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New sensor uses frog peptides to detect contamination in drugs, medical devices

Princeton engineers have developed a sensor that may revolutionize how drugs and medical devices are tested for contamination, and in the process also help ensure the survival of two species of threatened animals.

20 Oct 2010

First in vivo screening system for complete human nuclear hormone receptor family

The InDanio screening system can be used, for example, to functionally characterize 'orphan' receptors - those for which their natural ligands or specific function are unknown - and thus qualify them as potential targets for drug discovery. The system can also be used to screen compound libraries in order to identify and refine potential new drugs that target NR proteins.

20 Oct 2010

New sandwich wheat bread is an excellent source of antioxidants

In its continuing commitment as a leader in the bread industry, Texas-based Mrs Baird's becomes the first major baking company in its region to fortify its line of sandwich wheat breads, now providing an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A and E.

20 Oct 2010

Carbon dioxide plays a role in gene regulation: Research

UCD Conway researchers have found that carbon dioxide (CO2) is not only involved in climate change and a waste product of respiration in cells but also plays an active role in regulating the genes involved in inflammation and innate immunity. Their research findings were highlighted recently in the The Journal of Immunology.

20 Oct 2010

New approaches to explore causes of autoimmunity and immune deficiency diseases

A newly identified regulatory process affecting the biology of immune system T cells should give scientists new approaches to explore the causes of autoimmunity and immune deficiency diseases.

20 Oct 2010

Study reveals how cells crank up cancer activators

A new technique that searches blood for the tiniest remnants of broken down proteins has revealed new information about how cells crank up cancer activators called proteases. The results improve researchers' understanding of the mechanics of breast cancer and point to where to look for possible indicators of early disease.

20 Oct 2010

SHIP and PTEN enzymes act cooperatively to suppress B cell lymphoma: Study

Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system. White blood cells divide again and again, spreading abnormally throughout the body. Lymphomas can arise from two types of white blood cells, T cells or B cells, which divide uncontrollably when the molecular mechanisms that keep them in check go awry.

20 Oct 2010

Inguinal lymph node dissection with spinal anesthesia improves prognosis in patients with malignant melanoma

A study presented at this year's American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting offers evidence that patients with malignant melanoma who undergo inguinal lymph node dissection with spinal anesthesia (a regional anesthetic) have a better prognosis than patients who undergo the same surgery with general anesthesia.

20 Oct 2010

MannKind begins MKC1106-MT Phase 2 trial for advanced melanoma

MannKind Corporation today announced the first patient has been dosed in a phase 2 clinical trial of the novel, investigational cancer vaccine MKC1106-MT. As a part of MannKind's cancer immunotherapy program, this phase 2 study will evaluate the safety, tolerability, immune response and clinical response of MKC1106-MT in patients with advanced melanoma.

20 Oct 2010

Jefferson researchers progress in understanding mechanism behind systemic fibrotic disorder

Scientists from the Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine of Thomas Jefferson University are now several steps closer to understanding the mechanism behind a novel systemic fibrotic disorder that affects some patients with renal insufficiency who receive imaging contrast agents for MRI. Two of their studies on the disorder appear together in the November issue of the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

20 Oct 2010

European Commission grants orphan drug status to OBI-1 for hemophilia treatment

Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the European Commission has granted orphan drug status for OBI-1 for the treatment of hemophilia.

20 Oct 2010

Johnson & Johnson third quarter sales decrease 0.7% to $15.0 billion

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $15.0 billion for the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 0.7% as compared to the third quarter of 2009. Operational results increased 0.1% and the negative impact of currency was 0.8%. Domestic sales declined 2.5%, while international sales increased 1.1%, reflecting operational growth of 2.6% and a negative currency impact of 1.5%.

19 Oct 2010

Cytheris initiates ORVACS Phase II clinical trial to study HIV infection

Cytheris SA, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on research and development of new therapies for immune modulation, today announced the initiation of Phase II clinical trial of the company's investigative immunomodulatory agent, CYT107 (rhIL-7), in combination with two potent antiretroviral drugs represented by the integrase inhibitor raltegravir (ISENTRESS- Merck & Co.) and the CCR5 inhibitor, maraviroc (SELZENTRY- ViiV Healthcare).

19 Oct 2010

Study suggests epoD; microtubule-stabilizing drugs may treat neurodegenerative diseases

Finding a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier is the bane of drug development for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders of the brain. A new Penn study, published this week in the Journal of Neuroscience, has found and tested in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease a class of drug that is able to enter the brain, where it stabilizes degenerating neurons and improves memory and learning.

19 Oct 2010

New research coalition to design first human trial of mosaic HIV vaccine candidate

Duke University Medical Center vaccine experts have assembled an international team of investigators to design and implement the first human trial of a mosaic HIV vaccine candidate, a novel strategy that attempts to counter one of the most daunting challenges in HIV vaccine design: the virus's extensive genetic diversity

19 Oct 2010

Karmanos Cancer Institute awarded $3M NIH grant to study triple-negative breast cancer

Scientists at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit have received a nearly $3 million, five-year research project (RO1) grant from the National Institutes of Health to study a potentially ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment for women with one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer – triple-negative breast cancer. The research is exclusive to the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

19 Oct 2010

New clinical trial to treat brain cancer launched

Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Technology the charity's development and commercialisation arm together with immatics biotechnologies have launched the first clinical trial of a promising cancer vaccine to treat glioblastoma, one of the most common forms of brain cancer.

19 Oct 2010

Study indicates vitamin D deficiency may increase lung transplant rejection

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a significant increase in lung transplant rejection, according to research conducted at Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These data were presented Monday at The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2010 annual meeting in Toronto, Ontario.

19 Oct 2010

NanoViricides' President delivers speech at ASNM Second Annual Conference

NanoViricides, Inc. announced today that the Company President was invited to and presented a talk at the Second Annual Conference of the American Society for NanoMedicine (ASNM).

18 Oct 2010

New imaging technique to study response of white blood cells to inflammation

Researchers at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine are using an innovative new imaging technique to study how white blood cells (called neutrophils) respond to inflammation, and have revealed new targets to inhibit the response.

18 Oct 2010