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Urinary protein excretion may contribute to increased risk of kidney failure in blacks

African Americans are four times more likely to develop kidney failure than whites. A new study has found that a condition that occurs when the kidneys are damaged and spill protein into the urine contributes to this increased risk.

26 Aug 2011

Largest study on breast cancer disparities in African-American women

Why are African-American women more likely than those of European descent to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, and with poor prognoses? It's a provocative question, and one that a multidisciplinary team from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Roswell Park Cancer Institute are coming together to address, supported by a five-year, $19.3 million award from the National Cancer Institute.

26 Aug 2011

Zinc may act as tumor suppressor in commonist form of pancreatic cancer

The essential element zinc has been shown in a new study to be a likely tumor suppressor in the commonist form of pancreatic cancer, University of Maryland scientists report in the current issue of the journal Cancer Biology & Therapy.

26 Aug 2011

Early-morning cigarette smokers more likely to develop lung, head and neck cancers

Two new studies have found that smokers who tend to take their first cigarette soon after they wake up in the morning may have a higher risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers than smokers who refrain from lighting up right away.

26 Aug 2011

Researchers reveal new gene associated with osteoarthritis

Researchers have today revealed a new gene associated with osteoarthritis. This is only the third gene to be identified for this painful and debilitating disease that affects more than 40 per cent of people aged more than 70 years.

26 Aug 2011

Firazyr receives FDA approval for treatment of HAE acute attacks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Firazyr (icatibant) Injection for the treatment of acute attacks of a rare condition called hereditary angioedema (HAE) in people ages 18 years and older.

26 Aug 2011

GCC hormone receptor may also help fight obesity

The hormone receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) has been established as a suppressor of colorectal cancer tumors, but new evidence from Thomas Jefferson University suggests it may also help fight one of the country's biggest pandemics: obesity.

26 Aug 2011

Shire receives FDA marketing approval for FIRAZYR to treat acute attacks of HAE

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted marketing approval for FIRAZYR for treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in adults 18 years of age and older.

26 Aug 2011

Scientists discover genetic switch to prevent neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at Northwestern University report a surprising discovery that offers a possible new route for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In a study of the transparent roundworm C. elegans, they found that a genetic switch in master neurons inhibits the proper functioning of protective cell stress responses, leading to the accumulation of misfolded and damaged proteins.

25 Aug 2011

TB urine test developed by Indian researchers offers quicker, less invasive diagnosis

"The Delhi-based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Lala Ram Sarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, collaborated with the National University of Singapore to develop" a urine test that "offers a less invasive diagnostic method for" tuberculosis (TB), SciDev reports.

25 Aug 2011

Study: Rates of HIV have increased in Pakistan's general population

Rates of HIV have increased in Pakistan's general population, as the virus has spread beyond at-risk groups to women and their children, according to an international team of researchers, including a University of Florida scientist.

25 Aug 2011

AMT total net loss decreases 7% to € 8.7 million for first half year of 2011

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, today reported its results for the first half year of 2011.

25 Aug 2011

Scientists identify critical protein responsible for Ebola virus infection

In separate papers published online in Nature, two research teams report identifying a critical protein that Ebola virus exploits to cause deadly infections. The protein target is an essential element through which the virus enters living cells to cause disease.

25 Aug 2011

New mouse brain atlas provides insight into how genes work in cerebral cortex

A new atlas of gene expression in the mouse brain provides insight into how genes work in the outer part of the brain called the cerebral cortex. In humans, the cerebral cortex is the largest part of the brain, and the region responsible for memory, sensory perception and language.

25 Aug 2011

People with Down syndrome have diminished optokinetic, vestibular reflexes

A scientist investigating why those with Down syndrome often have poor balance and motor coordination has found that key eye reflexes are substantially altered.

25 Aug 2011

Researchers trace source of latest cholera pandemic

Researchers have used next generation sequencing to trace the source and explain the spread of the latest (seventh) cholera pandemic. They have also highlighted the impact of the acquisition of resistance to antibiotics on shaping outbreaks and show resistance was first acquired around 1982.

25 Aug 2011

Researchers discover NPC1 protein as crucial for Ebola virus to enter host cells

Although outbreaks are rare, Ebola virus, the cause of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), is one of the deadliest known viruses affecting humans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1,850 EHF cases with more than 1,200 deaths have been documented since the virus was identified in 1976.

25 Aug 2011

Parkinson’s disease breakthrough with stem cell research

A new stem cell study has raised hopes for therapy in Parkinson's disease. Researchers said they have, for the first time, generated stem cells from one of the most rapidly-progressing forms of the disease. They said the development will boost research into the condition because it will allow scientists to model the disease in laboratories and help them shed light on why certain nerve cells die. The research was led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with University College London (UCL).

24 Aug 2011

IGF1 plays key role in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

There are numerous specialized growth factors that are responsible for cells of different tissues of our body to divide and differentiate when needed. These hormone-like factors bind to matching receptors on the surface of their target cells and thus give order for the cell to divide. However, a single genetic alteration can be sufficient for the whole system to get out of control.

24 Aug 2011

First international conference on developmental, translational and clinical pharmacogenomics

The first international conference hosted by the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy will focus on ways to improve health care by customizing drug prescribing and treatment based on an individual's genetic makeup.

24 Aug 2011