By Rich Haridy A recently published article in the journal Scientific Reports has described the remarkable discovery of a previously unknown cannabinoid. Dubbed THCP, the molecule has been shown to be significantly more potent that its well-known counterpart THC, however, it’s still unclear how psychoactive it is in humans or how present it is in...
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Solid cryogel vaccine cures and protects against blood cancer in mice
By Nick Lavars For today’s sufferers of the blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia (AML), standard chemotherapy remains the most common course of treatment, but the risk of recurrence is high and occurs in almost half of patients. In search of therapies that can offer longer-term protection, scientists at Harvard University have developed a new type...
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Innovative research uncovers mechanism behind epilepsy in Angelman syndrome
Innovative research uncovers mechanism behind epilepsy in Angelman syndrome SINGAPORE, 15 January 2020 – A key mechanism underlying neuronal dysfunction in Angelman syndrome (AS), a syndromic form of autism spectrum disorder, has – for the first time – been revealed through innovative research led by Duke-NUS Medical School and the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) under...
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In Alzheimer Research, Glucose Metabolism Moves to Center Stage
Bridget M. Kuehn, MSJ JAMA. Published online January 8, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2019.20939 Areas or patterns of reduced glucose metabolism are often seen in brain scans of patients with Alzheimer disease and other dementias. Now, a growing body of evidence suggests that glucose hypometabolism may be more than just a biomarker on brain scans: it may be a key...
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NEW RESEARCH: CANNABIS ACCELERATES GROWTH OF COMMON TUMORS
FROM NEOSCOPE: SCIENTISTS FOUND THAT DAILY MARIJUANA USE ALLOWED SPECIFIC CANCER CELLS TO GROW UNCONTROLLABLY. BY VICTOR TANGERMANN A new study by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that THC — the stuff in cannabis that makes you high — can accelerate the growth of tumors in patients with...
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Blue light can help heal mild traumatic brain injury
The Department of Defense has a vested interest in the new University of Arizona-led research, but the results have implications for civilians as well UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA Early morning blue light exposure therapy can aid the healing process of people impact by mild traumatic brain injury, according to new research from the University of Arizona....
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Pulling the plug on calcium pumps — potential new treatment strategy for pancreatic cancer
PANCREATIC CANCER RESEARCH FUND UK scientists have identified a new way to kill pancreatic cancer cells by ‘pulling the plug’ on the energy generator that fuels calcium pumps on their cell surface. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, reports how switching off the cancer’s energy supply causes the pancreatic cancer cells to...
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Scientists discover link between ALS genes
Study holds promise for ALS treatments The enzyme Gemin3 was identified as the molecular ‘bridge’ between genes whose mutation or disruption causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a new study in Nature’s Scientific Reports from scientists at the University of Malta. ALS robs patients of their ability to walk, eat or breathe. The late-onset...
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Researchers demonstrate how the brain assesses and predicts physiological states of the body
by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Interoception is the self-awareness of physiological states; it’s how animals and humans know they’re hungry or thirsty, and how they know when they’ve had enough to eat or drink. But precisely how the brain estimates the state of the body and reacts to it remains unclear. In a paper...
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Controlling molecular glue protects connections between brain cells
by University of Queensland A way in which some connections between brain cells can resist degeneration—a hallmark of traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases—has been discovered by researchers at The University of Queensland. Dr. Sean Coakley and Professor Massimo Hilliard from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research uncovered a way...