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DNA sequencing for difficult diagnoses of mitochondrial diseases may hit clinics soon

Identifying complete DNA sequences could identify difficult-to-diagnose diseases in humans. This concept is being used for the first time in a clinic. MitoExome sequencing uses new technologies known as next-generation sequencing (NGS) to decode all of the genes associated with mitochondria. Mitochondria are a capsule shaped organelle present within the cell. It is the powerhouse of the cell and its genes are inherited completely from the mother.

29 Jan 2012

Study shows grape seed extract kills head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells

Nearly 12,000 people will die of head and neck cancer in the United States this year and worldwide cases will exceed half a million.

27 Jan 2012

Researchers identify possible cause for loss of tumor suppressor genes

Researchers at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada have identified a possible cause for the loss of a tumour suppressor gene (known as PTEN) that can lead to the development of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

27 Jan 2012

Prevalence of oral HPV infection more common among men: Study

Oral HPV infection is more common among men than women, explaining why men are more prone than women to develop an HPV related head and neck cancer, according to a study presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by AHNS, ASCO, ASTRO and SNM.

27 Jan 2012

Research!America profiles various U.S. states regarding global health R&D

This post in the Global Health Technologies Coalition's (GHTC) "Breakthroughs" blog is the first of a series in which Research!America, a member of the GHTC, will profile various U.S. states based on an analyses the organization conducted "to measure the economic impact of [research & development (R&D)], highlighting the benefits of it for states across the nation," and to examine "what the [U.S.] is doing to advance global health R&D and why our continued support of such work is crucial for the health and prosperity of our future."

27 Jan 2012

Study finds clear association between obesity and pain in 1M Americans

A clear association between obesity and pain - with higher rates of pain identified in the heaviest individuals - was found in a study of more than one million Americans published January 19 in the online edition of Obesity.

27 Jan 2012

Study shows lack of physical activity in 42% of adults with RA

A new study, funded by a grant from the National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), found that two in five adults (42%) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were inactive.

27 Jan 2012

Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease research

Researchers are closer to understanding Alzheimer’s disease using a new stem cell technique. They have successfully replicated Alzheimer’s disease neurons with stem cells for the first time.

26 Jan 2012

Panel releases draft priorities for comparative effectiveness research

The draft, which offered insight into the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's priorities and research agenda, did not single out any specific diseases or treatments. The Institute did seek public comment.

25 Jan 2012

CHF associated with reduced patency after peripheral endovascular intervention

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a highly prevalent comorbidity among patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The effect of CHF on the procedural success of endovascular treatment, however, remains unknown.

25 Jan 2012

College party hosts more likely to drink alcohol than attendees

On any given weekend, at least 10 percent of students at a single college could be hosting a party, and on average, party hosts who live off campus are drinking more and engaging in more alcohol-related problem behaviors than are the students attending their bashes, research suggests.

25 Jan 2012

Studies identify factors that may lead teens to drive with multiple peer passengers

A pair of studies by The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and State Farm® identify factors that may lead teens to drive with multiple peer passengers and, then, how those passengers may affect their driver's behavior just before a serious crash. The studies were published today in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

25 Jan 2012

Seattle Children's receives $5M gift from Ben Towne for pediatric cancer study

Seattle Children's Research Institute today announced a $5 million gift from Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. The funding will be used to accelerate the work of Michael Jensen, MD, and his Seattle Children's Research Institute team who are creating new cancer treatments that reprogram a child's immune system to attack and kill cancer cells with the goal of minimizing or even eliminating the need for chemotherapy or radiation.

25 Jan 2012

Link between high fructose intake and cardiovascular risk in adolescents

Evidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk is present in the blood of adolescents who consume a lot of fructose, a scenario that worsens in the face of excess belly fat, researchers report.

25 Jan 2012

Studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of 'intuitive physics'

While it may appear that infants are helpless creatures that only blink, eat, cry and sleep, one University of Missouri researcher says that studies indicate infant brains come equipped with knowledge of "intuitive physics."

24 Jan 2012

Novel detection of ovarian cancer in early stages

Ovarian cancer is often detected at a late stage and it is the leading cause of death due to gynecological cancers, and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in women. According to latest discovery by researchers at Sydney’s Garvan Institute there may be a way this killer cancer is detected earlier.

24 Jan 2012

Brown fat burns in the cold and could hold key to burning excess fat: Study

Brown fat is something that occurs more in thin people than fat, younger people than older and young women than men. It is brown in color and a new study finds that one form of it, which is turned on in cold climates can burn calories from elsewhere in the body to keep the body warm. Another new study finds that a second form of brown fat can be created from ordinary white fat by exercise.

24 Jan 2012

Experts comment on successful stem cell therapy for blindness

According to a new study published in The Lancet, privately funded and led by UCLA and Advanced Cell Technology researchers, two women suffering a progressive form of blindness have shown improved vision.

24 Jan 2012

Magic Mushroom’s compound may help in some mental disorders: Study

There has been little research on the mechanism of action of “magic mushrooms” on the brain. A growing number of studies suggested that perhaps the mushrooms' key ingredient could work magic for certain mental disorders. New research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences sheds light on why one of the mushrooms' hallucinogenic chemical compounds, psilocybin, may hold promise for the treatment of depression.

24 Jan 2012

Stem cells show promise in treating blindness

A medical breakthrough was reported Monday in the journal The Lancet wherein the results of a therapy using human embryonic stem cells in two legally blind patients was described.

24 Jan 2012