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Scientists identify a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation

While studying how the heart is formed, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine serendipitously found a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of abnormal heart beat.

5 Nov 2009

Scientists differentiate human embryonic stem cells into lung epithelial tissue using air-liquid interface

Scientists in Belgium have successfully differentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into major cell types of lung epithelial tissue using a convenient air-liquid interface.

5 Nov 2009

New therapeutic approach targets cancer cells, not normal cells

The ultimate goal in cancer research, a treatment that kills cancer cells whilst leaving healthy cells untouched, is brought nearer by the success of a new therapeutic approach. The potential therapy, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Breast Cancer Research, targets proliferation of cancer, but not normal, cells.

5 Nov 2009

NIH grant to develop a new method for rapidly screening blood samples for biomarkers

Dr. Jennifer Brodbelt, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at The University of Texas at Austin, has received a $734,068 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a new method for rapidly screening blood samples for biomarkers.

5 Nov 2009

Tetracycline-like compound raises hope for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

A chemical cousin of the common antibiotic tetracycline might be useful in treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a currently incurable disease that is the leading genetic cause of death in infants. This is the finding of a research collaboration involving Adrian Krainer, Ph.D., of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and scientists from Paratek Pharmaceuticals and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

5 Nov 2009

Researchers develop new molecular tools to investigate Alzheimer's disease

One of the many mysteries of Alzheimer's disease is how protein-like snippets called amyloid-beta peptides, which clump together to form plaques in the brain, may cause cell death, leading to the disease's devastating symptoms of memory loss and other mental difficulties.

5 Nov 2009

Lethal new MRSA strain resists antibiotics, increases demand for Unotron’s disinfectable and washable keyboards

A deadly new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylociccus auerus (MRSA) poses an alarming new threat, sparking demand for Unotron’s (www.unotron.com) medical grade, fully washable keyboards and mice that can be disinfected to mitigate the spread of germs. A study conducted by the Henry Ford Hospital reported the USA600 strain resists Vancomycin, a drug successfully used in the past to treat patients with MRSA.

5 Nov 2009

Designers of anti-cancer drugs aim at the genetic material DNA in preventing cancer cells

Designers of anti-cancer drugs are aiming their arrows at mysterious chunks of the genetic material DNA that may play a key role in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to an article in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine.

4 Nov 2009

EUSA Pharma's PROSTASCINT effective in guiding targeted prostate cancer treatment

EUSA Pharma announced that PROSTASCINT® (capromab pendetide) fusion imaging was shown to effectively guide prostate cancer therapy targeting and dosing and is a significant predictor of disease free survival, according to data presented on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at the 51st American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

4 Nov 2009

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Roche team up to develop specific RNAi therapeutic products

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has advanced to the RNAi therapeutic collaboration stage of its landmark alliance with Roche formed in 2007.

4 Nov 2009

Comparative study reveals similar brain networks in human and monkey brains

A study published this week in PNAS provides a comprehensive comparative functional anatomy study in human and monkey brains which reveals highly similar brain networks preserved across evolution.

4 Nov 2009

Researchers use fruit fly model for diabetes research

As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the US in recent years, scientists are working from many angles to pinpoint the causes and contributing factors involved in this public health crisis. While sedentary lifestyles and diets high in sugar and fat contribute significantly to the rise in diabetes rates, genetic factors may make some people more vulnerable than others to developing diabetes.

4 Nov 2009

NIH grant to NC State researchers to study how nanomaterials interact with biological systems

Tiny, engineered nanomaterials can already be found in many consumer products, and have been hailed as having widespread future uses in areas ranging from medicine to industrial processes. However, little is known about what happens if these nanomaterials get into your body - where do they go? NC State researchers are working to answer that question under a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

4 Nov 2009

Reduced VEGF can lead to degeneration of retina

Scientists at Schepens Eye Research Institute have found that when the eye is missing a diffusible form of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), i.e. one that when secreted can reach other cells at a distance, the retina shows defects similar to "dry" macular degeneration, also called geographic atrophy (GA).

4 Nov 2009

IBN iCare to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials for ocular therapy

Marking a significant bench to bedside research milestone in Singapore, the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, and the National University Hospital (NUH) launched the IBN iCare and the NUH Eye Centre @ Biopolis at an official opening ceremony officiated by the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, S. Iswaran, at the Biopolis on Nov. 3, 2009.

4 Nov 2009

Cannabinoids play an important role in stress-related disorders: Study

Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This is exposed in a new study carried out at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa's Department of Psychology. The study, carried out by research student Eti Ganon-Elazar under the supervision of Dr. Irit Akirav, was published in the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience.

4 Nov 2009

Learning is a two-way street

Learning to talk also changes the way speech sounds are heard, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by scientists at Haskins Laboratories, a Yale-affiliated research laboratory. The findings could have a major impact on improving speech disorders.

4 Nov 2009

Hydrogen peroxide may act as a signal for the active and resting phases of living things: Study

If a circadian rhythm is like an orchestra - the united expression of the rhythms of millions of cells - a common chemical may serve as the conductor, or at least as the baton.

4 Nov 2009

Scientists identify compounds that hold promise for treating parasitic infection

Using an unconventional approach that they designed, University of Pittsburgh drug discoverers and their collaborators at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research have identified compounds that hold promise for treating leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection that many consider one of the world's most overlooked diseases.

4 Nov 2009

New improved enzyme could help facilitate spinal cord injuries

Researchers have developed an improved version of an enzyme that degrades the dense scar tissue that forms when the central nervous system is damaged. By digesting the tissue that blocks re-growth of damaged nerves, the improved enzyme - and new system for delivering it - could facilitate recovery from serious central nervous system injuries.

4 Nov 2009

Medical Science News

Scientists identify a novel cellular source of atrial fibrillation

Scientists differentiate human embryonic stem cells into lung epithelial tissue using air-liquid interface

New therapeutic approach targets cancer cells, not normal cells

NIH grant to develop a new method for rapidly screening blood samples for biomarkers

Tetracycline-like compound raises hope for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

Researchers develop new molecular tools to investigate Alzheimer's disease

Lethal new MRSA strain resists antibiotics, increases demand for Unotron’s disinfectable and washable keyboards

Designers of anti-cancer drugs aim at the genetic material DNA in preventing cancer cells

EUSA Pharma's PROSTASCINT effective in guiding targeted prostate cancer treatment

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Roche team up to develop specific RNAi therapeutic products

Comparative study reveals similar brain networks in human and monkey brains

Researchers use fruit fly model for diabetes research

NIH grant to NC State researchers to study how nanomaterials interact with biological systems

Reduced VEGF can lead to degeneration of retina

IBN iCare to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials for ocular therapy

Cannabinoids play an important role in stress-related disorders: Study

Learning is a two-way street

Hydrogen peroxide may act as a signal for the active and resting phases of living things: Study

Scientists identify compounds that hold promise for treating parasitic infection

New improved enzyme could help facilitate spinal cord injuries

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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