Medical Science News

RSS

Review article provides in depth survey of studies focusing on retinoblastoma protein's role in apoptosis

Retinoblastoma protein RB1, which is named after a form of pediatric tumor of the eye, is among the most common genetically regulated cellular proteins to malfunction in human cancer. RB1 was also the first tumor suppressor gene to be identified and its modes of inactivation in retinoblastoma tumors provided the basis for the ground-breaking two-hit hypothesis by the geneticist Alfred G. Knudson in the 70s, according to which cancer is due to the accumulation of multiple 'hits' or mutations in certain genes.

3 Jul 2015

Combination of exercise and artificial gravity may reduce effects of extended weightlessness in space

Astronauts on the International Space Station have a number of exercise options, including a mechanical bicycle bolted to the floor, a weightlifting machine strapped to the wall, and a strap-down treadmill. They spend a significant portion of each day working out to ward off the long-term effects of weightlessness, but many still suffer bone loss, muscle atrophy, and issues with balance and their cardiovascular systems.

3 Jul 2015

Scientists to discuss the possibility of predicting evolution at scientific conference in Portugal

Is it possible to predict the evolution of the influenza virus? Or how rapidly bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics? Or even how cancer cells spread inside a human being? These are some of the main topics of discussion that bring together renowned scientists from all over the world at the scientific conference "Forecasting evolution?" held at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (FCG; Portugal) from 8th to 11th July.

3 Jul 2015

DTC genetic testing has negative consequences in children

A woman coping with the burden of familial breast cancer can't help but wonder if her young daughter will suffer the same fate. Has she inherited the same disease-causing mutation? Is it best to be prepared for the future, or to wait? During the last decade, genetic tests have been through a sea change, both in their availability and the technologies behind them. Today there are at least 34 companies that offer direct to consumer (DTC) DNA testing, some of which return health results. And now it is possible to sequence someone's entire genetic code for the price of a laptop.

3 Jul 2015

Researchers explore how Sox9 protein regulates production of cartilage

Cartilage does a lot more than determine the shapes of people's ears and noses. It also enables people to breathe and to form healthy bones -- two processes essential to life. In a study published in Cell Reports, USC Stem Cell researcher Xinjun He and University of Tokyo researcher Shinsuke Ohba explore how a protein called Sox9 regulates the production of cartilage.

3 Jul 2015

HKUST scientists find way to stimulate growth of corticospinal tract axons

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have found a way to stimulate the growth of axons, which may spell the dawn of a new beginning on chronic SCI treatments.

3 Jul 2015

Researchers discover link between acute liver failure and specific gene mutations in young children

Acute liver failure is a rare yet life-threatening disease for young children. It often occurs extremely rapidly, for example, when a child has a fever. Yet in around 50 percent of cases it is unclear as to why this happens. Now, a team of researchers working on an international research project headed by Technische Universität München, the Helmholtz Zentrum Munich and Heidelberg University Hospital have discovered a link between the disease and mutations in a specific gene.

3 Jul 2015

European Nanomedicine Characterization Lab aims to bring safe, efficient nano-therapeutics to patients

Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is part of the European Nanomedicine Characterization Laboratory, a European project funded by the EU framework program «Horizon 2020.

2 Jul 2015

Researchers establish link between NBAS gene and acute liver failure

Acute liver failure is a rare yet life-threatening disease for young children. It often occurs extremely rapidly, for example, when a child has a fever. Yet in around 50 percent of cases it is unclear as to why this happens. Now, a team of researchers working on an international research project headed by Technische Universität München (TUM), the Helmholtz Zentrum Munich and Heidelberg University Hospital have discovered a link between the disease and mutations in a specific gene.

2 Jul 2015

Paclitaxel-fostamatinib combination therapy may reduce size of ovarian cancer cells

Working in cell cultures and mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that an experimental drug called fostamatinib combined with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel may overcome ovarian cancer cells' resistance to paclitaxel.

2 Jul 2015

New imaging technique helps pinpoint significant event that leads to age-related chromosomal errors

When egg cells form with an incorrect number of chromosomes--a problem that increases with age--the result is usually a miscarriage or a genetic disease such as Down syndrome.

2 Jul 2015

Latent CMV infection induces telomere shortening

The telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at each end of our chromosomes. Studies show that in every cell division, the telomere is shortened. As a result, the telomere limits the cell to a fixed number of divisions and a limited life span. An essential part of human cells they affect how our cells age - as people with longer telomeres live longer lives. Surprisingly, people who are infected with a latent virus, that is, an asymptomatic virus, have shorter telomeres.

