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Studies examine interaction of ribosome with molecular partners

Two new studies reveal in unprecedented detail how the ribosome interacts with other molecules to assemble new proteins and guide them toward their destination in biological cells. The studies used molecular dynamics flexible fitting (MDFF) to examine the interaction of the ribosome with two prominent molecular partners.

24 Nov 2009

SANYO releases whitepaper on its new cell culture CO2 incubator

SANYO North America's Biomedical and Environmental Division has released a new whitepaper showing that higher up-time ratios, based on new protocols that minimize incubator downtime when compared to conventional decontamination methods, can accelerate a return on investment in cell culture CO2 incubators that use hydrogen peroxide vapor (H2O2) in conjunction with narrow-bandwidth ultraviolet light and copper-enriched stainless steel.

24 Nov 2009

Multidisciplinary program to understand the phenomenon of mind within the context of neuroscience

As we seek a better understanding of the workings of the human mind, we are continually confronted by fresh ethical, legal, and social questions. Now, researchers are increasingly emphasizing the role of a new discipline, neuroethics, to guide the search for answers to those questions. This will become even more important as we embark upon an envisioned “Decade of the Mind” in 2010, a multidisciplinary effort dedicated to understanding the phenomenon of mind within the context of neuroscience.

24 Nov 2009

Scientists determine how insulin resistant drugs alter core biochemical pathways through systems biology approach

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego recently offered the sharpest-yet picture of how core biochemical pathways in skeletal muscle cells and fat cells are altered in people who suffer from insulin resistance-a primary defect in type 2 diabetes and obesity. Taking a systems biology approach, the bioengineers and medical researchers also determined how a common class of drugs for treating insulin resistance-TZDs-alter these same core pathways.

24 Nov 2009

Study reveals high levels of cardiac biomarkers in the blood of heart attack patients

Many heart attack patients have high levels of cardiac biomarkers in the blood for several months after leaving the hospital, with more shortness of breath and chest pain, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

24 Nov 2009

Seattle Genetics and Agensys expand ADC collaboration

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGEN) and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Astellas, announced today an expansion of the companies’ antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration. Under the amended agreement, Agensys will pay a $12 million fee for exclusive rights to ADC licenses against additional antigen targets. Seattle Genetics also receives an option to co-develop another ADC at the time of investigational new drug (IND) submission.

24 Nov 2009

Exposure to gas fumes can increase aggressive behavior

Outrageous prices may not be the only thing causing anger at the petrol pumps. A new study, published in the open access journal BMC Physiology, has shown that rats exposed to fumes from leaded and unleaded gasoline become more aggressive.

24 Nov 2009

NIGMS invests $42.3 million in "Grand Opportunities" grant

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is investing $42.3 million for grants in scientific areas it identified as "Grand Opportunities (GO)." NIH developed the GO grant program to stimulate biomedical research and the economy using funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).

24 Nov 2009

Human-derived UCB stem cell transplant has positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders

Two separate studies published in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (18:8), - now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct - have shown that transplanted human-derived umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells transplanted in an animal model had positive therapeutic effects on specific lung and heart disorders the animal models.

24 Nov 2009

Vitamin D: A multi-purpose nutrient for overall health

A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."

24 Nov 2009

Research suggests common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease

Current research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. The related report by Nichols et al, "Unique Lipids from a Common Human Bacterium Represent a New Class of TLR2 Ligands Capable of Enhancing Autoimmunity," appears in the December 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

23 Nov 2009

Mutated IDH1 gene linked to the progression of gliomas

23 Nov 2009

Flaxseed oil may reduce reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Animal studies suggest that adding flaxseed oil to the diet could reduce the risk of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and women with diabetes, according to a report to be published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.

23 Nov 2009

C3a peptide regulates the generation of new nerve cells in the brain: Study

The generation of new nerve cells in the brain is regulated by a peptide known as C3a, which directly affects the stem cells' maturation into nerve cells and is also important for the migration of new nerve cells through the brain tissue, reveals new research from the Sahlgrenska Academy published in the journal Stem Cells.

23 Nov 2009

Absolute Match DNA specimen verification test introduced by AIBioTech

American International Biotechnology Services™ announces the launch of its Absolute Match™ DNA specimen verification test. The test, which will be performed through AIBioTech’s Fairfax Identity Laboratories™ division, provides absolute confidence for a patient undergoing a biopsy procedure that their specimen and diagnosis is their own.

23 Nov 2009

Mutated IDH1 gene has novel enzyme activity consistent with cancer-causing gene: Study

Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene. This breakthrough discovery shows that the mutated form of IDH1 produces a metabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which may contribute to the formation and malignant progression of gliomas, the most common type of brain cancers.

23 Nov 2009

RXi Pharmaceuticals receives prestigious Innovation of the Year Award

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi), today reported that the Company has received Frost & Sullivan’s 2009 North American RNAi Therapeutic Design & Delivery Technology Innovation of the Year Award for the development of its proprietary RNAi compounds, rxRNA™, and advanced delivery approaches.

23 Nov 2009

New FluCide better than the older version

NanoViricides, Inc., announced today that Dr. Eugene Seymour, MD MPH, CEO of the Company, presented lifetime data from the recent FluCide™ animal study on November 19th at the Influenza Congress USA 2009 in Washington, DC (www.terrapinn.com/usaflu). These data clearly established that the new version of FluCide™ is superior to the older version.

23 Nov 2009

Cellular prion protein and epileptic seizures: researchers find new role

Cellular prion protein (PrPc) plays an essential role in maintaining neurotransmitter homeostasis in the central nervous system. This discovery has been made possible by the observation that both a deficiency and an excess of the protein have a considerable effect on this homeostasis.

23 Nov 2009

Foods rich in antioxidant substances could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) researchers have confirmed that a diet rich in polyphenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids, patented as an LMN diet, helps boost the production of the brain's stem cells -neurogenesis- and strengthens their differentiation in different types of neuron cells.

23 Nov 2009