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Two scientists receive The Brain Prize 2012 for pioneering work on hearing and deafness

The Grete Lundbeck European Brain Research Foundation announced today that The Brain Prize 2012 is jointly awarded to Christine Petit and Karen Steel.

12 Mar 2012

Chlamydia has evolved more actively than previously thought

In a study released today in Nature Genetics, researchers have found that Chlamydia has evolved more actively than was previously thought. Using whole genome sequencing the researchers show that the exchange of DNA between different strains of Chlamydia to form new strains is much more common than expected.

12 Mar 2012

Researchers produce extensive catalog of genes expressed in human islets

A new JDRF-funded study shows that many of the genes known to play a role in type 1 diabetes (T1D) are expressed in pancreatic beta cells, suggesting that the cell responsible for producing insulin may be playing a part in its own destruction to lead to T1D.

12 Mar 2012

Genetically modified pig may hold keys to develop treatments for RP

A newly developed, genetically modified pig may hold the keys to the development of improved treatments and possibly even a cure for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common inherited retinal disease in the United States.

9 Mar 2012

Ugandan government draws up response plan to combat 'nodding disease'

The Ugandan government is creating a "wide-ranging response plan" to "nodding disease, a mysterious ailment characterized by seizures, nodding of the head, mental retardation and stunting, which affects thousands of children in northern Uganda," IRIN reports.

8 Mar 2012

Study suggests onchocerciasis can be eliminated with sustained distribution of treatment

"New research supported by Sightsavers and the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) shows that yes, onchocerciasis really can be eliminated when treatment is distributed in an area for a sustained period" and "found that the disease may already be eliminated in one Nigerian state, marking a significant milestone for onchocerciasis control programs," the Global Network for Neglected Diseases' "End the Neglect" blog writes.

8 Mar 2012

Australian TGA approves Bayer's EYLEA for treatment of wet AMD

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer HealthCare today announced that Bayer HealthCare has received approval from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection for the treatment of patients with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) at a recommended dose of 2 milligrams (mg) via intravitreal injection per month for three consecutive months, followed by 2 milligrams via intravitreal injection every two months.

8 Mar 2012

Some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease

A new paradigm to explain glaucoma is rapidly emerging, and it is generating brain-based treatment advances that may ultimately vanquish the disease known as the "sneak thief of sight." A review now available in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reports that some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease.

8 Mar 2012

Report highlights benefits of Nuvilex's cell encapsulation technology for diabetes

Nuvilex, Inc., an emerging biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions, today provided additional details based on the Goldman Small Cap Research report issued February 29, 2012, that highlighted the company's cell encapsulation technology and its benefits for treating chronic diseases such as diabetes.

2 Mar 2012

People with TBI show decline in financial management skills

People who experience a traumatic brain injury show a marked decline in the ability to make appropriate financial decisions in the immediate aftermath and a continued impairment on complex financial skills six months later, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

29 Feb 2012

Dompé enters definitive agreement to acquire Anabasis

Dompé, one of Italy's leading biopharmaceutical companies, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Anabasis Srl, a privately held Italian research and development biopharmaceutical company, focused on ocular diseases.

28 Feb 2012

Eradication of river blindness in Africa is feasible

In this AlertNet opinion piece, Simon Bush, director of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) at Sightsavers, an international NGO helping people with visual impairments in developing countries, examines efforts to rid Africa of onchocerciasis -- a blinding NTD.

24 Feb 2012

First comprehensive framework to close the gap on Indigenous eye health for Australians

Presently Indigenous Australians suffer six times the blindness of mainstream Australians and 94 percent of vision loss in Indigenous Australians is unnecessary, preventable or treatable.

24 Feb 2012

Wolters Kluwer, APAO launch Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology

Wolters Kluwer Health and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) are pleased to announce the launch of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology.

24 Feb 2012

PBS NewsHour blog discusses curable, preventable neglected tropical diseases with CDC experts

In this video report, PBS NewsHour's "The Rundown" examines curable and preventable diseases such as measles and river blindness that countries are focusing more effort on fighting. Mark Eberhardt, a neglected tropical diseases expert at the CDC, and Stephen Cochi, a measles and polio expert from the CDC, "describe the diseases and why they still need attention."

22 Feb 2012

Mobius selects The Apothecary Shops as distribution partner for Mitosol Kit for Ophthalmic Use

Apothecary Shop Wholesale, Inc., an affiliate of The Apothecary Shops Specialty Pharmacies, has received exclusive distribution rights from Mobius Therapeutics, LLC for its new drug Mitosol (mitomycin for solution) 0.2 mg/vial Kit for Ophthalmic Use.

18 Feb 2012

WSU's novel gene-therapy for blindness receives $250,000 FFB grant

Technology to restore vision through the use of a component of green algae - developed by a Wayne State University professor and scientific director of the Ligon Research Center of Vision at the Kresge Eye Institute - has attracted additional funding for therapy development.

16 Feb 2012

Aganirsen demonstrates significant activity in two models of wet AMD, ischemic retinopathy

Gene Signal, a company focused on developing innovative drugs to manage angiogenesis based conditions, today announced the publication of data demonstrating the significant activity of aganirsen (GS-101, eye drops) in two important models of retinal neovascular disease, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and ischemic retinopathy.

15 Feb 2012

New WSU model system focuses on causes of everyday MS symptoms

Annoying, frustrating symptoms like difficulty hearing or remembering things can complicate everyday living for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but most research to date has focused on the disease's less frequent but more debilitating consequences.

15 Feb 2012

Third patient dosed in Phase 1/2 SMD trial using RPE cells derived from hESCs

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today the dosing of third patient in its Phase 1/2 trial for Stargardt's macular dystrophy (SMD) using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

13 Feb 2012

Blindness News and Research

Two scientists receive The Brain Prize 2012 for pioneering work on hearing and deafness

Chlamydia has evolved more actively than previously thought

Researchers produce extensive catalog of genes expressed in human islets

Genetically modified pig may hold keys to develop treatments for RP

Ugandan government draws up response plan to combat 'nodding disease'

Study suggests onchocerciasis can be eliminated with sustained distribution of treatment

Australian TGA approves Bayer's EYLEA for treatment of wet AMD

Some top researchers no longer think of glaucoma solely as an eye disease

Report highlights benefits of Nuvilex's cell encapsulation technology for diabetes

People with TBI show decline in financial management skills

Dompé enters definitive agreement to acquire Anabasis

Eradication of river blindness in Africa is feasible

First comprehensive framework to close the gap on Indigenous eye health for Australians

Wolters Kluwer, APAO launch Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology

PBS NewsHour blog discusses curable, preventable neglected tropical diseases with CDC experts

Mobius selects The Apothecary Shops as distribution partner for Mitosol Kit for Ophthalmic Use

WSU's novel gene-therapy for blindness receives $250,000 FFB grant

Aganirsen demonstrates significant activity in two models of wet AMD, ischemic retinopathy

New WSU model system focuses on causes of everyday MS symptoms

Third patient dosed in Phase 1/2 SMD trial using RPE cells derived from hESCs

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

The impact of vibration on microscopy

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

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