Research News and Research

RSS

A new way of seeing the world

Scientists at The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro, McGill University have discovered that our brains have the ability to determine the shape of an object simply by processing specially-coded sounds, without any visual or tactile input. Not only does this new research tell us about the plasticity of the brain and how it perceives the world around us, it also provides important new possibilities for aiding those who are blind or with impaired vision.

20 Oct 2010

New sensor uses frog peptides to detect contamination in drugs, medical devices

Princeton engineers have developed a sensor that may revolutionize how drugs and medical devices are tested for contamination, and in the process also help ensure the survival of two species of threatened animals.

20 Oct 2010

New CIMIT Accelerator program spins out HanGenix

A recently formed Boston-based start up called HanGenix is the first company to be spun out of the new CIMIT Accelerator program. HanGenix is focused on reducing hospital acquired infections (HAI) by installing comprehensive hand hygiene solutions that remind clinicians to perform proper hand hygiene and document their compliance.

20 Oct 2010

New brush optrode improves optical scanning of brain activity

One of the main techniques for measuring and monitoring mental activity, called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), can often be impaired because a person's hair gets in the way. But now, thanks to a team of researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Texas at Arlington, a novel device called a "brush optrode" is providing increased sensitivity with fiber tips designed to thread through hair to enhance scalp contact.

20 Oct 2010

Highlights of world's largest ophthalmic education conference

Results of clinical research on new presbyopia treatments now available in Europe-and possibly available soon in the United States-were reported in today's Scientific Program of the 2010 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO). The AAO-MEACO meeting is the world's largest, most comprehensive ophthalmic education conference and is in session October 16 through 19 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

20 Oct 2010

PBS-Bio announces three new contracts to develop cancer therapy

In an industry that faces increasing challenges in delivering new drugs to patients, Predictive Biomarker Sciences (PBS-Bio) today announced three new contracts aimed at bringing new medicines to the marketplace.

20 Oct 2010

More education and attention needed on inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), an aggressive and rare malignancy, is often initially misdiagnosed as an infection or rash. However, getting the correct diagnosis quickly is critical for patients because the disease spreads beyond the breast in a matter of just days or weeks.

20 Oct 2010

$More studies needed on bisphosphonates therapy and fracture risk$

More studies needed on bisphosphonates therapy and fracture risk

On October 13, the Food and Drug Administration published a warning to doctors and patients about an increased risk of thigh fractures with a widely used group of bone-strengthening drugs called bisphosphonates. This warning was much awaited in the light of a report published in the American Journal of Bone and Mineral Research in September titled "Atypical Subtrochanteric and Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures: Report of a Task Force of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research."

20 Oct 2010

Study finds massive blood transfusion associated with severe complications

A study presented at this year's American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting indicates that massive blood transfusion is associated with a significant increase in perioperative risk for mortality, cardiopulmonary complications, and wound-related and infectious complications in the long term.

20 Oct 2010

First in vivo screening system for complete human nuclear hormone receptor family

The InDanio screening system can be used, for example, to functionally characterize 'orphan' receptors - those for which their natural ligands or specific function are unknown - and thus qualify them as potential targets for drug discovery. The system can also be used to screen compound libraries in order to identify and refine potential new drugs that target NR proteins.

20 Oct 2010

New sandwich wheat bread is an excellent source of antioxidants

In its continuing commitment as a leader in the bread industry, Texas-based Mrs Baird's becomes the first major baking company in its region to fortify its line of sandwich wheat breads, now providing an excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A and E.

20 Oct 2010

Researchers to develop tailor-made pain management strategies for chronic pain

Research presented at this year's American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting offers new data in the quest to develop tailor-made pain management strategies based upon a patient's genetic predisposition and other important factors.

20 Oct 2010

Neuralstem updates Phase I human clinical trial of spinal cord stem cells for ALS

Neuralstem, Inc. updated the progress of its ongoing Phase I human clinical trial of the company's spinal cord stem cells in the treatment of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease) at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

20 Oct 2010

Microsulis tissue ablation systems presented at London meeting

Dr Peter Clegg, from the University of Bath microwave science team, who invented and developed the Microsulis microwave tissue ablation systems for destroying tumours, presented an overview of the success of this technology at the recent 'Changing Worlds Showcase Impact of University Research' meeting held in London.

20 Oct 2010

Carbon dioxide plays a role in gene regulation: Research

UCD Conway researchers have found that carbon dioxide (CO2) is not only involved in climate change and a waste product of respiration in cells but also plays an active role in regulating the genes involved in inflammation and innate immunity. Their research findings were highlighted recently in the The Journal of Immunology.

20 Oct 2010

Prostate cancer can risk of colon cancer: Study

Men with prostate cancer should be especially diligent about having routine screening colonoscopies, results of a new study by gastroenterologists at the University at Buffalo indicate.

20 Oct 2010

EPO grants new patent to Silence Therapeutics’ RNAi structural modification technology

Silence Therapeutics plc announces that the European Patent Office (EPO) has granted a new patent that provides broad protection on novel aspects of the RNAi structural modification technology known as the Zamore Design Rules.

20 Oct 2010

New approaches to explore causes of autoimmunity and immune deficiency diseases

A newly identified regulatory process affecting the biology of immune system T cells should give scientists new approaches to explore the causes of autoimmunity and immune deficiency diseases.

20 Oct 2010

FDA approves Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular AF

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate), Boehringer Ingelheim's novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor for stroke risk reduction in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) marking the first approval of a new oral anticoagulant in the U.S. in more than 50 years.

20 Oct 2010

Study reveals how cells crank up cancer activators

A new technique that searches blood for the tiniest remnants of broken down proteins has revealed new information about how cells crank up cancer activators called proteases. The results improve researchers' understanding of the mechanics of breast cancer and point to where to look for possible indicators of early disease.

20 Oct 2010