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Reducing brain levels of tau protein effectively blocks development of childhood epilepsy

Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have shown that reducing brain levels of the protein tau effectively blocks the development of disease in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome, a severe intractable form of childhood epilepsy.

14 Aug 2014

Physical illness may add to schizophrenia risk

A wide range of physical ailments that require hospital contact may contribute to an increased risk of schizophrenia, a study suggests.

13 Aug 2014

Affective temperaments linked to neurocognition in BD

Affective temperaments are correlated with neurocognitive functioning in people with bipolar disorder, clinical research suggests.

13 Aug 2014

Findings may lead to better ways for preventing gum disease, diabetes and Crohn's disease

Bacteria inside your mouth drastically change how they act when you're diseased, according to research using supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center.

13 Aug 2014

Identifying epigenetic markers in cancer cells could improve patient treatment

Scientists have known for decades that cancer can be caused by genetic mutations, but more recently they have discovered that chemical modifications of a gene can also contribute to cancer.

13 Aug 2014

Researchers gain rare insight into pregnancy-associated breast cancer

During pregnancy, certain hormones trigger specialized mammary stem cells to create milk-producing cells essential to lactation.

13 Aug 2014

Study identifies novel gene that controls nerve conduction velocity linked with MS

A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology identifies a novel gene that controls nerve conduction velocity.

13 Aug 2014

New model provides insight into neurofunctional mechanisms of autism

An analysis of autism research covering genetics, brain imaging, and cognition led by Laurent Mottron of the University of Montreal has overhauled our understanding of why autism potentially occurs, develops and results in a diversity of symptoms.

13 Aug 2014

Huntingtin protein plays critical role in long-term memory development

It has been more than 20 years since scientists discovered that mutations in the gene huntingtin cause the devastating progressive neurological condition Huntington's disease, which involves involuntary movements, emotional disturbance and cognitive impairment.

13 Aug 2014

Researchers find new ways to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

A leading scientist based at Keele University in North Staffordshire has been awarded a grant of around £20,000 by research charity Breast Cancer Campaign to find new ways to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the most common type of the disease.

13 Aug 2014

Screening test for colon cancer wins FDA approval

The test, called Cologuard, can detect genetic mutations in patients' stool samples that are associated with cancerous and precancerous growths.

12 Aug 2014

23andMe, Pfizer partner to explore genetic factors associated with IBD

23andMe, the leading personal genetics company today announced an agreement with Pfizer Inc. in which the companies will aim to enroll 10,000 people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in a research initiative designed to explore the genetic factors associated with the onset, progression, severity and response to treatments for IBD.

12 Aug 2014

Findings may lead to new tools in understanding human cognitive development, neuropsychiatric disorders

How genes affect intelligence is complicated. Multiple genes, many yet unknown, are thought to interact among themselves and with environmental factors to influence the diverse abilities involved in intelligence.

12 Aug 2014

Study shows castor bean oil reduces epileptic seizures related to Glut1 deficiency

Two years ago, the parents of Chloe Olivarez watched painfully as their daughter experienced epileptic seizures hundreds of times a day.

12 Aug 2014

First Edition: August 12, 2014

Today's headlines include stories about how the federal government's experience with healthcare.gov has led to the creation of the U.S. Digital Service.

12 Aug 2014

Studies detect integrons that cause resistance to various antibiotics

In Mexico the sale of antibiotics for human consumption is controlled to prevent misuse, although in the veterinary sector failure in the implementation of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-064-ZOO-2000, "Guidelines for veterinarian products prescription", has prompted common bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp to become resistant to regular drugs such as streptomycin, trimethoprim, ampicillin, gentamicin, and tetracycline as a result of excess drug use.

12 Aug 2014

Acidity sensor helps to estimate dynamics of insulin production

Many human metabolic functions only run smoothly if the acid level in the body remains neutral and stable. For humans, normal blood pH values lie between 7.35 and 7.45. By way of comparison, an empty stomach is extremely acidic, with a pH value of 1.5.

12 Aug 2014