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Evolutionary history of tumor helps predict severity of prostate cancer

Findings from Canadian Prostate Cancer Genome Network (CPC-GENE) researchers and their collaborators, published today in Cell, show that the aggressiveness of an individual prostate cancer can be accurately assessed by looking at how that tumor has evolved. This information can be used to determine what type and how much treatment should be given to each patient, or if any is needed at all.

20 Apr 2018

Role of UBE3A enzyme in Angelman syndrome

The group, led by the Ikerbasque professor Ugo Mayor of the UPV/EHU's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, has just published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics an explanation of the mechanisms affected by Angelman syndrome.

20 Apr 2018

New CRISPR tool allows DNA editing outside of the cell

Researchers have developed a cell free method of gene editing, which uses a new version of the CRISPR tool that can edit DNA outside of the cell. This technique could revolutionize cancer care.

20 Apr 2018

Rare variants in non-coding DNA inherited from parents heighten autism risk

In recent years, researchers have firmly established that gene mutations appearing for the first time, called de novo mutations, contribute to approximately one-third of cases of autism spectrum disorder.

20 Apr 2018

Concussion recovery and symptom severity found to vary between men and women

A new study comparing male and female athletes examined whether there are clear sex-related differences in post-concussion symptom severity and length of recovery. In addition to a finding of significant differences between the male and female college varsity athletes, differences among the women depending on hormonal contraceptive use were reported in the study published in Journal of Neurotrauma, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

20 Apr 2018

Researchers discover new information related to rare form of leukemia

International research consortium led by researchers from the University of Helsinki, Finland, discovered new information related to a rare form of leukemia called aggressive NK-cell leukemia.

20 Apr 2018

Triple-negative breast cancer found to be chemoresistant prior to treatment

Difficult to treat and aggressive "triple-negative" breast cancer is chemoresistant even before chemotherapy begins, a new study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports. The findings, which are published in the journal Cell, may lead to better and more personalized treatments for breast cancer.

19 Apr 2018

Breathtaking evolution amongst Indonesian tribe - bigger spleens for free-diving

New evidence shows that the Bajau tribes from Indonesia, who are known to dive deep into the waters for up to 70 metres have evolved to develop larger spleens. Previous studies have shown that free dives and spleens have an association.

19 Apr 2018

Teen patient gets a new lease on life

At just 18 years old, Megan Gagliardi was told she might die from a rare genetic heart condition. Now, thanks in part to UAB Medicine's Comprehensive Transplant Institute (CTI), she is celebrating her recent engagement and an important six-year anniversary - all as the University of Alabama at Birmingham celebrates 50 years of transplant success.

19 Apr 2018

Innovative device shows promise in capturing and releasing circulating tumor cells

For years, bioengineer Yaling Liu has been in pursuit of the deadly tumor cell. Liu has been perfecting a microfluidic device the size of two quarters that has the ability to catch and release circulating tumor cells (CTCs)--cancer cells that circulate in a cancer patient's blood.

19 Apr 2018

Genetic make-up impacts long-term effectiveness of phobia treatment

Researchers have discovered that variations in the efficacy of psychological treatment for phobias are associated with the serotonin transporter gene.

19 Apr 2018

Environmental pollutants found to worsen rheumatoid arthritis

Scientists have uncovered a link between the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and environmental pollutants, such as cigarette smoke.

19 Apr 2018

Investigational drug may help increase protein levels in babies with spinal muscular atrophy

A preliminary study suggests that an investigational drug may help increase protein levels in babies with spinal muscular atrophy. The open-label study is released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 70th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 21 to 27, 2018.

19 Apr 2018

Genome editing identifies neural circuit behind leptin’s anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effects

Revealing surprising answers to a long-standing enigma about the brain target of the anti-obesity hormone leptin, neuroscientists at Tufts University School of Medicine have used CRISPR genome editing to identify a neural circuit in the hypothalamus as the primary mechanism in mediating leptin's anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effects and have identified two distinct mechanisms underlying leptin's inhibition of appetite.

19 Apr 2018

The Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation awards grant to KI researchers

Ten researchers at Karolinska Institutet have been awarded grants in the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation's latest call for funding, during which approximately SEK 62 million was allocated.

19 Apr 2018

Compound derived from immune cells treats psoriasis in mice

A compound derived from immune cells treats psoriasis in mice and holds promise for other autoimmune diseases, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

18 Apr 2018

Researchers build molecular networks of calcific aortic valve disease

Calcific aortic valve disease - a disease that leaves the aortic valve stiff and calcified, preventing blood flow from the heart into the aorta - affects one quarter of the U.S. population aged 65 and over.

18 Apr 2018

NYC mice carry deadly bacteria and viruses

Almost all types of housing and living facilities house mice. Researchers have found in their year-long study on New York City mice that many of these carry on them deadly bacteria and viruses. These bacteria could be resistant to antibiotics and thus they may cause life threatening infections in humans.

18 Apr 2018

Researchers clarify immune response for patients with breast cancer brain metastases

Once it has begun to spread in the body, approximately half of patients with an aggressive breast cancer type will develop cancer in the brain. Researchers at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center want to improve treatment for patients with breast cancer brain metastases, but using the body's existing defenses - the immune system.

18 Apr 2018

New study maps links between 625 genes and different chemotherapy treatments

Despite the great successes of targeted cancer drugs and the promise of novel immunotherapies, the vast majority of people diagnosed with cancer are still first treated with chemotherapy. Now a new study by UCSF researchers using techniques drawn from computational biology could make it much easier for physicians to use the genetic profile of a patient's tumor to pick the chemotherapy treatment with the fewest side effects and best chance of success.

18 Apr 2018