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Specialized proteins could soak up excess cytokines in COVID-19 patients

One of the defining features of Covid-19 is the excessive immune response that can occur in severe cases. This burst of immune overreaction, also called a cytokine storm, damages the lungs and can be fatal.

16 Apr 2020

Scientists use supercomputers to shed light on skin cancer formation mechanism

Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, which is the deadliest and most serious type of human skin cancer, begins as a small lesion or blemish. Usually, these blemishes start off as harmless accumulation of melanocytes, which give the skin its color. As the disease progresses, it can spread throughout the body.

18 Dec 2019

Scientists discover how brown fat may help protect against obesity and diabetes

Rutgers and other scientists have discovered how brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue, may help protect against obesity and diabetes.

21 Aug 2019

Research findings could help identify Alzheimer's patients who will benefit from exercise

A novel study has discovered metabolites that predict which Alzheimer's patients are likely to see their symptoms improve with exercise therapy.

6 Aug 2019

Protein supplements containing BCAA may have ‘detrimental effects’ on health and lifespan

New research suggests that BCAAs in the form of pre-mixed protein powders, shakes and supplements may do more harm to health than good.

1 May 2019

Scientists identify cause of devastating pediatric brain disorder

An international effort led by physician-scientists at Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, in collaboration with a team at the Montreal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre, has identified the cause of a devastating pediatric brain disorder paving the way for the first step in developing potential therapies for this rare neurodegenerative condition.

25 Feb 2019

Metabolic signatures in blood may help in earlier diagnosis of autism, shows research

Metabolic signatures in the blood of children with autism spectrum disorder may lead to earlier diagnosis of the condition for some children, according to newly published research. These biochemical signatures provide insight into how the body metabolizes certain amino acids important to typical neurodevelopment.

6 Sep 2018

Abnormal levels of metabolites can reliably predict lung disease in 9/11 firefighters

Abnormal levels of more than two dozen metabolites -; chemicals produced in the body as it breaks down fats, proteins and carbohydrates -; can reliably predict which Sept. 11 firefighters developed lung disease and which did not, a new analysis shows.

4 Sep 2018

Research identifies new biomarkers for future dementia risk

Sudha Seshadri, M.D., founding director of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio, is co-leader and senior author on research announced March 6 that identifies novel biomarkers of risk for future dementia.

6 Mar 2018

Plant virus-based system can be used to deliver anti-cancer drugs

An article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine (Volume 242, Issue 14, August 2017) reports that a plant virus-based system can be used to deliver anti-cancer drugs.

21 Aug 2017

Study explores factors, patterns that predict use of restrictive feeding for children

In the preschool years, children begin to learn from their environment about self-regulation--both in regards to food choices and how to deal with their emotions.

16 Jun 2017

Researchers develop new compound that can take down defenses in M. tuberculosis

Part of the reason tuberculosis-causing bacteria are so good at colonizing the human body is that they have defenses against the body's immune system.

6 Dec 2016

Mood stabilizers may decrease negative symptoms in psychiatric patients with specific genotype

A drug prescribed to many patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may decrease negative symptoms for people with a certain variant of the COMT gene, suggests a new study from researchers at Columbia University Medical Center.

14 Sep 2016

Iron-containing catalysts can alter amino acids to help develop new drug candidates

For medicinal chemists, making tweaks to peptide structures is key to developing new drug candidates. Now, researchers have demonstrated that two iron-containing small-molecule catalysts can help turn certain types of amino acids -- the building blocks of peptides and proteins -- into an array of potential new forms, even when part of a larger peptide, while preserving a crucial aspect of their chemistry: chirality, or "handedness."

2 Aug 2016

Diabetes drug metformin could help reduce toxic acid levels linked to MSUD

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder involving the dysfunction of an enzyme which breaks down three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine.

6 Jul 2016

Food-based proteins can help address child malnutrition in developing countries

Contrary to popular belief among world relief workers, children in developing countries may not be eating enough protein, which could contribute to stunted growth, a Johns Hopkins-directed study suggests.

24 Feb 2016

Researchers one step closer to developing new treatment strategy to combat TB

By uncovering the 3-dimensional structure of an enzyme that is critical for the survival of the bacterium that cause tuberculosis, researchers may be one step closer to developing a new strategy to combat TB infections.

17 Feb 2016

NJIT President Joel Bloom to be honored as Educator of the Year

The Research & Development Council of New Jersey will honor the winners of the 2015 Edison Patent Awards at the 36th Edison Patent Awards Ceremony & Reception on November 12, 2015. Over 50 inventors and 12 New Jersey companies and universities will be recognized at the event.

23 Sep 2015

‘Medical foods’ for patients with rare IEMs may cause harm when not carefully managed

Many "medical foods" are designed to help manage patients with rare inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs), and can help prevent serious and life-threatening complications. However, such special foods may cause harm in some patients when their use is not carefully monitored and managed, according to a research team led by scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

14 Aug 2015

Prion variant offers “dramatic” protection against prion disease

A naturally occurring variant of the human prion protein is not only resistant to conversion into an abnormal form but also prevents the conversion of wild-type proteins, shows a study in Nature.

12 Jun 2015