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Researchers develop new technology that uses HIV virus as tool to fight against hereditary diseases

For the first time researchers have succeeded in altering HIV virus particles so that they can simultaneously, as it were, 'cut and paste' in our genome via biological processes. Developed at the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, the technology makes it possible to repair genomes in a new way.

28 May 2014

CHEO pediatric surgeon wins TELUS Award for mHealth Innovation

Local pediatric surgeon and entrepreneur Dr. Matthew Bromwich accepted the "TELUS Award for mHealth Innovation" at the 29th Annual CATAAlliance Innovation Awards Gala tonight.

22 May 2014

Space Station science: Microgravity on human thyroid carcinoma cells

The multi-national efforts that go into research aboard the International Space Station show that working together can yield results with universal benefits.

21 May 2014

Low physical activity, heavy use of electronic media linked to increased health risk in children

The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study, PANIC, carried out by the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland shows that low levels of physical activity combined with heavy use of electronic media and sedentary behaviour are linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases already in 6-8 year-old children.

20 May 2014

Protein Data Bank now contains over 100,000 structures

Spanning the globe from the US, UK, and Japan, the Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB) organization announces that the Protein Data Bank archive now contains more than 100,000 entries.

14 May 2014

SIRT1 protein necessary for telomere elongation and genome integrity during cell reprogramming

Cell reprogramming converts specialised cells such as nerve cells or skin cells towards an embryonic stem cell state. This reversal in the evolutionary development of cells also requires a reversal in the biology of telomeres, the structures that protect the ends of chromosomes; whilst under normal conditions telomeres shorten over time, during cell reprogramming they follow the opposite strategy and increase in length.

22 Apr 2014

Multifunctional microcapsules can be produced from tannic acid and metals

Microcapsules with a broad spectrum of applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and technology can be produced by using plant-derived, phenolic tannic acid and a variety of metals. The capsules are formed by a simple self-assembly process, and their properties can be controlled through the choice of metal, as demonstrated by a team of Australian and German researchers in the journal Angewandte Chemie.

16 Apr 2014

Scientists report successful nose reconstruction surgery using cartilage grown in laboratory

Scientists at the University of Basel report first ever successful nose reconstruction surgery using cartilage grown in the laboratory. Cartilage cells were extracted from the patient's nasal septum, multiplied and expanded onto a collagen membrane.

11 Apr 2014

New book is an essential resource for academic scientists working in biomedicine

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press is pleased to announce the publication of Connecting with Companies: A Guide to Consulting Agreements for Biomedical Scientists by Edward Klees, J.D. and H. Robert Horvitz, Ph.D. The book is an essential resource for academic scientists and physicians considering consulting work in biomedicine.

10 Apr 2014

IRB Barcelona scientists develop new drug target to prevent muscle deterioration in certain diseases

In the study published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), one of the journals with highest impact in experimental medicine, the researchers associate the activity of the DOR protein with muscle atrophy and point to DOR as a plausible target against which to develop a drug to prevent muscle deterioration in certain diseases.

10 Apr 2014

Two endocrinology societies announce comprehensive framework to combat obesity

Calling it the most under-reimbursed major disease in America, two endocrinology societies announced an evidence-based, multidimensional, comprehensive framework to combat the nation's obesity epidemic today.

9 Apr 2014

Researchers demonstrate accurate identification of amino acids

Some three billion base pairs make up the human genome-the floor plan of life. In 2003, the Human Genome Project announced the successful decryption of this code, a tour de force that continues to supply a stream of insights relevant to human health and disease.

7 Apr 2014

IRB researchers identify dual role of p38 protein in colon cancer

A team headed by Angel R. Nebreda at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine identifies a dual role of the p38 protein in colon cancer. The study demonstrates that, on the one hand, p38 is important for the optimal maintenance of the epithelial barrier that protects the intestine against toxic agents, thus contributing to decreased tumour development.

28 Mar 2014

Safeguard Scientifics reports net income of $24 million for fourth quarter 2013

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. today announced fourth quarter and full-year 2013 financial results. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, Safeguard's net income was $24.0 million, or $1.10 per share, compared to net loss of $10.8 million, or $0.51 per share for the same period in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, Safeguard's net loss was $35.5 million, or $1.66 per share, compared to $39.4 million, or $1.88 per share for the same period in 2012.

6 Mar 2014

Springer partners with Universit- degli Studi di Palermo to publish new English-language book series

Springer has entered into a partnership with Universit- degli Studi di Palermo to publish a new English-language book series. The UNIPA Springer Series is a unique cooperation that will showcase research from five core disciplines: medicine, biomedicine and life sciences; engineering and physics; mathematics, statistics and computer sciences; business, economics and law; and human, behavioral and social sciences.

5 Mar 2014

Microgravity may suppress tumors, study reveals

In space, things don't always behave the way we expect them to. In the case of cancer, researchers have found that this is a good thing: some tumors seem to be much less aggressive in the microgravity environment of space compared to their behavior on Earth. This observation, reported in research published in February by the FASEB Journal, could help scientists understand the mechanism involved and develop drugs targeting tumors that don't respond to current treatments. This work is the latest in a large body of evidence on how space exploration benefits those of us on Earth.

4 Mar 2014

Research: Beneficial and toxic roles of brain glycogen

In 2007, in an article published in Nature Neuroscience, scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) headed by Joan Guinovart, an authority on glycogen metabolism, reported that in Lafora Disease (LD), a rare and fatal neurodegenerative condition that affects adolescents, neurons die as a result of the accumulation of glycogen-chains of glucose.

3 Mar 2014

Women who drink alcohol during early stages of pregnancy might affect development of placenta

Women who drink alcohol at moderate or heavy levels in the early stages of their pregnancy might damage the growth and function of their placenta - the organ responsible for supplying everything that a developing infant needs until birth - research at The University of Manchester shows.

From The University of Manchester 17 Feb 2014

Scientists receive €85 million international drive to develop new and effective drugs

An increasing biological resistance to antibiotics treatment is to be countered by Aston University scientists who will lead a €85 million international drive to develop new and effective drugs.

12 Feb 2014

Global decision-making has disastrous effect on human health

The organisation of political power within and between nations and citizens fails to protect the public's health, according to the findings of a new Commission from The Lancet and the University of Oslo, published today [Tuesday 11 February].