Medical Science News

RSS

Researchers overcome obstacle to using viruses to deliver therapeutic genes

Scientists in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital have found a way to overcome one of the biggest obstacles to using viruses to deliver therapeutic genes: how to keep the immune system from neutralizing the virus before it can deliver its genetic payload. In a study published recently in Molecular Therapy, researchers found that giving subjects a treatment to temporarily rid the body of antibodies provides the virus safe passage to targeted cells, allowing it to release a corrective or replacement gene to treat disease.

30 Oct 2013

Meta-analysis shows that XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be a biomarker of glioma susceptibility

DNA damage is an important mechanism of glioma. X-ray cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) is a DNA repair gene that participates in the base excision repair pathway. To date, many studies have been performed to investigate the association between the XRCC1 polymorphisms and risk of cancers such as breast cancer, and gastroesophageal cancer, but the number of studies that focused on glioma is relatively small.

30 Oct 2013

New DNA vaccine effective against plaques in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) active immunization in Alzheimer's disease can increase the rate of Aβ clearance, and delay cognitive dysfunction, but it is easy to induce meningoencephalitis, which may be related to activation of Th1 lymphocytes.

30 Oct 2013

Research provides better understanding of molecular interactions related to cystic fibrosis

Research in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is leading to a better understanding of the molecular interactions in the thyroid gland related to cystic fibrosis.

30 Oct 2013

Video gaming increases spatial orientation, memory formation and motor skills

Video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation and strategic planning as well as fine motor skills.

30 Oct 2013

Eyetrack study maps visual behavior of both men and women

Usually, women can tell when someone's eyes aren't on her face and are, well, focused elsewhere on her body. In other words, there's a reason the saying on the t-shirt is My Eyes Are Up Here.

30 Oct 2013

Mice exploit IRG proteins to create resistance mechanism against toxoplasma infection

One of the commonest parasites in the world is Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes significant damage to the unborn child if a woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy.

30 Oct 2013

New research reveals genetic link that connects family members with autism

Lorenzo Miodus-Santini an 11-year-old sixth-grader from Princeton, who was classified as autistic at only 13 months old, was never a big talker. As an infant he didn't babble or coo. When he was a toddler beginning to speak, he would learn one word but forget another.

30 Oct 2013

Researchers develop new substance that quickly and effectively kills multi-resistant bacteria

In Europe alone, more than 25,000 people die each year from infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. Researchers from University of Copenhagen have now developed and characterized a substance that quickly and effectively kills the virulent bacteria. The substance employs a multifunctional mechanism that reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance. The findings have recently been published in the scientific journal Chemistry & Biology.

30 Oct 2013

Fat recycling system may provide target for future diabetes therapies

The pancreas is a large organ that wraps around our gut, and produces the exact amount of insulin our bodies need when we eat - except when we start to develop diabetes, and insulin production slows down. Sydney scientists describe how a fat recycling system within pancreatic 'beta cells' determines the amount of insulin they secrete, and so may provide a target for future diabetes therapies.

30 Oct 2013

Seward releases new online Resource Centre for microbiological analyses

Seward Ltd., manufacturers of the world leading range of Stomacher paddle blenders and Stomacher® accessories used in sample preparation for microbiological analyses, has introduced a new application focused Resource Centre within its website – www.seward.co.uk.

29 Oct 2013

Blood levels of microRNAs may serve as diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer, but more research needed

A new analysis has found that the presence of short segments of genetic material (known as microRNA) within papillary thyroid cancer tumors suggests a likelihood of recurrence after patients undergo surgery.

29 Oct 2013

Study: Glucose levels, vascular damage contribute to dementia

High blood-sugar levels, such as those linked with Type 2 diabetes, make beta amyloid protein associated with Alzheimer's disease dramatically more toxic to cells lining blood vessels in the brain, according to a new Tulane University study published in latest issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

29 Oct 2013

New understanding of sperm capacitation may improve IVF success rates

Two new papers from reproductive biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with international partners, report advances in understanding the basic processes of sperm capacitation that may one day improve success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by providing a shortcut to bypass problems, and may eventually lead to a male contraceptive.

29 Oct 2013

Serotonin 2C receptors induce fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice

More than 1 in 10 Americans take antidepressants, but these medications can take weeks-and for some patients, months-before they begin to alleviate symptoms. Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that selectively blocking a serotonin receptor subtype induces fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice, indicating a potential new class of therapeutics for depression. The work was published Oct. 29 in Molecular Psychiatry.

29 Oct 2013

Physicians believe electronic cigarettes should be treated no differently than tobacco products

The potential dangers of electronic cigarettes have members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society concerned, and until more is known about the products, the state's physicians believe they should be treated no differently than tobacco products.

29 Oct 2013

New research reveals iron deposits in brain play a role in pathology of MS

While it's been known for over a century that iron deposits in the brain play a role in the pathology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), new imaging research from Western University (London, Canada) helps to answer the question of whether these accumulations are a cause or consequence of the disease.

29 Oct 2013

Lipid secreted by tumors inhibits immune response against cancer

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how a lipid secreted by cancer tumors prevents the immune system from mounting an immune response against it. When lysophosphatidic acid binds to killer T cells, it acts almost like an "invisibility cloak," preventing T cells from recognizing and attacking nascent tumors.

29 Oct 2013

Study shows how wrong levels of protein linked with AD can lead to dangerous blockages in brain cells

Scientists have known for some time that a protein called presenilin plays a role in Alzheimer's disease, and a new study reveals one intriguing way this happens.

29 Oct 2013

Regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour, reveals research

New cocaine and cannabis research reveals that regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour. It had previously been argued that this increased impulsivity after cannabis administration was only experienced by occasional users, but that regular users were no longer affected in this way.

29 Oct 2013

Medical Science News

Researchers overcome obstacle to using viruses to deliver therapeutic genes

Meta-analysis shows that XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism may be a biomarker of glioma susceptibility

New DNA vaccine effective against plaques in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Research provides better understanding of molecular interactions related to cystic fibrosis

Video gaming increases spatial orientation, memory formation and motor skills

Eyetrack study maps visual behavior of both men and women

Mice exploit IRG proteins to create resistance mechanism against toxoplasma infection

New research reveals genetic link that connects family members with autism

Researchers develop new substance that quickly and effectively kills multi-resistant bacteria

Fat recycling system may provide target for future diabetes therapies

Seward releases new online Resource Centre for microbiological analyses

Blood levels of microRNAs may serve as diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer, but more research needed

Study: Glucose levels, vascular damage contribute to dementia

New understanding of sperm capacitation may improve IVF success rates

Serotonin 2C receptors induce fast-acting antidepressant effects in mice

Physicians believe electronic cigarettes should be treated no differently than tobacco products

New research reveals iron deposits in brain play a role in pathology of MS

Lipid secreted by tumors inhibits immune response against cancer

Study shows how wrong levels of protein linked with AD can lead to dangerous blockages in brain cells

Regular cannabis users have increased levels of impulsive behaviour, reveals research

Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

Latest News