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The .brain format may be the best compression algorithm, for now

Most of us are familiar with the idea of image compression in computers. File extensions like ".jpg" or ".png" signify that millions of pixel values have been compressed into a more efficient format, reducing file size by a factor of 10 or more with little or no apparent change in image quality. The full set of original pixel values would occupy too much space in computer memory and take too long to transmit across networks.

11 Feb 2011

First 7 stem cell lines grown at UMMS Human Stem Cell Bank ready for global distribution

The first seven stem cell lines grown and banked at the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Human Stem Cell Bank are ready for worldwide distribution to researchers working on discovering new therapeutic treatments for diseases such as cancer, juvenile diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, among others.

11 Feb 2011

Researchers find 2 neural pathways that play role in developing phobias

Why do some people fret over the most trivial matters while others remain calm in the face of calamity? Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have identified two different chinks in our brain circuitry that explain why some of us are more prone to anxiety.

11 Feb 2011

Cancer cells 'addicted' to self-preservation process

A team of investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ); Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and Princeton University, have determined that cancer cells are "addicted" to a self-preservation process known as autophagy. They also showed that the inhibition of that process could prove to be a valuable treatment approach for aggressive cancers. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

11 Feb 2011

Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy provides multiple benefits in preclinical models of ischemic stroke

Medical researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) presented new research results at the American Heart Association International Stroke Conference that demonstrated how MultiStem-, a novel stem cell therapy being developed by Athersys, Inc. provided multiple benefits when administered in preclinical models of ischemic stroke.

11 Feb 2011

Viral infection of Leishmania leads to increased pathogenicity

A parasite and a virus may be teaming up in a way that increases the parasite's ability to harm humans, scientists at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report this week in Science.

11 Feb 2011

Scientists develop novel treatment strategy for multiple myeloma

Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have developed a novel treatment strategy for multiple myeloma that pairs two targeted agents to kill cancer cells. The study's findings, published in today's edition of the journal "Blood," are the first to demonstrate the synergistic, anti-myeloma effects of this combination regimen both in vitro and in vivo.

11 Feb 2011

Patients with high blood pressure have benign endocrine tumours in adrenal gland: Research

High blood pressure may in some cases be caused by benign hormone-producing tumours of the adrenal cortex. A joint Swedish-American research effort has now uncovered a genetic cause behind the occurrence of such tumours. The findings were published today in the journal Science.

11 Feb 2011

DOPAL plays key role in killing dopamine neurons which trigger Parkinson's disease: Study

In new research from Saint Louis University, investigators have found evidence that a toxin produced by the brain is responsible for the series of cellular events that lead to Parkinson's disease. The study, published in PLoS One, found that the brain toxin DOPAL plays a key role in killing the dopamine neurons which trigger the illness.

10 Feb 2011

Presence of jumping genes, amplified oncogenes may be key to tumor progression: Researchers

The Massachusetts General Hospital research team that first discovered tumor-associated RNA in tiny membrane-enclosed sacs released into the bloodstream by cancer cells has now found that these microvesicles also contain segments of tumor DNA, including retrotransposons - also called "jumping genes" - that copy and insert themselves into other areas of the genome.

10 Feb 2011

Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors laid bare

For the first time, researchers have laid bare the full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors, uncovering alterations that have never before been detected and offering a deep view of the genetic missteps that underlie the disease. The study, made possible by key advances in whole genome sequencing and analysis, points to several new prostate cancer genes and a critical category of genomic changes as important drivers of prostate cancer growth.

10 Feb 2011

Women with high folic acid levels may impact child's risk of developing asthma

Recent Norwegian research suggests that there may be a connection between high levels of folic acid in pregnant mothers and the development of asthma in their children. However, the researchers stress that pregnant women should continue to take folic acid supplements.

10 Feb 2011

Phospholipid membranes demonstrate ability to absorb lanthanum cations

University of Granada scientists and the Spanish Higher Institute for Scientific Research (CSIC) have made significant progress in understanding lipid membranes, which are extensively employed in the development of cosmetic and drug products, and which have potential application in the field of nanotechnology.

