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Geron signs worldwide, exclusive license agreement with University of Edinburgh

Geron Corporation today announced that it has entered into a worldwide, exclusive license agreement with the University of Edinburgh covering technology that allows the efficient production of chondrocytes (cartilage forming cells) from human pluripotent stem cells.

13 Sep 2010

Scientists to present preclinical pharmacology data on TRV120027 at Heart Failure Society of America Meeting

Trevena Inc., the leader in the discovery and development of G-protein coupled receptor biased ligands, today announced that its scientists are presenting two posters featuring compelling preclinical pharmacology data on TRV120027 at the 14th Annual Heart Failure Society of America Meeting being held September 12-15, 2010 in San Diego.

13 Sep 2010

Genes behind aggregation of arsenic in plants

In many countries arsenic in food is a major problem. But researchers at the University of Skövde in Sweden have now identified two genes that may play a crucial role in how arsenic is stored in plants.

13 Sep 2010

Scientific advances in glycomics

The glycome, encompassing all of the complex sugars produced by an organism, is comprised of multiple families of molecules whose function in the human body is often determined by the structure, composition, and placement of the attached sugars, as explored in a comprehensive look at the field of glycomics in a group of key articles in OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The relevant articles are available free online at www.liebertpub.com/omi.

13 Sep 2010

Cell quality control mechanism research paves way for new understanding of neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have solved a long-standing mystery of how cells conduct "quality control" to eliminate the toxic effects of a certain kind of error in protein production. The findings may lead to a better understanding of a host of neurodegenerative diseases.

13 Sep 2010

Octapharma sponsors symposium on inhibitors in Haemophilia A

In a showing of its continued commitment to eradicating today's major complication in the treatment of haemophilia with FVIII concentrates − i.e. anti-FVIII neutralising antibodies − Octapharma AG recently sponsored a symposium, "Inhibitors in Haemophilia A: Prevention, Current Management and Personalised Therapy Perspectives", on July 13, 2010 at the World Federation of Haemophilia's (WFH's) yearly congress.

13 Sep 2010

Genetic misfolding of neuroligins protein may lead to autism spectrum disorders: Research

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has identified misfolding and other molecular anomalies in a key brain protein associated with autism spectrum disorders.

13 Sep 2010

Genotoxic effects of exposure to disinfection by-products in indoor swimming pools

Swimming in indoor chlorinated pools may induce genotoxicity (DNA damage that may lead to cancer) as well as respiratory effects, but the positive health effects of swimming can be maintained by reducing pool levels of the chemicals behind these potential health risks, according to a new study published in a set of three articles online September 12 ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP).

13 Sep 2010

Scientists discover gene associated with myopia

Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common eye disorder in the world and becoming more common, yet little is known about its genetic underpinnings.Scientists at Duke University Medical Center, in conjunction with several other groups, have uncovered a gene associated with myopia in Caucasian people from several different regions, including Dutch, British and Australian subjects.

13 Sep 2010

Men with low PSA level does not benefit further treatment: Study

Men aged 55 to 74 years who have low baseline blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) are not likely to benefit from further screening and treatment. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The aim of the study is to help physicians and patients weigh the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening and early detection.

13 Sep 2010

Scientists discover SNP association with primary open-angle glaucoma risk

Scientists at deCODE genetics and academic colleagues from Iceland, China, Sweden, the UK and Australia today report the discovery of the most important single-letter variation (SNP) in the sequence of the human genome yet associated with risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. This is the most common form of glaucoma and a major cause of blindness worldwide.

13 Sep 2010

Measuring PSA levels effective in detecting prostate cancer: Study

A new multinational study suggests that regular blood testing to measure levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is more effective at detecting prostate cancer in men with a genetic predisposition to the disease.

13 Sep 2010

Researchers find amyloid precursor protein function in Alzheimer's disease

In people with Alzheimer's, the brain becomes riddled with clumps of protein, forming what are known as amyloid plaques. Now, a report appearing in the September 17th print issue of Cell appears to have found a function for the amyloid precursor protein that yields the prime ingredient in those plaques.

13 Sep 2010

Researchers elucidate Qua1 spatial structure region of Sam68 protein

Using NMR spectroscopy, Professor Michael Sattler and his team elucidated the spatial structure of the Qua1 region of Sam68, which is responsible for the dimerization of the protein. In collaboration with the research group of Professor Ruth Brack-Werner of the Institute of Virology, the authors showed that this region is essential for the biological function of Sam68.

13 Sep 2010

NanoBio Corporation to present Nanoemulsion Phase I clinical trial data at ICAAC Conference

NanoBio Corporation today announced it will present data from two separate Phase 1 clinical trials at the 2010 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), taking place in Boston, Mass. from Sept. 12-15.

13 Sep 2010

Wisdom teeth contain reservoir of tissues to create stem cells: Study

For most people, wisdom teeth are not much more than an annoyance that eventually needs to be removed. However, a new study appearing in the September 17 Journal of Biological Chemistry shows that wisdom teeth contain a valuable reservoir of tissue for the creation of stem cells; thus, everyone might be carrying around his or her own personal stem-cell repository should he or she ever need some.

13 Sep 2010

New neurological deficit behind amblyopia

Researchers at New York University's Center for Neural Science have identified a new neurological deficit behind amblyopia, or "lazy eye." Their findings, which appear in the most recent issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, shed additional light on how amblyopia results from disrupted links between the brain and normal visual processing.

10 Sep 2010

Neurons add up pulses, and in decisive moments multiply

Using computer simulations of brain-like networks, researchers from Germany and Japan have discovered why nerve cells transmit information through small electrical pulses. Not only allows this the brain to process information much faster than previously thought: single neurons are already able to multiply, opening the door to more complex forms of computing.

10 Sep 2010

Appeals Court ruled that Feds can temporarily fund stem cell research

The Washington Post: "An appeals court ruled Thursday that the federal government can resume funding human embryonic stem cell research while the court reviews a judge's order that had temporarily prohibited such funding. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a request from the Justice Department to lift a temporary injunction issued Aug. 23 blocking the funding on the grounds that it violated a law barring funding any research that involves the destruction of human embryos.

10 Sep 2010

Brain is able to invent creative new solutions to perform impossible actions: Study

The human brain is a powerful simulation machine. Sports professionals and amateurs alike are well aware of the advantages of mentally rehearsing a movement prior to its execution and it is not surprising that the phenomenon, known as motor imagery, has already been extensively investigated. However, a new study published in the September 2010 issue of Elsevier's Cortex suggests that there may be more to motor imagery than previously thought.

10 Sep 2010