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Genetic factors play an important role in the development of type 1 diabetes

Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Anette Ziegler, scientists of the Diabetes Research Group at Helmholtz Zentrum München and Technische Universität München investigated the formation of antibodies to a zinc transporter in children with elevated risk for type 1 diabetes. The study provided indications of an early onset of the disease when specific antibodies in the blood and specific variants of the associated zinc transporter are present in the genome.

30 Sep 2009

Plexxikon commences patient dosage in PLX4032 trials for metastatic melanoma

Plexxikon Inc. announces that enrollment has been initiated and the first patient has been treated in the first of two pivotal trials of PLX4032 (RG7204) in patients with metastatic melanoma. PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing mutation occurring in about 50 percent of melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors.

30 Sep 2009

Coupling electrosurgery with mass spectrometry for real-time identification of tumor tissues

Instead of the classic scalpel, surgeons can also operate with an electroscalpel. A significant advantage to this technique is that while a cut is being made, blood vessels are closed off and hemorrhaging eliminated. Now another advantage may be added as well: a German-Hungarian research team has developed a mass-spectrometry-based technique by which tissues can be analyzed during a surgical procedure.

30 Sep 2009

Life Technologies Foundation awards grants for advancements in science

The Life Technologies Foundation, a non-profit arm of Life Technologies Corporation dedicated to advancing science education and scientific discovery, has awarded approximately $1.7 million in new grants that include the creation of an online biology textbook, and building a museum exhibit about the human cell.

30 Sep 2009

Researchers uncover evolutionary ancestry of prion gene

A University of Toronto-led team has uncovered the evolutionary ancestry of the prion gene, which may reveal new understandings of how the prion protein causes diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease."

30 Sep 2009

Therapeutic target for acute respiratory distress syndrome identified

Research led by Dr. Jay Kolls, Professor and Chairman of Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, has identified a therapeutic target for acute lung injury resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome, a highly fatal complication of influenza infection.

30 Sep 2009

New treatment for Alzheimer's disease may be in the offing

Oleocanthal, a naturally-occurring compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, alters the structure of neurotoxic proteins believed to contribute to the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease. This structural change impedes the proteins' ability to damage brain nerve cells.

30 Sep 2009

The still elusive malaria vaccine

A deadly disease, malaria afflicts 350-500 million people worldwide each year and kills more than a million people. Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, the disease occurs in more than 100 countries and territories, with at least 40 percent of the world's population at risk.

30 Sep 2009

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center awards $50,000 to three young investigators

Three young investigators who have taken significant steps toward advancing the understanding of cancer will be the recipients of this year's Paul Marks Prize for Cancer Research, a prize awarded biennially since 2001 to scientists under the age of forty-six by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

30 Sep 2009

Drug addiction recovery center breaks city ordinances

One of the community's most brightly colored buildings also represents a bright future for Detroiters struggling against addiction.

30 Sep 2009

Response Genetics launches new genetic diagnostic test for gastric cancer

Response Genetics, Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, announced today the availability of its ResponseDX: Gastric™ genetic test panel, a proprietary PCR-based diagnostic test. By analyzing the expression of genes that correlate with response to commonly used chemotherapy agents, physicians can better tailor treatment for their patients with gastric cancer and gastroesophageal (GE) junction cancer.

29 Sep 2009

Doctations launches blog to improve healthcare

Doctations, Inc., an innovative leader in applying Internet technology to improve healthcare, today announced the launch of its new DocPatient blog. Weekly postings to the blog site by company executives and thought leaders will address timely healthcare related topics, express expert opinions and pose provocative questions intended to inform the community, stimulate constructive dialogue and promote healthcare improvement.

29 Sep 2009

Synta commences Phase 1/2 clinical study of novel Hsp90 inhibitor in hematologic malignancies

Synta Pharmaceuticals Corp., a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing small molecule drugs to treat severe medical conditions, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical study of its novel heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) inhibitor, STA-9090 in hematologic malignancies with a once-a-week dosing schedule.

29 Sep 2009

Aurora Breast MRI and Clear Channel Radio join to support The Wellness Community fundraiser

Aurora Breast MRI of Sarasota today announced it has partnered with Clear Channel Radio for a fundraising effort to benefit The Wellness Community of Southwest Florida. The fundraiser, titled “Change for Change,” will consist of a series of breast cancer awareness messages throughout the month of October to encourage donations at area “Change for Change” locations.

29 Sep 2009

New microchip to detect type and severity of cancer

UofT researchers have used nanomaterials to develop a microchip sensitive enough to quickly determine the type and severity of a patient's cancer so that the disease can be detected earlier for more effective treatment.

29 Sep 2009

Research finds novel chemical that targets drug-resistant bacteria

Eric Brown, a professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, and a team of researchers from the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research have identified a novel chemical compound that targets drug-resistant bacteria in a different way from existing antibiotics. The discovery could lead to new treatments to overcome antibiotic resistance in certain types of microorganisms.

29 Sep 2009

CIHR and CMAJ honour eight Canadian Health Researchers

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) today honoured eight outstanding Canadian individuals and teams with the first ever CIHR-CMAJ Top Canadian Achievements in Health Research Awards, which recognize and celebrate Canadian health research and innovation excellence.

29 Sep 2009

The mysterious origin of Merkel cells

A new study resolves a 130-year-old mystery over the developmental origin of specialized skin cells involved in touch sensation. The findings will appear in the October 5, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (online September 28).

29 Sep 2009

Winners of Paul Marks Prize 2009

29 Sep 2009

NovoCure initiates newly-diagnosed GBM clinical trial

NovoCure, Ltd., a privately held medical device company focused on developing the Novo-TTF device, a non-invasive portable medical device for the treatment of cancer, announced the completion of a new funding round today. Key investors in this round included Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation and Index Ventures.

29 Sep 2009