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New therapeutic targets in liver diseases

Many patients with liver diseases often encounter difficulties with therapy and ultimately require liver transplant to survive. Since many acute and chronic liver diseases are driven by immune-mediated mechanisms, there is a necessity to find new therapies that can inhibit these immune-based triggers and block liver damage.

6 Mar 2005

Clearance of beta amyloid accumulation within neurons stops memory decline

Researchers at UC Irvine have identified a trigger at the molecular level that marks the onset of memory decline in mice genetically engineered to develop brain lesions – in the form of plaques and tangles – associated with Alzheimer's disease.

6 Mar 2005

Proteins link cellular aging and response to calorie restriction

In the March 3 issue of Nature, Johns Hopkins researchers report that two proteins best known for very different activities actually come together to turn the liver into a sugar-producing factory when food is scarce.

6 Mar 2005

90 million Africans with AIDS predicted

In a study, entitled Aids in Africa, compiled over two years, using over 150 experts, the UN predicts that nearly 90 million Africans could be infected in the next 20 years if the epidemic is not combated. Some 25 million Africans have HIV.

5 Mar 2005

Batches of the drugs Paxil and Avandamet seized by federal officials

Batches of the drugs Paxil CR and Avandamet United States, were seized by marshals at manufacturing and distribution plants in Tennessee and Puerto Rico after federal officials said the manufacturer failed to correct violations of production safety standards.

5 Mar 2005

Chips may cause cancer

Acrylamide, a contaminant shown to cause cancer in animals forms in the high-temperature frying, roasting or baking of foods like potato chips and crisps, coffee, and pastries, sweet biscuits, breads, rolls and toast, and may be a public health concern, according to two UN agencies.

5 Mar 2005

3 million newborn babies' lives could be saved for less than $1 per child

3 million newborn babies' lives could be saved for less than $1 per child, with interventions such as tetanus immunization during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, clean delivery and antibiotics to treat illness.

4 Mar 2005

FDA has accepts new drug application for Exubera (inhaled human insulin powder)

Dr. John Patton, co-founder and chief scientific officer for Nektar reported that Pfizer and The Sanofi-Aventis Group have announced that the FDA has accepted for filing a new drug application for Exubera (inhaled human insulin powder).

3 Mar 2005

A man's index finger length relative to ring finger length can predict how physically aggressive that man might be

Dr. Peter Hurd a psychologist at the University of Alberta, and his graduate student Allison Bailey, have found that a man's index finger length relative to ring finger length can predict how physically aggressive that man might be.

3 Mar 2005

Phase 1 clinical trials have greater response rates than had been previously believed

A new study by the Department of Clinical Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health, has found that twice as many cancer patients testing medications in early, phase 1 clinical trials have positive response rates than had been previously believed.

3 Mar 2005

Deep brain stimulation alleviates severe depression

Canadian researchers have found that severe depression, which is often unresponsive to standard treatments, may be alleviated with an experimental treatment called deep brain stimulation.

3 Mar 2005

Autism and MMR, no link found

Fears that the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella could cause autism were first raised in 1998 by a gastroenterologist, Andrew Wakefield, his research has been largely discredited. and any lingering doubt of a link between autism and MMR has been completely dispelled by a new study that found withdrawing the vaccine did nothing to slow the rise in children diagnosed with the condition.

3 Mar 2005

Antidepressants prescribed to children will have Black Box labels warnings

Antidepressants prescribed to children should have "Black box" labels warnings, which are reserved for the most dangerous drugs, of the increased risk of suicide that they pose. This will happen mid-March, five months after the Food and Drug Administration ordered it.

3 Mar 2005

Radiologists can estimate the risk of death to a SARS patient by using chest radiographs

Radiologists can estimate the risk of death to a SARS patient by the seventh day from the onset of symptoms by using chest radiographs, according to a new study by researchers in Hong Kong. This early determination can allow a physician to better tailor treatment for the SARS patient.

3 Mar 2005

Emergency room intervention for problem drinkers in ten minutes

Emergency room practitioners can be successfully trained in two hours to counsel problem drinkers in a 10-minute intervention, according to a study by Yale researchers in Academic Emergency Medicine.

3 Mar 2005

Psychologist examines the narcissistic personality in terms of its ability to forgive

When harsh words or actions tear a relationship apart, forgiveness can sometimes mend it. Because forgiveness implies letting go of justified feelings of resentment, it can be costly in terms of pride. Certain types of people--those with a high sense of narcissistic entitlement--may be especially reluctant to face the costs of forgiving others, according to Case Western Reserve University psychologist Julie Exline.

3 Mar 2005

Dopamine sheds new light on drug addiction

A paper published in the current issue of Science has challenged beliefs about the role of dopamine in the brain, which could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and drug addiction. The research suggests that dopamine has a far wider, less specialised role than previously hypothesised.

3 Mar 2005

Government is treating the symptoms and not fighting the causes of infectious diseases

The Microbiology Awareness Campaign gathered momentum this week at the House of Lords when scientists informed Peers and MPs that new and re-emerging infectious diseases could spell trouble if not tackled soon.

3 Mar 2005

Computer obeys thoughts via Brain-Computer Interface

A research group led by Academy Professor Mikko Sams is developing a brain-computer interface, a device that transforms electrical or magnetic brain signals into commands a computer can understand.

3 Mar 2005

Nuclear reactor as a cancer cure

Despite the millions of dollars that have been invested into research to improve methods of treatments for various types of cancer, oncological diseases continue to have a high mortality rate, remaining one of the main causes of death globally. Traditional cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy are effective in approximately only half of all patients.

3 Mar 2005