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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

Process of aging could be delayed in human cell lines

Can the process of aging be delayed or even reversed? Research led by specially appointed Professor Jun-Ichi Hayashi from the University of Tsukuba in Japan has shown that, in human cell lines at least, it can. They also found that the regulation of two genes involved with the production of glycine, the smallest and simplest amino acid, is partly responsible for some of the characteristics of aging.

1 Jun 2015

Discovery may have opened up new frontier in fight against breast cancer

For years, scientists have been puzzled by the presence of short stretches of genetic material floating inside a variety of cells, ranging from bacteria to mammals, including humans. These fragments are pieces of the genetic instructions cells use to make proteins, but are too short a length to serve their usual purpose.

8 May 2015

Biologists discover vulnerability of brain cancer cells

Biologists at MIT and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have discovered a vulnerability of brain cancer cells that could be exploited to develop more-effective drugs against brain tumors.

9 Apr 2015

UZH researchers map spinal cord neurons involved in 'Gate Control Theory' of pain

Sensing pain is extremely unpleasant and sometimes hard to bear - and pain can even become chronic. The perception of pain varies a lot depending on the context in which it is experienced. 50 years ago, neurobiologist Patrick Wall and psychologist Ronald Melzack formulated the so-called "Gate Control Theory" of pain.

20 Mar 2015

NICE recommends transurethral resection in saline system as the new gold standard for transurethral resection of the prostate

New guidance has been released today by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommending Olympus Medical’s transurethral resection in saline (TURis) system for use in surgery to reduce the size of enlarged prostate glands in men. NICE published the guidance in light of the potential it offers NHS hospitals to realise substantial cost savings of £285-£375 per patient whilst also improving patient outcomes.

From Evident Corporation - Life Sciences 27 Feb 2015

University of Copenhagen researchers move closer to developing antidote against cocaine addiction

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into the mechanism behind a protein dopamine transporter that could help in the development of future medical treatment against cocaine addiction.

14 Jan 2015

Proteins linked to severe forms of ALS are less stable, suggests new study

A new study by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and other institutions suggests a cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

14 Oct 2014

Androgen sensitivity may contribute to hypertrichosis in girls

Prepubertal girls with hypertrichosis are likely to have genetic variants of the androgen receptor known to be particularly sensitive to androgen, say researchers.

16 Jun 2014

Study could lead to better understanding of how Notch protein directs healthy development of organs

Johns Hopkins researchers report they have figured out how the aptly named protein Botch blocks the signaling protein called Notch, which helps regulate development. In a report on the discovery, to appear online April 24 in the journal Cell Reports, the scientists say they expect the work to lead to a better understanding of how a single protein, Notch, directs actions needed for the healthy development of organs as diverse as brains and kidneys.

26 Apr 2014

Researchers demonstrate accurate identification of amino acids

Some three billion base pairs make up the human genome-the floor plan of life. In 2003, the Human Genome Project announced the successful decryption of this code, a tour de force that continues to supply a stream of insights relevant to human health and disease.

7 Apr 2014

Study quantifies photoactivation efficiency of fluorescent proteins

To know how many proteins assemble together at the nanoscale is fundamental for understanding protein function. Sometimes, proteins must be in an "oligomeric" state to be functional, although "oligomerization" of certain proteins can also lead to diseases. The ability to determine protein stoichiometry and monitor changes in the balance between monomeric, dimeric and multi-meric proteins can allow scientists to see the differences between a properly functioning cell and a diseased cell. Therefore, there is a great interest in being able to count proteins and determine their stoichiometry.

7 Jan 2014

University of Colorado medical school professor uncovers variant of NKH

People from around the country and the world turn to Johan Van Hove, MD, PhD, for advice on a rare metabolic disease known as NKH, which can disrupt the body in devastating and even deadly ways. Now, Van Hove, a University of Colorado medical school professor, has identified a new disease related to NKH, a finding that resolves previously baffling cases including the death of a Colorado girl.

13 Dec 2013

Validation of thrombin generation assay (TGA) for an IVIG drug announced by Haemtech Biopharma Services

Haemtech Biopharma Services (HBS) is pleased to announce the successful validation of a thrombin generation assay (TGA) for an IVIG drug. The assay was validated in 2012 to support the use of TGA as a release assay for Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation's U.S. Food and Drug Administration Biologics License Application for BIVIGAM® [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human), 10% Liquid] product. The validated TGA assay was designed and performed on the Calibrated Automated Thrombogram® platform (CAT) from Diagnostica Stago, Inc. (Parsippany, NJ).

1 Oct 2013

Researchers discover inherited gene mutation linked to childhood leukemia

Researchers have discovered the first inherited gene mutation linked exclusively to acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurring in multiple relatives in individual families. The discovery of the PAX5 gene mutation was led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and others. The work appears in the current advance online edition of the scientific journal Nature Genetics.

11 Sep 2013

GLYX-13 drug induces antidepressant results without street drug side effects

GLYX-13, a molecular cousin to ketamine, induces similar antidepressant results without the street drug side effects, reported a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) that was published last month in Neuropsychopharmacology.

31 May 2013

Frutarom reports increased demand for natural ingredient targeting urinary incontinence in adults

Frutarom Health, Switzerland, reports increased demand for Go-Less, its natural ingredient targeting urinary incontinence in adults.

28 May 2013

Thioridazine works by weakening staphylococcal cell wall, new study reveals

In 2008 researchers from the University of Southern Denmark showed that the drug thioridazine, which has previously been used to treat schizophrenia, is also a powerful weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus).

18 May 2013

Kinase inhibitors: an interview with Jan Hoflack, CSO of Oncodesign

Kinase inhibitors are molecules that block the activity of kinases. Kinases are a specific class of enzymes. They are extremely important in signal transduction processes in the human body meaning that they actually regulate most of the physiological processes that take place in the body.

7 May 2013

Ketamine may help treat severe depression, reduce suicidal urges, UAB researchers say

University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers think ketamine, an anesthesia medication in use since the 1970s, might be a valuable tool in treating severe depression and reducing suicidal urges; they have launched two studies to explore the possibility.

27 Mar 2013