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CSC's stem cell-derived motor neuron product for SMA receives FDA orphan drug designation

California Stem Cell, Inc. (CSC) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) announced today that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to MOTORGRAFT™, a stem cell-derived motor neuron product, for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

9 Dec 2009

New findings may help restore vision in patients with corneal injury

Winston Whei-Yang Kao, PhD, professor of ophthalmology, along with other researchers in UC's ophthalmology department found that transplanting human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells into mouse models that lack the protein lumican restored the transparency of cloudy and thin corneas.

9 Dec 2009

GPEC receives unrestricted grant of $250,000 to study new treatments for breast cancer

Located at Vancouver General Hospital and a partner of the BC Cancer Agency, the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre, led by three prominent pathologists, is a recognized world leader in cancer research in the area of biomarker technology. Today, with an additional unrestricted grant of $250,000 from sanofi-aventis, GPEC is ready to make even more scientific breakthroughs.

9 Dec 2009

LCA and national organizations join hands to address lung cancer

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) praised the growing coalition of national organizations joining LCA in its "call to action" to devise a better public health strategy to address the nation's most lethal cancer.

9 Dec 2009

Discovery of new compounds may dispel cravings of methamphetamine and cocaine addiction

Sarah Steele and Langtian "Ren" Yuan were both self-admittedly inexperienced Duke freshmen in the spring of 2006. But then they followed helpful directions of an assistant chemistry professor, added their own patience and ingenuity, and ended up identifying compounds that might allay the powerful cravings of methamphetamine and cocaine addiction.

9 Dec 2009

Researchers describe how PDNF protein prolongs the life of T. cruzi parasite

The parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (or T. cruzi), which causes Chagas' disease, will go to great lengths to evade death once it has infected human host cells, researchers have discovered. In a study published in the November 17 online issue of Science Signaling, the researchers describe how a protein called parasite-derived neurotrophic factor (PDNF) prolongs the life of the T. cruzi parasite by activating anti-apoptotic (or anti-cell-death) molecules in the host cell. These protective mechanisms help to explain how host cells continue to survive despite being exploited by T. cruzi parasites.

9 Dec 2009

People living in deprived neighborhoods more likely to die from cancer and heart disease

Regardless of an individual's dietary and lifestyle risk factors, living in a poorer or more socioeconomically deprived neighborhood may increase a person's risk for death, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, held Dec. 6-9, 2009.

9 Dec 2009

Smokers taking the Respiragene test try to quit smoking, reveals study

Smokers who see their own personal risk of developing lung cancer after genetic-based testing show stronger intention and take more action on quitting smoking, according to clinical trial results presented to an American Association of Cancer Research conference.

9 Dec 2009

Depression drug TC-5214 earns USF its most lucrative patent royalties to date

A depression drug created and patented by a team of University of South Florida researchers is at the center of major deal between global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca PLC and Targacept, Inc., earning the university its potentially most lucrative patent royalties to date.

9 Dec 2009

Breakthrough findings may lead to new treatments for Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of a critical protein from the Ebola virus, which, though rare, is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet killing between 50 and 90 percent of those infected.

9 Dec 2009

Statewide blood screening program identifies infants with T-cell lymphopenia

The testing of DNA from a statewide blood screening program for newborns in Wisconsin was able to identify infants with T-cell lymphopenia, a blood disorder that affects the child's immune system, a disease in which early identification is important, according to a study in the December 9 issue of JAMA.

9 Dec 2009

Comparative study on erosive and nonerosive diseases

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the pathological retrograde movement of gastric contents into the esophagus. Various esophageal motility disturbances which may be important in reflux are observed in patients with GERD.

9 Dec 2009

Research suggests that everyday germs may prevent diseases in adulthood

A new Northwestern University study suggests that American parents should ease up on antibacterial soap and perhaps allow their little ones a romp or two in the mud --- or at least a much better acquaintance with everyday germs.

9 Dec 2009

TGen and Scottsdale Healthcare test PHA-848125ac drug for thymic cancer

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare are testing a new drug specifically for thymic cancer based on early promising results at Scottsdale Healthcare.

9 Dec 2009

ADHC to acquire stem cell patents for commercial purposes

American Diversified Holdings Corporation has announced, as part of its previously disclosed strategy to concentrate in developing innovative technologies in the life sciences sector, specifically targeting the fast growing stem cell arena, that the Company is actively seeking to acquire stem cell patents for the express purpose of developing these patents for commercial purposes.

9 Dec 2009

Utility of CEH-EUS uses sonographic contrast agent to diagnose pancreatic tumors

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a highly sensitive diagnostic method for the detection of small pancreatic carcinomas. Recently, there have been some reports describing the utility of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS) which uses sonographic contrast agent for differentiation of a pancreatic mass.

9 Dec 2009

New IME-developed cardiac biomarker testing system saves time

Scientists at Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics (IME) have developed a rapid and sensitive integrated system to test simultaneously for specific cardiac biomarkers in finger prick amount of blood.

9 Dec 2009

Researchers study incidence of heterosis for different characteristics

When two gene pools combine, you might expect the characteristics of the offspring to end up somewhere in the middle between those of its parents. But children often have characteristics that are better or worse than that middle value, sometimes even better than both parents.

9 Dec 2009

First-quarter fiscal 2010 results announced by Helix BioPharma

Helix BioPharma Corp. today announced financial results for the first quarter ended October 31, 2009.

9 Dec 2009

New article in Women's Health journal emphasizes the importance of early pregnancy detection

A new article published in the peer-reviewed journal Women's Health emphasizes the importance of early pregnancy detection. Using research conducted on behalf of Church & Dwight Co. Inc., the makers of First Response, the article reviews data that shows not all at-home pregnancy tests are created equal -First Response brand pregnancy tests are more sensitive and able to detect key variants of the pregnancy hormone better than other at home pregnancy tests.

9 Dec 2009