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Micro-dystrophin gene therapy can improve outcomes in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital have published in JAMA Neurology results from the first four patients treated in the first clinical trial of systemic delivery of micro-dystrophin gene therapy in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) - and initial findings suggest that the therapy can provide functional improvement that is greater than that observed under the standard of care.

16 Jun 2020

Study reports structure of enzyme activator for high pathogenic avian influenza

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing the current pandemic of COVID-19, is the focus of many investigators seeking to find an effective vaccine or therapeutic. Among the potential targets are various protease enzymes suspected of allowing the virus to gain entry to host cells and establish a successful infection.

16 Jun 2020

People who feel social disconnection appear to have a lonelier, neural self-representation

Social connection with others is critical to a person's mental and physical well-being. How the brain maps relationships with other people in relation to one's self has long been a mystery.

16 Jun 2020

SARS-CoV-2 mutation reduces S1 shedding, increases infective potential

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans. SARS-CoV-2 emerged in the last month of 2019 in Wuhan, China, sparking off the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This virus enters the host cells through receptor binding and membrane fusion between the viral and host cell membrane.

16 Jun 2020

Oxytocin study may help treat a variety of psychiatric conditions

During the pandemic lockdown, as couples have been forced to spend days and weeks in one another's company, some have found their love renewed while others are on their way to divorce court.

16 Jun 2020

Antibody cocktail is being tested in human COVID-19 trials

Following two studies that screened thousands of human antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 to identify highly potent pairs, in which both antibodies bind the viral target simultaneously, a resultant antibody cocktail is being tested in human trials.

16 Jun 2020

Survey: Low income Vermonters have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19

High percentages of Vermonters agree with the social distancing measures put in place by the state in response to the coronavirus pandemic and have complied with them, according to a new survey.

16 Jun 2020

New model predicts patients’ likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19

Cleveland Clinic researchers have developed the world's first risk prediction model for healthcare providers to forecast an individual patient's likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 as well as their outcomes from the disease.

16 Jun 2020

Testing reveals 11 percent of people in Geneva infected with SARS-CoV-2

Now, a team of researchers at Geneva University Hospitals has found that less than 11 percent of the population in Geneva has contracted the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Their research is published in the journal The Lancet.

15 Jun 2020

Controlling SARS-CoV-2 upon resumption of the Spanish football league

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic first emerged in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019. Since then, it has spread throughout the world, infecting more than 8 million people. Social distancing measures were imposed in most countries, isolating people in their homes, banning congregations, including schools, parties, and even sports events.

15 Jun 2020

A new technology to print 3D tissues directly in the body

In the TV series Westworld, human body parts are built on robotic frames using 3D printers. While still far from this scenario, 3D printers are being increasingly used in medicine.

15 Jun 2020

Multilevel interventions improve overall rate of HPV vaccinations

New research from Boston Medical Center shows that providing education and training to pediatric and family medicine providers about the importance of human papillomavirus vaccines, in tandem with healthcare systems changes including starting an HPV vaccination series before the age of 11, improves the overall rate of HPV vaccinations among adolescent patients.

15 Jun 2020

Study shows how brain synapses change over the course of life

Why do children think and behave differently from adults? Why do we become forgetful in old age? Researchers have shown for the first time how the connections between the brain's nerve cells, the synapses, change over the course of life, and likely affect our processing of information.

15 Jun 2020

Human antibodies provide powerful protection against SARS-CoV-2 in animal tests

A team led by Scripps Research has discovered antibodies in the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients that provide powerful protection against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease, when tested in animals and human cell cultures.

15 Jun 2020

Apotex recalls some Metformin batches due to possible carcinogen

Metformin, a prescription drug for people with type II diabetes, helps maintain blood glucose levels. Apotex Inc., a Canadian pharmaceutical corporation, is voluntarily recalling some batches of its metformin drug, sold under the brand name APO-Metformin ER (extended-release).

15 Jun 2020

Alcohol taxes have never been lower, study says

Inflation has reduced American alcohol tax rates by 70% since 1933, according to a new study from Boston University School of Public Health published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

15 Jun 2020

Artificial intelligence helps reduce 'communication gap' for nonverbal people

Researchers have used artificial intelligence to reduce the 'communication gap' for nonverbal people with motor disabilities who rely on computers to converse with others.

15 Jun 2020

Tracing coronavirus habitats with genomics

Now, a new study by researchers at the University of Ottawa and published on the preprint server bioRxiv in June 2020 reports the differences in genomes of viruses that are exposed to antiviral proteins vs. those that are not. This host-derived pressure on the virus to adapt may help devise newer ways to build an effective vaccine.

15 Jun 2020

Study reveals worrying trend of designer drug use in Australia

In a sign that designer drugs are becoming more prevalent in Australia, synthetic cathinones - commonly known as 'bath salts' - have been detected in the nation's wastewater in the largest study of its kind in the country.

15 Jun 2020

Millimeter-thick cell-laden hydrogel fiber helps control blood glucose in diabetic mice

Type 1 diabetes mellitus results from an irreversible autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells requiring life-long substitution of insulin.

15 Jun 2020