Science News

X-rays for early Alzheimer’s disease detection

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:10:36 +0000

Researchers demonstrate ability of experimental technique to image telltale brain plaques UPTON, NY – Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have demonstrated a new, highly detailed x-ray imaging technique that could be developed into a method for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The technique has previously been used to look at [...]

Plant microbe shares features with drug-resistant pathogen

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:06:57 +0000

Implications for biotech applications; possible targets for infection-fighting drugs UPTON, NY — An international team of scientists has discovered extensive similarities between a strain of bacteria commonly associated with plants and one increasingly linked to opportunistic infections in hospital patients. The findings suggest caution in the use of the plant-associated strain for a range of biotech [...]

Cells are like robust computational systems, Carnegie Mellon-led team reports

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:03:06 +0000

PITTSBURGH—Gene regulatory networks in cell nuclei are similar to cloud computing networks, such as Google or Yahoo!, researchers report today in the online journal Molecular Systems Biology. The similarity is that each system keeps working despite the failure of individual components, whether they are master genes or computer processors. This finding by an international team led [...]

‘Cannabis alters human DNA’ — new study

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:49 +0000

Research at University of Leicester highlights cancer risk from cannabis smoke A new study published by University of Leicester researchers has found “convincing evidence” that cannabis smoke damages DNA in ways that could potentially increase the risk of cancer development in humans. Using a newly developed highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method, the University of Leicester [...]

TGen and USC researchers find genetic markers to help fight diabetes

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:56:54 +0000

Findings presented at session of the American Diabetes Association PHOENIX, Ariz. – June 16, 2009 – Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) scientists have identified five genetic biomarkers that could help lead to improved treatments, with fewer side-effects, for patients with diabetes. TGen Senior Investigator Dr. Johanna DiStefano presented the findings in New Orleans on June 6, 2009, [...]

Depression may increase Alzheimer’s risk in people with memory problems

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:50:09 +0000

People with memory problems who are depressed are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who aren’t depressed, according to a new UCLA study. Researchers also found, however, that the popular Alzheimer’s drug donepezil may help delay the progression to Alzheimer’s in depressed individuals who suffer from mild cognitive impairment or memory problems. Mild cognitive impairment [...]

Mayo genomic discovery: Protecting kidney function during heart failure

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:45:56 +0000

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic cardiology researchers have found a peptide that helps preserve and improve kidney function during heart failure, without affecting blood pressure. Earlier variations of this peptide caused blood pressure to drop limiting the potential benefits to the kidneys. The findings appear in the current Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Heart [...]

Good news for some hard-to-treat hepatitis C patients

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:41:27 +0000

SLU researcher tests new treatment for virus ST. LOUIS – In a multi-center trial led by a Saint Louis University researcher, investigators found that a new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin helps some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment. The findings, published in the June issue of Hepatology, offer [...]

Test detects molecular marker of aging in humans

admin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:38:18 +0000

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In 2004, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center announced a crucial discovery in the understanding of cellular aging. They found that as cells and tissues age, the expression of a key protein, called p16INK4a, dramatically increases in most mammalian organs. Because p16INK4a is [...]

FDA ignores critical information on home HIV tests

admin — Sun, 31 May 2009 03:58:52 +0000

Article in Medical Decision Making Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore and Washington DC (May 29, 2009) The FDA is ignoring critical information in deciding whether to approve an over-the-counter, rapid HIV test for home use, according to a recent article in the journal Medical Decision Making (MDM) which is published by SAGE. As the price of [...]