UNSW researchers have discovered a new way to detect ultralow levels of microRNA in a blood sample which could make a diagnosis of cancer and other illnesses quicker and more efficient. A computer representation of the gold-coated nanoparticles that make up the dispersible electrodes. These are modified with DNA that gives an electrochemical signal. When microRNA binds,...
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Researchers find elusive source of most abundant immune cell
Neutrophils—short-lived, highly mobile and versatile—outnumber all other immune cells circulating through the bloodstream. Yet, despite the cells’ abundance, the progenitor cell that only gives rise to neutrophils had eluded all efforts to track it down. Now, researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology identified a progenitor of neutrophils in the bone marrow of...
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Synthetic peptide helps repair myelin damaged by MS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the sheaths protecting neurons in the nervous system. Like exposed electrical wires, this effectively short-circuits the nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and the body that leads to impaired motor skills and cognition. Now, researchers at Melbourne University have developed a synthetic peptide...
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Primary tumors found to “freeze” spread of secondary cancers
Cancer is bad enough in one spot, but the disease gets especially dangerous once it starts migrating throughout the body. Finding ways to stop this process, known as metastasis, is a key way to improve survival rates for patients. Now researchers have found that primary tumors have their own mechanism for slowing the growth of secondary cancers, which...
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Protein modifications pointing to cancer
Cells use different signals to react to stress and to inform other body cells. Triggers are, for example, cancer or inflammatory diseases. A central signaling pathway of stress response is the modification of proteins called ADP-ribosylation. Small molecules (ADP ribose) are added to precisely defined protein sites to control protein function. IMAGE: THE ENZYME ARTC1 (RED)...
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Scientists find a new way to attack herpesviruses
New study uncovers how the viruses bypass your body’s defense mechanisms SAN FRANCISCO, CA–August 28, 2018–Human cytomegalovirus is a leading cause of birth defects and transplant failures. As it’s evolved over time, this virus from the herpes family has found a way to bypass the body’s defense mechanisms that usually guards against viral infections. Until...
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Study provides new insights for ways to use cell metabolism to treat cancer
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER CINCINNATI–Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine have discovered that cell metabolism plays an important role in the ability of cells to start a survival program called autophagy, an unwanted side effect of some anti-cancer drugs that helps some tumor cells dodge treatment and eventually regrow into...
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Researchers reveal cause of aggressive skin cancer in patients with butterfly syndrome
The insights could open the door to a more effective treatment approach for patients with rare disorder THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA) – Patients with a rare skin disease, commonly called Butterfly Syndrome, that causes chronic blistering and extensive scarring also develop an aggressive and fatal form of cancer early in life. Now an international team...
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Gout drug reduces adverse events in patients with hyperuricaemia
Munich, Germany – 28 Aug 2018: Uric acid reduction with the gout treatment febuxostat reduces adverse events in elderly patients with hyperuricaemia, according to late breaking researchpresented today in a Hot Line Session at ESC Congress 2018. IMAGE: KAPLAN-MEIER CURVES FOR THE PRIMARY COMPOSITE EVENT. Hyperuricaemia, an abnormally high serum uric acid level, causes gout and is...
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Components of heart healthy diet may differ from what was previously thought
Munich, Germany – 28 Aug 2018: The foods that make up a heart healthy diet for people worldwide may differ from what was previously thought, according to late breaking results from the observational Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study presented today in a Hot Line Session at ESC Congress 20181 and simultaneously published in the Lancet. Professor...