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Scientists discover novel chemical lurking in atmosphere that appears to be LLGHG

Scientists from U of T's Department of Chemistry have discovered a novel chemical lurking in the atmosphere that appears to be a long-lived greenhouse gas (LLGHG). The chemical - perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) - is the most radiatively efficient chemical found to date, breaking all other chemical records for its potential to impact climate.

10 Dec 2013

New drug that blocks defective gene can arrest Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in animal models

In nearly one-third of patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, a specific genetic mutation switches on the disease, and a new drug that blocks the defective gene can arrest the disease in animal models, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and allied institutions will report at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.

10 Dec 2013

Scientists discover how lymphotoxin controls production of immunoglobulins in gut

Lymphotoxin is a cytokine, or intercellular messenger, and plays an important role in the immunological balance of the gastrointestinal tract. It regulates the immune system of the digestive tract, which is made up of immune cells, immunoglobulins (antibodies) as well as intestinal bacteria.

10 Dec 2013

New demographic data unveils extraordinary diversity of aging processes

Despite aging being one the hottest topic in the media recently, scientists have no coherent explanation for it. New demographic data on humans, animals and plants for the first time unveil such an extraordinary diversity of aging processes that no existing evolutionary theory can account for. Both life spans and mortalities vary from species to species.

10 Dec 2013

Concussive brain injuries can lead to depressive behaviors later in life

A head injury can lead immune-system brain cells to go on "high alert" and overreact to later immune challenges by becoming excessively inflammatory - a condition linked with depressive complications, a new animal study suggests.

10 Dec 2013

UC Santa Barbara professor finds method for measuring cellular forces that shape tissues, organs

Like tiny construction workers, cells sculpt embryonic tissues and organs in 3D space. This task is complicated and requires constant communication between cells to coordinate their actions and generate the forces that will shape their environment into complex tissue morphologies.

10 Dec 2013

Researchers develop new technique to cure human diseases caused by misfolded protein molecules

A team led by a longtime Oregon Health & Science University researcher has demonstrated in mice what could be a revolutionary new technique to cure a wide range of human diseases - from cystic fibrosis to cataracts to Alzheimer's disease - that are caused by "misfolded" protein molecules.

9 Dec 2013

Researchers evaluate effect of zinc supplementation on aluminum-induced neurotoxicity

Studies have shown that aluminum neurotoxicity can likely affect learning and memory function, and a diet containing 100-200 mg/kg zinc is adequate for maintaining learning and memory function in rats.

9 Dec 2013

Shifts in zinc's location could be exploited for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Zinc, an essential nutrient, is found in every tissue in the body. The vast majority of the metal ion is tightly bound to proteins, helping them to perform biological reactions. Tiny amounts of zinc, however, are only loosely bound, or "mobile," and thought to be critical for proper function in organs such as the brain, pancreas, and prostate gland. Yet the exact roles the ion plays in biological systems are unknown.

9 Dec 2013

Study offers new insight into benefits of vitamin D in people with multiple sclerosis

In mice with a rodent form of multiple sclerosis (MS), vitamin D appears to block damage-causing immune cells from migrating to the central nervous system, offering a potential explanation for why the so-called "sunshine vitamin" may prevent or ease symptoms of the neurodegenerative disease, according to results of a study at Johns Hopkins.

9 Dec 2013

Equations help explain key parameters of stents that combat artherosclerosis

Coronary heart disease accounts for 18% of deaths in the United States every year. The disease results from a blockage of one or more arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

9 Dec 2013

New computational model explains how brain maintains balance between plasticity, stability

To learn new motor skills, the brain must be plastic: able to rapidly change the strengths of connections between neurons, forming new patterns that accomplish a particular task. However, if the brain were too plastic, previously learned skills would be lost too easily.

9 Dec 2013

Chloroquine reduces osteoclastogenesis in murine osteoporosis by preventing TRAF3 degradation

Bone homeostasis requires precise balance between deposition of new bone by osteoblasts and resorption of old bone by osteoclasts. Bone diseases, including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, are the result of increased osteoclast activity and formation, which allows bone resorption to outpace deposition.

9 Dec 2013

TAU researchers discover gene that may predict human responses to specific antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, but they don't work for everyone. What's more, patients must often try several different SSRI medications, each with a different set of side effects, before finding one that is effective.

9 Dec 2013

New drug delivery system successfully treats advanced-stage ovarian cancer in mice

Scientists at Rutgers University have developed a targeted drug delivery system that they believe could make ovarian cancer more treatable and increase survival rates for the most deadly gynecological cancer in the United States.

9 Dec 2013

MUC5B protein plays key role in many lung-related ailments

An international team of researchers has zeroed in on a protein that plays a key role in many lung-related ailments, from seasonal coughing and hacking to more serious diseases such as MRSA infections and cystic fibrosis.

9 Dec 2013

Research explores epigenetic effects that contribute to psychiatric disorders in offspring

Advanced paternal age has been associated with greater risk for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. With an increase in paternal age, there is a greater frequency of certain types of mutations that contribute to these disorders in offspring.

9 Dec 2013

Growing cord blood stem cells in lab before transplant boosts survival, study finds

Donated umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can save the lives of patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers.

9 Dec 2013

Genetic deficiency in males can trigger hepatocellular carcinoma, type 2 diabetes

Michigan State University researchers have uncovered a genetic deficiency in males that can trigger the development of one of the most common types of liver cancer and forms of diabetes.

9 Dec 2013

Children and adults with high-risk ALL benefit from novel, personalized cell therapy

Nearly 90 percent of children and adults with a highly aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia showed no evidence of cancer after receiving a novel, personalized cell therapy that reprograms a patient's immune system. In pilot studies of bioengineered T cells that attack leukemia, 24 of 27 patients (89%) experienced complete responses within 28 days after treatment. In all, 27 patients received the treatment--22 children treated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and five adults treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

9 Dec 2013

Medical Science News

Scientists discover novel chemical lurking in atmosphere that appears to be LLGHG

New drug that blocks defective gene can arrest Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in animal models

Scientists discover how lymphotoxin controls production of immunoglobulins in gut

New demographic data unveils extraordinary diversity of aging processes

Concussive brain injuries can lead to depressive behaviors later in life

UC Santa Barbara professor finds method for measuring cellular forces that shape tissues, organs

Researchers develop new technique to cure human diseases caused by misfolded protein molecules

Researchers evaluate effect of zinc supplementation on aluminum-induced neurotoxicity

Shifts in zinc's location could be exploited for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Study offers new insight into benefits of vitamin D in people with multiple sclerosis

Equations help explain key parameters of stents that combat artherosclerosis

New computational model explains how brain maintains balance between plasticity, stability

Chloroquine reduces osteoclastogenesis in murine osteoporosis by preventing TRAF3 degradation

TAU researchers discover gene that may predict human responses to specific antidepressants

New drug delivery system successfully treats advanced-stage ovarian cancer in mice

MUC5B protein plays key role in many lung-related ailments

Research explores epigenetic effects that contribute to psychiatric disorders in offspring

Growing cord blood stem cells in lab before transplant boosts survival, study finds

Genetic deficiency in males can trigger hepatocellular carcinoma, type 2 diabetes

Children and adults with high-risk ALL benefit from novel, personalized cell therapy

Microphysiological systems in drug discovery

Considerations for taking ASO discovery programs into animal models

Neurofilament light as a translational biomarker

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