The NIAID Challenge Grants program will award $19 million to eight companies to develop new drugs and vaccines against deadly infectious diseases. Researchers will work on developing a pediatric indication for tafenoquine to prevent malaria in adults, as well as studying azithromycin for treating malaria.
The International Olympic Committee has discontinued gender testing at the Summer Olympics on a trial basis, supported by Yale physician Myron Genel. The tests were found to be inaccurate and potentially harmful to women with disorders of sexual development, who may have failed due to rare genetic abnormalities.
A recent study conducted at Indiana University Medical Center found that high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem-cell transplantation can achieve a durable remission in approximately 50% of patients with recurrent testicular cancer. The overall cure rate for these patients is now estimated to be around 85 percent.
The Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins (FERCO) has funded eight research projects on ancient civilizations in Asia, North America and Europe. These projects include studies of early maritime adaptations, trade networks and the distribution of obsidian, among others.
A20 is a critical regulator of inflammation in multiple tissues, protecting against damage by inhibiting TNF activation. The discovery suggests new ways to block inflammation and may lead to novel forms of therapy for conditions like ulcerative colitis and septic shock.
European cancer specialists expect an overview of anti-oestrogen drug trials by 2005, allowing evaluation of long-term effects on breast cancer incidence and mortality. The US FDA has approved tamoxifen for high-risk women, but European experts are cautious due to differing trial results.
Researchers discovered a novel survival mechanism in Salmonella bacteria that detects and protects them from high levels of iron. The PmrA/PmrB system allows Salmonella to fend off the antibiotic polymyxin and thrive in hostile environments.
Materials professor Arthur Gossard and his students created a compound semiconductor for two unrelated experiments, one by Harvard and one by Chicago, which were published in the September 29 issue of Science magazine. The experiment involves creating pathways for electrons to improve conductivity.
The US cancer community must adopt a new paradigm to develop and test cancer treatments, says Dr Edison Liu. The shift in emphasis is needed due to rapid advancements in biological technology, which could lead to significant improvements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
NASA and Lockheed Martin have agreed on a plan to proceed with the X-33 space plane program, including the use of aluminum fuel tanks for hydrogen fuel. The restructured plan focuses on milestone payments and mission safety, with the goal of reducing launch costs.
A new nomogram developed at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center predicts outcomes based on disease factors such as stage, PSA level, and radiation dosage. The tool demonstrates improved accuracy in estimating treatment efficacy compared to existing models.
A $1.1-million study led by LSU will examine marine life on offshore platforms for pharmaceutical value, while also investigating the potential for better glues and adhesives. The research aims to identify new treatments for diseases such as cancer and AIDS.
A new study by geophysicists Shelley J. Kenner and Paul Segall suggests that devastating earthquakes could strike the New Madrid seismic zone along the Mississippi River within this century, potentially causing widespread destruction from Arkansas to Iowa.
The 112th Geological Society of America Annual Meeting featured keynote speakers and symposia on planetary exploration, gas hydrates, and tectonics. The meeting included presentations from renowned scientists on topics such as sample returns from asteroidal material and the structure of planets and satellites.
The NIH-funded program will bring together researchers from the Center for Biomedical Inventions and the Touchstone Diabetes Center to develop novel therapies for type II diabetes. Researchers aim to translate basic science into medical therapy, exploring new approaches in treatment and delivery methods.
Researchers found that CPR training combined with social support significantly improved parental adjustment and reduced anxiety, compared to traditional instructor-led training. The study showed that parents who received CPR training felt more reassured and confident in caring for their high-risk newborns.
The Hepatitis C Cooperative Research Centers are expanding their investigation of acute and chronic infection caused by the hepatitis C virus, with a focus on understanding why African Americans respond poorly to current treatment. The initiative will also explore ways to prevent disease progression and develop new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a previously unknown system that helps control the protein product made by the cystic fibrosis gene, called CFTR. The discovery could lead to improved drug testing and screening for cystic fibrosis therapies.
Researchers found radiation therapy to be both safe and effective in preventing cancer recurrence in women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. However, women with these genetic mutations were more likely to develop cancer in their unaffected breast.
New data suggest anakinra accelerates joint damage progression slowdown and improves health-related quality of life for RA patients. Studies found accelerated slowing of joint destruction with treatment, leading to nearly twice the rate of reduction in joint destruction as placebo groups.
The ECCO organisation urges a streamlined process for new cancer drugs, citing long and cumbersome procedures that hinder patient access. Experts warn of the need for harmonisation between regulatory agencies to avoid duplication and shorten the approval process.