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New understanding of nerve cell influence in exchange of information

Nerve cells communicate with each other by means of electrical impulses. To create such an impulse, the cells exchange charged ions with their environment. However, the role played by the ever-present chloride channels remained obscure, although some theories predicted a relation between the chloride channel ClC-2 and epilepsy.

24 Apr 2010

As hip replacement steadily increasing, patients need to know the facts before procedure: Surgeons

On the golf course, in the garden, or at the shopping mall, most people want to stay active, regardless of age. As the number of Americans reaching their 60s grows daily, the demand for mobility-restoring procedures, such as hip replacement, is steadily increasing.

24 Apr 2010

Sonic Innovations wins Best in Show award at AudiologyNOW! conference

Sonic Innovations, Inc. received a Best in Show award based on attendees' votes at the AudiologyNOW! conference for its tradeshow booth. The conference was held April 14 through 17 in San Diego, California and was attended by nearly 7,000 hearing care professionals.

21 Apr 2010

Researchers identify potential drug target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a receptor that is embedded in the membrane of neurons and other cells.

21 Apr 2010

First case of treating cystic fibrosis and Crohn's disease with infliximab

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening autosomal recessive disease in Caucasian children; it has an incidence of 1 case in every 2500 children born alive. CF involves an anomalous function of the exocrine glands, caused by a mutation of a gene (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR) located on chromosome 7, which codes for a protein involved in ion transport through the cell membrane.

20 Apr 2010

Breathe California names CODA Automotive as winner of Clean Air Award

CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, was named a Clean Air Award winner in the technology development category by Breathe California. The award, presented today in San Francisco, highlights standout efforts to combat climate change and air pollution in the business, government, education and non-profit sectors.

17 Apr 2010

Researchers discover link between protein structure and hearing process

Rising from the top surface of each of the specialized receptor cells in our inner ears is a bundle of sensory cilia that responds to the movement of sound. As sensitive as they are fragile, these cilia can move to wisps of sound no larger than a molecule-but can shear at sounds that are larger than life.

17 Apr 2010

New research identifies cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth

Skin and hair follicles are constantly renewed in the body, maintained by specialized stem cells. New research from Children's Hospital Boston identifies a small cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth and that could be targeted with small-molecule drugs, potentially treating variety of skin conditions, as well as thinning hair or unwanted hair growth. Findings appear in the April 16, 2010 issue of Cell.

16 Apr 2010

IBA's PBS system for Proton Therapy granted CE Mark

IBA's second generation Pencil Beam Scanning system for Proton Therapy, which further enhances the performance of anti-cancer proton treatments, has been granted the CE Mark, certifying that the product has met European Union medical device regulations.

16 Apr 2010

Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires Proxeon

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced today that it has acquired Proxeon A/S, an innovative supplier of products for proteomics analysis headquartered in Odense, Denmark.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 16 Apr 2010

High sensitivity of Zetasizer Nano proves essential for protein aggregation studies

Dr Martin Muschol, Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida’s (USF) Department of Physics and his team are carrying out important research to gain a better understanding of protein aggregation phenomena, including protein crystallization and amyloid fibril growth. Using the Zetasizer Nano ZS, from Malvern Panalytical (Malvern Panalytical, UK), the USF researchers have been able to perform temperature controlled static and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements of protein hydration, protein interactions and aggregation kinetics in vitro.

From Malvern Panalytical 15 Apr 2010

Sonic Innovations to unveil new 12-channel BTE hearing aid at AudiologyNOW! conference

Sonic Innovations, Inc. will unveil its new 12-channel super power behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, Endura, at the AudiologyNOW! conference in San Diego, California, April 14 through 17. Endura provides exceptional amplification for those suffering from severe-to-profound hearing loss.

15 Apr 2010

Use of silver dressing in burn cases questioned

The use of expensive silver dressing in burn cases is being brought under the scanner by an editorial in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. The NHS has increased its spending from £23 million in 2005 to around £25 million in 2006/7 on such products. The author asks if expensive silver dressing is really justified when cheaper alternatives are available.

15 Apr 2010

Researchers invent zinc-stapled insulin to reduce insulin-related cancer risk

For millions of Americans with Type-2 diabetes and inject insulin to control diabetes (with onset typically in adulthood) the associated risk of cancer is of increasing concern. Studies have demonstrated that obesity and excess insulin - whether naturally produced by the body or injected in synthetic form - are associated with an increased incidence of some common cancers.

13 Apr 2010

Researchers report major step forward in effort to understand and engineer protein structure

Researchers in Singapore are reporting this week that they have gleaned key insights into the architecture of a protein that controls iron levels in almost all organisms. Their study culminated in one of the first successful attempts to take apart a complex biological nanostructure and isolate the rules that govern its natural formation.

12 Apr 2010

SRU Biosystems receives Notice of Allowance to perform cellular assays on optical label-free biosensors

SRU Biosystems, a leader in highly sensitive label-free detection technologies, today announced the issuance of a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent Office for claims on a fundamental patent application, US Patent Application No. 11/635,934, for performing cellular assays on optical label-free biosensors.

12 Apr 2010

SRU Biosystems extends product line with the introduction of BIND SCANNER

SRU Biosystems today announced the extension of its product line of label-free instrumentation and biosensors with the introduction of its BIND® SCANNER for primary and stem cell applications. The BIND SCANNER is a first-of-its-kind, plate-based, label-free instrument capable of monitoring cellular responses at an individual cell resolution.

7 Apr 2010

Dalfampridine drug for multiple sclerosis now available in the U.S.

A drug whose clinical benefit in treating multiple sclerosis was discovered at Rush University Medical Center was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on January 22 and is now available in the U.S.

6 Apr 2010

Research may help develop new ways to diagnose and treat communication disorders

An international research consortium has identified more than 800 genes that appear to play a role in the male zebra finch's ability to learn elaborate songs from his father. The researchers also found evidence that song behavior engages complex gene regulatory networks within the brain of the songbird- networks that rely on parts of the genome once considered junk.

5 Apr 2010

Some therapies being investigated for Alzheimer's disease may cause cell death: UCSD

Some current therapies being investigated for Alzheimer's disease may cause further neural degeneration and cell death, according to a breakthrough discovery by UC San Diego researchers. By combining three dimensional computer simulations with high resolution atomic force microscopy membrane protein and cell imaging, electrical recording and various cellular assays, UCSD nano-biophysicist Ratnesh Lal and his colleagues investigated the structure and function of truncated peptides, known as nonamyloidgenic peptides, formed by some Alzheimer's drug candidates.

5 Apr 2010