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Neurons that control sexual behavior mapped

How the bundles of neurons in the brain controls behaviour remains an ongoing mystery. Researchers from the Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), in Vienna, Austria, and the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB/MRC), Cambridge, United Kingdom, have mapped neurons of the fruit fly, Drosophila, that controls sexual behavior. "We literally untangled the mess of wires in the fly brain and laid the ground plans for investigating a complex behavior in a simple organism," says Jai Yu, whose doctoral work is published in Current Biology.

29 Sep 2010

NIH trial selects Inovio's PENNVAX-G DNA vaccine candidate to evaluate HIV-1 prevalent

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that a Phase I study, called RV262, recently began to evaluate a combination DNA prime/MVA vector boost regimen that was developed to protect against diverse subtypes of HIV-1 prevalent in North America, Europe, Africa, and South America.

29 Sep 2010

Sysmex to supply medical hematology analyzers to USAMMA

Sysmex, a global leader in medical diagnostic testing equipment and information systems technology, today announced that the company has been awarded a BPA Equipment purchase contract agreement. The contract was issued by USA Medical Research ACQ Activity for the U.S. Army Medical Material Agency (USAMMA).

From Sysmex America, Inc. 29 Sep 2010

African-American lung cancer patients with EGFR mutation respond better to erlotinib therapy

African-American patients with non-small cell lung cancer are just as likely to display an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in tumors as Caucasians, which suggests they are as likely to benefit from targeted therapies such as erlotinib.

29 Sep 2010

New topical microbicide gel can prevent HIV transmission

Amyloid protein structures are best known for the troubles they pose in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Now researchers are trying to exploit their presence in a very different place in semen to find a new way to stop HIV.

29 Sep 2010

Sanford-Burnham receives five-year core grant renewal from NCI

The Cancer Center at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) has received a five-year core grant renewal from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

29 Sep 2010

microRNA may provide quick diagnosis of bladder cancer

Scientists may have discovered a way to diagnose bladder cancer at its earliest and, therefore, most treatable stages by measuring the presence or absence of microRNA using already available laboratory tests.

29 Sep 2010

Unexpected social rejection reflects transient slowing of heart rate: Study

Social rejection isn't just emotionally upsetting; it also upsets your heart. A new study finds that being rejected by another person makes your heart rate drop for a moment. The study is published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

29 Sep 2010

Brain cells outside damaged area in stroke patients take on new roles

The world's largest study using neuroimaging of stroke patients struggling to regain ability to communicate finds that brain cells outside the damaged area can take on new roles.

29 Sep 2010

Study shows Artelon scaffold improves cartilage repair outcome

A laboratory study (in vitro) and an animal study, which are currently being presented at the 9th World Congress of the International Cartilage Repair Society, demonstrate that Artelon functions as a scaffold for cells in conjunction with cartilage repair.

29 Sep 2010

Blood journal publishes GMI-1070 pre-clinical data in sickle cell disease model

GlycoMimetics, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing a new class of glycobiology based therapies for a broad range of indications, today announced that the journal Blood has published pre-clinical data on the company's lead compound GMI-1070 in a model of sickle cell disease.

29 Sep 2010

Scientists use turmeric extract to target cancer cells

Scientists at the University of Leicester, funded by Hope Against Cancer, are pioneering the use of a common curry cooking ingredient to target cancer cells. The research in the University Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine is making use of actual tissue from tumours extracted from patients undergoing surgery.

29 Sep 2010

Scientists identify genetic contribution to sense of smell

Scientists at the Monell Center have used a well-known example of individual differences to identify a genetic contribution to the sense of smell. Most people detect a distinct sulfurous odor in their urine shortly after eating asparagus. However, there are some who seemingly do not notice the unpleasant odor.

29 Sep 2010

RV262 Phase I study launched to evaluate DNA prime/MVA vector boost vaccine regimen for HIV

A Phase I study, called RV262, recently began to evaluate a combination DNA prime/MVA vector boost vaccine regimen that was developed to protect against diverse subtypes of HIV-1 prevalent in North America, Europe, Africa and South America.

29 Sep 2010

NIH grants Akonni $3M for development of multi-drug resistant/extensively drug-resistant genotyping test

Akonni Biosystems, a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and plans to market sophisticated genetic testing devices for complex infectious and human diseases, today announced receipt of a nearly $3 million Challenge Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a new program made possible under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

29 Sep 2010

Escalon Medical reports 0.2% increase in product revenue for fiscal year 2010

Escalon Medical Corp. today announced results for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2010. Consolidated product revenue from continued operations for fiscal 2010 increased approximately 0.2% to $30,657,000, compared with $30,600,000 in the prior fiscal year.

29 Sep 2010

c-Met could be a potential personalized target for metastatic HCC

Targeting c-Met may be a promising personalized treatment method for approximately 45 percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have c-Met-positive tumors, according to study results presented at the Fourth AACR International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development.

29 Sep 2010

Endo Pharmaceuticals to acquire Qualitest Pharmaceuticals

Apax Partners today announced that Endo Pharmaceuticals has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Qualitest Pharmaceuticals for approximately $1.2 billion in cash. Qualitest, a portfolio company of Apax Partners since 2007, is the sixth largest generic pharmaceutical company in the U.S.

28 Sep 2010

Researchers use biological weapon to fight salmon parasite

A few years ago, fish farms in Chile produced enormous numbers of salmon. Now the industry is on its knees as a result of several years of disease and devastation by lice.

28 Sep 2010

Conmed Healthcare signs full-service agreement with City of Virginia Beach

Conmed Healthcare Management, Inc, a leading full service provider of correctional facility healthcare services to county and municipal detention centers, today announced that it has signed a full-service agreement with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, for an initial three-year term with options for two one-year extensions at the City's option.

28 Sep 2010