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New study reveals genetic alteration can lead to severe childhood obesity

Scientists in Cambridge have discovered that the loss of a key segment of DNA can lead to severe childhood obesity. This is the first study to show that this kind of genetic alteration can cause obesity. The results are published today in Nature.

6 Dec 2009

New treatment options for leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders introduced

Leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders are serious and often deadly blood cancers. Research presented today at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology introduces potential new treatment options and improved diagnostic methods for patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and myelofibrosis that are based on a better understanding of the underlying genetic causes of these conditions.

6 Dec 2009

Comparative study on African monkeys may provide novel targets for AIDS therapy

Two studies published this month in the Journal of Clinical Investigation provide a significant advance in understanding how some species of monkeys such as sooty mangabeys and African green monkeys avoid AIDS when infected with SIV, the simian equivalent of HIV.

5 Dec 2009

Licensing agreement to develop and commercialize potential treatment for Gaucher’s disease signed

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. represented Protalix (NYSE-Amex: PLX), a leading biopharmaceutical company, in its licensing agreement with Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize a potential treatment for Gaucher’s disease, a genetic disorder.

5 Dec 2009

New study helps understand the positive effect of dietary restriction on healthy ageing

A new study of the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing could help to understand the positive effect of dietary restriction on healthy ageing.

5 Dec 2009

Silicon to transport drugs in the human body: a novel drug delivery method under development

Several Finnish universities have joined forces to develop an innovative drug delivery method that utilises silicon to transport drugs in the human body. Among other advances, the project has been able to sustain the effect of peptides controlling appetite, which may facilitate the use of nanotechnology for dieting purposes. The research is being carried out as part of the Academy of Finland's Research Programme on Nanoscience (FinNano).

4 Dec 2009

Overview of the important research and treatments in ADHD

Worldwide longitudinal studies performed since the 1970s have clearly shown that ADHD persists into adulthood. These findings have stimulated researchers to develop the therapeutic approaches for adult patients, especially in European countries where scientific and clinical interest in ADHD has increased.

4 Dec 2009

IMF to stage presentation on multiple myeloma at ASH annual meeting

The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)—supporting research and providing education, advocacy and support for myeloma patients, families, researchers and physicians—today said presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) will cover all stages of multiple myeloma, a major milestone in treating this and related cancers.

4 Dec 2009

New discoveries to treat life-threatening blood disorder presented at ASH annual meeting

A genetic variation that may indicate a patient's risk of developing a potentially life-threatening blood disorder if exposed to certain pharmaceutical therapies or chemicals is one of several medical discoveries scientists at cancer diagnostics leader Quest Diagnostics will present during the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, December 5-8, 2009, in New Orleans, LA.

4 Dec 2009

New Center for Digestive Care to care for all aspects of digestive disease

The Center for Digestive Care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has been established with a mission to provide high-quality patient care, research and education for all aspects of digestive disease.

4 Dec 2009

Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss can increase the incidence of infectious diseases

The extinction of plant and animal species can be likened to emptying a museum of its collection, or dumping a cabinet full of potential medicines into the trash, or replacing every local cuisine with McDonald's burgers.

4 Dec 2009

Researchers discover mechanism that explains how chromosomal translocations are not random

Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine have pinpointed a mechanism that may help explain how chromosomal translocations - the supposedly random shuffling of large chunks of DNA that frequently lead to cancer - aren't so random after all. They have developed a model of such chromosomal mix-ups in prostate cancer which indicates that the male sex hormone (androgen) receptor unexpectedly plays a key role in driving specific translocations in the development of cancer.

4 Dec 2009

New step in the proofreading process that helps maintain accuracy of DNA replication identified

Wayne State researchers have for the first time observed the movement of a single molecule of DNA polymerase as it incorporates nucleotides one by one. More significantly, they have identified a previously unknown step that they speculate is part of the proofreading process known to prevent the polymerase from producing cancer-causing mutations.

4 Dec 2009

Santaris Pharma's LNA technology based microRNA-targeted therapy holds promise for HCV

A study published online in this week's Science shows that SPC3649, a breakthrough microRNA-targeted therapy developed by Santaris Pharma A/S using its proprietary Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) technology, holds promise as a novel treatment for patients infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

4 Dec 2009

Findings suggest severity of atherosclerosis depends on the rate of white blood cell migration

By measuring the total gene activity in organs relevant for coronary artery disease (CAD), scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have identified a module of genes that is important for the recruitment of white blood cells into the atherosclerotic plaque.

4 Dec 2009

Scientists discover mechanism by which E6 oncoprotein of high-risk HPV16 promotes carcinogenesis

In the 1980s, Harald zur Hausen and his co-workers discovered that specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. Scientists soon found out how these pathogens cause cells to degenerate. It is known today that the main culprits are viral proteins E6 and E7. Both proteins switch off different cellular control functions, thus promoting cell growth.

4 Dec 2009

GIND scientists identify drug treatments that can normalize neuron development in AD

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) have discovered that two main causes of AD amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides and apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) impair the growth of new neurons born in adult brains. What is more, they have identified drug treatments that can normalize the development of these cells even in the presence of Aβ or apoE4. The findings are described in two separate papers published in the current issue of Cell Stem Cell.

4 Dec 2009

TapeBeat.Com posts research on GeneLink

TapeBeat.Com the news and community portal for the serious investor has posted research on GeneLink (GNLK). GeneLink’s approach to well-being utilizes the science of pharmacogenenomics - using individual genetic variations to customize nutritional, skincare products and health maintenance products.

4 Dec 2009

ISIS-FXIRx and ISIS-SMNRx included in Isis Pharmaceuticals' development pipeline

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has added two new drugs to its development pipeline, ISIS-FXIRx and ISIS-SMNRx.

4 Dec 2009

Genetic differences determine intensity of people's responses to social rejection

Scientists have long known that opium-like painkillers, called opioids, relieve not only physical pain, but also some forms of emotional stress. Now, a new study reviewed by Faculty of 1000 Biology member Markus Heilig shows that small genetic differences in the gene for the opioid receptor can determine the intensity of people's responses to social rejection.

4 Dec 2009

Genetic News and Research

New study reveals genetic alteration can lead to severe childhood obesity

New treatment options for leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders introduced

Comparative study on African monkeys may provide novel targets for AIDS therapy

Licensing agreement to develop and commercialize potential treatment for Gaucher’s disease signed

New study helps understand the positive effect of dietary restriction on healthy ageing

Silicon to transport drugs in the human body: a novel drug delivery method under development

Overview of the important research and treatments in ADHD

IMF to stage presentation on multiple myeloma at ASH annual meeting

New discoveries to treat life-threatening blood disorder presented at ASH annual meeting

New Center for Digestive Care to care for all aspects of digestive disease

Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss can increase the incidence of infectious diseases

Researchers discover mechanism that explains how chromosomal translocations are not random

New step in the proofreading process that helps maintain accuracy of DNA replication identified

Santaris Pharma's LNA technology based microRNA-targeted therapy holds promise for HCV

Findings suggest severity of atherosclerosis depends on the rate of white blood cell migration

Scientists discover mechanism by which E6 oncoprotein of high-risk HPV16 promotes carcinogenesis

GIND scientists identify drug treatments that can normalize neuron development in AD

TapeBeat.Com posts research on GeneLink

ISIS-FXIRx and ISIS-SMNRx included in Isis Pharmaceuticals' development pipeline

Genetic differences determine intensity of people's responses to social rejection

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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