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Innovative tool helps observe protein aggregates linked to neurodegenerative diseases

For rent: 32 individual rooms for a combined surface area of 4cm2, heating and food included! Biologists and microfluidics specialists at EPFL have joined forces and developed a highly innovative research tool: a 2cm by 2cm 'chip' with 32 independent compartments, each of which is designed to hold a nematode - a widely used worm in the research world. The device is described in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration.

16 Feb 2016

Reducing prison sentences could help curb spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections

Reducing the number of men who go to prison could help curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a community, according to research published in Social Science & Medicine.

10 Feb 2016

Anti-cancer drug uses 50 times less chemo to effectively destroy drug-resistant lung cancer

The cancer drug paclitaxel just got more effective. For the first time, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have packaged it in containers derived from a patient's own immune system, protecting the drug from being destroyed by the body's own defenses and bringing the entire payload to the tumor.

18 Jan 2016

Small volumes of biological liquid waste easily aspirated

VACUSIP is an out-of-the-box solution. Simply connect the collection bottle to the built-in pump and choose the aspiration adapter matching your application. Operation is straight forward – switch the unit on and regulate the vacuum by applying pressure on the autoclavable hand adapter.

From INTEGRA Biosciences 14 Jan 2016

Easy aspiration of small volumes of biological liquid waste

VACUSIP is a portable benchtop vacuum aspiration system from INTEGRA that you can place wherever you need it. Besides increased mobility, the battery version of the VACUSIP allows you to keep the workspace clean and organized, making it ideal for the use in a Class II safety cabinet.

From INTEGRA Biosciences 11 Jan 2016

E-cigarettes damage cells in ways that could lead to cancer

Adding to growing evidence on the possible health risks of electronic cigarettes, a lab team at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System tested two products and found they damaged cells in ways that could lead to cancer. The damage occurred even with nicotine-free versions of the products.

29 Dec 2015

Father-daughter duo co-author research paper on new grapefruit cybrids

When Jude Grosser's daughter, Melinda, was in elementary school, he would often take her to his laboratory at the University of Florida's Citrus Research and Education Center, where he works as a researcher on citrus diseases and creating new varieties.

26 Dec 2015

New easy-to-use computer program can quickly identify drug-resistant infections

Scientists have developed an easy-to-use computer program that can quickly analyse bacterial DNA from a patient's infection and predict which antibiotics will work, and which will fail due to drug resistance. The software is currently being trialled in three UK hospitals to see whether it could help speed up diagnosis of drug-resistant infections and enable doctors to better target the prescription of antibiotics.

21 Dec 2015

Anti-aging Glycopeptide can improve efficacy of cell transplant treatments for diabetes patients

An antifreeze glycopeptide that mimics a naturally occurring glycoprotein found in Arctic fish is helping to significantly improve the efficacy of cell transplant treatments for diabetes patients--a procedure that transplants insulin producing islets to render them insulin independent for periods of time.

18 Dec 2015

New algorithm helps analyze microscope images of cells growing in petri dishes

Scientists looking for ways to stimulate the growth of neurons can spend hours painstakingly analyzing microscope images of cells growing in petri dishes. A new algorithm developed by Brown University researchers automates that process and analyzes images more accurately than previous automated approaches.

8 Dec 2015

Bacteriophage therapy: an alternative to antibiotics? An interview Professor Clokie

A phage is a virus that infects a bacterium. People often get very confused about what the difference is between a virus and a bacterium. A virus, like a bacterium, is also a microorganism, but unlike bacteria, it needs to have a host to be able to replicate and propagate.

2 Dec 2015

BioPlast Manufacturing acquires Kord-Valmark

BioPlast Manufacturing, a manufacturer of plastic components used primarily for the medical research, clinical diagnostic and biotech environments, announced today that it has acquired Kord-Valmark, a leading manufacturer of quality petri dishes. This acquisition is aligned with BioPlast Manufacturing's strategy to offer clients a platform of products that are designed and tested by scientists for scientists and manufactured with the highest quality.

24 Nov 2015

Urine-derived iPSCs model could help predict patient response to cholesterol-lowering drugs

We all know how important it is to keep our levels of blood cholesterol - especially the 'bad' variety - in check with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Although cholesterol is a key structural component of cell membranes and is vital for the biosynthesis of certain hormones and vitamins, high levels can lead to the formation of arterial plaques, which are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease.

20 Nov 2015

Last resort antibiotics may no longer work

E.coli has become resistant to the last line of antibiotics we have left and untreatable bugs may already be circulating in Britain, warn scientists.

19 Nov 2015

NTU Singapore scientists harness dead bacteria to destroy colon tumours cells effectively

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University have successfully used dead bacteria to kill colorectal cancer cells. Harvesting the Clostridium sporogenes bacteria found commonly in soil, the NTU team was able to harness the bacteria in its dead form, and its secretions, to destroy colon tumours cells effectively.

9 Nov 2015

Research sheds new light on the fight against tonsil cancer

Researchers at Simon Fraser University and the BC Cancer Agency have developed a groundbreaking method to identify and separate stem cells that reside in the tonsils. Their research, which sheds new light on the fight against oral cancer, is published today in the journal Stem Cell Reports.

3 Nov 2015

Resistance to CD19 CAR T-cell therapy can be caused by CD19 splicing alterations

Resistance to CD19 CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy that yields long-lasting remissions in many patients with B-cell leukemia, can be caused by CD19 splicing alterations, leading to loss of certain parts of the CD19 protein that are recognized by the CAR T cells.

31 Oct 2015