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Researchers develop new strategy for treating the most aggressive type of brain cancer

Researchers from the University of São Paulo in Brazil have developed a strategy for treating the most aggressive type of brain cancer in adults that combines a photoactive molecule and a chemotherapeutic agent - both encapsulated in protein-lipid nanoparticles.

27 Nov 2019

NUS researchers use glowing nanoparticles to control biological processes

The biological technique of 'optogenetics' uses light to control cells within living tissues that have been genetically modified to be light-sensitive.

29 Oct 2019

Ultraviolet B light is good for the gut microbiome

A small study published in the journal Frontiers in Immunologyon October 24, 2019, shows that exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light, which is commonly achieved through sunlight exposure, can trigger specific beneficial changes in the gut microbiome, which are dependent on the preceding serum levels of vitamin D.

24 Oct 2019

Phototherapy strategy highly effective for treating carbon monoxide poisoning in rats

Carbon monoxide (CO)--which is produced by cars and trucks, as well as fires and explosions--is a toxic, colorless, and odorless gas, and there are more than 50,000 admissions to US emergency rooms due to CO poisoning each year, with many cases involving damaged airways and lungs.

10 Oct 2019

Johns Hopkins researchers estimate real-world prevalence of prurigo nodularis

Johns Hopkins researchers report that prurigo nodularis, a skin disease characterized by severely itchy, firm bumps on the skin, may be associated with other inflammatory skin disorders as well as systemic and mental health disorders.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 26 Aug 2019

Topical cream found to be effective in reversing the effects of vitiligo

A nationwide phase II clinical trial, coordinated out of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, has found that a topical cream was extremely effective in reversing the effects of vitiligo, a relatively common autoimmune disease that causes loss of skin pigmentation.

17 Jun 2019

'Eye-in-a-dish' model helps scientists to uncover 'surprising' AMD gene variant

Researchers have discovered a new genetic variant responsible for blood vessel dysregulation in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

29 May 2019

FDA approves treatment for adults with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) injection for treatment of adults with a certain type of inflammatory arthritis called non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), with objective signs of inflammation. This is the first time that the FDA has approved a treatment for nr-axSpA.

28 Mar 2019

Researchers are developing and testing novel gene therapy to cure Crigler-Najjar syndrome

Crigler-Najjar syndrome affects about one in a million people at birth. Because of a defective gene, these individuals lack an essential enzyme in their liver to eliminate bilirubin, a toxic bile pigment that accumulates in all body tissues causing jaundice and potentially leading to irreversible and lethal neurological damage.

28 Feb 2019

Researchers to investigate light therapy as relief from painful side effect of cancer treatment

University at Buffalo researchers have received part of a $1.5 million grant to investigate light therapy as a replacement for prescription opioids in treating oral mucositis, painful ulcers and swelling in the mouth that result from chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer.

12 Feb 2019

Anti-inflammatory biologic therapy may prevent heart disease in patients with skin condition

Anti-inflammatory biologic drugs used to treat severe psoriasis have the potential to prevent heart disease in patients with the skin condition, according to research published today in Cardiovascular Research, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology.

5 Feb 2019

Researchers identify comprehensive guidelines for managing severe atopic dermatitis

A team of investigators from the University of Colorado College of Nursing at CU Anschutz Medical Campus and National Jewish Health has identified comprehensive guidelines for managing severe atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema.

16 Jan 2019

Reviewing applications of advanced materials in drug delivery and biomedicine

The Graphene family of materials has emerged as one of the most useful new age nano-biomaterials. Graphene-based materials exhibit excellent physicochemical properties, such as high electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and high surface area with π-conjugated carbon atoms stacked to form honeycomb structure, suitable for binding other molecules.

11 Jan 2019

GW researchers review studies on treatments for prurigo nodularis

Prurigo nodularis is a disabling chronic skin condition characterized by severely itchy, crusty, firm papules and nodules that often occur on the arms and legs, but can appear diffusely on the body. The pathogenesis of prurigo nodularis is poorly understood, as this condition has been associated with a broad array of primary skin and underlying medical diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, and blood.

13 Dec 2018

Balneo-phototherapy offers greater benefit not only in psoriasis, but also in atopic eczema

Atopic eczema, also called neurodermatitis, is a chronic skin condition usually associated with severe itching, which can cause massive impairment of the quality of life.

30 Nov 2018

Scientists study effects of phototherapy on cardiovascular system

Light therapy is used to treat sleep disorders, depression, and seasonal mental disorders. In order to study its effects on the cardiovascular system and to make phototherapy safer for patients suffering from hypertension, experts from RUDN University were carrying out experiments on rats for five months.

7 Aug 2018

Ways to reduce your chances of getting skin cancer

Summer is here, but enjoying longer and sunnier days outdoors means your skin is vulnerable to sunburn. Experts at Yale Cancer Center and Yale School of Medicine say unless you take the right precautions, sun exposure (even if you don't get scorched) can damage your skin, causing wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. Just one sunburn during your youth doubles your chances of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

25 Jun 2018

Researchers uncover racial differences in debilitating itchy skin condition

An international team led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers has conducted what is believed to be the largest detailed published study of people with a poorly understood skin condition known as prurigo nodularis.

14 Jun 2018

Study: Psoriasis patients taking Humira show no change in aortic inflammation

An antibody used to treat the skin disease psoriasis and other chronic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease has no effect on aortic inflammation – a key marker of future risk of major cardiovascular events – unlike other antibodies that target different aspects of the immune system.

18 May 2018

Phototherapeutic technology shows potential as anti-cancer weapon

A new anti-cancer strategy wields light as a precision weapon. Unlike traditional light therapy -; which is limited to the skin and areas accessible with an endoscope -; this technique can target and attack cancer cells that have spread deep inside the body, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

25 Jan 2018