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Dow second quarter sales increase to $16.0 billion

Dow reported earnings of $0.84 per share. This compares with reported earnings of $0.50 per share in the same period last year.

27 Jul 2011

Scientists reveal complete three-dimensional atomic structure of an activated GPCR

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are popular drug targets, accounting for about one-third of approved drugs and many hundreds of drugs currently in development. They act as molecular switches that transduce extracellular signals by activating heterotrimeric G proteins located at the inside of the cell.

27 Jul 2011

Fluoride at recommended levels is both safe and effective for reducing decay and tooth loss

Tooth decay remains a health care problem that touches people of all ages. Many communities could benefit greatly and reduce tooth decay significantly by implementing nature's cavity fighter, fluoride.

22 Jul 2011

Myelin regulates key protein involved in sending long-distance signals

The development of a new cell-culture system that mimics how specific nerve cell fibers in the brain become coated with protective myelin opens up new avenues of research about multiple sclerosis. Initial findings suggest that myelin regulates a key protein involved in sending long-distance signals.

22 Jul 2011

Genetically engineered excitable cells made to generate and pass electrical current

By altering the genetic makeup of normally "unexcitable" cells, Duke University bioengineers have turned them into cells capable of generating and passing electrical current.

21 Jul 2011

Pfizer enters definitive merger agreement with Icagen

Pfizer Inc. and Icagen, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Pfizer, which currently owns approximately 11% of Icagen's fully diluted shares, will acquire the remaining 8.3 million shares at a price of $6.00 per share.

21 Jul 2011

Two instruments of Thermo Fisher Scientific win 2011 R&D 100 Award

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, today announced that two of its instruments are 2011 R&D 100 Award winners: the Thermo Scientific Evolution 200 series UV-Vis spectrophotometer and the Thermo Scientific Dionex ICS-5000 capillary ion chromatography system.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 20 Jul 2011

A*Star Institute of Microelectronics shortens drug development cycle with new silicon-based screening tool

Researchers from A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME) have developed a lateral silicon-based drug screening tool that has demonstrated simultaneous capture of 12 individual cells – 12 times higher throughput than conventional patch clamping. The device can be scaled up to allow 1536 cell-recordings simultaneously, permitting 16 times higher throughput than existing planar patch clamp approach.

19 Jul 2011

Study: 'The wave of death' may not indicate onset of brain death

The wave-shaped signal, which was previously dubbed 'the wave of death', had already been measured by researchers in Nijmegen in the brains of rats that had just been decapitated. The rats had already had electrodes implanted in their brains before the experiment.

18 Jul 2011

Scientists analyze structural changes in calcium channels caused by Timothy-mutation

The human genome encodes 243 voltage-gated ion channels. Mutations in calcium channels can cause severe inherited diseases such as migraine, night blindness, autism spectrum disorders and Timothy syndrome, which leads to severe cardiovascular disorders.

15 Jul 2011

BK channel activation involves structural rearrangements: Study

BK channels are essential for the regulation of important biological processes such as smooth muscle tone and neuronal excitability. New research shows that BK channel activation involves structural rearrangements formerly not understood.

15 Jul 2011

UW scientists determine atomic architecture of sodium channel

Scientists at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle have determined the atomic architecture of a sodium channel. The achievement opens new possibilities for molecular medicine researchers around the world in designing better drugs for pain, epilepsy, and heart rhythm disturbances.

14 Jul 2011

New insights into how cancer cells can maintain resistance to chemotherapy

Researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have conducted a study which reveals new insights into how cancer cells can maintain a resistance to chemotherapy resulting in cancer relapse.

12 Jul 2011

Ion Torrent ships three next-generation sequencers

Ion Torrent, a unit of Life Technologies Corporation, today announced that it is shipping its new 100 Mb Ion 316 chip, which has tenfold more throughput than the original Ion 314 chip, and that its 1 Gb Ion 318 chip will be available in the fourth quarter.

11 Jul 2011