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Scientists develop MitoFish for in vivo studies of mitochondria transport in nerve cells

Scientists have demonstrated a new way to investigate mechanisms at work in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, which also could prove useful in the search for effective drugs. For new insights, they turned to the zebrafish, which is transparent in the early stages of its life. The researchers developed a transgenic variety, the "MitoFish," that enables them to see - within individual neurons of living animals - how brain diseases disturb the transport of mitochondria, the power plants of the cell.

6 Dec 2012

Western University research could lead to better treatments for PTSD and drug addiction

New research from Western University could lead to better treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and drug addiction by effectively blocking memories. The research performed by Nicole Lauzon, a PhD candidate in the laboratory of Steven Laviolette at Western's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry has revealed a common mechanism in a region of the brain called the pre-limbic cortex, can control the recall of memories linked to both aversive, traumatic experiences associated with PTSD and rewarding memories linked to drug addiction.

6 Dec 2012

Viewpoints: Sen. Whitehouse argues deficit fix shouldn't be about Medicare; Is a plunge over the cliff so bad?

As President Barack Obama and congressional leaders continue discussions to avert the so-called fiscal cliff - the mix of tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect automatically in January - we hear a troubling but familiar refrain in Washington: To fix our deficit, we must cut Medicare benefits.

6 Dec 2012

First U.S. patient treated with deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer's at Johns Hopkins

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine in November surgically implanted a pacemaker-like device into the brain of a patient in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, the first such operation in the United States. The device, which provides deep brain stimulation and has been used in thousands of people with Parkinson's disease, is seen as a possible means of boosting memory and reversing cognitive decline.

6 Dec 2012

Tenofovir DF safe and effective in treating adolescents with HBV

A recent clinical trial found that the adult antiviral drug, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (tenofovir DF), is safe and effective in treating adolescents with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Trial results published in the December issue of Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), show that tenofovir DF suppressed HBV in 89% of pediatric participants.

6 Dec 2012

University of Florida initiates enrollment in SPI-1005 Phase II trial for sensorineural hearing loss

The University of Florida (UF) has started enrolling subjects in a new study testing the oral drug developed by Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SPI-1005) to prevent hearing loss caused by loud music. Loud music or noise can induce temporary and permanent auditory threshold shifts (TTS or PTS).

6 Dec 2012

Roundup: Florida health law battles take new turn; Oklahoma court rejects anti-abortion law; Calif. kids Medi-Cal dispute continues

Even in Florida, where Republican leaders led the legal battle against Obamacare, there's recognition now that the state has to act fast to comply with the new law. ... After Nov. 6, Gov. Rick Scott had a change in tone. "Gov. Mitt Romney did not win the election. So, it's not an option to repeal Obamacare," he said. "So, my goal now is to focus on what's good for our citizens." But Republicans are having trouble convincing Tea Party activists that the fight is over.

6 Dec 2012

‘Pain as reward’ raises tolerance threshold

An individual’s ability to tolerate pain is influenced by their preconceptions and beliefs about the meaning of the pain, Italian researchers have shown.

5 Dec 2012

Surprising discovery about physical properties of cancer cells

A surprising discovery about the physical properties of cancer cells could help improve a new diagnostic approach - a liquid biopsy - that detects, measures, and evaluates cancer cells in blood.

5 Dec 2012

Children with HIV more likely to develop atherosclerosis

Children with HIV have a 2.5 fold increased risk of atherosclerosis, according to research presented at EUROECHO and other Imaging Modalities 2012. Antiretroviral treatment, lipid lowering drugs and prevention with healthy lifestyles are needed to prevent early death from cardiovascular disease.

5 Dec 2012

Patient-centered relationship increases pain tolerance: Study

A doctor-patient relationship built on trust and empathy doesn't just put patients at ease - it actually changes the brain's response to stress and increases pain tolerance, according to new findings from a Michigan State University research team.

