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The human brain is the center of the human nervous system and is a highly complex organ. Enclosed in the cranium, it has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times as large as the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size.

1976 "swine flu" vaccine protects against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus

New evidence shows immunization against "swine flu" in 1976 might provide individuals with some protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, according to new research from St. Jude investigators.

24 Apr 2010

Spring fever not an official medical condition

In the season of ducklings, blooming dogwoods and open-toed sandals, some people are struck with a mysterious malady - spring fever.

24 Apr 2010

Temperature-sensing ability in proteins remain a mystery

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) have shed new light on the molecular mechanism that enables us to sense temperature, such as the heat from a sizzling stove. In addition to contributing to our knowledge of basic biology, the findings could one day lead to new therapies for conditions such as acute or chronic inflammatory pain.

24 Apr 2010

New understanding of nerve cell influence in exchange of information

Nerve cells communicate with each other by means of electrical impulses. To create such an impulse, the cells exchange charged ions with their environment. However, the role played by the ever-present chloride channels remained obscure, although some theories predicted a relation between the chloride channel ClC-2 and epilepsy.

24 Apr 2010

Myths and facts about pediatric cancer

"Your child has cancer." They are words every parent can't imagine hearing.

24 Apr 2010

Karolinska University Hospital acquires Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion fifth generation radiosurgery system

Prof. Lars Leksell (1907-1986), inventor of the radiosurgical instrument that bears his name and a faculty member of Karolinska University Hospital (Solna, Sweden), performed the world's first Gamma Knife® surgery at nearby Sophiahemmet Hospital, the location of the first Leksell Gamma Knife. Karolinska University Hospital recently acquired Elekta's fifth generation radiosurgery system, Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™.

24 Apr 2010

CAT may improve QOL in pediatric oncology patients undergoing therapy: Researchers

As health care professionals continue placing greater emphasis on the quality of life of childhood cancer patients, researchers have found that creative arts therapy may improve QOL in pediatric oncology patients undergoing therapy.

24 Apr 2010

New hopes to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for children

Motivated clinicians and an Internet connection combined with computers and e-mail access have the power to transform pediatric cancer treatment in the most remote corners of earth, according to a St. Jude investigator writing in a recent issue of The Lancet Oncology.

24 Apr 2010

Victoza produces greater reductions in A1C, FPG and body weight than Januvia: Study

Yesterday, The Lancet published online the results of the first study comparing the once-daily human GLP-1 analog, Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA] injection) with a DPP-4 inhibitor, Januvia. The 26-week trial showed that Victoza produced significantly greater reductions in A1C, fasting plasma glucose, and body weight than Januvia, with similar or better overall treatment satisfaction.

24 Apr 2010

Prevention and nonsurgical treatment options to prevent low back pain and protect spine

Back and neck problems can be caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, injury, strain or osteoarthritis. "Although more than 75 percent of Americans will experience some back pain during their lifetime, about 90 percent of cases are resolved without surgery," stated John K. Ratliff, MD, FACS, a Philadelphia spine surgeon and American Association of Neurological Surgeons spokesperson.

24 Apr 2010

Karolinska University Hospital acquires Elekta's fifth generation radiosurgery system

Prof. Lars Leksell (1907-1986), inventor of the radiosurgical instrument that bears his name and a faculty member of Karolinska University Hospital (Solna, Sweden), performed the world's first Gamma Knife surgery at nearby Sophiahemmet Hospital, the location of the first Leksell Gamma Knife. Karolinska University Hospital recently acquired Elekta's fifth generation radiosurgery system, Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion.

