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HHMI investigator to discuss how brain creates and controls emotions

Scientists know little about how the brain creates and controls emotions - an uncertainty that presents a major obstacle in the effort to develop treatments for emotional disorders. "The study of the brain science of emotion is in its infancy," says Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator David Anderson, "yet emotional and psychiatric disorders continue to take an enormous toll on human society."

22 Feb 2010

Researchers identify common gene variant associated with atrial fibrillation

An international research team has identified a common gene variant associated with a form of the irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. In their report in the journal Nature Genetics, being published online, the investigators describe finding that variations affecting a protein that may help control the heart's electrical activity appear to increase the risk of what is called lone atrial fibrillation (AF), a type seen in younger individuals with no other form of heart disease.

22 Feb 2010

U.S. government's decision helped stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain

The United States government's decision last year to lift restrictions on federally-funded stem cell research has helped the nation's stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain - even under the new policy, according to George Daley, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Children's Hospital Boston.

22 Feb 2010

Genetics associated with DILI and SSR: FDA and SAEC complete third release of data

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the International Serious Adverse Event Consortium (SAEC) today announced the third release of data on the genetic basis of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and serious skin reactions (SSRs).

22 Feb 2010

Nanotechnology could aid the future of development of Arab region, says TWAS

"Nanotechnology could aid the future of development of the Arab region," says Mohamed H.A. Hassan, executive director of TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, and president of the African Academy of Sciences. Hassan made his remarks at a panel session, "Re-emergence of Science, Technology and Education as Priorities in the Arab World," taking place at the AAAS's annual meeting in San Diego.

22 Feb 2010

Study proposes potential molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI

Douglas Smith, MD, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair and professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, will present information on the molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI (mTBI), commonly called concussions. Although mTBI affects over 1 million people each year in the United States, it is generally ignored as a major health issue. However, this 'mild' form of injury induces persisting neurological and cognitive problems in many of these patients, exacting an enormous emotional and financial toll on society.

22 Feb 2010

Information on early brain development and the importance of sleep during early life to be presented

Marcos Frank, PhD, associate professor of Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, will present information on early brain development and the importance of sleep during early life when the brain is rapidly maturing and highly changeable.

22 Feb 2010

Children born through assisted reproduction at greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes related defects

More than three million children have been born as a result of assisted reproductive technologies since the birth of the first "test tube baby" in 1978. While the majority of these children are healthy and normal, as a group they are at greater risk of certain kinds of birth defects and being low birth weight, which is associated with obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes later in life.

22 Feb 2010

Researchers develop new tool to understand how cancer grows

Researchers have a new tool to understand how cancers grow -- and with it a new opportunity to identify novel cancer drugs. They've been able to break apart human prostate tissue, extract the stem cells in that tissue, and alter those cells genetically so that they spur cancer.

22 Feb 2010

Two genetic alterations linked to benign enzyme condition keep hepatitis C patients anemia-free

Many people who undergo treatment for hepatitis C develop hemolytic anemia, a disorder that destroys red blood cells. In some cases, it is so severe they have to reduce their medication or stop therapy altogether. But now, scientists in Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy have discovered two genetic alterations linked to a benign enzyme condition that keep some patients anemia-free.

21 Feb 2010

Brain and tissue sample repository to help advance understanding and treatment of psychiatric diseases

Johns Hopkins Children's Center neurovirologist Robert Yolken, M.D., and collaborators from the Stanley Medical Research Institute have developed a large repository of brain and tissue samples to advance the understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.

20 Feb 2010

Enzyme can allow nerve cells in brain to grow and form complex networks: Study

Brain researcher Hiroshi Kawabe has discovered the workings of a process that had been completely overlooked until now, and that allows nerve cells in the brain to grow and form complex networks. The study shows that an enzyme which usually controls the destruction of protein components has an unexpected function in nerve cells: it controls the structure of the cytoskeleton and thus ensures that nerve cells can form the tree-like extensions that are necessary for signal transmission in the brain.

20 Feb 2010

Ways of stem cells division linked to development of cancer

Changes in the way that stem cells divide in the gut could lead to cancer, according to a new study funded by the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

20 Feb 2010

UCSF professor receives 2010 AADR Distinguished Scientist Award

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) has announced that John Greenspan, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), is the recipient of the 2010 AADR Distinguished Scientist Award. This award will be presented to Greenspan at the 39th AADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Washington, DC, March 3, 2010.

20 Feb 2010

Animal study shows calcineurin enzyme is critical for normal heart function

Scientists are reporting the first-ever data to show that the enzyme calcineurin is critical in controlling normal development and function of heart cells, and that loss of the protein leads to heart problems and death in genetically modified mice.

20 Feb 2010

US scientists develop new technique to track the progression of cancer

US scientists have developed a new technique that allows them to track the progression of a person's cancer by uncovering changes in their tumour's genetic material.

19 Feb 2010

Researchers identify specific metabolic profiles that predict risk of heart attack and death

Tiny bits of molecular "trash" found in circulating blood appear to be good predictors of cardiovascular disease and untimely death, say researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

19 Feb 2010

Polyphor discovers new class of antibiotics effective against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Today, Polyphor Ltd published the discovery of a new class of antibiotics with a novel mode of action (Science, VOL 327, ISSUE 5968). This proprietary new class of antibiotics is effective against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria, opening up new treatment options for serious and often life-threatening infections. The most advanced drug candidate in this new class, POL7080, selectively kills the dangerous bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

19 Feb 2010

Kinesin protein motor shuttles cargo within cells and helps cells divide by rocking like a seesaw

Life's smallest motor, a protein that shuttles cargo within cells and helps cells divide, does so by rocking up and down like a seesaw, according to research conducted by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Brandeis University.

19 Feb 2010

Scientists develop new way to make simple oil droplets smart enough to navigate through complex maze

Call them oil droplets with a brain or even "chemo-rats." Scientists in Illinois have developed a way to make simple oil droplets "smart" enough to navigate through a complex maze almost like a trained lab rat. The finding could have a wide range of practical implications, including helping cancer drugs to reach their target and controlling the movement of futuristic nano-machines, the scientists say.

19 Feb 2010

Medical Science News

HHMI investigator to discuss how brain creates and controls emotions

Researchers identify common gene variant associated with atrial fibrillation

U.S. government's decision helped stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain

Genetics associated with DILI and SSR: FDA and SAEC complete third release of data

Nanotechnology could aid the future of development of Arab region, says TWAS

Study proposes potential molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI

Information on early brain development and the importance of sleep during early life to be presented

Children born through assisted reproduction at greater risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes related defects

Researchers develop new tool to understand how cancer grows

Two genetic alterations linked to benign enzyme condition keep hepatitis C patients anemia-free

Brain and tissue sample repository to help advance understanding and treatment of psychiatric diseases

Enzyme can allow nerve cells in brain to grow and form complex networks: Study

Ways of stem cells division linked to development of cancer

UCSF professor receives 2010 AADR Distinguished Scientist Award

Animal study shows calcineurin enzyme is critical for normal heart function

US scientists develop new technique to track the progression of cancer

Researchers identify specific metabolic profiles that predict risk of heart attack and death

Polyphor discovers new class of antibiotics effective against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria

Kinesin protein motor shuttles cargo within cells and helps cells divide by rocking like a seesaw

Scientists develop new way to make simple oil droplets smart enough to navigate through complex maze

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

Unlocking live single-cell functional insights

How microRNA is transforming science: From discovery to diagnostics

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