News and applications for life science research professionals
Judge backs dying Pa. girl who needs new lungs
June 6, 2013 2:57 am | by LAURAN NEERGAARDAssociated Press | News | CommentsA federal judge has temporarily allowed a dying 10-year-old girl to move up the adult waiting list for a lung transplant, though an expert has questioned the decision on medical and ethical grounds. "We are beyond thrilled," Janet Murnaghan, the girl's mother, told The Associated Press Wednesday...
Court to allow girls to buy morning-after for now
June 6, 2013 12:32 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMonsanto: Modified wheat 'isolated occurrence'
June 5, 2013 2:16 pm | by NIGEL DUARA - Associated Press - Associated Press | News | CommentsA genetically modified test strain of wheat that emerged to the surprise of an Oregon farmer last month was likely the result of an accident or deliberate mixing of seeds, the company that developed it said Wednesday. Representatives for Monsanto Co. said during a conference call Wednesday that...
Newly Discovered Primate is Ancient Human Cousin
June 5, 2013 1:17 pm | by SETH BORENSTEIN - AP Science Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsNew fossil evidence of the earliest complete skeleton of an ancient primate suggests it was a hyperactive, wide-eyed creature so small you could hold a couple of them in your hand — if only they would stay still long enough. The 55 million-year-old fossil dug up in central China is one of our...
'Two-in-One' Transilluminator Series
June 5, 2013 12:13 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe advanced Spectroline Bi-O-Vision Series transilluminators feature two workstations, producing both 312nm ultraviolet and white light. The TD-1000R model offers fixed-intensity while the TVD-1000R model offers variable-intensity control of either UV or white light.
Chemical Structure Apps Foster Collaboration
June 5, 2013 12:01 pm | Product Releases | CommentsPerkinElmer Inc. announced the availability on the App Store of the ChemDraw and Chem3D apps. The new mobile ChemDraw and Chem3D apps also feature PerkinElmer’s Flick-to-Share technology, a development in scientific collaboration and data sharing that allows scientists to share critical information and spark innovation in real-time both in and out of the laboratory.
High-content Analysis Software Speeds Research Answers
June 5, 2013 11:45 am | Thermo Fisher Scientific | Product Releases | CommentsThermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduced Thermo Scientific HCS Studio Software, a suite of high-content imaging and analysis applications offering researchers the ability to easily and quickly interact with and analyze cell images and corresponding data.
Research-grade Camera for Low Noise, High Sensitivity
June 5, 2013 11:29 am | Product Releases | CommentsLumenera's USB 3.0 family of cameras offers low noise and high sensitivity. The new INFINITY3-3 UR uncooled scientific digital camera is based on the Sony ICX674 CCD sensor with proven performance, providing outstanding image quality.
Genetic ‘Editing’ Repairs Muscular Dystrophy Defect
June 5, 2013 10:58 am | News | CommentsUsing a novel genetic “editing” technique, biomedical engineers have been able to repair a defect responsible for one of the most common inherited disorders, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in cell samples from Duchenne patients. The researchers believe their approach could be safer and more stable than current methods of gene therapy.
Enhanced Hydrogel Improves Stem Cell Cartilage Formation
June 5, 2013 10:41 am | News | CommentsCurrent surgical options for cartilage injurt generally involve taking a piece from another part of the injured joint and patching over the damaged area, but this approach involves damaging healthy cartilage. Bioengineers are interested in finding innovative ways to grow new cartilage from a patient’s own stem cells, and, thanks to a new study, such a treatment is a step closer to reality.
The Fight Against Genome Parasites
June 5, 2013 10:23 am | News | CommentsIn the gonads of animals, genome parasites, such as transposons, pose a serious threat to evolutionary fitness. To protect genomic integrity, animals evolved the so-called piRNA pathway to silence the deleterious transposons. Researchers have now identified almost 50 genes that play important roles in the piRNA pathway of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
Muscle Disease Mutation Identified Using Zebrafish
June 5, 2013 10:05 am | News | CommentsZebrafish with very weak muscles helped scientists decode the elusive genetic mutation responsible for Native American myopathy, a rare, hereditary muscle disease that afflicts Native Americans in North Carolina. Scientists originally identified the gene in mutant zebrafish that exhibited severe muscle weakness.
Oral Health, Kidney Function May be Linked
June 5, 2013 9:55 am | News | CommentsMedical research has already documented a link between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease, or serious gum infection. Now, researchers say preliminary studies suggest a connection between gum infections and kidney disease as well.
Bayer completes offer for Conceptus shares
June 5, 2013 6:58 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGerman drug company Bayer AG has acquired a majority stake in birth control maker Conceptus Inc. and expects its $1.1 billion purchase of the California company to be completed soon. Bayer said Wednesday that more than 96 percent of the company's outstanding shares were validly tendered and not...
Obesity surgery-diabetes study shows pros and cons
June 4, 2013 5:34 pm | by LINDSEY TANNER - AP Medical Writer - Associated Press | News | CommentsObesity surgery worked much better at reducing and even reversing diabetes than medication and lifestyle changes in one of the most rigorous studies of its kind. But the researchers and others warn that possible serious complications need to be considered. The yearlong study indicates that the...
