The immune system is incredibly important, thanks to its role in fighting off dangerous invaders in our bodies. But sometimes it gets it wrong, targeting harmless proteins from things like nuts or dairy products and triggering allergic reactions that ironically can themselves be fatal. Now, researchers from Michigan State University have identified a mechanism that...
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Researchers identify protein that contributes to racial disparities in prostate cancer
Cancer researchers have long known that prostate cancer tends to be more common, more aggressive and more resistant to existing treatments in African-Americans than in Caucasian-Americans, but they’re only beginning to understand why. A Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center study published today points to cellular factors that appear to be driving these disparities—mitochondrial differences that prevent formation of the cancer-killing “death wheel” apoptosome protein complex—and proposes...
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Can we repair the brain? The promise of stem cell technologies for treating Parkinson’s disease
Cell replacement may play an increasing role in alleviating the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in future. Writing in a special supplement to the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, experts describe how newly developed stem cell technologies could be used to treat the disease and discuss the great promise, as well as the significant challenges, of stem cell treatment. The most common PD treatment today is based on enhancing the activity of...
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New drug that turns back the clock on memory loss from depression and aging makes the brain ‘youthful’ again – and it is set for human trials
Scientists at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have developed a new drug to reverse memory loss related to aging and depression Currently, there are no drugs to treat memory loss from aging and depression The drug is a ‘tweaked’ version of compounds that treat depression and anxiety Aging mice saw improved significantly improved memory on the drug It may help treat the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease Human trials are set to begin in about two years, the researchers announced...
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Researchers reveal brain connections that disadvantage night owls
‘Night owls’ – those who go to bed and get up later—have fundamental differences in their brain function compared to ‘morning larks’ , which mean they could be disadvantaged by the constraints of a normal working day. Research led by the University of Birmingham found that individuals whose internal body clock dictates that they go...
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New experimental drug rapidly repairs age-related memory loss and improves mood
A team of Canadian scientists has developed a fascinating new experimental drug that is purported to result in rapid improvements to both mood and memory following extensive animal testing. It’s hoped the drug will move to human trials within the next two years. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key neurotransmitter, and when altered it can...
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UTMB develops drug to rejuvenate muscle cells
Elderly to feel fitter, faster and stronger UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON GALVESTON, Texas – Researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have developed a promising drug that has proven to significantly increase muscle size, strength and metabolic state in aged mice, according to a study just published in Biochemical...
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Brain discovery explains a great mystery of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
One of the great mysteries of neuroscience may finally have an answer: Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have identified a potential explanation for the mysterious death of specific brain cells seen in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. The new research suggests that the cells may die because of naturally occurring...
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New cell-tracking technique sheds light on breast cancer spread
By Catharine Paddock PhD Fact checked by Jasmin Collier A leading-edge genetic technique that can track cell lineage has revealed much about how breast cancer spreads. It could also help explain why some breast cancers relapse after initially successful chemotherapy. The name of the technique is cellular barcoding, and it allows scientists to assess the...
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Bacteria keep us healthy – but could they keep us young?
A study in mice has indicated that the make-up of bacteria in the gut is linked with learning abilities and memory, providing a potential avenue of research into how to maintain cognitive functioning as we age. It’s part of a field of research looking at the link between gut bacteria and ageing to help people...