Medical Science News

RSS

Blood group O provides protection against severe malaria

It has long been known that people with blood type O are protected from dying of severe malaria. In a study published in Nature Medicine, a team of Scandinavian scientists explains the mechanisms behind the protection that blood type O provides, and suggest that the selective pressure imposed by malaria may contribute to the variable global distribution of ABO blood groups in the human population.

10 Mar 2015

Whole genome sequencing may help identify disease risks

Using a small amount of blood or saliva, a technology called whole genome sequencing makes that possible - and more than half of parents said they'd not only be interested in the technology for themselves but for their children too, a new nationally-representative University of Michigan study shows.

10 Mar 2015

Snai1 protein plays major role in deciding fate of intestinal stem cells

An international group of researchers has shown that a regulatory protein involved in controlling how cancer spreads through the body also influences the fate of stem cells in the intestine of mice. The results, which are published in The EMBO Journal, show that the Snai1 protein plays an important role in deciding the fate of intestinal stem cells and the different functions that these cells can adopt.

10 Mar 2015

Traffic signal labels help consumers resist high-calorie foods

Should food products be labeled with traffic light symbols to make health-related information on ingredients easier to understand? This question has remained a subject of debate. Now researchers at the University of Bonn have reached the conclusion that the traffic light label is more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than a purely information-based label.

10 Mar 2015

The Brain Prize awarded to four scientists for development of two-photon microscopy

The world's most valuable (€1m) neuroscience prize, The Brain Prize has been awarded, to four scientists, Winfried Denk and Arthur Konnerth (Germany), and Karel Svoboda and David Tank (USA), for the invention and development of two-photon microscopy, a transformative tool in brain research.

9 Mar 2015

Loyola's Genomics Facility uses next generation sequencing to study genetic make-up of organisms

Loyola University Chicago's Genomics Facility is using an advanced technology called next generation sequencing to assist a broad range of researchers studying the genetic make-up of organisms ranging from viruses to humans.

9 Mar 2015

BPA exposure may cause tooth enamel abnormality in children

A tooth enamel abnormality in children, molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), may result from exposure to the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA), authors of a new study conclude after finding similar damage to the dental enamel of rats that received BPA.

9 Mar 2015

Testosterone, estrogen raise men's risk of heart disease

Why men have more heart disease than premenopausal women has been unclear, but a new study shows that the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen alter cardiovascular risk factors in a way that raises a man's risk of heart disease.

9 Mar 2015

M-MDSCs may be effective in treating arthritis in humans

Using a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis, scientists have discovered that a form of cellular immunotherapy by intravenous administration of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, or M-MDSCs, might be an effective treatment for the disease in humans.

9 Mar 2015

IUPUI researchers awarded grant to study how brain's reward system is hijacked by alcohol

With the support of a $545,000 three-year grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers from the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis are conducting research on how the brain's reward system -- the circuitry that helps regulate the body's ability to feel pleasure -- is hijacked by alcohol.

9 Mar 2015

Oncologists welcome gene expression profiling tests for women with early-stage breast cancer but have concerns

Oncologists welcome gene expression profiling tests as an added tool in deciding whether women with early-stage breast cancer should have chemotherapy, a new study has found. But they have significant reservations about the cost of the test and whether it is being overused and used for the right patients.

9 Mar 2015

Appetite-controlling neurons initiate repetitive behaviors seen in OCD, anorexia nervosa

In the absence of food, neurons that normally control appetite initiate complex, repetitive behaviors seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anorexia nervosa, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers.

9 Mar 2015

Study: Combination of metformin and onion extract lowers blood glucose, total cholesterol levels

The extract of onion bulb, Allium cepa, strongly lowered high blood glucose (sugar) and total cholesterol levels in diabetic rats when given with the antidiabetic drug metformin, according to a new study.

9 Mar 2015

New study reveals differences in brain structure according to how trusting people are of others

A recent study from the University of Georgia shows differences in brain structure according to how trusting people are of others.

9 Mar 2015

BUSM researchers shed new light on the underlying processes of tumor metastasis

In a review article recently published in the journal Clinical and Translational Medicine, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shed new light on the underlying processes of tumor metastasis and highlight the role of epigenetics in this process.

9 Mar 2015

Scientists design a promising vaccine for herpes viruses

Herpes simplex virus infections are an enormous global health problem and there is currently no viable vaccine.

9 Mar 2015

GC-1 experimental drug causes loss of weight and fat in mice

An experimental drug causes loss of weight and fat in mice, a new study has found. The study results will be presented Friday at the Endocrine Society's 97th annual meeting in San Diego.

9 Mar 2015

Rare, aggressive subtype of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia has surprisingly few mutations

The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital--Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project reports that a highly aggressive form of leukemia in infants has surprisingly few mutations beyond the chromosomal rearrangement that affects the MLL gene. The findings suggest that targeting the alteration is likely the key to improved survival.

9 Mar 2015

Naturally occurring melatonin may help us fall asleep

If you walk into your local drug store and ask for a supplement to help you sleep, you might be directed to a bottle labeled "melatonin." The hormone supplement's use as a sleep aid is supported by anecdotal evidence and even some reputable research studies.

9 Mar 2015

Nanobody Nano-85 holds promise for detection of noroviral RNA

Infection with highly contagious noroviruses, while not usually fatal, can lead to a slew of unpleasant symptoms such as excessive vomiting and diarrhea. Current treatment options are limited to rehydration of the patient. "Additionally, noroviruses come in a variety of constantly evolving strains.

9 Mar 2015

Medical Science News

Blood group O provides protection against severe malaria

Whole genome sequencing may help identify disease risks

Snai1 protein plays major role in deciding fate of intestinal stem cells

Traffic signal labels help consumers resist high-calorie foods

The Brain Prize awarded to four scientists for development of two-photon microscopy

Loyola's Genomics Facility uses next generation sequencing to study genetic make-up of organisms

BPA exposure may cause tooth enamel abnormality in children

Testosterone, estrogen raise men's risk of heart disease

M-MDSCs may be effective in treating arthritis in humans

IUPUI researchers awarded grant to study how brain's reward system is hijacked by alcohol

Oncologists welcome gene expression profiling tests for women with early-stage breast cancer but have concerns

Appetite-controlling neurons initiate repetitive behaviors seen in OCD, anorexia nervosa

Study: Combination of metformin and onion extract lowers blood glucose, total cholesterol levels

New study reveals differences in brain structure according to how trusting people are of others

BUSM researchers shed new light on the underlying processes of tumor metastasis

Scientists design a promising vaccine for herpes viruses

GC-1 experimental drug causes loss of weight and fat in mice

Rare, aggressive subtype of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia has surprisingly few mutations

Naturally occurring melatonin may help us fall asleep

Nanobody Nano-85 holds promise for detection of noroviral RNA

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

Latest News