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New analytical method can develop specific drugs against parasites, bacteria

A team led by Professor Malcolm McConville from the Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne developed a new analytical method which can be used for many infectious parasites and bacteria.

6 Aug 2011

Diet and genetics dictate adult jaw shape

Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that use over time and not just genetics informs the structure of jaw bones in human populations. The researchers say these findings may be used to predict the diet of an ancient population, even if little evidence exists in the fossil record. It can also make it easier for scientists to pinpoint the genetic relationship between fossils.

6 Aug 2011

Metallofullerene platform holds promise for treatment of brain tumors

A single compound with dual function - the ability to deliver a diagnostic and therapeutic agent - may one day be used to enhance the diagnosis, imaging and treatment of brain tumors, according to findings from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech.

5 Aug 2011

Scientists identify small molecule inhibitors of cellular uptake

Scientists from Freie Universität Berlin and the NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence led by biochemist Volker Haucke in collaboration with colleagues from Australia and the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology in Berlin have developed small molecules that inhibit the internalization of important signaling molecules but also of pathogenic organisms such as the immunodeficiency virus and bacteria into cells.

5 Aug 2011

Gazpacho shows lower vitamin C content after preparation

The paper referred to in this article has been published in the European Journal of Public Health In summer, more dishes like gazpacho -a cold soup containing raw vegetables, bread, olive oil and vinegar- are consumed. A new study has revealed that gazpacho ingredients' vitamin C content as well as other organic acids is lower in the resulting mixture, meaning that it should be eaten immediately after preparation.

5 Aug 2011

Novel studies explore new targets to prevent spread of breast cancer

Research into new methods to prevent and slow metastatic breast cancer will be presented this week at the Era of Hope conference, a scientific meeting hosted by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.

5 Aug 2011

New strategies for successful donor adult stem cell transplants in blood cancer patients

Findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers may suggest new strategies for successful donor adult stem cell transplants in patients with blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

5 Aug 2011

Scientists identify reasons behind why we are unable to recognise faces

The research, led by Dr Clea Warburton and Dr Gareth Barker in the University's School of Physiology and Pharmacology and published in the Journal of Neuroscience, has investigated why we can recognise faces much better if we have extra clues as to where or indeed when we encountered them in the first place.

5 Aug 2011

New polymer effectively captures nicotine molecules and analogues

Newly synthesized polymer, fitted with molecular pincers of carefully tailored structure, effectively captures nicotine molecules and its analogues.

5 Aug 2011

Key protein discoveries could lead to new lung repair therapies for children, adults

A team at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles has made crucial discoveries about the role of key proteins in wound healing in the tiny air sacs in the lungs known as "alveoli" that could lead to new therapies for children and adults.

5 Aug 2011

AAA journal secures number 1 rank in science education category

What began as a gleam in the eye of now co-editor Rick Drake and colleagues at the anatomy chairs' meeting in 2006, launched in 2008, and is now the highest ranking journal in science education? If you said Anatomical Sciences Education (ASE), you would be absolutely correct!

5 Aug 2011

Scientists convert human skin cells into forebrain neurons

Columbia University Medical Center researchers have for the first time directly converted human skin cells into functional forebrain neurons, without the need for stem cells of any kind.

5 Aug 2011

Entomologist to study how immune system responds to rickettsial infection

Summer for most people means time spent outdoors, which could also mean increased exposure to bugs and, possibly, arthropod-borne diseases, such as "rickettsial diseases" - infectious diseases spread by bacteria, which, generally, are transmitted by lice, fleas, ticks and mites.

5 Aug 2011

Researchers study factors linked with concussion occurrence and recovery in athletes

With sports camps starting up again, many schools are putting measures in place to prevent concussions. But what if some people are just genetically predisposed to getting them? Ryan Tierney, a professor of kinesiology at Temple University, has been studying the genes of college athletes to figure out whether this is the case.

5 Aug 2011

BD Biosciences, Fluidigm to co-host public seminars on isolation and analysis of single cells

Fluidigm Corporation announced today a collaboration with BD Biosciences, a segment of BD, to co-host a public seminar series on the isolation and analysis of single cells. Entitled A Powerful Technique for Single-Cell Analysis, the public seminar series will showcase cell isolation using the BD FACSAria III Cell Sorter and analysis using the Fluidigm BioMark HD System.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 5 Aug 2011

Levels of body chemical PCT influence duration of antibiotic use

Measuring the levels of a natural body chemical may allow doctors to reduce the duration of antibiotic use and improve the health outcomes of critically ill patients.

5 Aug 2011

Novel DNA sensing pathway linked to increased susceptibility to malaria

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have uncovered a novel DNA-sensing pathway important to the triggering of an innate immune response for malaria. Activation of this pathway appears to stimulate production of an overabundance of type-1 interferon by the immune system that may contribute to inflammation and fever in malaria patients and could play a part in susceptibility for the most common and lethal form of malaria known as plasmodium falciparum.

5 Aug 2011

Higher levels of B cells make women more prone to autoimmune diseases

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a type of cell that may contribute to autoimmune disease and suggests why diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis strike women more frequently than men. The cells, a subset of immune-system B cells, make autoantibodies, which bind to and attack the body's own tissue.

5 Aug 2011

Specific microRNA cluster could play a key role in retinoblastoma development

New research from a team including several Carnegie scientists demonstrates that a specific small segment of RNA could play a key role in the growth of a type of malignant childhood eye tumor called retinoblastoma.

5 Aug 2011