5 Dec 2012

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery attacks cancer cells without harming normal ones

This month, Molecular Pharmaceutics reported promising findings from the Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research and the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Delaware, about the potential for nanotechnology to deliver chemotherapeutic agents in a way that attacks cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

5 Dec 2012

Selective targeting of neurotransmitters may allow for new medication therapies for GI conditions

Selective targeting of the neurotransmitter that differentially affects brain cells that control the two distinct functions of the pancreas may allow for new medication therapies for conditions like diabetes, dyspepsia and gastro-esophageal reflux, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

5 Dec 2012

HHS says health law changes to Medicare drug program saved seniors $5 billion

The administration announces that almost 2.8 million people have saved an average $677, because the law is closing the prescription drug doughnut hole.

5 Dec 2012

Appeals court reverses conviction of drug sales rep who talked about off-label uses

In a case that could have broad ramifications for the pharmaceutical industry, a federal appeals court on Monday threw out the conviction of a sales representative who sold a drug for uses not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The judges said that the ban on so-called off-label marketing violated the representative's freedom of speech.

5 Dec 2012

Researchers investigate GPER receptor as possible new drug target for breast cancer

Five-year breast cancer survival rates have improved dramatically over the past 50 years, but tumors can recur up to ten or more years after they are detected. When tumors recur, they are even more difficult to treat.

5 Dec 2012

Telestroke appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals

Researchers have found that using telemedicine to deliver stroke care, also known as telestroke, appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals that do not have an around-the-clock neurologist, or stroke expert, on staff.

5 Dec 2012

Starting ART for HIV decreases food insecurity among patients in Uganda

Can treatment with modern anti-HIV drugs help fight hunger for HIV-infected patients in Africa? Starting antiretroviral therapy for HIV reduces "food insecurity" among patients in Uganda, suggests a study published online by the journal AIDS, official journal of the International AIDS Society. AIDS is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

5 Dec 2012

Smokers more likely to report hangover symptoms after heavy drinking

People who like to smoke when they drink may be at greater risk of suffering a hangover the next morning, according to a study in the January 2013 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

5 Dec 2012

Combining 5-fluorouracil and IL-1 beta inhibitor can improve effectiveness of chemotherapy

These results reveal how the immune system can then limit the effectiveness of some cancer chemotherapies. The researchers now intend to block the molecules responsible for negative immune system activation to increase the efficiency of chemotherapy. A clinical trial to test this hypothesis should begin very soon.

5 Dec 2012

Drugs News and Research

Scientists develop MitoFish for in vivo studies of mitochondria transport in nerve cells

Western University research could lead to better treatments for PTSD and drug addiction

Viewpoints: Sen. Whitehouse argues deficit fix shouldn't be about Medicare; Is a plunge over the cliff so bad?

First U.S. patient treated with deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer's at Johns Hopkins

Tenofovir DF safe and effective in treating adolescents with HBV

University of Florida initiates enrollment in SPI-1005 Phase II trial for sensorineural hearing loss

Roundup: Florida health law battles take new turn; Oklahoma court rejects anti-abortion law; Calif. kids Medi-Cal dispute continues

‘Pain as reward’ raises tolerance threshold

Surprising discovery about physical properties of cancer cells

Children with HIV more likely to develop atherosclerosis

Patient-centered relationship increases pain tolerance: Study

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery attacks cancer cells without harming normal ones

Selective targeting of neurotransmitters may allow for new medication therapies for GI conditions

HHS says health law changes to Medicare drug program saved seniors $5 billion

Appeals court reverses conviction of drug sales rep who talked about off-label uses

Researchers investigate GPER receptor as possible new drug target for breast cancer

Telestroke appears to be cost-effective for rural hospitals

Starting ART for HIV decreases food insecurity among patients in Uganda

Smokers more likely to report hangover symptoms after heavy drinking

Combining 5-fluorouracil and IL-1 beta inhibitor can improve effectiveness of chemotherapy

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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