Researchers report success of gene transfer therapy to turn patients' immune cells into cancer-fighting weapons. Three patients remain in full remission over two years after treatment, marking first successful demonstration of the approach.
A Phase II clinical trial found that over a third of high-risk leukemia patients responded to the experimental new drug quizartinib, experiencing complete remission and potentially life-saving bone marrow transplants. Many participants who did well with the drug had failed to respond to prior therapies.
In pre-clinical experiments, Angiocidin reduced acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by almost two-thirds, demonstrating its potential as a safer treatment alternative to standard-of-care chemotherapy agents like Ara-C. The protein also stimulated maturation in affected white cells, causing them to behave like normal cells.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia use bioengineered T cells to destroy leukemia cells, achieving a complete response in a 7-year-old girl. The treatment, known as CTL019, also stimulates an immune response and can be combined with immunomodulating drugs to reduce side effects.
A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a low-temperature method to dope graphene films using self-assembled monolayers. This technique allows for the creation of p-n junctions with minimal disruption to the material's lattice structure and significant electron/hole mobility.
A new class of drugs has been shown to reduce the risk of graft-vs.-host disease, a deadly side effect of lifesaving bone marrow transplants, by half. The study used vorinostat, a cancer drug with anti-inflammatory effects, and found it safe and tolerable for patients undergoing reduced-intensity bone marrow transplants.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a specific nerve cell subset and protein called NOMPC responsible for sensing gentle touch in fruit flies. The discovery sheds light on the fundamental sense of gentle touch and its role in human experience.
Researchers have identified two strains of Clostridium difficile responsible for the global epidemic, highlighting the ease and rapidity of transmission across continents. The study shows that fluoroquinolone resistance played a key role in the spread of these strains.
A new study found that playing violent video games for three consecutive days led to increases in aggressive behavior and hostile expectations. In contrast, players of nonviolent games showed no significant changes. The study suggests a cumulative effect of repeated exposure to violent games on aggression.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have obtained a detailed molecular picture that shows how glucocorticoid hormones shut off key immune system genes. The finding could help guide drug discovery efforts aimed at finding new anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects.
The study found that 71% of previously untreated older patients experienced a complete or partial response to ibrutinib treatment. After 22 months of follow-up, the disease had not progressed in 96% of previously untreated patients. Ibrutinib's potential as a highly active, well-tolerated first-line therapy for CLL is promising.
Researchers found that ibrutinib effectively treats CLL with high response rates and durable remissions, particularly in elderly patients. The study also showed manageable toxicities, with only non-severe side effects observed.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center developed a novel 3D culture system to mimic the environment surrounding IBC cells. The model showed that the tumor microenvironment promotes proliferation, growth and invasion of IBC tumors.
Researchers examined current treatment standards for patients with clotting disorders, aiming to reduce toxicities and relapse rates. Maintaining hematocrit levels below 45% was associated with a lower risk of thrombosis compared to a more liberal approach.
Researchers found that a specific genetic marker, WT1 SNP rs16754, is correlated with improved outcomes and reduced treatment-related mortality in pediatric patients with AML. The study suggests personalized cancer treatment may improve survival and reduce toxicity by considering individual genetic makeup.
A study by psychologists found that 'water clubs' in care homes significantly improve the health of elderly residents through social interaction, with enhanced wellbeing and fewer falls reported. The research supports the idea that group identity can be a powerful tool for improving individuals' quality of life.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine found that African-American women who suffered abuse before age 11 had a greater likelihood of developing adult-onset asthma. The study followed 28,456 women and found an increased incidence of asthma among those who experienced physical abuse during childhood.
Researchers at Fraunhofer WKI conducted a study to analyze emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ultrafine particles, and formaldehyde from e-cigarettes. The results showed lower emissions of VOCs and ultrafine particles when smoking an e-cigarette compared to conventional cigarettes.
About one in four physicians use social media daily to scan or explore medical information, with oncologists more likely to keep up with innovation. Meanwhile, primary care physicians use social media to get in touch with peers and learn from them.
A new plant-parasitic nematode worm, Meloidoderita salina, was discovered in a tidal salt marsh at Mont Saint Michel Bay. The female nematode worm exhibits a unique hexagonal beaded pattern on its cystoids, which is the first observation of this type in nematode worms.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how the Toxoplasma parasite enters the brain and manipulates host behavior by hijacking neurotransmitters. The study found that infected dendritic cells secrete GABA, a substance linked to anxiety and depression.
New IDSA guidelines provide a framework for diagnosing and treating prosthetic joint infections, which affect up to 20,000 people each year. The guidelines recommend multidisciplinary teams and evidence-based treatment, including debridement, prosthesis replacement, and amputation as last resort.
Typhoon Bopha re-intensified in the South China Sea after making a loop, with coldest cloud tops indicating strongest storms. The typhoon's eye was about 11 nautical miles in diameter and maximum sustained winds reached 110 knots.
A clinical trial has shown robust vaccine-specific antibody responses and strong T cell immune responses in patients vaccinated with a WT1 DNA vaccine. The vaccine is also safe and well-tolerated, paving the way for further trials in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received a five-year, $7.6 million grant to explore the role of respiratory viral infections and allergy in asthma development. Researchers will investigate four inter-related projects centering on airway inflammation and lung function.
