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PROLOR reports positive DSMB review of long-acting human growth hormone clinical trial

PROLOR Biotech, Inc., a company developing next generation biobetter therapeutic proteins, today reported that patient enrollment and dosing in the Phase II trial of its long-acting version of human growth hormone (hGH-CTP) are proceeding according to plan, with study completion targeted for mid-year 2011.

14 Feb 2011

NHGRI's new strategic plan to identify genetic bases of most single-gene disorders

A new strategic plan from an arm of the National Institutes of Health envisions scientists being able to identify genetic bases of most single-gene disorders and gaining new insights into multi-gene disorders in the next decade. This should lead to more accurate diagnoses, new drug targets and the development of practical treatments for many who today lack therapeutic options, according to the plan from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

14 Feb 2011

Positive clinical data of AVEO's tivozanib featured at 2011 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that previously reported positive clinical data evaluating tivozanib, its lead product candidate designed to optimally block the VEGF pathway by inhibiting all three VEGF receptors, in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) will be featured in several poster presentations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2011 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium being held February 17-19, 2011 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla.

14 Feb 2011

First chromogenic culture medium to simultaneously detect Salmonella and Shigella

Hardy Diagnostics, an ISO certified biomedical firm, is pleased to announce the release of HardyCHROM™ SS, a highly selective chromogenic medium recommended for use as a primary screening medium for the isolation and differentiation of Salmonella and Shigella spp. from stool cultures. These two pathogens can be easily distinguished from non-pathogenic enteric bacteria based on colony color.

14 Feb 2011

Vitamin D levels not linked to prostate cancer development

Vitamin D levels do not affect men's chances of developing prostate cancer, according to new research published in the journal Cancer Causes and Control.

14 Feb 2011

Sequencing of whole prostate cancer genomes - an historic development

Today's announcement regarding the sequencing of whole prostate cancer genomes is an historic development in the fight against prostate cancer. The ability to sequence whole genomes will spare some patients from unnecessary treatments and side effects while eliminating an estimated $1.5 billion that is spent each year on overtreatment. The complete research findings will be published in the February 10 issue of Nature.

14 Feb 2011

Oestrogen reduces risk of breast cancer: Study

A team of researchers at CIC bioGUNE has revealed that oestrogen can reduce the risk of breast cancer. Their work shows that oestrogen is capable of reducing the number of breast cancer stem cells, which may explain the lower aggression of the tumour and, as a consequence, the possibility of a better prognosis.

14 Feb 2011

World's earliest functional prosthetic body parts on Egyptian mummy

Two artificial big toes - one found attached to the foot of an ancient Egyptian mummy - may have been the world's earliest functional prosthetic body parts, says the scientist who tested replicas on volunteers.

14 Feb 2011

Study shows beneficial anti-fibrotic effects of Pentraxin-2 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Promedior, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies to treat fibrotic and inflammatory diseases, announced today the publication of collaborative research in the International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology entitled, "TGF-beta driven lung fibrosis is macrophage dependent and blocked by Serum amyloid P."

14 Feb 2011

Interaction of two genes helps growing nerve cells realise reaching of target

The human brain consists of approximately one hundred billion nerve cells. Each of these cells needs to connect to specific other cells during the brain's development in order to form a fully functional organism. Yet how does a nerve cell know where it should grow and which cells to contact? Scientists of the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried have now shown that growing nerve cells realise when they've reached their target area in the fly brain thanks to the interaction of two genes.

14 Feb 2011

CX3CL1 signaling chemical can offer better understanding of Parkinson's disease

Targeting the neuroinflammatory causes of Parkinson's disease with a naturally present brain chemical signal could offer a better understanding of the clinical mechanisms of the disease and open a future therapeutic window, reports a team of researchers from the University of South Florida Department Neurosurgery and Brain Repair and the James A. Haley Veterans' Administration Hospital, Tampa.

14 Feb 2011

Some fat is essential for body function

It's common knowledge that too much cholesterol and other fats can lead to disease, and that a healthy diet involves watching how much fatty food we eat. However, our bodies need a certain amount of fat to function—and we can't make it from scratch.

14 Feb 2011

New study establishes link between coronary artery disease and genetic susceptibility

A new study involving researchers at the Scripps Translational Science Institute and Scripps Health patients reveals major scientific progress in understanding the mechanism of heart disease at the molecular and genomic levels. STSI is an initiative of Scripps Health in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute.

14 Feb 2011

New study on mosquito genome sequences to identify 'transposable elements'

A team of scientists at the University of California, Riverside has begun working on a mosquito research project that, if successful, will provide valuable genetic resources capable of transforming the way mosquito research is conducted around the world.

14 Feb 2011

Biologists unlock chemical clues to courtship in swordtail urine

When you've got to go, you've got to go - upstream, that is, if you are a male swordtail fish seeking a mate, according to research from Texas A&M University.

14 Feb 2011

Cocktail of different hormones influence love and lust

With Valentine's Day fast approaching and with love in the air Dr Lisa Matthewman offers us a guide to 'The Mysteries of Love and Lust' at the British Psychological Society's 'Psychology for All' public event on the 26 March, University of Westminster, Marylebone Campus.

14 Feb 2011

First evidence of human DNA fragment in bacterial genome

If a human cell and a bacterial cell met at a speed-dating event, they would never be expected to exchange phone numbers, much less genetic material. In more scientific terms, a direct transfer of DNA has never been recorded from humans to bacteria.

14 Feb 2011

People from northern and southern Sweden differ from each other genetically

People from northern and southern Sweden differ from each other genetically, according to the largest genetic study of the Swedish population yet. Swedes also have genetically more in common with Germans and British than with Finns. The study, performed jointly at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and University of Helsinki, has been published in PLoS ONE.

14 Feb 2011

Spinal cord sugar residues regulate growth and survival of nerve cells: Study

Researchers in Bochum have found out that certain sugar residues in the spinal cord regulate the growth and survival of nerve cells which control the movement of muscles. "We hope that our findings can improve regenerative treatment of nerve injuries", explains Prof. Dr. Stefan Wiese from the Molecular Cell Biology study group.

14 Feb 2011

Positive data from second study of predictive preterm birth biomarkers presented at SMFM meeting

Sera Prognostics, a women's health company developing diagnostic tests for early prediction of preterm birth and other pregnancy complications, today announced that preliminary analyses of data from a second study of predictive preterm birth biomarkers generally confirmed researchers' earlier results and were able to identify up to 92 percent of pregnant women who went on to have a preterm birth.

14 Feb 2011