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Gut bacteria could exert control over metabolic functions of other organs

Bacteria in the human gut may not just be helping digest food but also could be exerting some level of control over the metabolic functions of other organs, like the liver, according to research published this week in the online journal mBio-. These findings offer new understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and their gut microbes and how changes to the microbiota can impact overall health.

1 Mar 2011

House Republicans release two-week CR with $4B in proposed cuts

"House Republicans late Friday afternoon released a two-week continuing resolution [CR] that cuts more than $4 billion in federal spending," Roll Call reports (Stanton, 2/25). "Under the proposal, the law now keeping the government open would be extended two more weeks, until March 18 ... In the interim, House and Senate leaders would try to negotiate a broader plan to finance the government at reduced levels through Sept. 30," the New York Times reports.

1 Mar 2011

Leptin receptor antagonist peptide demonstrates efficacy against triple negative breast cancer

A new peptide developed by researchers in Temple University's College of Science and Technology has demonstrated efficacy against triple negative breast cancer.

1 Mar 2011

Meda launches Medivir's cold sore treatment Xerese in the U.S.

Medivir AB, the emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, today announces that the Company's commercialization partner, Meda AB, has launched Medivir's unique cold sore treatment Xerese in the United States.

1 Mar 2011

Infant feeding policy requires major overhaul

In a briefing document issued today (28 February) by the Centre for Parenting Culture Studies (CPCS) at the University of Kent, Dr Ellie Lee argues that policy on infant feeding requires a major overhaul if it is to be fit for purpose.

1 Mar 2011

Tomato consumption can reduce cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases

Eating more tomatoes and tomato products can make people healthier and decrease the risk of conditions such as cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, according to a review article the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

1 Mar 2011

New personalized therapy fools cancer cells into killing themselves

A Wayne State University School of Medicine physician-researcher has developed a personalized therapy to treat a wide range of cancers. The treatment is based on a naturally occurring human enzyme that has been genetically modified to fool cancer cells into killing themselves.

1 Mar 2011

'Tea and Toast Syndrome' leads to loss of wellness and muscle in seniors

Elderly people who live on their own that don't prepare whole meals or don't know how tend to dwindle their intake to "tea and toast" at the expense of vital nutrients and their health, according to an article published in the February issue of Food Nutrition & Science.

1 Mar 2011

Santaris licenses miR-33 from MGH to treat cardiovascular disorders

Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the research and development of mRNA and microRNA targeted therapies, today announced that the Company has obtained an exclusive license from Massachusetts General Hospital for intellectual property related to the regulation of miR-33 for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders.

1 Mar 2011

Depression negatively impacts outcomes of care in patients with CRS: New research

Depression is a common problem in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and negatively impacts patients' symptom burden, ability to function, and quality of life, according to new research published in the March 2011 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

1 Mar 2011

Researchers report 'surprisingly little' evidence that economic downturns are associated with deep development aid cuts

Despite concerns expressed by the World Bank and the WHO that the current economic climate would lead donor countries to scale back development assistance, a study published online Friday in the WHO Bulletin finds what the authors "described as 'surprisingly little' evidence that economic downturns are associated with deep cuts in aid, at least in the first few years of a financial crisis," Reuters reports.

1 Mar 2011

Cellectis launches new TALEN Access tool for genome customization

Cellectis bioresearch, a specialist in genome customization and subsidiary of Cellectis, has today launched TALEN Access, the first fee-for-service custom TALEN.

1 Mar 2011

On Assignment acquires Valesta

On Assignment, Inc. announced today it has closed its acquisition of Valesta, a privately owned provider of specialized staffing in the area of clinical research within Western Europe. This acquisition close follows the Letter of Intent executed and announced on December 22, 2010, and the SPA announced on February 23, 2011.

1 Mar 2011

Obama says he backs state flexibility for health law's coverage goals

The New York Times: "In remarks to the National Governors Association, Mr. Obama said he backed legislation that would enable states to request federal permission to withdraw from the law's mandates in 2014 rather than in 2017 as long as they could prove that they could find other ways to cover as many people as the original law would and at the same cost.

1 Mar 2011

Positive preliminary data from SB-728-902 Phase 1 trial against HIV/AIDS presented at 18th CROI

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the presentation of positive preliminary clinical data from its Phase 1 trial.

1 Mar 2011

Brain's reward/motivation circuits linked to compulsive overeating

A brain imaging study at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory reveals a subtle difference between ordinary obese subjects and those who compulsively overeat, or binge: In binge eaters but not ordinary obese subjects, the mere sight or smell of favorite foods triggers a spike in dopamine - a brain chemical linked to reward and motivation.

1 Mar 2011

Dermatan sulfate holds potential as an additional biomarker for Sanfilippo disease

Sanfilippo disease is a rare disorder caused by the failure of enzymes to break down specific kinds of complex carbohydrates, resulting in their accumulation in cells and often severe physical and neurological problems - and sometimes early death.

1 Mar 2011

Researchers combine old bones and new technology to treat chronic back pain

The bones of people who died up to a hundred years ago are being used in the development of new treatments for chronic back pain. It is the first time old bones have been used in this way.

1 Mar 2011

Renishaw launches first RUO multiplex assay system

Renishaw Diagnostics Ltd, a world leading provider of trace level detection technologies based on the exploitation of surface enhanced Raman scattering and surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering, for research and molecular diagnostics applications, today announced the launch of its first research use only multiplex assay system which allows precious research samples to be 'screened' for 10 or more 'targets', from a single sample.

1 Mar 2011

New process automatically ensures optimum tension for sutures in minimally invasive surgeries

More and more often, abdominal surgeries are being carried out in a minimally invasive manner. A small incision in the abdominal wall is sufficient for the surgeon to be able to insert the instrument and make the organs visible with an endoscope. This technique is gentler and does not stress the body as much as traditional surgeries do.

1 Mar 2011