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Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have given "blind" nerve cells the ability to detect light, paving the way for an innovative therapy that could restore sight to those who have lost it through disease.

24 Nov 2004

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Together with an international research team, researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed an effective method for the screening and identification of genes that under normal conditions suppress cancer growth.

24 Nov 2004

Stem cells can preserve and improve vision in eyes damaged by retinal disease

"These findings hold great promise for potential treatments for people suffering from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases," says Michael Young, PhD, an assistant scientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute and the lead author of the study.

18 Nov 2004

Fluorescent protein tool may speed identification of molecular changes that reveal cells' inner workings

Scientists at Johns Hopkins and the University of Texas Medical Branch have created a new tool that easily reveals when and where a key cellular signal is active.

16 Nov 2004

Uncoupling proteins in the human heart

Results of a study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET suggest that respiratory uncoupling and reduced substrate availability might lead to energy deficiency in heart failure.

14 Nov 2004

Important advance in understanding the structure of phage viruses

An important advance in understanding the structure of phage viruses, which infect and destroy bacteria, has been made by a team of scientists from Oxford and Finland, which could help develop new strategies to combat bacterial infections.

11 Nov 2004

Atomic switch capable of discriminating color in a bacterial membrane protein

Researchers using extremely high resolution imaging have found an atomic switch capable of discriminating color in a bacterial membrane protein.

5 Nov 2004

Researchers have identified a protein that transports the essential nutrient boron into cells

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have identified a protein that transports the essential nutrient boron into cells, where it is important for cell growth and bone development. The findings are in the Nov. 5 edition of the journal Molecular Cell and are online.

5 Nov 2004

Analysis shows Remicade reduces pain associated with Crohn's disease

According to a new sub-analysis from the ACCENT I (A Crohn's disease Clinical trial Evaluating infliximab in a New long-term Treatment regimen) trial patients who received a three-dose induction regimen of Remicade experienced a significantly greater reduction in pain as assessed by four different pain questions after ten weeks, compared with patients who received a single dose of Remicade.

2 Nov 2004

Gene regulated by need to process proteins linked to enlargement of protein processing factory

Part of a cellular mechanism that regulates the folding of new proteins into their proper shapes also includes a genetic response that enlarges the factory where both protein folding and packaging of proteins occurs.

2 Nov 2004

An errant enzyme linked to bipolar disorder impairs awareness, perception and reasoning

The disturbed thinking, impaired judgment, impulsivity, and distractibility seen in mania, a destructive phase of bipolar disorder, may be traceable to overactivity of protein kinase C (PKC), suggests the study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and National Institute on Aging (NIA), and the Stanley Foundation.

1 Nov 2004

Interaction of nervous system proteins help researchers better understand age-related memory and hearing loss

In a finding that may one day help researchers better understand age-related memory and hearing loss, scientists have shown that two key nervous system proteins interact in a manner that helps regulate the transmission of signals in the nervous system.

29 Oct 2004

Trojan horse technique offers potential new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease

A potential new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease protects brain cells in culture by drastically reducing the neurotoxic amyloid protein aggregates that are critical to the development of the disease.

29 Oct 2004

Fish oil reverses age-related ailments

University of Bradford student Samantha Little has been awarded a Young Investigators Award at an international congress for her work on the effect of fish oil on the ageing brain.

25 Oct 2004

Study could lead to new, more effective treatments for urinary tract infections

Anyone who thinks scientists lead a glamorous, exciting life should talk to Jennifer Snyder, a graduate student at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine.

25 Oct 2004

Potential new protein marker for prognosis of breast and ovarian cancer

The researchers matched tumor samples to outcomes in about 100 patients diagnosed with either breast or ovarian cancer and found that a low level of Rab25 protein on a patient's cancer sample was associated with a better clinical outcome in both cancer types.

24 Oct 2004

Groundbreaking new study that may help stroke patients regain greater use of their hands or arms

The trial showed that study participants – stroke survivors suffering impaired hand or arm movement – who underwent physical rehabilitation accompanied by motor cortex stimulation showed greater improvement than participants who received physical rehabilitation alone.

21 Oct 2004

Research opens new possibilities for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity

For the first time, researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected with the Catholic University of Leuven have shown clearly that receptors in yeast cells detect and react to nutrients in the cell.

21 Oct 2004

Gene variations explain why people with type 2 diabetes are at much greater risk for coronary artery disease

New studies by an international team of scientists led by Joslin Diabetes Center have found variations in a gene that help explain why people with type 2 diabetes are at much greater risk for coronary artery disease, the leading cause of death for this group.

21 Oct 2004

Brain protein called MC4R that plays a role in the urge to eat has now been found to influence appetite in a second way

A brain protein already known to play a central role in the "feast or fast" signaling that controls the urge to eat has now been found to influence appetite in a second way. The discovery identifies a potential new target for drugs against obesity.

19 Oct 2004

Membrane News and Research

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Stem cells can preserve and improve vision in eyes damaged by retinal disease

Fluorescent protein tool may speed identification of molecular changes that reveal cells' inner workings

Uncoupling proteins in the human heart

Important advance in understanding the structure of phage viruses

Atomic switch capable of discriminating color in a bacterial membrane protein

Researchers have identified a protein that transports the essential nutrient boron into cells

Analysis shows Remicade reduces pain associated with Crohn's disease

Gene regulated by need to process proteins linked to enlargement of protein processing factory

An errant enzyme linked to bipolar disorder impairs awareness, perception and reasoning

Interaction of nervous system proteins help researchers better understand age-related memory and hearing loss

Trojan horse technique offers potential new therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's disease

Fish oil reverses age-related ailments

Study could lead to new, more effective treatments for urinary tract infections

Potential new protein marker for prognosis of breast and ovarian cancer

Groundbreaking new study that may help stroke patients regain greater use of their hands or arms

Research opens new possibilities for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity

Gene variations explain why people with type 2 diabetes are at much greater risk for coronary artery disease

Brain protein called MC4R that plays a role in the urge to eat has now been found to influence appetite in a second way

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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