Fibroblasts are cells within our connective tissue. They help maintain tissue scaffolding through production of collagen and other fibers. When pushed to action (induced) by TGF-beta, fibroblasts respond by producing stress fibers. In the …more An injured body always seeks to heal. But that process is far from simple. A host of cells organize to...
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‘Miracle’ eye drops could save thousands from the misery of injections to prevent blindness
Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of sight loss in UK and US The condition is treated with painful drug injections directly into the eye Scientists have uncovered a way of delivering the drug painlessly via eye drops The drops use molecules that penetrate eye cells as well as current injections Revolutionary eye drops...
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Drug to tackle lung scarring shows promise
People with a lung scarring condition that leaves them fighting for breath could be helped by a new medication, research suggests. Results from an early stage clinical trial show that the new drug has no serious side effects and was well tolerated by patients with the condition, called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. New therapy The findings...
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FDA expands approval of Vertex cystic fibrosis drug
Federal regulators have expanded US approval of a Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. cystic fibrosis drug, making it available to more than 900 new patients age 2 and over with specific genetic mutations. The Boston biotech said Wednesday that said the Food and Drug Administration OK’d the use of Kalydeco in patients who each have one of...
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Chondroitin sulfate as good as widely used anti-inflammatory for knee osteoarthritis
High quality (pharmaceutical grade) chondroitin sulfate is as good as a widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (celecoxib) for the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis, concludes research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Its effectiveness and safety prompt the researchers to call for it to be used for long term treatment, particularly for older...
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Chemical Engineers Help Nanoparticles Better Target Brain Tumors
Getting drugs into the brain by cloaking them within nanoparticles that can sneak through the blood-brain barrier has been the focus of a lot of nanotechnology research over the past few years. There’s quite a bit of progress toward that goal, including some notable successes. Because of this progress, scientists are coming to the realization...
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Common diabetes drug may work by changing gut bacteria, study finds
A group of diabetics taking metformin had drastic changes in their gut flora The drug speeds growth of two types of bacteria which help control blood sugar A probiotic diet may be beneficial for people with diabetes, say researchers Specifically akkermansia and bifidobacterium strains are recommended The most common medication for type 2 diabetes may work...
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Listerine foot soak: Does it work?
Promises that a Listerine foot soak will leave dry, cracked feet rejuvenated and smooth have been making their way around Pinterest. But will a Listerine foot soak work? Listerine will not treat any underlying disease, but it may leave the feet feeling smooth and rejuvenated. In this article, we explore what the benefits may be...
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How a bizarre skull cap could help to zap deadly brain cancer: Electrode therapy increases survival rate by 13%
A skull cap that fires electrical currents into the brain to kill cancer cells is being used to treat one of the most deadly forms of the disease. Patients with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that affects about 4,000 people in the UK every year, has an estimated survival rate of 12 to 18...
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Study identifies RNA molecule that shields breast cancer stem cells from immune system
Researchers from Princeton University’s Department of Molecular Biology have identified a small RNA molecule that helps maintain the activity of stem cells in both healthy and cancerous breast tissue. Above, the microscopic image shows …more Researchers from Princeton University’s Department of Molecular Biology have identified a small RNA molecule that helps maintain the activity of...