Medical Science News

RSS

Protein processing breakdown in endoplasmic reticulum

With obesity reaching epidemic levels in some parts of the world, scientists have only begun to understand why it is such a persistent condition. A study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry adds substantially to the story by reporting the discovery of a molecular chain of events in the brains of obese rats that undermined their ability to suppress appetite and to increase calorie burning.

17 May 2013

Researchers use new analysis method to determine genes that result in cell death

Lethal and rescuer genes are defined as genes that when inactivated result in cell death or enhanced cell growth, respectively. The ability to identify these genes in large-scale automated screening campaigns could lead to the discovery of valuable new drug targets.

17 May 2013

Northwestern University scientists identify gene important to morning wake-up call

Northwestern University scientists have shown a gene involved in neurodegenerative disease also plays a critical role in the proper function of the circadian clock.

17 May 2013

New research reveals how endothelium maintains highly efficient barrier function

The endothelium, the cellular layer lining the body's blood vessels, is extremely resilient. Measuring just a few hundred nanometers in thickness, this super-tenuous structure routinely withstands blood flow, hydrostatic pressure, stretch and tissue compression to create a unique and highly dynamic barrier that maintains the organization necessary to partition tissues from the body's circulatory system.

17 May 2013

Berlin scientists plan to research on neurodegenerative diseases

Now, both have signed a cooperation agreement to seal their close scientific collaboration. The objective is to combine existing expertise and to bring new outstanding researchers to Berlin.

17 May 2013

UCSF researchers create first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells

Raising hopes for cell-based therapies, UC San Francisco researchers have created the first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells, in the laboratory. The researchers showed that, in mice, the tissue can be used to foster the development of white blood cells the body needs to mount healthy immune responses and to prevent harmful autoimmune reactions.

17 May 2013

Research reveals vitamin C does not reduce urate levels in gout patients

Despite previous studies touting its benefit in moderating gout risk, new research reveals that vitamin C, also known ascorbic acid, does not reduce uric acid (urate) levels to a clinically significant degree in patients with established gout. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with allopurinol, appears to have a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients according to the results published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism.

17 May 2013

Research shows new neural circuits arise when hippocampus is disabled

When the brain's primary "learning center" is damaged, complex new neural circuits arise to compensate for the lost function, say life scientists from UCLA and Australia who have pinpointed the regions of the brain involved in creating those alternate pathways - often far from the damaged site.

17 May 2013

Scientists identify 4 genes in baboons that influence levels of bad cholesterol

Scientists at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio have identified four genes in baboons that influence levels of "bad" cholesterol. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to reduce the risk of heart disease.

17 May 2013

Changes in specific proteins contribute to 'leaky-gut' wall

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made an important advance in understanding the biological factors that keep the lining of the gut wall intact. Associate Professor, Maria O'Sullivan at Trinity's School of Medicine and St James's Hospital and colleagues, showed that changes in specific proteins may contribute to a 'leaky-gut' wall which may have important implications for common chronic digestive diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

17 May 2013

New research shows dysfunctional mitochondria in brain cells can lead to learning disabilities

Neuroscientist Patrik Verstreken of VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and KU Leuven has shown for the first time that dysfunctional mitochondria in brain cells can lead to learning disabilities.

17 May 2013

New GWA can pose major ethical problems if used incorrectly, say ESHG recommendations

The use of genome-wide analysis, where the entirety of an individual's DNA is examined to look for the genomic mutations or variants which can cause health problems is a massively useful technology for diagnosing disease.

17 May 2013

Preclinical study shows PLX cells may help reverse symptoms associated with preeclampsia

Could the answer to repairing the ailing placenta in preeclampsia lie within the stem cells of a healthy placenta? New promising evidence may lead scientists to answer that question.

17 May 2013

UT Arlington physicist develops new tool to map, track interactions between neurons inside the brain

A new tool being developed by UT Arlington assistant professor of physics could help scientists map and track the interactions between neurons inside different areas of the brain.

17 May 2013

Injectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels, secrete insulin when needed

Injectable nanoparticles developed at MIT may someday eliminate the need for patients with Type 1 diabetes to constantly monitor their blood-sugar levels and inject themselves with insulin.

17 May 2013

Study reveals that prolonged Dkk1 signaling can lead to fibrosis, stiffening of artery walls

The hardening of arteries is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, an often deadly disease in which plaques, excessive connective tissue, and other changes build up inside vessel walls and squeeze off the flow of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

17 May 2013

Study provides new evidence that genetic risk for schizophrenia associated with lower IQ

The relationship between the heritable risk for schizophrenia and low intelligence has not been clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with cognitive impairments that may cause functional disability. There are clues that reduced IQ may be linked to the risk for developing schizophrenia.

17 May 2013

RIKEN researchers visualize memory formation for first time in zebrafish

In our interaction with our environment we constantly refer to past experiences stored as memories to guide behavioral decisions. But how memories are formed, stored and then retrieved to assist decision-making remains a mystery.

17 May 2013

Transgenomic launches new mutation detection test for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced the global, commercial availability of CRC RAScan, a new mutation detection test to screen patients with metastatic colorectal cancer for RAS mutations (KRAS and NRAS).

16 May 2013

LMU researchers reveal link between natural killer cells and hematopoiesis

Infections can trigger hematopoiesis at sites outside the bone marrow - in the liver, the spleen or the skin. Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich now show that a specific type of immune cell facilitates such "extra medullary" formation of blood cells.

16 May 2013

Medical Science News

Protein processing breakdown in endoplasmic reticulum

Researchers use new analysis method to determine genes that result in cell death

Northwestern University scientists identify gene important to morning wake-up call

New research reveals how endothelium maintains highly efficient barrier function

Berlin scientists plan to research on neurodegenerative diseases

UCSF researchers create first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells

Research reveals vitamin C does not reduce urate levels in gout patients

Research shows new neural circuits arise when hippocampus is disabled

Scientists identify 4 genes in baboons that influence levels of bad cholesterol

Changes in specific proteins contribute to 'leaky-gut' wall

New research shows dysfunctional mitochondria in brain cells can lead to learning disabilities

New GWA can pose major ethical problems if used incorrectly, say ESHG recommendations

Preclinical study shows PLX cells may help reverse symptoms associated with preeclampsia

UT Arlington physicist develops new tool to map, track interactions between neurons inside the brain

Injectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels, secrete insulin when needed

Study reveals that prolonged Dkk1 signaling can lead to fibrosis, stiffening of artery walls

Study provides new evidence that genetic risk for schizophrenia associated with lower IQ

RIKEN researchers visualize memory formation for first time in zebrafish

Transgenomic launches new mutation detection test for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

LMU researchers reveal link between natural killer cells and hematopoiesis

Edoardo Fabini

Reducing polypharmacy through innovative drug formulation technologies

How innovation in dried blood spot testing is transforming neurological disease monitoring

Latest News