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AstraZeneca’s new precision biologic gets FDA approval to treat severe eosinophilic asthma

AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved FASENRA (benralizumab) for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype.

14 Nov 2017

Researchers find way to improve immunotherapy drugs’ impact while limiting side effects

By connecting highly effective cancer immunotherapy drugs such as anti-CTLA4 (ipilimumab) and anti-PD-L1 (atezolizumab) to peptides that bind to tissues in and around tumors, a research team based at the University of Chicago found a way to improve the drugs' impact while limiting treatment-related side effects.

9 Nov 2017

Exposure to BPA during pregnancy may lead to long-lasting health problems in offspring

A chemical called bisphenol A -- BPA -- used in plastic packaging and in the linings of food and beverage cans, may be passed from a mother to her offspring during pregnancy and cause changes in the gut bacteria of the offspring, according to an international team of researchers.

8 Nov 2017

Epidural pain relief with fentanyl during childbirth does not affect early breastfeeding success

Including the opioid fentanyl in the solution used to maintain an epidural during childbirth does not appear to affect the success of breastfeeding six weeks after delivery, according to a study published in Anesthesiology, the peer-reviewed medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Previous research has suggested fentanyl might be associated with early termination of breastfeeding.

8 Nov 2017

Molecular tests to detect Zika virus should be repeated more than once in pregnant women

Molecular tests to detect Zika virus, which enable identification of the pathogen's genetic material in body fluids, such as blood, urine, semen and saliva during the acute phase of infection, have been used routinely in prenatal checkups for pregnant women with symptoms of the disease.

1 Nov 2017

Study shows feasibility of home monitoring to detect heart arrhythmias in developing fetuses

As reported in the Journal of Perinatology, researchers from Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) recently confirmed that it is feasible for at-risk pregnant women to use commercially-available Doppler fetal heart rate monitors for home monitoring to detect heart arrhythmias in their developing fetuses.

25 Oct 2017

Research will explore biological mechanisms triggered by air pollution exposure during pregnancy

New research will seek to understand the biological mechanisms that are triggered by exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and lead to lower birth weight in newborns, placing them at greater risk for chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease and hypertension later in life.

10 Oct 2017

Change in epigenetic gene regulation by imprinting can trigger preeclampsia, study shows

Preeclampsia is the most dangerous form of hypertension during a pregnancy and can be fatal for both mother and child. Though it is known to originate in the placenta, the root causes remain largely a mystery.

6 Oct 2017

Antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic protects monkeys from infection, study shows

Using blood samples from an individual previously infected with Zika virus, scientists funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, have developed an antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic that protected monkeys from infection.

5 Oct 2017

Researchers find genetic variation linked to effects of prenatal alcohol exposure

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, have found a genetic variation, which associates with the damage caused by maternal alcohol consumption. This genetic variation clarifies the role of genetic factors in the alcohol-induced developmental disorders and could be useful in future diagnostics.

5 Oct 2017

New gel patch could speed up healing and minimize formation of scars

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have developed a new gel patch prototype that could speed up the healing of a skin wound while minimizing the formation of scars. The team unveiled the patch today as a proof-of-concept.

25 Sep 2017

Scientists use genome editing to understand role of a gene key to human embryonic development

Researchers have used a genome-editing technique to elucidate the role of a gene that is key to human embryonic development.

21 Sep 2017

Study may provide insights into treating autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders

Alterations in a naturally occurring chemical in the brain called serotonin have been linked to a number of neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

20 Sep 2017

Leeds Teaching Hospitals to introduce private stem cell collection and storage option for patients

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is continually striving to provide high quality, patient centred care to each and every patient. Smart Cells International, in association with the trust, will be introducing the option for patients to privately store stem cells from the umbilical cord across St James’s University Hospital, Leeds General Infirmary and Wharfedale Hospital.

14 Sep 2017

Pregnant women with endometriosis have greater risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery

A new meta-analysis shows that pregnant women with endometriosis are at greater risk for a host of complications during pregnancy and at delivery, including preterm birth and cesarean section. The study was published in the journal Fertility and Sterility.

13 Sep 2017

Older wombs have more trouble in adapting to pregnancy

Deciding to start a family later in life could be about more than just the age of your eggs. A new study in mice suggests the age of a mother's womb may also have a part to play.

5 Sep 2017

Link found between fetal genes and risk of preeclampsia in mother

For the first time, a relationship has been found between fetal genes and the risk of preeclampsia in the mother.

31 Aug 2017

Placenta-on-a-chip device mimics microenvironment of malaria in the womb to develop treatments

Malaria, one of the most severe public health problems, affected 212 million people worldwide in 2015. This life-threatening disease is caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

29 Aug 2017

Artificial womb may provide avenue to improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants

An artificial womb has been successfully used to incubate healthy baby lambs for a period of one week, and researchers hope the technology will one day be able to do the same for extremely premature babies.

17 Aug 2017

Researchers work toward developing better definition of neonatal acute kidney injury

Each year, thousands of infants in the United States end up in neonatal intensive care units with acute kidney injury (AKI), a condition in which the kidneys falter in performing the critical role of filtering waste products and excess fluid from the blood to produce urine.

10 Aug 2017