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Viral protein hijacks cellular machinery and grabs the wheel

Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a component of the herpesvirus that "hijacks" machinery inside human cells, allowing the virus to rapidly and successfully invade the nervous system upon initial exposure.

30 Mar 2013

Prostate cancer prognosis tables: an interview with Dr John B. Eifler, Brady Urological Institute of Johns Hopkins

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Despite many advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past two decades, it remains the second most common cause of cancer related death in men.

28 Mar 2013

Non-invasive imaging technique for detecting cancer presented at BioPIC 2013

A non-invasive imaging technique which may help in the earlier detection of cancer is among the innovative research being presented at BioPIC 2013, a BioPhotonics and Imaging Conference, taking place in Castleknock Hotel and Country Club, Dublin from 25th - 27th March.

27 Mar 2013

Penn researchers develop nanotechnology-inspired technique for diagnosing Lyme disease

Early diagnosis is critical in treating Lyme disease. However, nearly one quarter of Lyme disease patients are initially misdiagnosed because currently available serological tests have poor sensitivity and specificity during the early stages of infection.

27 Mar 2013

Certain strains of lactobacillus bacteria can dampen production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1

Certain Streptococci increase their production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, sometimes to potentially dangerous levels, when aerobic bacteria are present in the vagina. But scientists from the University of Western Ontario have discovered certain strains of lactobacillus bacteria are capable of dampening production of that toxin according to research published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

25 Mar 2013

WUSTL's Wang receives NSF grant to study oxygen consumption rates of individual cells

When scientists study cells, they need to know how much oxygen each cell consumes to determine its metabolism. However, existing technology limits this study to groups of cells, not individual cells. Lihong Wang, PhD, plans to change that.

21 Mar 2013

Previously unknown cell discovered in the urethra of mice

A recent study conducted by a group of German scientists revealed the presence of a previously unknown cell in the urethra of mice. These chemosensory cholinergic brush cells are in close contact to sensory neurons that express cholinergic receptors.

15 Mar 2013

UNM scientists identify chemical compound that appears to control cell metastases

It's the spread of the original cancer tumor that kills most people. That's why cancer researchers vigorously search for drugs that can prevent metastases, the spread of cancer. The research team co-led by Angela Wandinger-Ness, PhD, and Larry Sklar, PhD, at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center has found a chemical compound that appears to control cell migration and adhesion, two important characteristics of metastatic cancer cells.

14 Mar 2013

Cell fusion studies at Johns Hopkins could lead to improved treatments for muscular dystrophy

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have established a high-efficiency cell-cell fusion system, providing a new model to study how fusion works. The scientists showed that fusion between two cells is not equal and mutual as some assumed, but, rather, is initiated and driven by one of the fusion partners. The discovery, they say, could lead to improved treatments for muscular dystrophy, since muscle regeneration relies on cell fusion to make muscle fibers that contain hundreds or even thousands of nuclei.

8 Mar 2013

Researchers uncover cellular-level detail of what happens when bone bears stress over time

From athletes to individuals suffering from osteoporosis, bone fractures are usually the result of tiny cracks accumulating over time -- invisible rivulets of damage that, when coalesced, lead to that painful break.

8 Mar 2013

Acid reflux can kill certain cancer cells

A University of Central Florida chemist has come up with a unique way to kill certain cancer cells - give them acid reflux.

7 Mar 2013

Two renowned SCCP scientists earn national recognition from Society of Toxicology

Two renowned scientists at the South Carolina College of Pharmacy (SCCP) have garnered national recognition from the Society of Toxicology (SoT), which named them recipients of two of its individual annual awards. It is the first time these awards have gone to individuals from the same College.

27 Feb 2013

Pharmaceutical research centre led by the University of Limerick to receive investment from Science Foundation Ireland

A research centre led by the University of Limerick dedicated to supporting the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland will benefit from today’s announcement of €300 million investment by Science Foundation Ireland. The Irish pharmaceutical industry supports over 60,000 Irish jobs and exports over €50 billion annually.

26 Feb 2013

New research examines role of PKC in airway smooth muscle contraction

New research examines the role of PKC in airway smooth muscle contraction and raises the possibility that this enzyme could be a therapeutic target for treating asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases.

26 Feb 2013

Breast cancer tests: an interview with Dr Steven Quay, CEO of Atossa Genetics

Breast cancer is a major concern throughout the world. It is the number 1 cancer among women and in the Western world it generates approximately one new case per minute: 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

22 Feb 2013

Scientists demonstrate advantages of wavelength-modulated Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectroscopy has enabled incredible advances in numerous scientific fields and is a powerful tool for tissue classification and disease recognition, although there have been considerable challenges to using the method in a clinical setting. Scientists have now demonstrated the advantages of wavelength-modulated Raman spectroscopy, opening the door to wider biomedical and clinical applications such as real-time assessment of tissues during surgery.

20 Feb 2013

New study reveals how control of brain blood flow develops with age

A new study by Columbia Engineering researchers finds that the infant brain does not control its blood flow in the same way as the adult brain. The paper, which the scientists say could change the way researchers study brain development in infants and children, is published in the February 18 Early Online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

19 Feb 2013

'Innovations in Imaging' symposium at AAAS to explore leading edge of microscopy

When difficult biological questions are tackled by creative experts in physics, what can result? Images of great beauty, accessible for anyone to appreciate, that also offer rich information on fundamental life processes, and rewarding new paths for analysis and insight.

18 Feb 2013

Improving tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis: an interview with Professor Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD

TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nearly 9 million people develop TB every year, and TB kills nearly 1.4 million individuals each year. While the incidence of TB has steadily declined in the west, it remains a huge public health problem in many developing countries, with India having the highest burden.

15 Feb 2013

Xpert diagnosis of TB and its drug resistant strains

The use of a novel, diagnostic test called Xpert is both sensitive and specific in detecting tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance, report US researchers.

14 Feb 2013