24 Apr 2010

Oncolytics Biotech completes Phase I enrollment in Phase I/II trial of REOLYSIN for recurrent malignant gliomas

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announced today that it has completed Phase I patient enrollment in its Phase I/II clinical trial to investigate the use of REOLYSIN(R) for patients with recurrent malignant gliomas (REO 007). The principal investigator is Dr. James Markert, Division Director of Neurosurgery, and Professor, Neurosurgery and Physiology, the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

23 Apr 2010

State of California adds Distracted Driving as new area for concentrated effort to SHSP

Driver distractions have joined alcohol and speeding as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. The National Safety Council estimates that up to 25 percent of all crashes in 2008 involved talking on cell phones or texting. To combat this growing threat on our roadways, the State of California has added Distracted Driving as the first new area for concentrated effort to the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

23 Apr 2010

NREF announces fellowship funding for 2010-2011

The Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), which reached an agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (Codman) in December 2009 to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation's new post-residency, clinical fellowship grant program, is pleased to announce that the following programs have been awarded fellowship funding for 2010-2011: Baylor College of Medicine (pediatric neurosurgery), Brigham & Women's Hospital (general neurosurgery),

23 Apr 2010

GIS scientists' zebrafish model may aid drug development for PD

Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore, a biomedical research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, have recently developed a zebrafish model for Parkinson's disease that can be used for understanding the mechanism underlying its development. The knowledge gained will be helpful for future screening of new drugs to treat Parkinson's disease.

23 Apr 2010

Research into Planarian worm 'Smed-prep' gene may pave way for regeneration of human organs

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have discovered the gene that enables an extraordinary worm to regenerate its own body parts after amputation — including a whole head and brain.

23 Apr 2010

Crystal structures of key fluorescent proteins to "light up" molecules in cells

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have determined the crystal structures of two key fluorescent proteins - one blue, one red - used to "light up" molecules in cells.

23 Apr 2010

Techniques to protect organs during bypass surgery impair autoregulation, increase risk of stroke: Study

The standard practice of cooling and then rewarming a patient to prevent organ damage during cardiac bypass surgery may impair the body's mechanism that controls blood flow to the brain, potentially increasing the patient's risk of stroke, new research from Johns Hopkins suggests.

23 Apr 2010

New multi-faceted treatment program for young adults addicted to opioid drugs

A multi-faceted treatment program for young adults addicted to opioid drugs was unveiled today at the National Institute on Drug Abuse's Blending Conference in Albuquerque, N.M. This eighth meeting in the series brings together researchers and clinicians so their latest findings can be immediately applied to the needs of patients and their families dealing with addictive disorders.

23 Apr 2010

Geron scientists highlight importance of telomerase inhibitor, GRN163L at AACR 2010

Geron Corporation today announced five presentations by Geron scientists and collaborators on the company's telomerase inhibitor, imetelstat sodium, including the drug's activity against cancer stem cells, at the 101st American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting held in Washington D.C.

23 Apr 2010

Brain News and Research

Further Reading

1976 "swine flu" vaccine protects against 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus

Spring fever not an official medical condition

Temperature-sensing ability in proteins remain a mystery

New understanding of nerve cell influence in exchange of information

Myths and facts about pediatric cancer

Karolinska University Hospital acquires Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion fifth generation radiosurgery system

CAT may improve QOL in pediatric oncology patients undergoing therapy: Researchers

New hopes to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment for children

Victoza produces greater reductions in A1C, FPG and body weight than Januvia: Study

Prevention and nonsurgical treatment options to prevent low back pain and protect spine

Karolinska University Hospital acquires Elekta's fifth generation radiosurgery system

Oncolytics Biotech completes Phase I enrollment in Phase I/II trial of REOLYSIN for recurrent malignant gliomas

State of California adds Distracted Driving as new area for concentrated effort to SHSP

NREF announces fellowship funding for 2010-2011

GIS scientists' zebrafish model may aid drug development for PD

Research into Planarian worm 'Smed-prep' gene may pave way for regeneration of human organs

Crystal structures of key fluorescent proteins to "light up" molecules in cells

Techniques to protect organs during bypass surgery impair autoregulation, increase risk of stroke: Study

New multi-faceted treatment program for young adults addicted to opioid drugs

Geron scientists highlight importance of telomerase inhibitor, GRN163L at AACR 2010

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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