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Potential predictors of spinal damage progression in people with spondyloarthritis

The presence of syndesmophytes (bony growths in the spine), acute phase reactants (proteins that are released into the blood in response to inflammation), and smoking status can all serve as predictors for the progression of structural damage in the spine in people with spondyloarthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

7 Nov 2011

Cystic fibrosis drug shows promise in trial

The latest clinical trial in its later advanced stags found that oral drug ivacaftor (VX-77) provides major, sustained improvement in lung function, growth and other signs and symptoms for a subset of cystic fibrosis patients.

6 Nov 2011

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, LUNGevity Foundation host first Nashville Breathe Hope event

LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer organization and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center are hosting 75 lung cancer survivors and caregivers tomorrow evening during the first Nashville "Breathe Hope" event, November 5 at the University Club of Nashville from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

5 Nov 2011

American Vanguard third quarter net sales increase 8% to $73.8 million

American Vanguard Corporation, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 2011.

5 Nov 2011

Osiris Therapeutics third quarter revenues decrease marginally to $10.6 million

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., the leading stem cell company focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in inflammatory and cardiovascular disease areas and wound healing, announced today its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

4 Nov 2011

Psychotherapy could have diverse cerebral effects depending on certain genes

Problems like anxiety and depression are caused by psychological and environmental factors, and are known to be influenced by genetic proclivities. However, it is still not clear how each factor affects the brain's functions to induce anxious and depressive symptoms.

4 Nov 2011

Impulsive men have lower levels of GABA in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Impulsive individuals tend to display aggressive behavior and have challenges ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, to problem gambling and difficult relationships. They are less able to adapt to different social situations. Impulsivity is also a common feature of psychiatric disorders.

4 Nov 2011

Inserm researchers successfully rejuvenate cells from elderly donors

Inserm's AVENIR "Genomic plasticity and aging" team, directed by Jean-Marc Lemaitre, Inserm researcher at the Functional Genomics Institute, has recently succeeded in rejuvenating cells from elderly donors.

4 Nov 2011

CRF summit to examine importance of gender in cardiovascular disease research

"In Pursuit of Excellence: Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes in Women" will be held on Friday Dec. 9, 2011. The meeting, which will bring together top national experts in research, academia, and health policy to examine the importance of gender in cardiovascular disease research, will take place at The Princeton Club in New York City. Roxana Mehran, MD will Chair this important meeting.

4 Nov 2011

New way to screen hirsutism among women

Examining the chin and upper and lower abdomen is a reliable, minimally invasive way to screen for excessive hair growth in women, a key indicator of too much male hormone, researchers report.

4 Nov 2011

University of Nebraska to honor UT Dallas director for communication research

The University of Nebraska will honor Dr. Thomas Campbell, executive director of the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders, for a long record of research and academic achievement at the university's annual Alumni Masters Week.

4 Nov 2011

Evolutionary 'breakpoints' on chromosomes may lead to canine cancer

North Carolina State University researchers have uncovered evidence that evolutionary "breakpoints" on canine chromosomes are also associated with canine cancer. Mapping these "fragile" regions in dogs may also have implications for the discovery and treatment of human cancers.

4 Nov 2011

Slowing aging by cleaning away old cells: Study

Researchers have found a novel way of reversing the aging process. They found that a special category of cells, known as senescent cells, are bad actors that promote the aging of the tissues. Cleansing the body of the cells, they hope, could postpone many of the diseases of aging. This could pave the way for drugs that would keep human tissues healthier longer, but it is unclear until further testing is done whether such drugs could eventually help people live longer.

3 Nov 2011

Gene therapy and stem cell transplantation successfully reverse hemophilia A

For the first time, researchers have combined gene therapy and stem cell transplantation to successfully reverse the severe, crippling bleeding disorder hemophilia A in large animals, opening the door to the development of new therapies for human patients.

3 Nov 2011

Positive results from Clinuvel's US Phase II study of photoprotective drug, afamelanotide

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Limited, a global biopharmaceutical company with unique expertise on the interaction of light and human skin, today announced positive results of its first US Phase II study of the novel photoprotective drug afamelanotide, known as SCENESSE.

3 Nov 2011

New study in fruit flies offers clues to delay human aging

One of the few reliable ways to extend an organism's lifespan, be it a fruit fly or a mouse, is to restrict calorie intake. Now, a new study in fruit flies is helping to explain why such minimal diets are linked to longevity and offering clues to the effects of aging on stem cell behavior.

3 Nov 2011

Abbott to highlight latest research findings on HUMIRA at ACR annual meeting

Abbott scientists and independent researchers will highlight the latest research findings on HUMIRA (adalimumab) at this year's American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for November 5-9 in Chicago.

3 Nov 2011

Clinical-grade viral vector can cure choroideremia

Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital have developed a viral vector designed to deliver a gene into the eyes of people born with an inherited, progressive form of blindness that affects mainly males.

3 Nov 2011

Study reveals new role for the 'hormone of love'

Much of the body's chemistry is controlled by the brain - from blood pressure to appetite to food metabolism. In a study published recently in Developmental Cell, a team of scientists led by Dr. Gil Levkowitz of the Weizmann Institute has revealed the exact structure of one crucial brain area in which biochemical commands are passed from the brain cells to the bloodstream and from there to the body. In the process, they discovered a surprising new role for the 'hormone of love,' showing that it helps to direct the development of this brain structure.

3 Nov 2011