Cardiovascular disease still accounts for the greatest number of deaths worldwide. PCSK9-inhibition reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by regulation of the LDL (low density lipoprotein) receptor, one of the transporters of cholesterol in blood. The protein PCSK9 binds to the LDL-cholesterol receptor and enhances its degradation, which leads to the reduced clearance of LDL-cholesterol...
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Scientists identify a new kind of human brain cell
One of the most intriguing questions about the human brain is also one of the most difficult for neuroscientists to answer: What sets our brains apart from those of other animals? Digital reconstruction of a rosehip neuron in the human brain. Credit: Tamas Lab, University of Szeged “We really don’t understand what makes the human brain special,”...
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Stabilizing dysferlin-deficient muscle cell membrane improves muscle function
In experimental model of LGMD2B, vamorolone improves and prednisolone worsens myofiber repair CHILDREN’S NATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM WASHINGTON-(Aug. 27, 2018)-Healthy muscle cells rely on the protein dysferlin to properly repair the sarcolemmal membrane, a thin specialized membrane that serves a vital role in ensuring that muscle fibers are strong enough and have the necessary resources to...
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Weight loss drug shows no increased risk in cardiovascular outcomes
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL For the first time, investigators report that a weight loss drug led to weight loss without increasing the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and death from heart disease in a population of people who are especially at risk for cardiovascular events. At the 2018 European Society of Cardiology meeting, Brigham and...
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Researchers discover first treatment to improve survival in rare heart condition
EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY Munich, Germany – 27 Aug 2018: Tafamidis is the first treatment to improve survival and reduce hospitalisations in a rare heart condition called transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, according to late breaking research presented today in a Hot Line Session at ESC Congress 20181 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Professor Claudio Rapezzi, principal...
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New target could prevent progression of liver damage to cancer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Aug. 27, 2018) – Problems like obesity and alcoholism appear to chronically trigger in the liver a receptor known to amplify inflammation in response to invaders like bacteria, scientists report. The relentless, increased activity of TREM-1 in turn accelerates injury and scarring of the liver, a first step toward cirrhosis and liver cancer,...
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Additional inhibitor can help anti-VEGF therapy overcome resistance in deadly brain cancer
Penn study identifies target, shows proof-of-concept in mice UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PHILADELPHIA – Adding another inhibitor to therapies that cut off a tumor’s access to blood vessels could be the key to helping those therapies overcome resistance in glioblastoma, a deadly form of brain cancer. Drugs that target the vascular endothelial growth...
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HIV RNA expression inhibitors may restore immune function in HIV-infected individuals
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (BOSTON) – Immune activation and inflammation persist in the majority of treated HIV-infected individuals and is associated with excess risk of mortality and morbidity. A new study by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers suggests that use of HIV RNA expression inhibitors as adjunct therapy might diminish atypical inflammation and restore...
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Revolutions: The gut microbiome
Revolutions are our new series that brings together a hand-picked selection of recent articles canvassing cutting-edge insights into major scientific advances. This first rundown brings you up to date with the ground-breaking science surrounding our gut microbiome. It’s striking to realize, but living inside all of us are trillions of micro-organisms. The vast majority of...
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7 famous psych studies with troubling backstories
Psychology 101 textbooks typically include epic tales of the discipline’s history. They chronicle inventive experiments and dazzling results from days of old. But many of the things we think we know about the human mind—like the depth of the parent-child bond, or our inclination to submit to authority even when it feels unethical—come from research that’s since...