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Scientists discover process by which mda-9/syntenin contributes to melanoma metastasis

After recently announcing success in eliminating melanoma metastasis in laboratory experiments, scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have made another important discovery in understanding the process by which the gene mda-9/syntenin contributes to metastasis in melanoma (the spread of skin cancer) and possibly a variety of other cancers.

4 Jan 2013

New technique can precisely add or delete genes in living cells

Researchers at MIT, the Broad Institute and Rockefeller University have developed a new technique for precisely altering the genomes of living cells by adding or deleting genes.

4 Jan 2013

Capsules: Fiscal deal kills future funding for health law's co-ops; Consumers may draw wrong conclusions from medical prices

Now on Kaiser Health News' blog, Phil Galewitz reports on a 'fiscal cliff' development that will impact health insurance co-ops: "The fiscal cliff deal, approved by Congress on New Year's Day, eliminates most of the more than $1.4 billion in remaining funding from the federal health law for new nonprofit, customer-owned health plans designed to compete against the major for-profit insurers."

4 Jan 2013

Many male cancer patients missing out on appropriate fertility advice

Pioneering research presented at the Fertility 2013 conference today shows that a large proportion of male cancer patients are missing out on appropriate fertility advice.

4 Jan 2013

DRD4 7R allele can contribute to longevity

A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.

4 Jan 2013

Roundup: Ill. to scrutinize Medicaid eligibility; 20% of Fla. nursing homes on 'watch' list; Conn.'s 'inadequate' mental health care system

Fort Pierce resident Cathi Odom recently learned that her mother's nursing home is one of 140 on the state's "Watch List." Families for Better Care, a citizen advocacy organization, found that one in five facilities in Florida are on that list for not meeting state standards, or for not making corrections quickly enough. Twelve of the homes have been on the watch list for more than 100 days. Brian Lee, executive director for Families for Better Care, says that is unacceptable.

4 Jan 2013

Top-line results from Biogen Idec’s dexpramipexole Phase 3 trial on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Today Biogen Idec reported top-line results of EMPOWER, a Phase 3 trial investigating dexpramipexole in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

3 Jan 2013

Pfizer, Repligen sign licensing deal to advance spinal muscular atrophy program

Repligen Corporation announced today that it has entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Pfizer Inc. to advance Repligen's spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) program, originally in-licensed from Families of SMA (FSMA).

3 Jan 2013

Researchers analyze impact of 3 unexpected sex determination factors

So, is it a girl or a boy? This is the first question parents ask at the birth of an infant. Though the answer is obvious, the mechanism of sex determination is much less so. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) attempt to shed light on this complex process by identifying the crucial role played by insulin and IGF1 and IGF2 growth factors, a family of hormones known for its role in metabolism and growth.

3 Jan 2013

Longer looks: DIY abortions and the law; Helping other parents reach out to mentally ill children; Human growth hormone and Big Pharma

McCormack knew that an abortion would cost $400 to $2,000, depending on how far along she was. ... She couldn't come up with that kind of money. So she called her older sister, who owned a computer, and asked her to order abortion pills for her on the Internet.

3 Jan 2013

Vascular reconstruction raises pancreatic resection complication rates

Performing vascular reconstruction during surgical resection for pancreatic cancer is associated with a greater likelihood of postoperative adverse outcomes than resection alone, say US researchers.

3 Jan 2013

Treatment relieves oxidative stress in periodontitis

Nonsurgical periodontal therapy significantly reduces oxidative stress in individuals with chronic periodontitis, research shows.

3 Jan 2013

Acute stress in childhood increases serious mental illness risk

The sudden death of a close family member in childhood is associated with an increased risk for serious mental illnesses in later life, study results show.

3 Jan 2013

Gait abnormalities found in diabetic neuropathy

Ankle muscle strength and joint mobility are the key factors influencing gait abnormalities in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, Brazilian research suggests.

3 Jan 2013

Neonatal chemokines altered in autistic spectrum patients

A study by scientists has found limited evidence to support a role for proinflammatory chemokines in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

3 Jan 2013

MRI could serve as lumbar puncture proxy

Structural brain patterns on magnetic resonance imaging predict cerebrospinal fluid biomarker levels in patients with suspected Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration, preliminary research suggests.

3 Jan 2013

Itch-specific nerve cells in skin discovered by John Hopkins scientists

Johns Hopkins researchers have uncovered strong evidence that mice have a specific set of nerve cells that signal itch but not pain, a finding that may settle a decades-long debate about these sensations, and, if confirmed in humans, help in developing treatments for chronic itch, including itch caused by life-saving medications.

3 Jan 2013