A UCSF study shows that alendronate significantly reduced the risk of spine and hip fractures by almost half among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The drug also improved bone density in these women, reducing the risk of fractures by 30 percent compared to placebo.
Researchers have discovered the precise three-dimensional shape of the complex between tamoxifen and the estrogen receptor. This clarifies how estrogens turn on genes and shows precisely how tamoxifen blocks this process, setting the stage for intentional drug design with precise action.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests the brain's development may rely on a DNA cutting and pasting process. The study, led by Fred Alt, found that specific proteins involved in recombination are also crucial during brain development, leading to cell death in mice with genetic mutations.
Neurosurgeons successfully tested a new magnetic surgery system on the world's first human patient, allowing for precise navigation of surgical tools through the brain. The innovative technology has far-reaching potential for various applications, including implanting electrodes, repairing aneurysms, and delivering targeted treatments.
A team of UI researchers has found a way to permanently deliver therapeutic genes to the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. The method uses a retrovirus that integrates into host DNA, allowing the gene to be reproduced in cells. This could lead to a permanent cure for CF and other genetic lung diseases.
The article explores how biotechnology is changing agriculture, including the use of transgenic crops and genetic engineering. While these technologies offer benefits like effective pest control, they also raise concerns about patenting life forms and potential problems with pest resistance.
Researchers have found a protein in the small intestine that directly facilitates uptake of dietary lipids, making it a promising target for drugs to combat obesity and heart disease. The discovery has the potential to significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and may help treat conditions such as artherosclerosis.
Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory have cloned the gene for mouse neuromuscular degeneration, a devastating neurological disease that affects humans such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. The discovery provides an additional tool for understanding motor neuron death and may lead to new treatments.
Researchers found that native gray ants are the most important predator of peach twig borer larvae in peaches and nectarines. Native gray ant populations were not affected by orchard floor management practices, but cultural practices like cover cropping or disking may benefit them by reducing southern fire ant numbers.
The Northwestern University-led study determines the precise shape of the high-affinity immunoglobulin-E receptor, a trigger for allergic responses. The structure's discovery could lead to the development of targeted therapies blocking the receptor's binding to antibodies.
Scientists observed solar activity directly affecting Earth's outer atmosphere, causing auroral light displays. The Polar satellite measured the effects of a massive solar storm that pumped 200 gigawatts of energy into Earth's atmosphere.
The National Patient Safety Foundation has awarded four grants totaling $350,000 to researchers studying various aspects of patient safety, including clinical expertise and drug name confusion errors. The grants aim to reduce preventable healthcare errors and promote patient safety as a distinct field of research.