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α-defensins1-3 may be potential prophylactic agents in treatment of HIV / AIDS

HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges, particularly in developing countries. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), the variant responsible for the pandemic, has the ability to infect different cell types such as T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells (DC). These latter cells are crucial in the defense against infectious agents and play a major role in viral pathogenesis.

25 Feb 2010

Platelet function tests may predict heart attack, says study

An analysis of six tests that are used to measure platelet function and help gauge the effectiveness of antiplatelet drugs for patients undergoing a cardiac procedure such as a coronary stent implantation found that only three of the tests were associated with a modest ability to predict outcomes such as heart attack or death, according to a study in the February 24 issue of JAMA.

25 Feb 2010

Signaling molecules may link certain actions of B cells to solid tumor growth: Study

Cancer researchers studying the immune system have identified a previously unrecognized set of targets and biomarkers to battle solid tumors.

25 Feb 2010

Transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into injured spinal cord increases movement recovery

Researchers at UTHealth have demonstrated in rats that transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into an injured spinal cord can help restore the electrical pathways associated with movement. The results are published in the Feb. 24 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

25 Feb 2010

Neutron scattering could play a key role in curbing HIV and global warming

Subatomic particles called neutrons are poised to play a big role in fighting HIV, slowing global warming, and improving manufacturing processes.

25 Feb 2010

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

An international research team led by Columbia University Medical Center successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. This strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of blindness that affects approximately one in 3,000 to 4,000 people, or 1.5 million people worldwide.

25 Feb 2010

SeqWright deploys Isilon scale-out NAS storage solution for next-generation genomic sequencing services

Isilon® Systems today announced that SeqWright has deployed Isilon scale-out NAS as an end-to-end storage solution for its full range of next-generation genomic sequencing services. By combining Isilon's X-Series, NL-Series and Backup Accelerator, SeqWright has created a comprehensive solution for every stage of its DNA sequencing workflow – from primary storage, to nearline archival, to tape backup – accelerating time-to-results without requiring full-time storage administration.

25 Feb 2010

Brain implant helps scientists in determining link between brainwave patterns and attention

A paralyzed patient implanted with a brain-computer interface device has allowed scientists to determine the relationship between brain waves and attention.

25 Feb 2010

Rapamycin may hold promise for Alzheimer's disease

Rapamycin, a drug that keeps the immune system from attacking transplanted organs, may have another exciting use: fighting Alzheimer's disease.

25 Feb 2010

Scientists one step closer to innovative drug delivery

A team of scientists led by Dr Simon Richardson at the University of Greenwich has got a step closer to one of the holy grails of drug delivery.

25 Feb 2010

Increase in anti-Apo A-I, anti-HDL and anti-CRP may lead to atherosclerosis in SLE patients

A study by researchers in Australia and the United Kingdom suggests that autoantibodies to fat binding proteins significantly increase in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with active disease. This increase in anti-apolipoprotein (anti-Apo A-I), anti-high-density lipoprotein (anti-HDL), and anti-C-reactive protein (anti-CRP) may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in SLE patients, placing them at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

25 Feb 2010

High blood pressure drugs may be useful in preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy: Study

Scientists in Massachusetts are reporting new evidence that certain high blood pressure drugs may be useful in preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. The study, the largest to date on proteins in the retina, could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the sight-threatening disease, they say.

25 Feb 2010

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

In ongoing work to identify how genes interact with social environments to impact human health, UCLA researchers have discovered what they describe as a biochemical link between misery and death. In addition, they found a specific genetic variation in some individuals that seems to disconnect that link, rendering them more biologically resilient in the face of adversity.

25 Feb 2010

Life Technologies adds SOLiD PI System to sequencing solutions portfolio

Life Technologies Corporation today announced plans for the Applied Biosystems SOLiD™ PI System, a new highly accurate, flexible and easy-to-use genomic analysis platform that will bring next-generation sequencing within the grasp of all life science research laboratories worldwide. Early customer adoption of the SOLiD PI System is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.

