to an increasing risk of obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in adulthood is clearly presented in a comprehensive review article in the current issue of Childhood Obesity, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The article is available free online.

19 Nov 2010

AAO to recognize UH optometry dean with Charles F. Prentice Medal Award

Earl L. Smith III, O.D., dean of the College of Optometry and Greeman-Petty Professor at the University of Houston, is the 2010 recipient of the Charles F. Prentice Medal Award from the American Academy of Optometry.

19 Nov 2010

Glenn Foundation awards $60,000 grant to Scripps' scientist for biomedical research

While scientists depend on grants for their research, applying for them is a long and frequently frustrating process. For one Scripps Research Institute scientist, however, the process was shorter.

19 Nov 2010

Fifth gene defect, 47 DNA regions linked to thoracic aortic disease: Researchers

Discovery of a fifth gene defect and the identification of 47 DNA regions linked to thoracic aortic disease are the subject of studies released this month involving researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

19 Nov 2010

Physical activity may protect high-risk individuals from cognitive decline: Study

Physical activity promotes changes in the brain that may protect high-risk individuals against cognitive decline, including development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study done at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).

19 Nov 2010

Research suggests new therapeutic approach to prevent transplant rejection

UCLA researchers have pinpointed the culprit behind chronic rejection of heart, lung and kidney transplants. Published in the Nov. 23 edition of Science Signaling, their findings suggest new therapeutic approaches for preventing transplant rejection and sabotaging cancer growth.

19 Nov 2010

Medical Research News

Genetic differences impact winter vitamin D status

Study sheds light on poorly understood aspect of interaction of HIV with natural killer cells

New I-SPY 2 study to evaluate effectiveness of medical treatment for breast cancer

Early nephrology care associated with lower mortality and incidence of end stage renal disease

Scientists identify gene variants associated with eating disorder

Children with higher waist circumferences more likely to have heart-related disorders: Researchers

Scientist suggests functional amino acids play a critical role in human health

USC Norris designated Phase I Clinical Trial Center of Excellence

UH physicists study workings of PGK enzyme that may cause Alzheimer's, cancer

Discovery could provide new approaches to treat metabolic disorders

Study highlights poor outcomes for patients with ESRD admitted over weekend

Researchers develop medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells

Reprogrammed amniotic fluid cells can generate iPS cells

Consuming a variety of fruit reduces lung cancer risk by 23%

Childhood obesity linked to adult metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease

AAO to recognize UH optometry dean with Charles F. Prentice Medal Award

Glenn Foundation awards $60,000 grant to Scripps' scientist for biomedical research

Fifth gene defect, 47 DNA regions linked to thoracic aortic disease: Researchers

Physical activity may protect high-risk individuals from cognitive decline: Study

Research suggests new therapeutic approach to prevent transplant rejection

Extending the reach of Amperia™

Modular cleanrooms: Enhancing flexibility and compliance

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

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