10 Feb 2011

Key advance in development of fast, simple test for detection of cholera

With cholera on the rampage in Haiti and almost 40 other countries, scientists are reporting the development of a key advance that could provide a fast, simple test to detect the toxin that causes the disease. The report appears in ACS' journal Bioconjugate Chemistry. Cholera affects more than 200,000 people annually, mainly in developing countries, and causes about 5,000 deaths. Many involve infants, children, and the elderly.

10 Feb 2011

Brain reacts differently to fructose compared with another common sweetener, glucose

The dietary concerns of too much fructose is well documented. High-fructose corn syrup has become the sweetener most commonly added to processed foods. Many dietary experts believe this increase directly correlates to the nation's growing obesity epidemic. Now, new research at Oregon Health & Science University demonstrates that the brain - which serves as a master control for body weight - reacts differently to fructose compared with another common sweetener, glucose.

10 Feb 2011

DNA sequencing of maternal blood plasma can accurately detect trisomy 21

In a study published online today in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers from the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine confirmed that DNA sequencing of maternal blood plasma could accurately detect trisomy 21.

10 Feb 2011

Scientists develop novel approach to detect long-distance chromosomal interactions for CAD

The discovery that a "gene desert" on chromosome 9 was a hotspot for coronary artery disease (CAD) risk was among the highlights of findings produced recently by genome-wide association studies, which compare the genomes of many people for genetic variations and have been broadly used in the past few years to study hundreds of diseases and complex traits. Gene deserts are large genomic segments devoid of genes.

10 Feb 2011

Three proteins responsible for success of progesterone treatments in prevention of preterm labor

Research presented today at the 31st Annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) ― The Pregnancy Meeting™ has found that three proteins known as XIAP, BID, and Bcl-2 are responsible in part for the success of progesterone treatments in the prevention of preterm labor. They may also play an important role in triggering normal labor.

10 Feb 2011

Study finds high prevalence of HS-AGING in individuals older than 95

The population of aged persons worldwide is expanding rapidly, and it is becoming increasingly clear that there are many different diseases that affect the minds of these individuals. Researchers at the University of Kentucky are breaking new ground in the ongoing project of identifying and defining those diseases most likely to affect an aged population.

10 Feb 2011

Breakthrough in cancer research can help reduce heart failure, increase survival rates

A breakthrough by scientists at Queen's University Belfast could help reduce heart failure in cancer patients around the world, and ultimately increase survival rates.

10 Feb 2011

Medical Science News

The .brain format may be the best compression algorithm, for now

First 7 stem cell lines grown at UMMS Human Stem Cell Bank ready for global distribution

Researchers find 2 neural pathways that play role in developing phobias

Cancer cells 'addicted' to self-preservation process

Athersys' MultiStem cell therapy provides multiple benefits in preclinical models of ischemic stroke

Viral infection of Leishmania leads to increased pathogenicity

Scientists develop novel treatment strategy for multiple myeloma

Patients with high blood pressure have benign endocrine tumours in adrenal gland: Research

DOPAL plays key role in killing dopamine neurons which trigger Parkinson's disease: Study

Presence of jumping genes, amplified oncogenes may be key to tumor progression: Researchers

Full genetic blueprint of multiple prostate tumors laid bare

Women with high folic acid levels may impact child's risk of developing asthma

Phospholipid membranes demonstrate ability to absorb lanthanum cations

Key advance in development of fast, simple test for detection of cholera

Brain reacts differently to fructose compared with another common sweetener, glucose

DNA sequencing of maternal blood plasma can accurately detect trisomy 21

Scientists develop novel approach to detect long-distance chromosomal interactions for CAD

Three proteins responsible for success of progesterone treatments in prevention of preterm labor

Study finds high prevalence of HS-AGING in individuals older than 95

Breakthrough in cancer research can help reduce heart failure, increase survival rates

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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