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Specific SARS-CoV-2 genetic elements found in different insect species

In a recent bioRxiv paper, researchers from Norway and the US demonstrate the presence of a highly conserved, mobile genetic element (thus far with unknown function) in genomes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a large number of insects – opening the door for hitherto unexplored treatment opportunities.

30 Jun 2020

Chronic kidney disease medication doesn’t work, shows study

A major clinical trial from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) reports that a medication called allopurinol, which is prescribed to about 20% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), doesn’t work as expected. The results are published in the New England Journal of Medicine on June 25, 2020.

28 Jun 2020

Brazilian startup to develop a low-cost high-performance COVID-19 diagnostic test

Researchers at Biolinker, a biotech startup based in São Paulo, Brazil, are developing a low-cost high-performance COVID-19 diagnostic test using only locally sourced inputs.

26 Jun 2020

Study reveals biochemical alterations in patients with Lesch-Nyhan disease

An international study by the Institute of Neuroscience of the UAB, Emory University and Hospital Universitario La Paz, published in the PNAS journal, shows that patients suffering from Lesch-Nyhan, a rare neurological disease, present biochemical alterations in skin cells (fibroblasts), urine and cerebrospinal fluid.

4 Jun 2020

Study reveals SARS-CoV-2 RNA cap structure

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in April 2020 reports the discovery of the structure of the cap created by the novel coronavirus on virally encoded mRNAs. The finding could help create new antiviral strategies.

29 Apr 2020

The cost of excessive sugar in the diet

A new study from the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, in the UK, reports that while eating foods rich in sugar does not necessarily make you fat, they can make you very sick. They do this by increasing the level of a compound called uric acid in the blood. The study is published in the journal Cell Metabolism in March 2020.

19 Mar 2020

Dietary sugar has negative impact on health independent of obesity

Sugar-rich diets have a negative impact on health independent of obesity reports a new study led by the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, UK.

19 Mar 2020

Gut bacteria may predict risk of pulmonary hypertension

A team of researchers has found that the microflora of bacteria within the gut of humans could be a contributor to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The study titled, "Altered Gut Microbiome Profile in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension," in the latest issue of the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.

24 Feb 2020

Salivary uric acid found to be a good predictor of body fat percentage in adolescents

In addition to helping us chew and swallow, keeping the mouth moist and protecting us against germs, saliva can also be used for early detection of the risk of developing diseases associated with surplus body fat.

18 Feb 2020

Key component of immune response is activated by short RNAs, shows study

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich researchers report that a central component of the innate immune response is activated by two short RNAs which are produced by site-specific cleavage of a precursor RNA molecule - and both derivatives are generated by the same enzyme.

3 Dec 2019

New wearable sensor for non-invasive gout detection

Biomedical scientists are working hard to create more pain-free methods of disease detection and treatment. A simple blood test is highly informative but arouses intense anxiety in many people. Now a new paper published in the journal Nature Biotechnology on November 25, 2019, reports on a new wearable sensor that can be successfully adapted to mass production, is flexible, and can be used to produce readouts of metabolites and nutrients in the blood based on a sweat analysis.

26 Nov 2019

Research may help explain how liquid organelles in cells coexist without merging

New research may help to explain an intriguing phenomenon inside human cells: how wall-less liquid organelles are able to coexist as separate entities instead of just merging together.

10 Oct 2019

New genome-wide association study shines light on genetic risk factors for gout

Researchers, using a method called genome-wide association study, have illuminated the genetic underpinnings of high serum urate, the blood condition that brings on gout.

7 Oct 2019

Fruit fly model for studying diseases like gout, kidney stones reveals new drug targets

A new fruit fly model that mimics diseases associated with high uric acid levels, such as gout and kidney stones, has revealed new targets for developing treatments for these diseases.

From PLOS ONE 16 Aug 2019

New machine-learning approach discovers mechanism that helps antibiotics kill bacteria

Most antibiotics work by interfering with critical functions such as DNA replication or construction of the bacterial cell wall.

10 May 2019

Study: Cancer stem-like cells are maintained by MTHFD2 mitochondrial metabolic enzyme

An increase in the incidence and mortality rate of cancer has been noted worldwide, especially for lung cancer.

22 Feb 2019

Fasting may boost human metabolic activity, research suggests

Fasting may help people lose weight, but new research suggests going without food may also boost human metabolic activity, generate antioxidants, and help reverse some effects of aging.

31 Jan 2019

Leadiant Biosciences announces FDA approval of Revcovi for treating pediatric, adult ADA-SCID patients

Leadiant Biosciences, Inc. today announced that the Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to Revcovi (elapegademase-lvlr) injection in the U.S. Revcovi is a new enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of adenosine deaminase severe combined immune deficiency in pediatric and adult patients.

7 Oct 2018

FDA approves new treatment for people with hairy cell leukemia

AstraZeneca and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved LUMOXITI (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog.

14 Sep 2018

Novel treatment for hairy cell leukemia approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Lumoxiti (moxetumomab pasudotox-tdfk) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia (HCL) who have received at least two prior systemic therapies, including treatment with a purine nucleoside analog.

14 Sep 2018