24 Feb 2010

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

Transgenomic, Inc. announced today that it has licensed on an exclusive U.S. basis intellectual property from IntegraGen SA that will enable Transgenomic to develop and commercialize a genetic test designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Under the agreement Transgenomic will develop the test in the Company's CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, and anticipates launching the new test in the second quarter of 2010. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

24 Feb 2010

Prothesis made of nanocompound material may last more than 150 years

Current body protheses do not last more than 10-15 years. After this time, the operation has to be repeated in order to change prothesis. It is usually problematic as, in general, it is elderly people that use the procedure. Researcher Nere Garmendia, based in the Basque city of Donostia-San Sebasti-n, has just published her PhD, a thesis which may well mean the first step to solving this problem. According to Ms Garmendia, using a ceramic material called zirconia (Zr02), carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles of zirconia, a prothesis that will last more than 150 years can be produced.

24 Feb 2010

Over-produced PKC-iota oncogene linked to poor pancreatic cancer patient survival

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have found that PKC-iota (PKC), an oncogene important in colon and lung cancers, is over-produced in pancreatic cancer and is linked to poor patient survival. They also found that genetically inhibiting PKC in laboratory animals led to a significant decrease in pancreatic tumor growth and spread.

24 Feb 2010

Phase III trial results of Osiris Therapeutics' Prochymal for GvHD to be presented at BMT Tandem Meeting

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that results from the Phase III trial evaluating Prochymal for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute graft vs. host disease (GvHD) will be presented by Paul Martin, M.D., of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Paul Szabolcs, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center at the 2010 BMT Tandem Meeting. The meeting is being held February 24-28 in Orlando, Florida.

24 Feb 2010

ES cells-functions: Condensins promote mitotic progression and maintain interphase chromatin compaction

Regulatory proteins common to all eukaryotic cells can have additional, unique functions in embryonic stem (ES) cells, according to a study in the February 22 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (www.jcb.org). If cancer progenitor cells-which function similarly to stem cells-are shown to rely on these regulatory proteins in the same way, it may be possible to target them therapeutically without harming healthy neighboring cells.

24 Feb 2010

Nominations accepted for 2010 George Washington Carver Award

The third annual George Washington Carver Award will recognize significant contributions by an individual to the field of industrial biotechnology, including applications in biological engineering, environmental science, biorefining and biobased products. The Biotechnology Industry Organization today announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2010 George Washington Carver Award, which will be presented at the 2010 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, June 27-30, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

24 Feb 2010

Medical Science News

α-defensins1-3 may be potential prophylactic agents in treatment of HIV / AIDS

Platelet function tests may predict heart attack, says study

Signaling molecules may link certain actions of B cells to solid tumor growth: Study

Transplanting genetically modified adult stem cells into injured spinal cord increases movement recovery

Neutron scattering could play a key role in curbing HIV and global warming

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

SeqWright deploys Isilon scale-out NAS storage solution for next-generation genomic sequencing services

Brain implant helps scientists in determining link between brainwave patterns and attention

Rapamycin may hold promise for Alzheimer's disease

Scientists one step closer to innovative drug delivery

Increase in anti-Apo A-I, anti-HDL and anti-CRP may lead to atherosclerosis in SLE patients

High blood pressure drugs may be useful in preventing and treating diabetic retinopathy: Study

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

Life Technologies adds SOLiD PI System to sequencing solutions portfolio

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

Prothesis made of nanocompound material may last more than 150 years

Over-produced PKC-iota oncogene linked to poor pancreatic cancer patient survival

Phase III trial results of Osiris Therapeutics' Prochymal for GvHD to be presented at BMT Tandem Meeting

ES cells-functions: Condensins promote mitotic progression and maintain interphase chromatin compaction

Nominations accepted for 2010 George Washington Carver Award

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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