News and applications for life science research professionals
The Lead
Big Data Unveils Exciting Head and Neck Cancer Targets
May 20, 2013 | by Cynthia Fox | Articles | Comments
Genome sequencing of head and neck cancers may quickly—and soon—spur new therapies. There are 20 tumor types being studied by the massive, $100 million Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the eighth to be unveiled. The first, glioblastoma, has been cited in a whopping 2000-plus manuscripts.
New Immune System Discovered
May 21, 2013 11:22 am | News | Comments
Mucus may be slimy and gross, but a research team has discovered that it is also home to a...
A New Way to Open Clogged Arteries
May 21, 2013 11:03 am | News | Comments
Over the past few decades, scientists have developed many devices that can reopen clogged...
'Lifespan Machine' Monitors Worm Aging
May 20, 2013 12:00 pm | by Harvard Medical School | News | Comments
The worm’s tail wriggles, a micrometer-scale twitch. A scanner captures the new posture....
Automated Drying or Concentration of Very Large Volumes
May 21, 2013 2:16 pm | Product Releases | CommentsGenevac launched the ROCKET 4D—a fully automated system for automatic drying or concentration of very large volumes (a few to 100 liters) in one operation with no user interaction. The ROCKET 4D uses proprietary vacuum technology to suppress solvent bumping and foaming.
Networked Solution Provides Compliant Storage of ICP-MS Data
May 21, 2013 1:43 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAgilent Technologies announced OpenLAB Data Store for MS, a networked solution for compliant storage of mass spectral data acquired with Agilent’s ICP-MS MassHunter system. The software is designed for medium to small laboratories measuring inorganic impurities in pharmaceutical products and ingredients in accordance with upcoming specifications from the United States Pharmacopoeia.
France: Drugmaker on trial, suspected in deaths
May 21, 2013 1:35 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe makers of a diabetes and weight loss drug suspected in the deaths of hundreds of people went on trial Tuesday, facing charges they misled the public about the product's safety. But after years of delays in one of France's biggest recent health scandals, the proceedings could still be pushed...
Cloud-based Collaboration Suite
May 21, 2013 11:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsAccelrys offers the Accelrys Externalized Collaboration Suite, a software solution designed specifically to address the needs of life sciences organizations engaged in externalized network research.
Salamanders Hold Solution to 'Perfect' Regeneration
May 21, 2013 11:45 am | News | CommentsSalamanders’ immune systems are key to their remarkable ability to regrow limbs, and could also underpin their ability to regenerate spinal cords, brain tissue and even parts of their hearts, scientists have found. New research found that when immune cells known as macrophages were systemically removed, salamanders lost their ability to regenerate a limb and instead formed scar tissue.
Epigenetics Can Predict Postpartum Depression
May 21, 2013 10:04 am | News | CommentsResearchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression. The epigenetic modifications, which alter the way genes function without changing the underlying DNA sequence, can apparently be detected in the blood of pregnant women during any trimester.
Tunisia announces 3 cases of coronavirus, 1 death
May 21, 2013 6:23 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsTunisia's Health Ministry says a 66-year-old man has died after being infected by the new coronavirus following a visit to Saudi Arabia. The ministry's statement reported that his son and daughter were also diagnosed with the virus but have been treated and since recovered. The cases are the...
After a decade, global AIDS program looks ahead
May 21, 2013 3:08 am | by JIM ABRAMS - Associated Press - Associated Press | News | CommentsThe decade-old law that transformed the battle against HIV and AIDS in developing countries is at a crossroads. The dream of future generations freed from epidemic is running up against an era of economic recovery and harsh budget cuts. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief grew out of...
Report: NPS hantavirus response followed policy
May 21, 2013 12:10 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsYOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Federal investigators probing the hantavirus outbreak blamed for three deaths at Yosemite National Park recommended on Monday that design changes to tent cabins and other privately run lodging first be reviewed by National Park Service officials. The report...
Pfizer halts study of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug
May 20, 2013 6:39 pm | by LINDA A. JOHNSON - AP Business Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsDrugmaker Pfizer Inc. has halted a late-stage study of an experimental cancer compound being tested in patients with a certain form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, because an interim analysis showed the drug wasn't helping patients live longer. Pfizer said late Monday that it was stopping the study...
Sports seem OK for many with heart-zapping device
May 20, 2013 5:47 pm | by LAURAN NEERGAARD - AP Medical Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsNew research is challenging medical guidelines that say people with a heart-zapping device in their chests should avoid intense sports like basketball and soccer in favor of golf or bowling. Lots of patients ignore that take-it-easy advice and stay in the game, and Monday's findings suggest...
NYU Researchers Took Chinese Bribes
May 20, 2013 3:37 pm | by BY TOM HAYS - ASSOCIATED PRESS | News | CommentsThree New York University researchers from China divulged results from a federally funded study to Chinese competitors in exchange for tuition, rent and other expenses, federal prosecutors say. Yudong Zhu, a U.S.-educated NYU professor, and Xing Yang, a lab engineer, were released on bail after appearing in federal court in Manhattan to face commercial bribery and other charges. They left court without speaking to reporters.
Royalty Pharma increases bid for drugmaker Elan
May 20, 2013 2:33 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsRoyalty Pharma has raised its offer to buy Elan on the condition that shareholders reject the Irish drugmaker's push to refocus its business through a string of recently announced deals, including two new deals unveiled Monday. Royalty said Monday it will pay $12.50 in cash for each share of Elan...
Flat Top Microscope Stage for Upright Microscopes
May 20, 2013 1:38 pm | Prior Scientific | Product Releases | CommentsPrior Scientific introduces its latest motorized high precision microscope stage for upright microscopes—the H101F Flat Top Stage. The design of the H01F incorporates a completely flat top plate which eliminates any obstacle to objective rotation while ultra low profile sample holders facilitate the use of high NA objectives.
FDA has safety concerns with Merck insomnia drug
May 20, 2013 11:42 am | by MATTHEW PERRONE - AP Health Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday released its review of the company's sleep aid,...
