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Penn study reveals new molecular pilot light required to turn on brown fat furnace

As we bask in the summer heat, it is easy to take for granted that humans are also prepared for the cold of winter, with overcoats in the closet and home heating systems ready to be fired up as an added assurance against falling temperatures.

15 Jun 2017

New data reveals increase in rate of deaths from Alzheimer's disease

The rate of death from Alzheimer's disease in the United States increased by more than 50 percent in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

15 Jun 2017

Study finds that molecular decoy can target and reduce UTI-causing bacteria in the gut

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections, and they tend to come back again and again, even when treated. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli that live in the gut and spread to the urinary tract.

15 Jun 2017

Researchers discover how mutations in protein network drive high-risk leukemias

Researchers have uncovered how mutations in a protein network drive several high-risk leukemias, offering new prospects for novel therapies.

14 Jun 2017

Study shows how RNA splicing errors may trigger development of ALS, FTD

The most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)- rare and related neurological disorders marked by progressive deterioration of motor or cognitive abilities- may be due to errors in RNA splicing, an intermediary step for translating genetic instructions into functional proteins.

14 Jun 2017

Researchers find molecule that darkens skin without UV exposure and may protect against skin cancer

A study published in the journal Cell on June 13 has found that a class of small molecules can successfully penetrate and darken human skin samples. The drug developed in the laboratory by researchers in Boston also generates protective tans in red-haired mice.

14 Jun 2017

Findings may contribute to better understanding of aging and cancer development

A team of researchers led by Dr. Dennis Kappei, a Special Fellow from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at the National University of Singapore, has discovered the role of the protein ZBTB48 in regulating both telomeres and mitochondria, which are key players involved in cellular aging.

14 Jun 2017

Study identifies new susceptibility loci for lung cancer

Using the OncoArray genotyping platform developed by multiple cancer consortia, a recent large aggregated genomewide association study identifies new susceptibility loci for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.

14 Jun 2017

UAB researchers demonstrate persistence of donor microbes in recipients after fecal transplant

University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have made the first direct demonstration that fecal donor microbes remained in recipients for months or years after a transplant to treat the diarrhea and colitis caused by recurrent Clostridium difficile infections -- a serious and stubborn cause of diarrhea after an antibiotic treatment for some other illness.

14 Jun 2017

UNC study uncovers crucial function of key enzyme found in virtually all organisms

UNC School of Medicine researchers have cracked a long-standing mystery about an important enzyme found in virtually all organisms other than bacteria.

13 Jun 2017

Impairment of specific gene increases susceptibility to opioid addiction and binge eating, study shows

Impairment of a particular gene raises increases susceptibility to opioid addiction liability as well as vulnerability to binge eating according to a new study.

13 Jun 2017

Altered virus could help more patients to become eligible for human gene therapy trials

For many patients, participating in gene therapy clinical trials isn't an option because their immune system recognizes and fights the helpful virus used for treatment.

13 Jun 2017

Study uncovers new genetic markers linked to testicular germ cell tumors

Testicular cancer is relatively rare with only 8,850 cases expected this year in the United States. A majority of testicular cancer, 95 percent of all cases, begins in testicular germ cells, which are the cells responsible for producing sperm.

13 Jun 2017

Poor diet may fuel Alzheimer's in people who carry disease-related gene

A diet high in cholesterol, fat and sugar may influence the development of Alzheimer's disease in people who carry the ApoE4 gene, a leading risk factor for the memory-erasing disease, indicates a new USC study.

13 Jun 2017

Scientists create method for mapping genome-wide DNA damage caused by chemical carcinogen

Scientists have known for decades that smoking cigarettes causes DNA damage, which leads to lung cancer. Now, for the first time, UNC School of Medicine scientists created a method for effectively mapping that DNA damage at high resolution across the genome.

13 Jun 2017

Genetic testing getting better at identifying testicular cancer risk

Testing for a new group of genes associated with testicular cancer has improved the ability to identify men at greatest risk of the disease, say researchers. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, found that by testing for 19 new genetic factors in addition to the 25 risk genes already known, they could identify the 1% of men at highest risk.

13 Jun 2017