Craniofacial News and Research

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Folate supplementation thwarts heart birth defects induced by alcohol exposure in early pregnancy

A new animal study has found that high levels of the B-vitamin folate (folic acid) prevented heart birth defects induced by alcohol exposure in early pregnancy, a condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome.

25 May 2010

Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences receives $9.5M grant to create research space

Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences has received a $9.5 million grant to create research space that will house a Collaborative Cluster in Genome Structure and Developmental Patterning in Health and Disease.

17 May 2010

Study examines impact of tobacco smoke carcinogen on mice

Although tobacco use is widely understood to be one of the leading causes of oral cancer, research on the prevention of tobacco-related oral cancer in experimental animals has traditionally been limited to examining the impact of synthetic carcinogens manufactured especially for cancer research, rather than on observing the effects of carcinogens that occur in tobacco smoke.

14 May 2010

First 3-year results of world's largest temporomandibular joint disorder study reported at APS meeting

Scientists with the University of Maryland Dental School and collaborators at three other major universities will report results from the first three years of the world's largest study yet of a mysterious yet common pain syndrome involving the jaw at 8:30 a.m.on May 7 at the annual scientific meeting of the American Pain Society (APS). This year it is being held at the Baltimore Convention Center.

7 May 2010

AAA symposium features digital technologies in anatomical reconstruction

Techniques for using digital technology in separating conjoined twins, developing facial prostheses and acquiring data from anthropologic specimens will be among the topics presented at a symposium sponsored by the American Association of Anatomists (AAA; www.Anatomy.org) on April 28. The symposium is part of the Experimental Biology 2010 conference being held April 24-28, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

5 May 2010

NIDCR awards Selenium $912,943 grant for development of antimicrobial dental devices and water lines

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a two-year $912,943 grant to biopharmaceutical company Selenium, Ltd. to support the development of antimicrobial dental devices and water lines. In the two-part grant the NIH has approved $492,972 for year one and $419,971 for year two dependent on achieving year one objectives.

29 Apr 2010

Ancient skulls and bones reveal anatomy of human evolution

Ancient mummies, skulls and bones galore-Indiana Jones himself would learn a thing or two at the American Association of Anatomists' (AAA; www.anatomy.org) Annual Meeting beginning April 24, 2010 in Anaheim.

29 Apr 2010

Contrary to previous studies, people with Moebius syndrome lead successful lives

A smile means happiness, a frown sadness, a raised brow surprise. Even when languages and cultures differ, people have this universal form of communication. But Moebius syndrome, a rare congenital condition causing facial paralysis, can rob people of this basic connection, affecting social interaction.

21 Apr 2010

UNC Charlotte researcher improves lives of families and children affected by birth defects

Birth defects remain a leading cause of death in the first year of life. According to the March of Dimes, every 3 to 4 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. About 1 in every 33 infants is affected by birth defects.

8 Apr 2010

Unique collaboration in fetal medicine among Columbus' healthcare professionals

The Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative has been formed by Mount Carmel Health System, OhioHealth, The Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital joining together to provide optimal outcomes for high-risk expectant mothers and their babies with suspected fetal abnormalities.

8 Apr 2010

Inflamed tissues linked to increased production of protein involved in pain signaling

Using a novel animal model to study craniofacial pain, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's School of Dentistry have discovered that when tissues are inflamed, the nerve cells carrying pain information from the head to the brain produce in large quantities a protein involved in pain signaling.

26 Mar 2010

Children with cleft lip or cleft palate more likely to receive age-appropriate health care when provided by team

Children with a cleft lip or cleft palate are more likely to receive recommended age-appropriate health care when that care is provided by an interdisciplinary team rather than an individual provider. In a study encompassing three states, Arkansas, Iowa and New York, 24% of participants were not receiving team care.

15 Mar 2010

Whole genome sequencing of entire family beneficial

The Institute for Systems Biology (ISB) has analyzed the first whole genome sequences of a human family of four. The findings of a project funded through a partnership between ISB and the University of Luxembourg was published online today by Science on its Science Express website. It demonstrates the benefit of sequencing entire families, including lowering error rates, identifying rare genetic variants and identifying disease-linked genes.

11 Mar 2010

ISB uses Complete Genomics’ service to sequence genomes of four family members suffer from Miller syndrome

Complete Genomics Inc., a third-generation human genome sequencing company, today announced that the Institute for Systems Biology employed Complete Genomics’ human genome sequencing service to sequence a family quartet to determine the depth of genetic information possible in analyzing a full family’s sequence, and to verify the gene responsible for Miller syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder.

11 Mar 2010

2010 Max Planck Research Award for Dr. Timothy Bromage from NYU College of Dentistry

New York University College of Dentistry's Dr. Timothy Bromage has been selected to receive the 2010 Max Planck Research Award. Dr. Bromage will collaborate with Dr. Friedemann Schrenk of Frankfurt's Senckenberg Research Institute to research the microanatomical structure of bones and teeth, and the links between metabolic states, growth rates, life spans, and biological features such as sex and body size.

10 Mar 2010

Thymosin beta 4 improves neurological functional outcome

REGENERX BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC. announced that a research team from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI reported that Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), administered to rats one day after embolic stroke, improved neurological functional outcome compared to control animals.

6 Mar 2010

University of Iowa dentistry college dean honored with the 2010 AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has announced David C. Johnsen, dean of the College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, as the recipient of the 2010 AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award. This award will be presented to Johnsen at the 39th AADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Washington, DC, March 3, 2010.

20 Feb 2010

Plagiocephaly babies need to be screened and monitored early in life for possible cognitive, motor delays

In a new study, infants averaging six months of age who exhibited positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) had lower scores than typical infants in observational tests used to evaluate cognitive and motor development. Positional or deformational plagiocephaly may occur when external forces shape an infant's skull while it is still soft and malleable, such as extended time spent lying on a hard surface or in one position. This is the first controlled study to suggest that babies who have flattened areas on the back of their heads during the first year of life may be at risk for developmental delay.

15 Feb 2010

Study sheds new light on cancer metastasis

Some cells are natural rule-breakers. Neural crest cells for example, not only migrate throughout the body during development (most cells are more selective in their wandering), they are also more developmentally flexible than their predecessors (a no-no for nearly all cell types).

4 Feb 2010

Orthopaedic researchers explore novel treatments for wounded soldiers

For each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So after the surge in U.S. troops heading to Afghanistan, there will be an influx of injured veterans returning back home. But the U.S. Department of Defense has recruited its own "soldiers" in the battle against war casualties: a consortium of researchers who are improving care to wounded soldiers as well as the general public.

28 Jan 2010