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EMA grants orphan designation to AMT for hemophilia B gene therapy

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted orphan designation for its gene therapy program for the treatment of hemophilia B. Orphan designation in the European Union provides several benefits including 10 years of market exclusivity from product launch and access to the central authorization procedure.

16 Nov 2011

Researchers identify key processes by which estrogen activates genes in breast-cancer cells

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered key processes by which estrogen, the female sex hormone, activates genes in breast-cancer cells.

16 Nov 2011

Study confirms link between CMV and mucoepidermoid carcinoma

An important new study from the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics at USC has confirmed cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a cause of the most common salivary gland cancers. CMV joins a group of fewer than 10 identified oncoviruses - cancer-causing viruses - including HPV.

16 Nov 2011

New research demonstrates brain's remarkable capacity to repair itself

New research released today demonstrates the brain's remarkable capacity to repair itself. The animal studies, which propose ways to prevent or limit damage after blood and oxygen deprivation and blood clots, were presented at Neuroscience 2011, the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.

16 Nov 2011

Type 2 diabetics with low cholesterol may carry residual risk of cardiac events

LipoScience, Inc., an in-vitro diagnostic company advancing patient care in cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases using an innovative and proprietary platform based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology, recognizes a presentation of clinical data which suggests that type 2 diabetics with low non-HDL and low LDL cholesterol may carry residual risk of a cardiac event based on high LDL particle numbers.

16 Nov 2011

TU Darmstadt chemists develop new method to diagnose Alzheimer's

Chemists at the Technische Universität Darmstadt have developed a new method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The method involves making protein deposits on mucous nasal membranes that are detectable years before the disease erupts visible.

16 Nov 2011

New computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses

For decades, scientists have dreamed of building computer systems that could replicate the human brain's talent for learning new tasks. MIT researchers have now taken a major step toward that goal by designing a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information. This phenomenon, known as plasticity, is believed to underlie many brain functions, including learning and memory.

16 Nov 2011

Scientists discover definitive role for brain in regulating loss of muscle mass

Patients with cancer, heart disease and other chronic illness struggle not only with complications inherent to their disease, they also experience an involuntary loss of weight and muscle mass triggered by the body's natural response to infection and inflammation. Increasing nutrition intake does not mitigate the process and there is no treatment.

16 Nov 2011

Silibinin stops spread of lung cancer in mice

Tissue with wound-like conditions allows tumors to grow and spread. In mouse lung cancer cells, treatment with silibinin, a major component of milk thistle, removed the molecular billboards that signal these wound-like conditions and so stopped the spread of these lung cancers, according to a recent study published in the journal Molecular Carcinogenesis.

16 Nov 2011

Specific gene variant may increase risk of premature death in people with alcohol dependency

People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death. This is a recent finding from the interdisciplinary research at the Department of Psychology and the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

15 Nov 2011

EPO-secreting engineered vessels could reverse anemia

Patients who rely on recombinant, protein-based drugs must often endure frequent injections, often several times a week, or intravenous therapy. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston demonstrate the possibility that blood vessels, made from genetically engineered cells, could secrete the drug on demand directly into the bloodstream.

15 Nov 2011

Scientists determine atomic structure of Lassa fever viral protein

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have determined the atomic structure of a protein that the Lassa fever virus uses to make copies of itself within infected cells.

15 Nov 2011

Scil Proteins completes manufacturing agreement with Lundbeck

Scil Proteins, a private biotech company specialized in the research, development and production of recombinant proteins, announced today the successful completion of a manufacturing agreement for Lundbeck, an international pharmaceutical company specializing in central nervous system disorders.

15 Nov 2011

Tigecycline antibiotic shows promise against leukemia

Clinician-scientists in the Princess Margaret Cancer Program have found a promising approach to treating leukemia, using an old drug in a new way.

15 Nov 2011

Stem cell therapy within 2 or 3 weeks does not improve heart function after attack

A research network led by a Mayo Clinic physician found that stem cells obtained from bone marrow delivered two to three weeks after a person has a heart attack did not improve heart function.

15 Nov 2011

Fact-checking Romney's debate performance

CNN examines comments made by GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney regarding the possible dollar savings that could result by repealing the health law, while the AP revisits his positions regarding the Massachusetts health law he signed while that state's governor. Also in the news, more on Rick Perry's Texas and where the candidates state on health research.

15 Nov 2011

Positive data from MDxHealth's prostate cancer test study

MDxHealth SA, a leading molecular diagnostics company in the field of personalized cancer treatment, today announced data showing that a prototype of its Prostate ConfirmMDx test can help urologists distinguish patients who have a true negative biopsy from those who may have occult cancer undetected by prostate biopsy and histopathological review.

15 Nov 2011

Mtb produces specific protein that allows it to defuse and bypass body's security system

Tuberculosis, which kills over 2 million people each year, is caused primarily by infectious bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis - or Mtb. Mtb targets human immune cells as part of its strategy to avoid detection, effectively neutralizing the body's immune response.

15 Nov 2011

Prox1 gene plays a critical role in formation and maintenance of lymphatic system

A century after the valves that link the lymphatic and blood systems were first described, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have detailed how those valves form and identified a gene that is critical to the process.

15 Nov 2011

Scientists find new tools to help understand neurodevelopmental disorders

Research released today shows that scientists are finding new tools to help understand neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and fragile X syndrome. These studies show in new detail how the brain's connections, chemicals, and genes interact to affect behavior.

15 Nov 2011