By destroying the regulatory genes of the AIDS virus HIV-1 using the genome editing system CRISPR/Cas9, a Japanese research group has succeeded in blocking the production of HIV-1 by infected cells. Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection is a chronic disease affecting more than 35 million people worldwide. The infection can be controlled by antiretroviral therapy (ART), but...
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World first use of cognitive training reduces gait freezing in Parkinson’s patients
Research led by the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, published today npj Parkinson’s Disease — Nature UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY The researchers report significant reduction in the severity and duration of freezing of gait, improved cognitive processing speed and reduced daytime sleepiness. Freezing of gait (FoG) is a disabling symptom of Parkinson’s Disease, characterized by patients becoming...
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Particle shows promise for treating the deadliest type of breast cancer
Like a smart bomb, the potential treatment targets a cancer-enabling agent to prevent lung metastasis USC researchers have pinpointed a remedy to thwart a protein that helps the metastatic spread of breast cancer, a leading cause of death for women. The findings appear today in Nature Communications. IMAGE: METASTATIC BREAST CANCER CELLS (YELLOW) INTERACTING WITH MACROPHAGES (MAGENTA). The study...
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Simplifying skin disease diagnosis with topical nanotechnology
In a new SLAS Technology auto-commentary, two authors of an article recently published in Nature Biomedical Engineering (Abnormal Scar Identification with Spherical Nucleic Acid Technology) share more insight into their unique method for skin disease diagnosis using NanoFlare nanotechnology. In particular, the authors address point-of-care diagnosis and image acquisition, which are the primary bottlenecks in efficient disease diagnosis. IMAGE:...
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New strategy to cure chronic hepatitis B infection
Scientists from Karolinska Institutet and Hannover Medical School have published two studies that provide insights into how the immune system responds and helps to clear a hepatitis B infection after treatment interruption. The findings offer a framework for future tailored treatment strategies and are published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and Journal of Hepatology. Chronic hepatitis B...
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Image of the Day: Cancer Spheroid
In a study published Monday (May 14) in Oncogene, researches report that they have devised a method for screening new cancer-fighting compounds using 3-D balls of cells called “spheroids.” The technique is designed to better mimic the conditions found in the body compared to traditional 2-D cell cultures. “From our perspective, this is a proof-of-principle...
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Oral insulin proving successful in human clinical trials
For decades researchers have worked to find a way to orally administer insulin effectively to patients with diabetes. Now, this game-changing treatment is one step closer to reality, with pharmaceutical company Oramed embarking on a final Phase 2b human clinical trial to prove the efficacy of its oral insulin before moving to the final stages of trials...
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Blocking anti-aging enzymes makes cancer die of old age
At the cellular level, aging and cancer are two sides of the same coin. The mechanism that limits a cell’s lifespan can be slowed down, but that can turn them cancerous, as they divide unchecked. Now, scientists at EPFL have found a way to manipulate that mechanism to effectively turn off cancer’s immortality, letting it...
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Can A Cocktail Of Vitamins And Steroids Cure A Major Killer In Hospitals?
Dr. Paul Marik (left) discusses patient care with medical students and resident physicians during morning rounds at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in 2014 in Norfolk, Va. Jay Westcott for The Washington Post/Getty Images Scientists have launched two large studies to test a medical treatment that, if proven effective, could have an enormous impact on the...
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New stem-cell jab that could cure men of erectile dysfunction
The end of Viagra? New stem-cell jab that could cure men of erectile dysfunction is developed by scientists Injecting 20m stem cells into the base of the penis could reinvigorate the nerves New stem-cell ‘Viagra’ sex treatment could even make penis bigger Research been aimed at men who have had their prostate glands removed Scientists believe...