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Scientists manipulate living cells to produce fluorinated bioplastics

Natural organic compounds that contain fluorine are rare because living organisms—with a few exceptions—do not produce them.

4 Oct 2017

CRISPR-Gold corrects gene mutations in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have engineered a new way to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology inside cells and have demonstrated in mice that the technology can repair the mutation that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe muscle-wasting disease.

4 Oct 2017

Researchers awarded NIH grant to develop, test new drugs for treating Giardia infections

The microscopic parasite Giardia can be found within Idaho, every region of the U.S. and around the world. While Giardia is not considered fatal, anyone who has suffered from the diarrheal disease knows how uncomfortable it can be.

3 Oct 2017

Scientists unravel mechanism that links gut bacteria to hypertension

One in three American adults suffers from high blood pressure, or hypertension. The disease can be passed down in families, and certain lifestyle factors such as smoking, high-sodium diets, and stress can increase the risk.

3 Oct 2017

“Chemical surgery” on embryos to free them of a gene causing thalassemia

A team of Chinese researchers have for the first time “mended” defective embryos using chemical surgery to free them of a faulty gene that leads to beta thalassemia. Until now this defect was found to be incorrigible caused due to a single misspelling in the DNA code. Beta thalassemia is a dreaded blood disorder wherein the child is unable to make healthy blood needing blood transfusions on a regular basis. The study was published this week in the journal Protein and Cell.

2 Oct 2017

Researchers produce fluorinated molecules in living cells

Natural organic compounds that contain fluorine are rare because living organisms—with a few exceptions—do not produce them. American scientists have now genetically engineered a microbial host for organofluorine metabolism, allowing it to produce a fluoridated intermediate known as a diketide.

30 Sep 2017

TSRI scientists developed new strategy to discover novel anti-cancer therapies

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed and demonstrated a promising new strategy for the discovery of novel anti-cancer therapies.

30 Sep 2017

UM SOM study finds intriguing relationship between sleep, cognition and kynurenine compound

More than 3.2 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia; about 100,000 people are newly diagnosed every year. The disease includes a wide range of symptoms including visual and auditory hallucinations, cognitive problems and motivational issues.

28 Sep 2017

BD launches first automated phenotypic test for CPO detection

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, today announced the launch of the first automated phenotypic test to detect and classify carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO).

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 28 Sep 2017

Notre Dame's HCRI publishes two papers involving ovarian cancer research

Two papers involving ovarian cancer research at the University of Notre Dame's Harper Cancer Research Institute, one featuring new research and the other a review article, were published as cover stories in their respective journals.

27 Sep 2017

MIT study sheds light on flu viruses' rapid evolution

Influenza viruses mutate rapidly, which is why flu vaccines have to be redesigned every year. A new study from MIT sheds light on just how these viruses evolve so quickly and offers a potential way to slow them down.

26 Sep 2017

Injections of hunger hormone blocker can halt typical weight gain in mice

Mayo Clinic scientists have shown that injections of a hunger hormone blocker in mice can halt the typical weight gain after dieting and help prevent rebound obesity in the long term. The research findings appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

26 Sep 2017

New study shows how staph cells evade the body's immune system

For years, medical investigators have tried and failed to develop vaccines for a type of staph bacteria associated with the deadly superbug MRSA. But a new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators shows how staph cells evade the body's immune system, offering a clearer picture of how a successful vaccine would work.

21 Sep 2017

Increased adrenaline levels in non-smokers’ hearts seen with the use of one e-cigarette with nicotine

A new study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that if non-smokers use one electronic cigarette that contains nicotine, they experience a rise in adrenaline levels in their heart; however, if the e-cigarette is nicotine-free, there was no increase in the levels of adrenaline.

21 Sep 2017

Researchers design novel small antibody fragment with improved crystallizability

Antibodies are a powerful weapon system in defending our body against invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Each antibody consists of four polypeptide chains: two heavy chains and two light chains joined to form a Y-shaped molecule.

21 Sep 2017

Penn researchers identify new way to target enzyme crucial to tumor growth, develop new drugs

Opening up a new pathway to fight cancer, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found a way to target an enzyme that is crucial to tumor growth while also blocking the mechanism that has made past attempts to target that enzyme resistant to treatment.

20 Sep 2017

Rutgers scientists shed light on fat-regulating enzyme’s role in human health

It had already been known that the enzyme known as phosphatidic acid phosphatase plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of fat in the human body. Controlling it is therefore of interest in the fight against obesity.

20 Sep 2017

Eczema patients’ lack of disease knowledge could lead to misinformed treatment choices

To mark National Eczema Week, Gladskin is releasing a new survey showing that two-thirds of UK eczema patients don’t know bacteria play a role in their condition, whereas studies show the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is present on the skin of over 70% of patients and is associated with the severity and flares of eczema.

20 Sep 2017

Gene therapy could be novel approach to treat alcoholism, research suggests

Researchers used gene transfer to block the expression of one of the two main enzymes that break down alcohol in the liver, leading to the accumulation in liver cells of acetaldehyde, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol.

19 Sep 2017

Cancer-fighting cells destroy tumors more effectively after being starved for oxygen

Mountain climbers and endurance athletes are not the only ones to benefit from altitude training - that is, learning to perform well under low-oxygen conditions.

18 Sep 2017