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'Mini heart' invented to aid blood flow through venous segments

George Washington University researcher Narine Sarvazyan, Ph.D., has invented a new organ to help return blood flow from veins lacking functional valves. A rhythmically contracting cuff made of cardiac muscle cells surrounds the vein acting as a 'mini heart' to aid blood flow through venous segments. The cuff can be made of a patient's own adult stem cells, eliminating the chance of implant rejection.

28 Mar 2014

IRB researchers identify dual role of p38 protein in colon cancer

A team headed by Angel R. Nebreda at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine identifies a dual role of the p38 protein in colon cancer. The study demonstrates that, on the one hand, p38 is important for the optimal maintenance of the epithelial barrier that protects the intestine against toxic agents, thus contributing to decreased tumour development.

28 Mar 2014

Discovery could lead to new medications for cancer, say Rice University scientists

A new understanding of proteins at the nexus of a cell's decision to survive or die has implications for researchers who study cancer and age-related diseases, according to biophysicists at the Rice University-based Center for Theoretical Biological Physics.

28 Mar 2014

Researchers provide new clues for adult vertebrate tissue regeneration

The reason why some animals can regenerate tissues after severe organ loss or amputation while others, such as humans, cannot renew some structures has always intrigued scientists. In a study now published in PLOS ONE, a research group from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia (IGC, Portugal) led by Joaqu-n Rodr-guez Le-n provided new clues to solve this central question by investigating regeneration in an adult vertebrate model: the zebrafish.

27 Mar 2014

Researchers review influence of lipid rafts on progression of Alzheimer's disease

Research over decades has implicated aberrant autophagy and lysosomal function as reliable markers and therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

27 Mar 2014

Tumor suppressor gene linked to stem cell function

Just as archeologists try to decipher ancient tablets to discern their meaning, UT Southwestern Medical Center cancer biologists are working to decode the purpose of an ancient gene considered one of the most important in cancer research.

27 Mar 2014

New biomarker test accurately estimates mortality risk in patients with septicemia

Septic shock is a severe systemic infection and major cause of death for the old and young alike. Unfortunately, researchers say testing new drug regimens to stop the infection is confounded because clinical trials include patients who are either too sick to be saved by experimental therapies or not sick enough to warrant the treatments.

27 Mar 2014

Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, an online open access journal from Elsevier

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the launch of Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, a new open access journal dedicated to publishing original research, concise research reports, brief reports, letters to the editor, and review papers addressing the role of cognitive functioning in schizophrenia.

27 Mar 2014

RuiYi declares $15M Series B financing to advance monoclonal antibodies targeting GPCR receptors

RuiYi, Inc. announced today a $15 million Series B financing by existing investors: 5AM Ventures, Versant Ventures, Apposite Capital, SR One, the independent corporate healthcare venture capital fund of GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Serono Ventures, the strategic corporate venture fund of Merck Serono, and Aravis SA.

27 Mar 2014

Brain regions determine signals to stop drinking

The study found a 'stop mechanism' that determined brain signals telling the individual to stop drinking water when no longer thirsty, and the brain effects of drinking more water than required.

27 Mar 2014

2014 Biotech China to be held on 14-16 May in Nanjing, China

Biotech China, the first major Chinese biotech exhibition and conference, will hold the 2014 Biotech China on 14-16th May, 2014 in Nanjing, China.

27 Mar 2014

Personalis and Inova team up to advance genomic medicine

Inova Translational Medicine Institute and Personalis, Inc. today announced a partnership to advance genomic medicine for Inova's patient population.

27 Mar 2014

Research pinpoints location of key genetic regulators in blood cells

Research published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology, presents an unprecedented look at five unique blood cells in the human body, pinpointing the location of key genetic regulators in these cells and providing a new tool that may help scientists to identify how blood cells form and shed light on the etiology of blood diseases.

27 Mar 2014

Scientists discover role of protons in neurotransmission

While probing how organisms sense gravity and acceleration, scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and the University of Utah uncovered evidence that acid (proton concentration) plays a key role in communication between neurons.

27 Mar 2014

Teenagers can be persuaded to cut back on sugary soft drinks, shows study

A new study shows that teenagers can be persuaded to cut back on sugary soft drinks - especially with a little help from their friends.

27 Mar 2014

Blood-brain barrier following stoke prevents harmful substances entering brain

Following ischemic stroke, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents harmful substances such as inflammatory molecules from entering the brain, can be impaired in cerebral areas distant from initial ischemic insult.

27 Mar 2014

New strain of rice may help combat obesity and other diseases

In recent years, Okinawa has recorded the dubious distinction of having the highest obesity rate in Japan. Preventing obesity-related diseases is an urgent issue.

27 Mar 2014

Autism begins during pregnancy, study reveals

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Allen Institute for Brain Science have published a study that gives clear and direct new evidence that autism begins during pregnancy.

27 Mar 2014

Carbon nanotube paper offers potential to miniaturize mass spectrometers

Nanotechnology is advancing tools likened to Star Trek's "tricorder" that perform on-the-spot chemical analysis for a range of applications including medical testing, explosives detection and food safety.

27 Mar 2014

Research may lead the way toward new treatments for proliferative retinopathies

A new report published online in The FASEB Journal may lead the way toward new treatments or a cure for a common cause of blindness (proliferative retinopathies). Specifically, scientists have discovered that the body's innate immune system does more than help ward off external pathogens.

27 Mar 2014