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Gamers solve molecular structure of retrovirus enzyme

Gamers have solved the structure of a retrovirus enzyme whose configuration had stumped scientists for more than a decade. The gamers achieved their discovery by playing Foldit, an online game that allows players to collaborate and compete in predicting the structure of protein molecules.

19 Sep 2011

Cornell researchers learn how helicase enzyme works to unzip two strands of DNA

With an eye toward understanding DNA replication, Cornell researchers have learned how a helicase enzyme works to actually unzip the two strands of DNA.

19 Sep 2011

Two newer Type 2 diabetes drugs could be linked to increased risk of pancreatic cancer

Two newer drugs used to treat Type 2 diabetes could be linked to a significantly increased risk of developing pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and one could also be linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer, according to a new UCLA study.

19 Sep 2011

Novel therapies remove the brakes cancer puts on the immune system

Some of the newest therapies in the war on cancer remove the brakes cancer puts on the immune system, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers report.

17 Sep 2011

Study reveals altered digestive genes in children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances

Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and at the Harvard Medical School report that children with autism and gastrointestinal disturbances have altered expression of genes involved in digestion. These variations may contribute to changes in the types of bacteria in their intestines.

17 Sep 2011

New diabetes drugs linked to increased risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer

17 Sep 2011

Novel imaging technique reveals new visual resolution of NK cell action

Scientists reveal in more detail than ever before how white blood cells kill diseased tissue using deadly granules, in research published today in PLoS Biology.

16 Sep 2011

Teva to invest in CDI for development of novel antiviral drugs

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that it has signed a collaboration option to license and share purchase agreements to invest in Cocrystal Discovery Inc. (CDI), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antiviral therapeutics for the treatment of serious and chronic viral diseases.

16 Sep 2011

New computational method quickly predicts three-dimensional structure of protein

An Oak Ridge National Laboratory invention able to quickly predict three-dimensional structure of protein could have huge implications for drug discovery and human health.

15 Sep 2011

Natural killer white blood cells caught on film

Scientists reveal in more detail than ever before how white blood cells kill diseased tissue using deadly granules, in research published today in PLoS Biology.

14 Sep 2011

Celecoxib inhibits GSK3 enzyme in lung cancer cells

Several clinical studies have shown that taking the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib can reduce the risk of developing polyps that lead to colon cancers, at the cost of increasing the risk of heart disease. But what if this tradeoff was not necessary?

14 Sep 2011

Pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver

New research conducted at the University of Tokyo suggests that pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver.

14 Sep 2011

Curcumin suppresses cell signaling pathway that drives growth of head and neck cancer

Curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric, suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer, according to a pilot study using human saliva by researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

14 Sep 2011

Spices boost broccoli's power to fight cancer

Teaming fresh broccoli with a spicy food that contains the enzyme myrosinase significantly enhances each food's individual cancer-fighting power and ensures that absorption takes place in the upper part of the digestive system where you'll get the maximum health benefit, suggests a new University of Illinois study.

14 Sep 2011

ViroPharma initiates Cinryze Phase 2 subcutaneous trial in patients with HAE

ViroPharma Incorporated and Halozyme Therapeutics announced today that ViroPharma has initiated an open-label, multi-dose Phase 2 study to evaluate the safety, and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneous administration of Cinryze in combination with Halozyme's Enhanze technology, a proprietary drug delivery platform using Halozyme's recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme, in subjects with hereditary angioedema.

14 Sep 2011

AM-Pharma announces €29.2m series D round of financing

AM-Pharma B.V., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the preclinical and clinical development of Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) for treatment of severe inflammatory diseases, today announced that it has raised €29.2m in Series D financing.

13 Sep 2011

Hawthorn, CoPlex Therapeutics sign licensing deal to develop and commercialize hawAD14 for Alzheimer's

Hawthorn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today an exclusive global licensing deal with CoPlex Therapeutics on hawAD14, a preclinical oral small molecule candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

13 Sep 2011

Researchers identify glucokinase triggers beta cell regeneration in pancreas

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified the key signal that prompts production of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas -- a breakthrough discovery that may ultimately help researchers find ways to restore or increase beta cell function in people with type 1 diabetes.

12 Sep 2011

IBN scientists harness ultrasmall peptides to repair spinal disc damage

New ultrasmall peptides that can be used as building blocks for a wide range of regenerative applications such as spinal disc replacement and cartilage repair have been developed by scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute. These peptides spontaneously assemble in water to form hydrogels, which resemble collagen, a major component of connective tissues found in cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and skin.

12 Sep 2011

Crocus plant to provide a tumor killing “smart bomb”

According to the latest research, a drug derived from plant extracts could wipe out tumors in a single treatment with minimal side effects. Scientists have turned a chemical found in crocuses into a ‘smart bomb’ that targets cancerous tumors. The advantage is that healthy tissue is unharmed, reducing the odds of debilitating side effects. And unlike other side effect-free drugs, it is able to kill off more than one type of the disease, including breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer. Potentially, all solid tumours could be vulnerable to drugs developed this way, meaning it could be used against all but blood cancers.

12 Sep 2011