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Fat recycling system may provide target for future diabetes therapies

The pancreas is a large organ that wraps around our gut, and produces the exact amount of insulin our bodies need when we eat - except when we start to develop diabetes, and insulin production slows down. Sydney scientists describe how a fat recycling system within pancreatic 'beta cells' determines the amount of insulin they secrete, and so may provide a target for future diabetes therapies.

30 Oct 2013

New understanding of sperm capacitation may improve IVF success rates

Two new papers from reproductive biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with international partners, report advances in understanding the basic processes of sperm capacitation that may one day improve success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by providing a shortcut to bypass problems, and may eventually lead to a male contraceptive.

29 Oct 2013

Research brings hope of new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids

New research from Japan brings hope of a new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids. In a study published today in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and Keio University in Japan report that a type of lymphocytes called natural helper ells plays a critical role in corticosteroid resistance and demonstrate that the anti-psychotic drug Pimozide can be used to overcome resistance to steroids in severe asthma patients.

25 Oct 2013

Fatty acid entry into cells happens by diffusion

The current global epidemic of obesity-linked diabetes and its associated consequences -cardiovascular, neurological and renal diseases - is a growing public health problem for which therapeutic options are limited.

23 Oct 2013

Study could enhance process of reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells

Bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that physical cues can replace certain chemicals when nudging mature cells back to a pluripotent stage, capable of becoming any cell type in the body.

23 Oct 2013

Suppression of mitochondria: A dominant feature of diabetic kidney disease

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified 13 metabolites - small molecules produced by cellular metabolism - that are significantly different in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease compared to healthy controls.

11 Oct 2013

Queen's research to investigate how superbug affects cystic fibrosis patients

Queen's University Belfast is to lead a £139,000 study into the way cystic fibrosis sufferers are affected by a superbug that destroys lung function.

2 Oct 2013

New regulatory mechanism could help develop novel therapies for cancer

Molecular microbiologists at the University of Southern California (USC) have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

23 Sep 2013

Cellectricon awards Cellaxess ACE project grant to support research in cell biology

Cellectricon, a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services, has announced the two winners of its Cellaxess ACE project grant, supporting cutting-edge research in cell biology.

From Cellectricon 21 Sep 2013

Overexpression of cytoglobin gene inhibits hypoxic injury to neuroblastoma cells

Cytoglobin is a temporary oxygen reservoir, which might provide a minimal, but continuous supply of intracellular oxygen during ischemic and anoxic conditions.

17 Sep 2013

Ferritin protects kidneys against damage by controlling iron

A protein, ferritin, protects kidneys against a damaging after-effect of injury, heart failure or hardened arteries by controlling levels of iron, according to a study published today by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

10 Sep 2013

Disease Twofer: Parkin Problem Leads To Parkinson’S And Impairs Response To TB

University of California, San Francisco researchers report that a key protein associated with Parkinson's disease also plays a major role in the destruction of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

5 Sep 2013

Parkin protein plays key role in destruction of bacteria that cause tuberculosis

A protein at the center of Parkinson's disease research now also has been found to play a key role in causing the destruction of bacteria that cause tuberculosis, according to scientists led by UC San Francisco microbiologist and tuberculosis expert Jeffery Cox, PhD.

5 Sep 2013

Omecamtiv mecarbil fails to achieve primary endpoint in phase II ATOMIC-AHF study

Omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac myosin-activator, did not achieve its primary efficacy endpoint in reducing dyspnoea (shortness of breath) in patients with acute heart failure, according to the results of the phase II ATOMIC-AHF (Acute Treatment with Omecamtiv Mecarbil to Increase Contractility in Acute Heart Failure) study.

3 Sep 2013

D-Pharm announces promising results with drug candidates in models of HAT and malaria

D-Pharm Ltd., announced today on-line publication of promising results with its drug candidates, DP-460 and DP-b99, in models of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and malaria.

20 Aug 2013

New reagent kits for intracellular staining from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

PerFix-Expose1 and PerFix-nc1, innovative new reagent kits for intracellular staining from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, minimize sample manipulation for a streamlined workflow that delivers high quality results. Developed for use on Beckman Coulter’s Gallios1 and Navios2 series flow cytometers and compatible with all Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ fluorochromes, the kits enable a clear focus on the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of the cell.

8 Aug 2013

Keeping Alzheimer's disease in check

The future is looking good for drugs designed to combat Alzheimer's disease. EPFL scientists have unveiled how two classes of drug compounds currently in clinical trials work to fight the disease. Their research suggests that these compounds target the disease-causing peptides with high precision and with minimal side-effects.

2 Aug 2013

GW professor receives $747,000 grant to research causes of severe intellectual disability and autism

As part of a national focus to better understand child health and development, Chiara Manzini, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology and physiology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, was awarded a $747,000 grant to research the causes of severe intellectual disability and autism.

25 Jul 2013

Novel way to fine-tune activity of cells' protein-disposing machinery with cancer-fighting effects

Molecular biologists in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio have found a novel way to fine-tune the activity of cells' protein-disposing machinery, with potentially cancer-fighting effects.

18 Jul 2013

Scientists discover bacterium that stores biodegradable plastic

In Bolivia, in the largest continuous salt desert in the world, researchers from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia have found a bacterium that stores large amounts of PHB, a prized polymer. This biodegradable plastic is used by the food and pharmaceutical industries, for example to produce nanospheres to transport antibiotics.

11 Jul 2013