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Scientists identify oldest known DNA regulatory region

A team of scientists has discovered the oldest known DNA regulatory region, as reported in an article in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.

20 Sep 2011

Regular exercise also increases mitochondrial numbers in brain cells

Researchers have long known that regular exercise increases the number of organelles called mitochondria in muscle cells. Since mitochondria are responsible for generating energy, this numerical boost is thought to underlie many of the positive physical effects of exercise, such as increased strength or endurance. Exercise also has a number of positive mental effects, such as relieving depression and improving memory.

20 Sep 2011

Researchers identify 16 new genetic variations that affect blood pressure

High blood pressure is a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have participated in an international study of 200,000 Europeans which has identified 16 new genetic variations that affect blood pressure. The discovery, presented in Nature, is an important step towards better diagnostics and treatment.

20 Sep 2011

Vitrolife obtains Chinese SFDA approval for aspiration needles and micropipettes

Vitrolife has obtained regulatory approval from the Chinese SFDA (State Food and Drug Administration) for aspiration needles and micropipettes used for infertility treatment.

20 Sep 2011

FoxM1 protein plays a critical role in development of medulloblastomas

Medulloblastomas constitute the most frequent class of malignant childhood brain tumor. Tumors of this type arise due to the uncontrolled proliferation of immature nerve cells in the developing brain, and there is no targeted treatment available.

20 Sep 2011

SK Biopharmaceuticals, Mayo Clinic collaborate to develop new treatments for ALS

Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida has entered into a collaborative and sponsored research agreement with SK Biopharmaceuticals of Seoul, South Korea, with the goal of developing new treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. The collaboration marks a new approach to combating a disease that has proved difficult to treat in recent clinical trials.

20 Sep 2011

UNC researchers reveal genetic underpinnings of Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells

Within the immune system, a subtle balance exists between the cells that destroy alien pathogens and those that preserve the body's own tissues. When the balance gets out of whack, the cells that normally target viruses or bacteria can go astray, attacking innocent cells and causing autoimmune and inflammatory disease.

20 Sep 2011

New UCSB technology can identify cancerous prostate cells

A team of researchers at UC Santa Barbara has developed a breakthrough technology that can be used to discriminate cancerous prostate cells in bodily fluids from those that are healthy.

20 Sep 2011

UNC researchers develop technique that can observe cellular intricacies of CF

When researchers discovered the primary genetic defect that causes cystic fibrosis (CF) back in 1989, they opened up a new realm of research into treatment and a cure for the disease. Since then, scientists have been able to clone the defective gene and study its effects in animals. Now researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a technique for observing the defects at work in human tissue donated by patients with CF.

20 Sep 2011

Calgary researchers discover new class of anti-inflammatory agents

By using a mouse model of inflammation researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered a new class of molecules that can inhibit the recruitment of some white blood cells to sites of inflammation in the body.

20 Sep 2011

Powerful new antibiotic treatment for MRSA and C. difficile bugs

MGB Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company which has licensed technology from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, is developing a powerful new antibiotic treatment for resistant infections including the deadly MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) bugs.

20 Sep 2011

OvaGene's new molecular diagnostics laboratory receives CLIA-certification

OvaGene Oncology Inc., a molecular diagnostics company specializing in the development and commercialization of personalized gene-based diagnostics for gynecologic cancer, announced today that the company has received Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certification for their newly constructed state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics laboratory.

20 Sep 2011

Mayo Clinic, SK biopharmaceuticals collaborate to discover new ALS drugs

South Korean biotech SK biopharmaceuticals announced yesterday that they signed an agreement to collaborate with the Mayo Clinic for the discovery of new drugs targeting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

20 Sep 2011

Phenex commences Px-102 first-in-man Phase I study for Metabolic Syndrome and NAFLD

Phenex Pharmaceuticals AG announced today the start of a first-in-man Phase I study with its clinical drug candidate Px-102, a synthetic non-steroidal FXR agonist. The volunteers of the first dose level received the drug and showed no signs of discomfort or other adverse effects.

19 Sep 2011

High dietary salt intake and obesity together trigger abnormal activation of cellular protein

Dietary salt intake and obesity are two important risk factors in the development of high blood pressure. Each packs its own punch, but when combined, they deliver more damage to the heart and kidneys than the sum of their individual contributions.

19 Sep 2011

Scientists discover common genetic variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Common genetic variants contribute to the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, an international research consortium has discovered.

19 Sep 2011

Intelligent t-shirt patient biomonitoring platform

Using this garment-based patient biomonitoring platform allows us to register a number of the patient's physiological parameters in a non-intrusive manner. "The information gathered by an intelligent t-shirt using e-textile technology is sent, without using wires, to an information management system, which then shows the patient's location and vital signs in real time", explain the UC3M researchers.

19 Sep 2011

Researcher identifies genetic mutation responsible for adermatoglyphia

Like DNA, fingerprints are unique to each person or set of identical twins. That makes them a valuable identification tool for everything from crime detection to international travel. But what happens when the tips of our fingers are missing those distinctive patterns of ridges?

19 Sep 2011

Capacity for learning in birds not linked to overall brain size

Call a bird "birdbrained" and they may call "fowl." Cornell University researchers have proven that the capacity for learning in birds is not linked to overall brain size, but to the relative size and proportion of their specific brain regions.

19 Sep 2011