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Roche RTCA HT Instrument allows fully-automated impedance screens for GPCRs

Label-free technologies have entered the stage of cellular drug discovery and high-throughput screening (HTS). For the measurement of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation electrical impedance represents an excellent universal readout technology, since different signaling pathways can be measured in one assay format using recombinant as well as primary cells.

17 Jun 2011

Nuvilex describes advantages of cell encapsulation technology for multiple cancer therapies

Nuvilex, Inc. described today potential advantages of cell encapsulation technology for use in cancer therapies when more than one cancer-fighting drug is used.

17 Jun 2011

Study explains why some people experience repeated infections of Lyme disease

The bacteria that cause Lyme disease, one of the most important emerging diseases in the United States, appear to hide out in the lymph nodes, triggering a significant immune response, but one that is not strong enough to rout the infection, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

17 Jun 2011

Specific lipid mixtures can overcome lethal effects of multidrug-resistant bacteria

"Super bugs," which can cause wide-spread disease and may be resistant to most, if not all, conventional antibiotics, still have their weaknesses. A team of Canadian scientists discovered that specific mixtures of antimicrobial agents presented in lipid (fatty) mixtures can significantly boost the effectiveness of those agents to kill the resistant bacteria.

17 Jun 2011

Inaccurate number sense is one cause of math learning disabilities

A new study published today in the journal Child Development finds that having a poor "gut sense" of numbers can lead to a mathematical learning disability and difficulty in achieving basic math proficiency. This inaccurate number sense is just one cause of math learning disabilities, according to the research led by Dr. Michele Mazzocco of the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

17 Jun 2011

Snack-based diet can increase risk of obesity

A high-fat diet can be bad for your health. However, a snack-based "cafeteria"-style diet of highly palatable, energy-dense foods is even worse, according to new research.

17 Jun 2011

'Blue baby' study sheds light on basic biology

A newborn described as a "happy blue baby" because of her bluish skin color but healthy appearance made a small mark in medical history when one of her physicians discovered something new in her genes-the hemoglobin Toms River mutation.

17 Jun 2011

Biomedical engineers analyze and duplicate the neural mechanism of learning in rats

Scientists have developed a way to turn memories on and off-literally with the flip of a switch. Using an electronic system that duplicates the neural signals associated with memory, they managed to replicate the brain function in rats associated with long-term learned behavior, even when the rats had been drugged to forget.

17 Jun 2011

Men's flashy spending may work for the short term but not for marriage

New research by faculty at Rice University, the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) and the University of Minnesota finds that men's conspicuous spending is driven by the desire to have uncommitted romantic flings. And, gentlemen, women can see right through it.

17 Jun 2011

Food-based soy products safe for breast cancer survivors, expert says

There has been widespread concern about whether it is safe for women with breast cancer to eat soy. An excellent source of fiber, vitamin B6 and protein, soy is usually associated with a health-conscious diet, but research concerning its safety has been mixed.

17 Jun 2011

UTHealth receives $1M FEMA grant to examine link between Ad-36 infection, obesity

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) have been awarded nearly $1 million to investigate Adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) infection as a novel risk factor for obesity.

17 Jun 2011

Scientists uncover how immune system responds to invading anthrax bacteria

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have uncovered how the body's immune system launches its survival response to the notorious and deadly bacterium anthrax.

17 Jun 2011

Anxiety hinders detection during search for multiple objects

A person scanning baggage or X-rays stands a better chance of seeing everything they're searching for if they aren't feeling anxious, according to a new laboratory experiment.

17 Jun 2011

Key to remove stem cells responsible for fat expansion

Researchers may have found the key to developing a method to rid the body of stem cells responsible for driving fat expansion. According to a report in the June 16 Cell Stem Cell, a Cell Press publication, they've landed the first protein marker on the surface of those so-called adipose stromal cells (ASCs), which serve as progenitors of the cells that make up fat tissue.

17 Jun 2011

New weapon in the fight against cancer

A cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence. There are now quite a number of possibilities to treat cancer. In addition to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, so-called radionuclide treatment has also become an important component in the fight against the mutated cells. It involves injecting radioactive elements, so-called nuclides, into the patient's circulatory system.

17 Jun 2011

BGI releases first complete map of Germany E. coli O104:H4 genome

Building upon previous efforts producing a high-quality de novo genome assemblies of deadly 2011 E. coli O104:H4 outbreak strain, the BGI and their collaborators at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf have now released the first complete map of the genome and plasmids without any assembly gaps.

17 Jun 2011

A bravura singing performance attracts more interest from females, even in mice

Like rock stars of the rodent world, the flashiest performers of a Central American mouse species get the most attention from the ladies, a University of Florida study shows.

17 Jun 2011

Elsevier announces two new biomedical applications from Molecular Connections

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced two new applications from Molecular Connections, a life science informatics company, on SciVerse Applications beta.

17 Jun 2011

Varicocele surgery may increase testosterone production

As many as 15 percent of men have varicoceles, masses of enlarged and dilated veins in the testicles. There is new evidence that varicoceles, long known to be a cause of male infertility, interfere with the production of testosterone -- a crucial hormone to maintaining men's health.

17 Jun 2011

HRT use linked to decreased risk of peripheral arterial disease in postmenopausal women

A new study presented at the 65th Vascular Annual Meeting of the Society of Vascular Surgery found that the use of HRT in postmenopausal women is associated with a significant reduction in the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease.

17 Jun 2011