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Scientists use super microscope to pinpoint body’s immunity ‘switch’

Using the only microscope of its kind in Australia, medical scientists have been able for the first time to see the inner workings of T-cells, the front-line troops that alert our immune system to go on the defensive against germs and other invaders in our bloodstream.

5 Jun 2011

Scientists to reveal latest research breakthroughs at 'Chemistry and Health' conference

To mark the International Year of Chemistry, the 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Palais des congr-s de Montr-al from June 5 to 9, 2011. The gathering is the biggest ever annual event in Canada to focus on science and the practice of chemistry.

4 Jun 2011

DFG to form new collaborative research centers as of 1 July 2011

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) will establish 21 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) as of 1 July 2011. This was decided by the relevant Grants Committee at its spring meeting in Bonn.

4 Jun 2011

Dendritic cells secrete signal molecule that contributes to pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and results from chronic inflammation of arterial vessel walls. An international collaboration led by Professor Christian Weber of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich and Privatdozentin Alma Zernecke of Würzburg University now shows that dendritic cells stimulate this process by derailing a mechanism that normally acts as a brake on immune reactions.

4 Jun 2011

Brown University researchers develop 2-D maps of neural circuitry in human brain

Medical imaging systems allow neurologists to summon 3-D color renditions of the brain at a moment's notice, yielding valuable insights. But sometimes there can be too much detail; important elements can go unnoticed.

4 Jun 2011

Peptide vaccine, Interleukin-2 show promise for patients with metastatic melanoma

For patients with advanced melanoma, which is the most lethal type of skin cancer, the results of a large clinical trial show that a vaccine combined with the immune-boosting drug Interleukin-2 can improve response rate and progression-free survival.

4 Jun 2011

MreB protein molecules assemble into larger units in bacterial cell wall

Almost all bacteria owe their structure to an outer cell wall that interacts closely with the supporting MreB protein inside the cell. As scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry and at the French INRA now show, MreB molecules assemble into larger units, but not - as previously believed - into continuous helical structures.

4 Jun 2011

Insight into understanding of normal muscle growth

Revealing another part of the story of muscle development, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown how the cytoskeleton from one muscle cell builds finger-like projections that invade into another muscle cell's territory, eventually forcing the cells to combine.

4 Jun 2011

Cancer vaccine shows improved response rate in patients

A vaccine for one of the most lethal cancers, advanced melanoma, has improved response rate and progression-free survival for patients when combined with the immunotherapy drug Interleukin-2, according to research led by scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Indiana University Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care.

3 Jun 2011

Lung-sparing surgery, photodynamic therapy improve survival of mesothelioma patients

Pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) show superior overall survival than patient treated using the conventional therapy of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) with PDT, indicates new research from the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

3 Jun 2011

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

University of Louisville researchers are one step closer to helping millions of people whose salivary glands no longer work because of disease or damage from treatment of diseases.

3 Jun 2011

Bio-Tissue ships over 7,500 ProKera medical device since product's inception

Bio-Tissue, the industry leader in Ophthalmic tissue products, announced today that it has shipped over 7,500 ProKera units since the product's inception. ProKera is the only medical device that can provide wound healing to over 350,000 annual cases of patients afflicted with damaged ocular surfaces.

2 Jun 2011

Heptares, AstraZeneca partner to discover and develop new GPCR drug targets

AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics today announced they have entered a four-year collaboration focused on the potential discovery and development of new medicines targeting G-protein coupled receptors.

31 May 2011

Molecular mechanism of selected autophagy elucidated

Salmonella is widely prevalent in the animal kingdom. The reason we do not suffer from severe intestinal infections very often is due to our body's defence system, which manages to digest invading bacteria. This is why, generally speaking, a healthy human being will only fall ill if he consumes more than 100.000 salmonella bacteria via a contaminated food source, such as eggs or meat.

27 May 2011

Researchers find mechanism of action for cancer-killing peptides

Researchers from Aalto University have found the mechanism of action for cancer-cell-killing peptides. This breakthrough is expected to lead to better medication, in particular better treatments for leukemia, skin cancer, and infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria.

27 May 2011

Lytix Biopharma completes two LTX-109 Phase I/IIa studies in MRSA, Gram+ skin infections

The Norwegian pharmaceutical company Lytix Biopharma today announces the successful completion of two Phase I/IIa studies with the topical antimicrobial drug Lytixar - one for nasal decolonisation of MRSA / MSSA bacteria and one for treatment of Gram+ skin infections.

26 May 2011

HDL to acquire Harris Scientific

Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc., a CAP accredited leader in health management, announced today that it will expand its comprehensive test menu of risk factors and biomarkers for cardiovascular and related diseases through the acquisition of Harris Scientific, Inc., a company providing omega-3 fatty acid testing based on the research of Dr. William Harris.

25 May 2011

Nanoscopic findings may lead to new experimental methods for early multiple sclerosis diagnosis

Laboratory studies by chemical engineers at UC Santa Barbara may lead to new experimental methods for early detection and diagnosis -- and to possible treatments -- for pathological tissues that are precursors to multiple sclerosis and similar diseases.

24 May 2011

MO BIO Laboratories introduces PowerWater Sterivex DNA Isolation Kit

MO BIO Laboratories, Inc., the leader in soil, water and microbial nucleic acid purification, announces the launch of an innovative new product, the PowerWater Sterivex DNA Isolation Kit.

23 May 2011

Blood stored in banks may undergo changes and damage

New research provides evidence for significant differences between new and old red blood cells used for transfusions and could provide a cheap, rapid and effective way to monitor the quality of blood supplies.

21 May 2011