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Fungus Joins New Species List
June 19, 2013 | Comments
A new species of fungus that causes life-threatening infections in humans and cats has been discovered. After six years of investigation, researchers have confirmed this as a completely new species, Aspergillus felis, which can cause virulent disease in humans and cats by infecting their respiratory tract.
Protein Essential for Normal Heart Function
June 19, 2013 11:15 am | Comments
A new study shows that a protein called MCL-1, which promotes cell survival, is essential for...
Aspirin Fights Cancer by Slowing DNA Damage
June 19, 2013 11:00 am | Comments
Aspirin is known to lower risk for some cancers, and a new study points to a possible...
RNA Counting Improved in Pathogenic Bacteria
June 19, 2013 10:12 am | Comments
Small molecules of RNA (tens to hundreds of nucleotides in length) play a key regulatory role in...
BioCision Announces Two New U.S. Patents for Thermo-Conductive Products that Standardize Sample Handling in Laboratory Research
June 19, 2013 4:40 pm | CommentsBioCision announced the issuance of new patents by the U.S. Patent Office that apply to two of the company's thermo-conductive products developed to standardize sample handling to ensure the consistency of test conditions and accuracy of results in common laboratory procedures.
Scientists catch EGFR passing a crucial message to cancer-promoting protein
June 19, 2013 4:11 pm | by MD Anderson Cancer Center | CommentsResearchers have discovered and mapped the signaling network between two previously unconnected proteins, exposing a link that, if broken, could cut off cancer cell growth at its starting point.
HPV vaccine cut infection by half in teen girls
June 19, 2013 1:31 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsA vaccine against a cervical cancer virus has cut infections in teen girls by half, according to a study released Wednesday. The study confirms research done before the HPV vaccine came on the market in 2006. But this is the first evidence of how well it works now that it is in general use.
HPV vaccine cut infection by half in teen girls
June 19, 2013 1:31 pm | by MIKE STOBBE - AP Medical Writer - Associated Press | CommentsResearchers say a vaccine for a sexually spread virus has cut infections in teen girls by half. This is the first evidence of how well the HPV vaccine works since it came on the market seven years ago. For girls ages 14 to 19, the study found a 56 percent reduction in the types of HPV virus...
World Food Prize goes to 3 biotech scientists
June 19, 2013 1:17 pm | by DAVID PITT - Associated Press - Associated Press | CommentsThe World Food Prize Foundation on Wednesday took the bold step of awarding this year's prize to three pioneers of plant biotechnology whose work brought the world genetically modified crops. The private nonprofit foundation, which is in part funded by biotechnology companies, refused to shy away...
Smoking, Osteoporosis Link Explained
June 19, 2013 11:34 am | CommentsHuman bone breaks down and regenerates naturally all the time, in a perfectly balanced dance that maintains skeletal integrity. As people age, bone tends to deteriorate faster, causing osteoporosis and other disorders. Smoking artificially accelerates bone degeneration as well. For the first time, researchers have described the mechanics of how certain toxic compounds in smoke break down bone.
Study: no new benefits for diabetes drug Onglyza
June 19, 2013 11:15 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsBristol-Myers Squibb Co. and AstraZeneca PLC said Wednesday their diabetes drug Onglyza did not reduce heart attacks, strokes, or death from cardiovascular causes compared to a placebo. The companies said Onglyza was not inferior to placebo but did not work significantly better than a sham...
Study: Wiser medication use could cut health costs
June 19, 2013 6:06 am | by LINDA A. JOHNSON - AP Business Writer - Associated Press | CommentsIf doctors and patients used prescription drugs more wisely, they could save the U.S. health care system at least $213 billion a year, by reducing medication overuse, underuse and other flaws in care that cause complications and longer, more-expensive treatments, researchers conclude. The savings...
Especially grim encephalitis toll feared in India
June 18, 2013 8:49 pm | by BISWAJEET BANERJEE - Associated Press - Associated Press | CommentsA mosquito-borne disease that preys on the young and malnourished is sweeping across poverty-riven northern India again this monsoon season in what officials worry could be the deadliest outbreak in nearly a decade. Encephalitis has killed at least 118 children so far this year and authorities...
Ark. AG seeks to uphold verdict in drug case
June 18, 2013 4:21 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsArkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is asking the state's highest court to uphold a $1.2 billion fine leveled against Johnson and Johnson and a subsidiary over the marketing of an antipsychotic drug. McDaniel on Tuesday filed a brief with the state Supreme Court asking justices to uphold...
FDA investigates Zyprexa Relprevv patient deaths
June 18, 2013 1:31 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsFederal regulators are investigating the deaths of two patients who received injections of a longer-lasting version of Eli Lilly's antipsychotic Zyprexa. The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that the patients died three to four days after receiving an appropriate dose of the drug known...
Alpert Foundation Recognizes Genetic Pioneers
June 18, 2013 12:19 pm | by Harvard Medical School | CommentsAlpert Foundation Recognizes Genetic Pioneers
Next-gen Sequencing Leads to New Virus Detection
June 18, 2013 11:37 am | CommentsIn new research researchers describe a technology that can detect new, previously unknown viruses. The technique uses blood serum as a biological source to categorize and discover viruses. Taking advantage of the complete deciphering of the human genome, researchers used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach called transcriptome subtraction to identify viral genetic material in the blood.
Drawing Pad Monitors Learning-disabled Brains
June 18, 2013 10:58 am | CommentsFor less than $100, University of Washington researchers have designed a computer-interfaced drawing pad that helps scientists see inside the brains of children with learning disabilities while they read and write. To create the system, researchers hollowed out a ballpoint pen and inserted two optical fibers that connect to a light-tight box in an adjacent control room where the pen’s movement is recorded.
'Chase and Run' Mechanism Explains Cancer Metastasis
June 18, 2013 10:35 am | CommentsA mechanism that cells use to group together and move around the body– called "chase and run"- has been described for the first time by scientists. The new study focuses on the process that occurs when cancer cells interact with healthy cells in order to migrate around the body during metastasis.
