Ion News and Research

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Novel electrical impedance technique enhances drug testing for cardiac safety

When developing new drugs, understanding their effects on ion channels in the body, such as the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) ion channel found in neurons and heart muscle cells, is critical.

1 Aug 2024

Scientists capture NMDAR protein's 'twist' motion, key to brain signaling

Proteins are constantly performing a kind of dance. They move and contort their bodies to fulfill specific functions inside our bodies. The NMDAR protein executes an especially hard dance routine in our brains. One wrong step can lead to a range of neurological disorders. NMDAR binds to the neurotransmitter, glutamate, and another compound, glycine. These bindings control NMDAR's dance steps. When their routine is over, the NMDAR opens. This open ion channel generates electrical signals critical for cognitive functions like memory.

1 Aug 2024

Commonly used anesthetic drug can restore the function of ion channel linked to epilepsy

Mutated variants of a particular ion channel cause difficult-to-treat epilepsy. A study published in the journal Nature now shows that a commonly used anesthetic drug, propofol, can restore the function of this ion channel.

31 Jul 2024

Propofol shows potential for treating epilepsy and neurological disorders

The general anesthetic propofol may hold the keys to developing new treatment strategies for epilepsy and other neurological disorders, according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Linköping University in Sweden.

31 Jul 2024

Xanthones show promise in diabetes with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Research reveals xanthones as promising agents in diabetes management, offering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing benefits.

29 Jul 2024

New zwitterionic polyion developed for effective plasmid DNA delivery in muscle cells

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have created a new drug delivering molecule, a zwitterionic polymer complex that can help get plasmid DNA inside cells when injected into skeletal muscle, a crucial step in the expression of therapeutic RNA and proteins.

28 Jul 2024

Tiny titin mutation linked to developmental heart defects and adult atrial fibrillation

Millions of adults have atrial fibrillation - an irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart that yields increased risk of heart failure, stroke and death.

25 Jul 2024

Metrion Biosciences appoints Dr Chris Mathes as Chief Commercial Officer

Metrion Biosciences Ltd (“Metrion”), the specialist preclinical contract research organization (CRO) and a leader in ion channel screening, today announced the appointment of Dr Chris Mathes, MBA, as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Chris will work alongside the Company’s expert leadership team to drive commercial strategy and lead global business development and marketing activities.

24 Jul 2024

Prime editing offers promising path to permanent treatment for cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common genetic disorders, causing thick mucus build-up in the lungs and other parts of the body, breathing problems, and infection.

11 Jul 2024

Novel molecule could inform new therapies for stroke-related brain injury

A newly developed molecule, LK-2, could inform new therapies for stroke-related brain injury, finds scientists at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

10 Jul 2024

Decoding the significance of subnormal liver enzyme activity

Liver diseases are commonly diagnosed using serum enzyme assays, particularly for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT).

3 Jul 2024

Early detection of aggressive multiple myeloma through molecular analysis

Multiple myeloma is one of the most common forms of cancer of the immune cells in the bone marrow. It is considered incurable.

1 Jul 2024

Study shows the potential of heat treatments to promote healthier aging

New research performed with mice suggests that daily time in a warm environment such as a sauna might help older adults, especially women, combat age-related obesity and insulin resistance.

1 Jul 2024

Innovative fingerprint technique detects TB antibiotics with high accuracy

A fingerprint may soon be all a doctor needs to check whether tuberculosis patients are taking their antibiotics – thanks to a new study led by the University of Surrey.

24 Jun 2024

New fingerprint test could ensure TB patients are taking their antibiotics

Scientists can now detect antibiotics in your fingerprints – aiding the fight against drug-resistant TB.

22 Jun 2024

AI-driven blood test offers hope for early Parkinson's diagnosis

A team of researchers, led by scientists at UCL and University Medical Center Goettingen, Germany, have developed a simple blood test that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict Parkinson's up to seven years before the onset of symptoms.

19 Jun 2024

Breathing New Life into Diagnostics: Plasmion's SICRIT® Technology

Revolutionizing Non-Invasive Diagnostics with Plasmion’s SICRIT Breath Analysis.

From Plasmion 11 Jun 2024

Johns Hopkins researchers discover how epilepsy drug modulates brain activity

By super cooling a molecule on the surface of brain cells down to about minus 180 degrees Celsius - nearly twice as cold as the coldest places in Antarctica - scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have determined how a widely-used epilepsy drug works to dampen the excitability of brain cells and help to control, although not cure, seizures.

10 Jun 2024

Phase III trial highlights benefits of intensity modulated proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer

According to preliminary data from a multi-institution Phase III trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) achieved similar clinical outcomes and offered significant patient benefits when compared to traditional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as part of chemoradiation treatment for patients with oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancer.

6 Jun 2024

SCIEX and Mass Analytica collaborate to advance artificial intelligence quantitation software

At ASMS 2024, SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, in collaboration with Mass Analytica, presents artificial intelligence quantitation (AI quant) software. AI quant harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence and machine learning to process data and produce insights in a matter of moments, freeing up operator time and boosting productivity.

From SCIEX 4 Jun 2024