Medical Science News

RSS

PKM2 protein controls mitosis, saving cancer cells from death and promoting brain tumor growth

Researchers have caught a protein they previously implicated in a variety of cancer-promoting roles performing a vital function in cell division, survival and development of brain tumors.

8 Dec 2013

New study reports first evidence of specific molecular changes in the body with meditation

With evidence growing that meditation can have beneficial health effects, scientists have sought to understand how these practices physically affect the body.

6 Dec 2013

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers find link between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer

In one of the largest epidemiological studies of human gut bacteria and colorectal cancer ever conducted, a team of researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center has found a clear association between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer. The study, published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, discovered that colorectal cancer patients had fewer beneficial bacteria and more harmful bacteria than people without the disease.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers illuminate inner workings of enzymes placed inside the outer envelopes of cells

For what is believed to be the first time, researchers at The Johns Hopkins University have illuminated the inner workings of an important class of enzymes located inside the outer envelopes of cells. Much to their surprise, they report, these protein cutters, called rhomboid proteases, are entirely different than nearly every other type of enzyme studied, showing no attraction to the proteins they cut and being extremely slow in making their cuts.

6 Dec 2013

Study uncovers novel mechanism by which glioblastoma evades targeted therapies

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has uncovered an entirely novel mechanism by which glioblastoma, the most common kind of brain cancer, evades targeted therapies. Published in the current issue of the journal Science, the paper describes how GBM tumor cells essentially hide the signaling molecule targeted by such therapies, adding a layer of complexity to current models of drug resistance in cancer.

6 Dec 2013

Innovative DNA engineering technique discovers potential functions hidden within bacterial genomes

A group of University of Illinois researchers, led by Centennial Chair Professor of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Huimin Zhao, has demonstrated the use of an innovative DNA engineering technique to discover potentially valuable functions hidden within bacterial genomes.

6 Dec 2013

Study reports new links between brain cell activity and choices where two options have equal appeal

Life presents us with choices all the time: salad or pizza for lunch? Tea or coffee afterward? How we make these everyday decisions has been a topic of great interest to economists, who have devised theories about how we assign values to our options and use those values to make decisions.

6 Dec 2013

Understanding biochemical mechanisms associated with memory formation

A discovery by a research team led by Dr. Ryohei Yasuda at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience has significantly advanced basic understanding of biochemical mechanisms associated with how memories are formed.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers discover biological mechanism that allows brain tumor cells to escape from drugs

Researchers from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a biological mechanism that allows brain tumor cells to escape from the drugs designed to target them, resulting in drug resistance. The study was published in the December 5, 2013 online issue of Science.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers produce erythrocyte progenitor cells by transducing two genes into iPS and ES cells

By transducing two genes (c-MYC and BCL-XL) into iPS cells and ES cells, a Kyoto University research team led by Prof. Koji Eto at CiRA has succeeded in producing erythrocyte progenitor cells with almost unlimited ability to replicate in vitro, which they then differentiated successfully into mature erythrocytes. Although these erythrocytes consisted mostly of fetal-type hemoglobin, they were confirmed to have oxygen-carrying capacity and to have circulatory capacity following transfusion into mice.

6 Dec 2013

Study reveals that brain cancer cells resist therapy by dialing down gene mutation targeted by drugs

A team of scientists, led by principal investigator Paul S. Mischel, MD, a member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has found that brain cancer cells resist therapy by dialing down the gene mutation targeted by drugs, then re-amplify that growth-promoting mutation after therapy has stopped.

6 Dec 2013

Scientists identify key factor for limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in skin

Sanford-Burnham scientists have identified the B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator (BTLA) inhibitory receptor as a key factor in limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in the skin. The study, published online today in Immunity, provides clarity on how T cells get fired up to protect against pathogens, and then cool down to restore immune homeostasis.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers take closer look at genetically engineered mouse models and human cancer samples

Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA have taken a closer look at existing mouse models of cancer, specifically comparing them to human cancer samples. These genetically engineered mouse models (which usually either overexpress a cancer-causing gene-or "oncogene"-or carry a deletion for a "tumor suppressor" gene) have been extensively used to understand human cancer biology in studies of drug resistance, early detection, metastasis, and cancer prevention, as well as for the preclinical development of novel targeted therapeutics.

6 Dec 2013

Hummingbirds able to switch from burning glucose to fructose equally, say researchers

Hummingbird metabolism is a marvel of evolutionary engineering. These tiny birds can power all of their energetic hovering flight by burning the sugar contained in the floral nectar of their diet.

6 Dec 2013

Researchers identify biomarker that may accurately predict prostate cancer spread

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Alberta in Canada have identified a biomarker for a cellular switch that accurately predicts which prostate cancer patients are likely to have their cancer recur or spread.

6 Dec 2013

ENC researchers point protein's role in prevention, management of type 2 diabetes

Nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, costing an economically devastating $245 billion per year in medical costs. Projections suggest one in three Americans will have diabetes in 2050 if present trends continue.

6 Dec 2013

Tel Aviv University says caffeine and alcohol can change part of DNA linked to aging, cancer

Coffee and beer are polar opposites in the beverage world. Coffee picks you up, and beer winds you down.

6 Dec 2013

Manipulation of Wnt/B-catenin pathway provides therapeutic targets for hair loss, skin cancer

A pathway known for its role in regulating adult stem cells has been shown to be important for hair follicle proliferation, but contrary to previous studies, is not required within hair follicle stem cells for their survival, according to researchers with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

5 Dec 2013

Researchers identify gene involved in building circuitry that relays signals via brain

Using a powerful gene-hunting technique for the first time in mammalian brain cells, researchers at Johns Hopkins report they have identified a gene involved in building the circuitry that relays signals through the brain.

5 Dec 2013

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

A platform that simulates how the body defends itself: The T cells of the immune system decide whether to trigger an immune response against foreign substances.

5 Dec 2013

Medical Science News

PKM2 protein controls mitosis, saving cancer cells from death and promoting brain tumor growth

New study reports first evidence of specific molecular changes in the body with meditation

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers find link between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer

Researchers illuminate inner workings of enzymes placed inside the outer envelopes of cells

Study uncovers novel mechanism by which glioblastoma evades targeted therapies

Innovative DNA engineering technique discovers potential functions hidden within bacterial genomes

Study reports new links between brain cell activity and choices where two options have equal appeal

Understanding biochemical mechanisms associated with memory formation

Researchers discover biological mechanism that allows brain tumor cells to escape from drugs

Researchers produce erythrocyte progenitor cells by transducing two genes into iPS and ES cells

Study reveals that brain cancer cells resist therapy by dialing down gene mutation targeted by drugs

Scientists identify key factor for limiting inflammatory responses, particularly in skin

Researchers take closer look at genetically engineered mouse models and human cancer samples

Hummingbirds able to switch from burning glucose to fructose equally, say researchers

Researchers identify biomarker that may accurately predict prostate cancer spread

ENC researchers point protein's role in prevention, management of type 2 diabetes

Tel Aviv University says caffeine and alcohol can change part of DNA linked to aging, cancer

Manipulation of Wnt/B-catenin pathway provides therapeutic targets for hair loss, skin cancer

Researchers identify gene involved in building circuitry that relays signals via brain

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

Microphysiological systems in drug discovery

Considerations for taking ASO discovery programs into animal models

Neurofilament light as a translational biomarker

Latest News