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Optogenetics: A promising technique for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders

By applying light stimulation to highly specific neurons in the brain, the researchers managed to re-establish normal behaviour in mice that had beforehand presented pathological repetitive behaviour similar to that observed in human patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorders.

10 Jun 2013

Genetic testing for cancer-causing mutations in affected families is very low, study finds

A new study of the use of genetic testing for cancer-causing mutations in affected families in France has found that its take-up is very low.

10 Jun 2013

Data emphasise need for comprehensive analysis of mtDNA in mitochondrial disease patients

French scientists have discovered that supposedly rare mutations in the mitochondria, the 'power plants' of human cells responsible for creating energy, account for more than 7% of patients with a mitochondrial disease manifesting itself as a respiratory deficiency.

10 Jun 2013

Scientists discover how Arc protein helps translate learning into memory

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have deciphered how a protein called Arc regulates the activity of neurons-providing much-needed clues into the brain's ability to form long-lasting memories. These findings, reported today in Nature Neuroscience, also offer newfound understanding as to what goes on at the molecular level when this process becomes disrupted.

10 Jun 2013

Essential fatty acid found in vegetable oils does not promote inflammation in humans, scientists find

A typical American consumes approximately 3 or more tablespoons of vegetable oil each day. Vegetable oils, like those from soy, corn and canola, are a significant source of calories and are rich in linoleic acid, which is an essential nutrient.

10 Jun 2013

McGill researchers use computer simulations to show how immune cells identify foreign antigens

How do immune cells manage to sort through vast numbers of similar-looking proteins within the body to detect foreign invaders and fight infections?

10 Jun 2013

USC scientists unlock mystery of why new cases of Noonan Syndrome are so common

Scientists at USC have unlocked the mystery of why new cases of the genetic disease Noonan Syndrome are so common: a mutation that causes the disease disproportionately increases a normal father's production of sperm carrying the disease trait.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

As tumors grow, their centers are squeezed of oxygen. And so tumors must flip specific genetic switches to survive in these hypoxic environments.

10 Jun 2013

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Uterine leiomyomata, or fibroids, are benign tumours that nevertheless affect the health of millions of women. They may cause, for instance, pain, bleeding and infertility. Fibroids are also the most common reason for a hysterectomy; for example, some 8,000 hysterectomies are made in Finland each year.

10 Jun 2013

Study: Non-invasive blood test could reshape standards in prenatal testing

New research has found that routine screening using a non-invasive test that analyzes fetal DNA in a pregnant woman's blood can accurately detect Down's syndrome and other genetic fetal abnormalities in the first trimester. Published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the results suggest that the test is superior to currently available screening strategies and could reshape standards in prenatal testing.

10 Jun 2013

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have uncovered a mechanism that guides the exquisite wiring of neural circuits in a developing brain -- gaining unprecedented insight into the faulty circuits that may lead to brain disorders ranging from autism to mental retardation.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers find new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of epidermolysis bullosa patients

A research team led by pediatric blood and marrow transplantation experts Mark Osborn, Ph.D. and Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D. from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, have discovered a remarkable new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of patients with the skin disease epidermolysis bullosa.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers find way to differentiate iPSCs into mature human neurons in the brain

Difficult-to-study diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism now can be probed more safely and effectively thanks to an innovative new method for obtaining mature brain cells called neurons from reprogrammed skin cells. According to Gong Chen, the Verne M. Willaman Chair in Life Sciences and professor of biology at Penn State University and the leader of the research team, "the most exciting part of this research is that it offers the promise of direct disease modeling, allowing for the creation, in a Petri dish, of mature human neurons that behave a lot like neurons that grow naturally in the human brain."

10 Jun 2013

Liver regeneration using cell therapy may be possible, study suggests

Liver transplantation is the mainstay of treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease, the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, but new research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, published in the online journal Cell Stem Cell today, suggests that it may one day become possible to regenerate a liver using cell therapy in patients with liver disease.

10 Jun 2013

Large study of deep brain stimulation underway for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Together, Butler Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital are participating in The ADvance Study, a clinical trial investigating the use of deep brain stimulation as a treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

10 Jun 2013

Discovery of impaired molecular pathway may help treat children with leukemia

Through genetic engineering of laboratory models, researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center have uncovered a vulnerability in the way cancer cells diverge from normal regenerating cells that may help treat children with leukemia as reported in the journal PNAS on June 3, 2013.

7 Jun 2013

Research shows visually impaired individuals have greater risk of diminished balance

UC Davis Health System Eye Center research has found that visually impaired individuals and those with uncorrected refractive error - those who could benefit from glasses to achieve normal vision but don't wear glasses - have a significantly greater risk of diminished balance with their eyes closed on a compliant, foam surface than individuals with normal vision.

7 Jun 2013

Study shows Atkins diet is effective for long-term weight loss

A meta-analysis released in the June issue of the British Journal of Nutrition shows that a carbohydrate-managed approach, such as the Atkins Diet, is more effective for long-term weight loss than a conventional low-fat diet.1

7 Jun 2013

New Australian research shows evidence for pre-birth programming of food allergies

Among the many new findings presented at the EAACI-WAO World Allergy and Asthma Congress 2013 in Milan from 22-26 June 2013 is new Australian research providing proof for pre-birth programming of food allergies, showing that prenatal environmental factors may already determine predispositions for food allergies rather than only genetic factors.

7 Jun 2013

New gene variant found in human and animal tissue offers a promising treatment for cancer

A novel gene variant found in human and animal tissue may be a promising treatment for cancer, including breast and brain cancer, according to scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

7 Jun 2013

Medical Research News

Optogenetics: A promising technique for treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders

Genetic testing for cancer-causing mutations in affected families is very low, study finds

Data emphasise need for comprehensive analysis of mtDNA in mitochondrial disease patients

Scientists discover how Arc protein helps translate learning into memory

Essential fatty acid found in vegetable oils does not promote inflammation in humans, scientists find

McGill researchers use computer simulations to show how immune cells identify foreign antigens

USC scientists unlock mystery of why new cases of Noonan Syndrome are so common

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Study: Non-invasive blood test could reshape standards in prenatal testing

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Researchers find new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of epidermolysis bullosa patients

Researchers find way to differentiate iPSCs into mature human neurons in the brain

Liver regeneration using cell therapy may be possible, study suggests

Large study of deep brain stimulation underway for Alzheimer's disease treatment

Discovery of impaired molecular pathway may help treat children with leukemia

Research shows visually impaired individuals have greater risk of diminished balance

Study shows Atkins diet is effective for long-term weight loss

New Australian research shows evidence for pre-birth programming of food allergies

New gene variant found in human and animal tissue offers a promising treatment for cancer

Modular, Scalable, Intelligent: How n6 Is Rethinking NGS Library Prep

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

Scaling B-cell cloning workflows for antibody development

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