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How cocoa in chocolate reduces risk of heart disease

In time for the chocolate-giving and chocolate-noshing fest on Valentine's Day, scientists are reporting discovery of how this treat boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) - the "good" form of cholesterol that protects against heart disease.

8 Feb 2011

Cancer can give important clues about nature and history of life

Despite decades of research and billions of dollars, cancer remains a major killer, with an uncanny ability to evade both the body's defenses and medical intervention. Now an Arizona State University scientist believes he has an explanation.

8 Feb 2011

New facilities for developing imaging tests in PESA CNIC-Santander study inaugurated

Felipe P-triz, Secretary of State for Research and Emilio Bot-n, president of Banco Santander have inaugurated today in Banco Santander Finantial City (located in Boadilla del Monte) the new facilities for developing the first imaging tests included in PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) CNIC-Santander study.

8 Feb 2011

Abbott's Ibis, PLEX-ID technologies identify causative organism of plague in Afghanistan

Today, at the American Society for Microbiology Conference on Biodefense and Emerging Diseases, scientists from Abbott Molecular presented data showing the unique power of the company's Ibis technology to identify and further characterize unknown disease-causing pathogens to help aid in the bioforensic analysis of pandemic outbreaks.

8 Feb 2011

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Elan Corporation, plc today reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2010 financial results and provided financial guidance for 2011.

8 Feb 2011

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

Numerous studies have shown that the brain molecule neuropeptide Y (NPY) helps to restore calm after stressful events. A team of University of Michigan-led researchers has now found that people whose genes predispose them to produce lower levels of NPY are more responsive to negative stimuli in key brain circuits related to emotion - and are therefore less resilient in the face of stress and may be at higher risk for developing a major depressive disorder.

8 Feb 2011

Munich research team provides promising alternative to DNA-based procedures

Defects in the genome are the cause of many diseases. Gene therapy - direct replacement of mutant genes by intact DNA copies - offers a means of correcting such defects. Now a research team based at the Medical Center of the University of Munich, and led by Privatdozent Dr. Carsten Rudolph, has taken a new approach that avoids DNA delivery.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers identify enzyme that protects against inflammation, joint destruction

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has identified an enzyme that protects against inflammation and joint destruction. Made when the researchers blocked production of the enzyme GGTase-I in transgenic mice, this unexpected discovery could lead to the identification of new mechanisms that control the development of inflammatory disorders, as well as new medicines.

8 Feb 2011

Study: Cannabis use appears to be linked with earlier onset of psychotic illness

Cannabis use appears to be associated with an earlier onset of psychotic illness, according to a meta-analysis of previously published studies posted online today that will appear in the June print issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

8 Feb 2011

NIMH awards two BUSM members with BRAINS grant for innovative research on mental disorders

Two Boston University School of Medicine faculty members, Pietro Cottone, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmacology and psychiatry and Michael Silverstein, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics, were each awarded the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientisits grant with ten other investigators from around the country.

7 Feb 2011

Scientists develop low cost, nanometer-sized drug to treat chronic wounds

A low cost, nanometer-sized drug to treat chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers or burns, has been developed by a group of scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Harvard Medical School and others in the U.S. and Japan.

7 Feb 2011

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

DermTech International, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, today announced that the discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma have been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

7 Feb 2011

Genomic study identifies link between Native American ancestry, relapse in young leukemia patients

The first genome-wide study to demonstrate an inherited genetic basis for racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival linked Native American ancestry with an increased risk of relapse in young leukemia patients. The work was done by investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Oncology Group.

6 Feb 2011

Wood smoke may create adverse health effects in humans

With millions of people warding off winter's chill with blazing fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, scientists are raising red flags about the potential health effects of the smoke released from burning wood. Their study, published in the American Chemical Society's journal, Chemical Research in Toxicology, found that the invisible particles inhaled into the lungs from wood smoke may have several adverse health effects.

6 Feb 2011

New understanding of how host and foreign structures are distinguished by front-line defence mechanism

This week, the highly-respected US Academy of Sciences journal (PNAS) published an article describing how the first line of defence of the human immune system distinguishes between microbes and the body's own structures.

5 Feb 2011

Dermatologists advise parents of young children about atopic dermatitis, food allergies

Atopic dermatitis, one of the most common forms of eczema in this family of inflammatory skin diseases, is a chronic disease marked by red, cracked and itchy skin. Now, increasing evidence indicates atopic dermatitis is a precursor to allergic diseases rather than a consequence. Dermatologists are advising parents of infants and young children affected by this common skin condition to be aware of the potential for future food allergies.

5 Feb 2011

Researchers find RIPs remain active, continue to produce new insertions in human genome

An ambitious hunt by Johns Hopkins scientists for actively "jumping genes" in humans has yielded compelling new evidence that the genome, anything but static, contains numerous pesky mobile elements that may help to explain why people have such a variety of physical traits and disease risks.

5 Feb 2011

U-M Medical School earns $368.7 million in NIH research funding during federal fiscal year 2010

University of Michigan Medical School physicians and scientists earned more than $368.7 million in National Institutes of Health research funding in federal fiscal year 2010, according to NIH data. In all, the School's faculty brought in $481.8 million in research funding from all sources in U-M fiscal year 2010.

5 Feb 2011

Newly identified mosquito subspecies highly susceptible to malaria parasite, prefers outdoors

"Researchers have discovered a previously unknown subspecies of mosquito in West Africa that is highly susceptible to the malaria parasite and whose existence may stymie efforts to eradicate the deadly disease," the Los Angeles Times reports (Khan, 2/4).

5 Feb 2011

Salk Institute receives $2.3 million CIRM grant for translational research on Parkinson's disease

The Salk Institute has been awarded a $2.3 million grant by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for translational research focusing on developing a novel stem cell based therapy for Parkinson's disease.

4 Feb 2011

Genetic News and Research

How cocoa in chocolate reduces risk of heart disease

Cancer can give important clues about nature and history of life

New facilities for developing imaging tests in PESA CNIC-Santander study inaugurated

Abbott's Ibis, PLEX-ID technologies identify causative organism of plague in Afghanistan

Elan 2010 total revenue increases 5% to $1,169.7 million

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

Munich research team provides promising alternative to DNA-based procedures

Researchers identify enzyme that protects against inflammation, joint destruction

Study: Cannabis use appears to be linked with earlier onset of psychotic illness

NIMH awards two BUSM members with BRAINS grant for innovative research on mental disorders

Scientists develop low cost, nanometer-sized drug to treat chronic wounds

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

Genomic study identifies link between Native American ancestry, relapse in young leukemia patients

Wood smoke may create adverse health effects in humans

New understanding of how host and foreign structures are distinguished by front-line defence mechanism

Dermatologists advise parents of young children about atopic dermatitis, food allergies

Researchers find RIPs remain active, continue to produce new insertions in human genome

U-M Medical School earns $368.7 million in NIH research funding during federal fiscal year 2010

Newly identified mosquito subspecies highly susceptible to malaria parasite, prefers outdoors

Salk Institute receives $2.3 million CIRM grant for translational research on Parkinson's disease

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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