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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Interactive humanoid robots can help children with autism

The University of Hertfordshire's groundbreaking work on a child-like robot it developed to help children with autism, has been chosen as one of the most important research projects taking place in universities today, with the publication today (16 June) of the Big Ideas for the Future report.

16 Jun 2011

Phosphate regulating hormone associated with increased risk of kidney failure and death among CKD patients

A high level of a hormone that regulates phosphate is associated with an increased risk of kidney failure and death among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, according to a recent study led by researchers at the University of Miami and funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health.

16 Jun 2011

ISSCR honors UCSF cancer scientist with 2011 Outstanding Young Investigator Award

UCSF's Robert Blelloch, MD, PhD, has received the 2011 Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Stem Cell Research, for his pioneering research on the role of molecular tools known as microRNAs in embryonic stem cells and cancer.

16 Jun 2011

Healthy diet, antioxidants, critical nutrients and activities may provide the foundation to youthful living

As the baby boomer generation continues to increase in age, so does its passion to remain youthful, both inside and out. Beating the clock is now a multi-faceted, science-driven industry. From its age-old quests to find the elixir of life, to modern exploration of how microcellular activity contributes to metabolic breakdown, scientific research continues to advance its goals to enhance bodily energy, vigour and performance, and fade or stall the visible signs of aging.

16 Jun 2011

Life Technologies introduces CytoTune-iPS Reprogramming Kit

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the launch of CytoTune-iPS Reprogramming Kit -- research technology that provides far improved efficiency over standard methods to develop induced pluripotent stem cells from human somatic cells.

16 Jun 2011

Exposure to asbestos can cause genetic somatic mutations in mammals

Mice inhabiting an area known for its high concentration of asbestos-contaminated dust, have a higher level of genetic somatic mutations, compared with other regions where asbestos pollution levels are lower.

16 Jun 2011

OncoSec Medical third quarter net loss increases to $491,000

OncoSec Medical Incorporated, which is developing its advanced-stage ElectroOncology therapies to treat solid tumor cancers, today reported financial results for the quarter ended April 30, 2011.

15 Jun 2011

QIAGEN to acquire Ipsogen

QIAGEN N.V. has made an offer and entered into exclusive negotiations to purchase a 47% initial stake in Ipsogen S.A. and subsequently make a public offer to fully acquire a global leader in molecular profiling and personalized healthcare diagnostics for a broad range of hematological cancers.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 15 Jun 2011

Scientists discover Sonic Hedgehog protein's mechanism of action

A scientific breakthrough by researchers at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) will be published tomorrow in Developmental Cell, a scientific journal of the Cell Press group. Led by Dr. Frédéric Charron, the team of scientists discovered a new requirement for the proper functioning of the Sonic Hedgehog protein.

14 Jun 2011

CTI completes pixantrone NDA resubmission meeting with FDA's Division of Oncology Drug Products

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it met with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Division of Oncology Drug Products.

14 Jun 2011

Scientists identify six influenza A viruses similar to 2009 pandemic strain

Scientists using new mathematical and computational techniques have identified six influenza A viruses that have particularly close genetic relationships to the H1N1 "swine" flu virus that swept through the United States beginning in the spring of 2009. That virus eventually killed almost 18,000 people worldwide.

14 Jun 2011

MCMs mediate crosstalk between cell division machinery and oxygen-sensing protein

13 Jun 2011

Each one of us receives 60 new mutations in our genome from parents

Each one of us receives approximately 60 new mutations in our genome from our parents. This striking value is reported in the first-ever direct measure of new mutations coming from mother and father in whole human genomes published today.

13 Jun 2011

Scientists pioneer way to find more chromosomal aberrations in tumors

Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project scientists pioneer way to find more chromosomal aberrations in tumors; results likely to advance understanding of cancer.

13 Jun 2011

Cell division linked to oxygen levels: Johns Hopkins research

Cells grow abundant when oxygen is available, and generally stop when it is scarce. Although this seems straightforward, no direct link ever has been established between the cellular machinery that senses oxygen and that which controls cell division. Now, in the June 10 issue of Molecular Cell, researchers at Johns Hopkins report that the MCM proteins, which promote cell division, also directly control the oxygen-sensing HIF-1 protein.

12 Jun 2011

Hyperthermia prevents repair of tumor cells

BSD Medical Corporation, a leading provider of medical systems that utilize heat therapy to treat cancer, announced today that a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrated that hyperthermia can be a powerful tool to inhibit the ability of cancer cells to repair the DNA damage caused by radiation or chemotherapy.

10 Jun 2011

Life Technologies enters exclusive agreement for TAL Effector Technology license

Life Technologies Corporation has signed an exclusive license agreement for novel technology that enables synthetic biologists to effectively program and control the genetic circuitry in engineered pathways and organisms.

10 Jun 2011

Adaptation of fat cell membranes to obesity may play a key role in early stages of inflammatory disorders

The mechanisms by which obesity leads towards metabolic co-morbidities, such as diabetes mellitus, are poorly understood and of great public health interest. A study led by Matej Orešič from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland suggests that adaptation of fat cell membranes to obesity may play a key role in the early stages of inflammatory disorders.

10 Jun 2011

FDA accepts ZIOPHARM's IND for ZIN ATI-001 to treat melanoma

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., a drug development company employing small molecule and synthetic biology approaches to cancer therapy, announced today that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has accepted the Company's investigational new drug application to begin clinical study of ZIN ATI-001, a novel DNA-based therapeutic candidate also known as Ad-RTS-IL-12 + AL, in oncology.

10 Jun 2011

Tips for healthy barbecue

Some people may be reconsidering plans to grill hot dogs and steak based on a new report supporting the link between red and processed meats, and increased colorectal cancer risk. But, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center say that small changes to what — and how — you grill can keep cancer off the menu.

10 Jun 2011