2 Jul 2015

Study finds link between citrus fruit consumption and melanoma risk

A new analysis of two long-term studies has revealed a potential association between malignant melanoma risk and frequent consumption of grapefruit and oranges. The study found that compared with people who consumed these fruits less than twice a week, those who had them at least 1.6 times a day were at a 36% higher risk of developing melanoma.

2 Jul 2015

New NEI study shows that microglia can accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders

Spider-like cells inside the brain, spinal cord and eye hunt for invaders, capturing and then devouring them. These cells, called microglia, often play a beneficial role by helping to clear trash and protect the central nervous system against infection. But a new study by researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that they also accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa.

2 Jul 2015

University of Salzburg researchers develop new method for calculating exact time of death

A new method for calculating the exact time of death, even after as much as 10 days, has been developed by a group of researchers at the University of Salzburg.

2 Jul 2015

New UCL research reveals how past events are reconstructed in the brain

When remembering something from our past, we often vividly re-experience the whole episode in which it occurred. New UCL research funded by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust has now revealed how this might happen in the brain.

2 Jul 2015

Cortisol study may explain persistence of emotional memories occurring in anxiety, PTSD

The stress hormone cortisol strengthens memories of scary experiences. However, it is effective not only while the memory is being formed for the first time, but also later when people look back at an experience while the memory reconsolidates. This has been published by cognition psychologists from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum in the journal "Neuropsychopharmacology".

2 Jul 2015

24% rise in the number of clinical trials according to Cell Therapy Catapult annual UK analysis

The Cell Therapy Catapult has published its annual analysis of the UK preclinical and clinical research landscapes with the release of its UK Clinical and Pre-Clinical Trials Databases. These show a 24% rise in the number of clinical trials and an increase of 22% in the number of pre-clinical projects. Sector growth came in the key areas of oncology, neurology, ophthalmology and cardiovascular.

2 Jul 2015

Scientists identify mechanism that reveals why stem cells undergo self-renewing divisions

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists collaborating with University of Michigan researchers have found a previously unidentified mechanism that helps explain why stem cells undergo self-renewing divisions but their offspring do not.

2 Jul 2015

BGI's DNA sequencing laboratory in Hong Kong accredited by CAP

BGI announced today that its high-throughput DNA sequencing laboratory in Hong Kong has been accredited by the American College of Pathologists. The BGI Hong Kong facility is the first clinical next-generation-sequencing laboratory to receive the CAP certification in China, meeting the highest standard in clinical laboratory practices.

2 Jul 2015

Medical Science News

Review article provides in depth survey of studies focusing on retinoblastoma protein's role in apoptosis

Combination of exercise and artificial gravity may reduce effects of extended weightlessness in space

Scientists to discuss the possibility of predicting evolution at scientific conference in Portugal

DTC genetic testing has negative consequences in children

Researchers explore how Sox9 protein regulates production of cartilage

HKUST scientists find way to stimulate growth of corticospinal tract axons

Researchers discover link between acute liver failure and specific gene mutations in young children

European Nanomedicine Characterization Lab aims to bring safe, efficient nano-therapeutics to patients

Researchers establish link between NBAS gene and acute liver failure

Paclitaxel-fostamatinib combination therapy may reduce size of ovarian cancer cells

New imaging technique helps pinpoint significant event that leads to age-related chromosomal errors

Latent CMV infection induces telomere shortening

Study finds link between citrus fruit consumption and melanoma risk

New NEI study shows that microglia can accelerate damage wrought by blinding eye disorders

University of Salzburg researchers develop new method for calculating exact time of death

New UCL research reveals how past events are reconstructed in the brain

Cortisol study may explain persistence of emotional memories occurring in anxiety, PTSD

24% rise in the number of clinical trials according to Cell Therapy Catapult annual UK analysis

Scientists identify mechanism that reveals why stem cells undergo self-renewing divisions

BGI's DNA sequencing laboratory in Hong Kong accredited by CAP

Prof. Dr. Kristina Kusche-Vihrog

In the Thymus We Trust: ProTcell Therapy & the Future of Allogeneic Immunotherapy

Making Complex Cell Culture Easy and Efficient with AI

Latest News