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FRC expresses disappointment over federal taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research

Family Research Council expressed disappointment in a 2-1 split decision today by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. that allows the Obama administration to continue federal taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research.

30 Apr 2011

Winners of "On the Road, Off the Phone" public service announcement contest announced

The National Safety Council and FocusDriven today announced the winners of their joint "On the Road, Off the Phone" public service announcement contest, sponsored by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Because 21 percent of motor vehicle crashes involve cell phone conversations, NSC and FocusDriven asked aspiring filmmakers to create short videos explaining the dangers of cell phone conversations while driving.

30 Apr 2011

Gene therapy approach using CD59 shows promise against AMD: Study

A gene therapy approach using a protein called CD59, or protectin, shows promise in slowing the signs of age-related macular degeneration, according to a new in vivo study by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine.

30 Apr 2011

Avastin, Lucentis are equally effective for age-related macular degeneration treatment

Age-related macular degeneration, a disease that damages the retina and can destroy central vision, affects approximately 1.6 million Americans. For the past five years, there has been active debate over treatment options for AMD patients because ophthalmologists have not had accurate data regarding the true efficacy of the most commonly used medication.

29 Apr 2011

Researchers report Avastin is effective as Lucentis for AMD treatment

Researchers are reporting results from the first year of a two-year clinical trial that Avastin, a drug approved to treat some cancers and that is commonly used off-label to treat age-related macular degeneration, is as effective as the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug Lucentis for the treatment of AMD.

29 Apr 2011

Molecular Partners completes MP0112 phase I/IIa trials in wet AMD, DME

Molecular Partners AG, a leader in the development of next generation therapeutics, announced today that it has completed two phase I/IIa clinical trials with MP0112, its lead molecule targeting VEGF-A.

28 Apr 2011

Researchers report game-changing advance in stem cell science

In a paper published in the April 25 early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco and colleagues report a game-changing advance in stem cell science: the creation of long-term, self-renewing, primitive neural precursor cells from human embryonic stem cells that can be directed to become many types of neuron without increased risk of tumor formation.

26 Apr 2011

WSU researcher develops potential vaccine for Chlamydia

A Wayne State University School of Medicine researcher has developed a potential first ever vaccine for Chlamydia, the world's most prevalent sexually transmitted disease and the leading cause of new cases of blindness.

21 Apr 2011

ACT seeks European MHRA clearance to initiate hESC derived RPE cell Phase 1/2 study in SMD

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that it has filed a clinical trial application (CTA) with the European Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seeking clearance to initiate its Phase 1/2 clinical trial using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to treat patients with Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy (SMD).

21 Apr 2011

Eye exams play a critical role in detection of chronic diseases

A new study released today shows that eye exams are often the first to detect chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

20 Apr 2011

Scientists detect several biomarkers to screen active drugs for Batten disease

Goethe University and Harvard Medical School start screening for active ingredients for the treatment of Batten disease

20 Apr 2011

'The Invisible Gorilla' test for inattention blindness

University of Utah psychologists have learned why many people experience "inattention blindness" - the phenomenon that leaves drivers on cell phones prone to traffic accidents and makes a gorilla invisible to viewers of a famous video.

18 Apr 2011

NIAID finding to accelerate Chlamydia infection study

WHAT: In a new study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, scientists describe successfully mutating specific genes of Chlamydia bacteria, which cause the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States as well as a type of blindness common in developing nations.

12 Apr 2011

Older women with high vitamin D status less likely to have early AMD

Women under the age of 75 with high vitamin D status were less likely to have early age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults, a University at Buffalo study has shown. The disease affects approximately 9 percent of Americans aged 40 and older.

12 Apr 2011

New diabetes education program brings better blood sugar control

An intensive program that taught low-income, poorly educated diabetics to better manage their disease resulted in significantly improved long-term blood sugar control, according to Johns Hopkins researchers who designed and implemented the program.

11 Apr 2011

Study: Patients with glaucoma experience psychological problems

Fear of the unknown is one of the greatest issues facing patients with glaucoma - the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts - according to research in the April issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing. People also worry about how the eye disease, which can be hereditary, will affect other members of their family.

11 Apr 2011

Long-term delivery of CNTF slows loss of visual acuity caused by geographic atrophy

A phase 2 clinical trial for the treatment of a severe form of age-related macular degeneration called geographic atrophy (GA) has become the first study to show the benefit of a therapy to slow the progression of vision loss for this disease. The results highlight the benefit of the use of a neurotrophic factor to treat GA and provide hope to nearly one million Americans suffering from GA.

8 Apr 2011

Bayer, Regeneron initiate two VEGF Trap-Eye Phase 3 trials in Diabetic Macular Edema

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Bayer HealthCare announced that they have initiated the first of two Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of VEGF Trap-Eye, an investigational new agent for the treatment of certain eye diseases, in the treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema.

8 Apr 2011

Hunters' lead ammunition finds way into scavenger birds leading to blindness, seizures and death

Two new UC Davis studies add scientific evidence that hunters' lead ammunition often finds its way into carrion-eating birds, such as eagles and turkey vultures.

7 Apr 2011

A2AAR-selective agonists may prevent permanent vision damage from traumatic optic nerve injury

Scientists want to protect the optic nerve when the eye takes a blow on the battlefield or in a car wreck.

7 Apr 2011

Blindness News and Research

FRC expresses disappointment over federal taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research

Winners of "On the Road, Off the Phone" public service announcement contest announced

Gene therapy approach using CD59 shows promise against AMD: Study

Avastin, Lucentis are equally effective for age-related macular degeneration treatment

Researchers report Avastin is effective as Lucentis for AMD treatment

Molecular Partners completes MP0112 phase I/IIa trials in wet AMD, DME

Researchers report game-changing advance in stem cell science

WSU researcher develops potential vaccine for Chlamydia

ACT seeks European MHRA clearance to initiate hESC derived RPE cell Phase 1/2 study in SMD

Eye exams play a critical role in detection of chronic diseases

Scientists detect several biomarkers to screen active drugs for Batten disease

'The Invisible Gorilla' test for inattention blindness

NIAID finding to accelerate Chlamydia infection study

Older women with high vitamin D status less likely to have early AMD

New diabetes education program brings better blood sugar control

Study: Patients with glaucoma experience psychological problems

Long-term delivery of CNTF slows loss of visual acuity caused by geographic atrophy

Bayer, Regeneron initiate two VEGF Trap-Eye Phase 3 trials in Diabetic Macular Edema

Hunters' lead ammunition finds way into scavenger birds leading to blindness, seizures and death

A2AAR-selective agonists may prevent permanent vision damage from traumatic optic nerve injury

How ELRIG Is Helping Mid-Career Scientists Navigate Leadership, Career Change and Redundancy

The role of UV-Vis in biopharma QC

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