Six Berkeley Lab scientists, from various divisions, were elected APS Fellows in 2012 for their outstanding research and contributions to the physics enterprise. These individuals represent a high count for a single institution, with only half of one percent of APS members being elected as Fellows annually.
The Texas Bar Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to UTSA's Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute to initiate a paid mentorship program for delinquent foster youth. The program aims to increase graduation odds and enhance college readiness among participating youth.
A team led by UC Davis Professor Jonathan Eisen and graduate student Wendy Brown will send microbes to the International Space Station to study their growth. The project aims to involve the public in science, especially those not normally engaged, through a competition where samples from different environments are compared.
A University of Michigan-led study found that individuals of mixed ancestry among hybrid howler monkeys are physically indistinguishable from pure individuals of each species. The findings suggest that the role of interbreeding in human evolution may have been underestimated due to limitations in the fossil record.
Tropical Cyclone Claudia is currently located near 14.3 south latitude and 75.4 east longitude, about 445 nautical miles south of Diego Garcia. The storm is expected to weaken over the weekend due to cooler waters and increasing vertical wind shear.
Researchers found that two sections of the dystrophin gene contain a 'claw' that grabs nNOS and brings it to muscle cells for repair. The discovery could lead to a therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects males predominantly.
Researchers found that older adults who reported better well-being had higher education, cognitive function and lower depression levels. The study suggests an optimistic approach to caring for seniors can help reduce ageism and improve outcomes.
A CU research team studied the Larsen C Ice Shelf, finding that massive crevasses make it more susceptible to collapse. However, they also discovered that bendable ice in suture zones helps protect the shelf from disintegration.
The Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University has been awarded a three-year, $186,200 grant to advance the education and scientific discovery in physiology. The grant supports the exchange of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with the University of São Paulo-Ribeirão Preto in Brazil.
A study found that young black males with high hormone aldosterone are at risk for cardiovascular disease due to retaining too much salt, leading to enlarged heart muscles and high blood pressure. Researchers suggest early use of aldosterone inhibitors to control blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
A UT Arlington research team is developing smart skin applications for robots that can perceive the environment and assist humans, with a focus on improving prosthetics and home assistance. The $1.35 million NSF grant will advance robotic technology and unlock new applications for sensor skins and clothing.
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that degrades the common veterinary antibiotic sulfamethazine and uses it for growth. This finding challenges existing theories on antibiotic resistance and suggests that soil bacteria may be capable of breaking down antibiotics more rapidly, potentially reducing their impacts.
A team of astronomers has discovered an excess of X-ray radiation in the first few minutes of collapsing massive stars, potentially revealing the signature of the supernova shock wave. This breakthrough could enable the detection of new supernovae earlier than current methods, allowing for more precise monitoring and analysis.
Researchers found that some women with HER2 negative breast cancer may still benefit from anti-HER2 drugs due to undetected mutations. The study identified 25 patients with HER2 mutations without amplification, and most responded well to treatment. A phase II clinical trial is now underway to test the effectiveness of these treatments.
Research reveals that symplasmic transport plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients and signaling molecules long distances within tree tissues. The study found that fluorescent dyes could be visualized in living cells and cytoplasmic bridges, confirming intercellular movement.
A phase III clinical trial compared eribulin mesylate to capecitabine in women with previously treated metastatic breast cancer, showing a trend towards improved overall survival. The median overall survival was 15.9 months for eribulin and 14.5 months for capecitabine.
A new five-tiered testing system, called the Tiered Protocol for Endocrine Disruption (TiPED), can help manufacturers avoid creating products with harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals. The researchers hope that chemists and companies will incorporate these tests at the early stages of product development to create safer products.
A study published in the Journal of Immunology suggests that blocking the activity of C5aR can effectively prevent and treat periodontitis. Researchers found that mice treated with a molecule blocking C5aR developed less inflammation and bone loss compared to those without treatment.
Researchers at Caltech developed a new waveguide that channels light and focuses surface plasmon polaritons to achieve nanoscale precision. The device has the potential to revolutionize biological imaging and computer storage by allowing for high-resolution maps of molecules and increased memory capacity.
A crowdsourcing site has compiled a new lexicon of signs for scientific and technical terms in American Sign Language (ASL). The ASL-STEM Forum, launched by the University of Washington, allows members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to build their own guide to the evolving lexicon of science.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that a decrease in nitrogen-15 levels in Greenland ice core samples is linked to increased atmospheric acidity. The decline in nitrogen-15 has been attributed to sulfur dioxide emissions, which form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
A longitudinal study will investigate the development of social inequalities across 12 years, combining psychological and sociological research traditions. The study will analyze the interaction between genetic and social influences on five central life domains.
A Mayo Clinic study discovered 27 genes associated with a good outcome using concurrent trastuzumab and chemotherapy, while five genes linked to poor outcomes. The findings aim to develop a genetic test to select the best treatment for HER2-positive patients.
A study by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators found that most triple-negative breast cancer patients have multiple genetic mutations, despite treatment with chemotherapy. The research may provide targets for new therapies and shed light on the challenges of treating this form of cancer.
Researchers found that Mesupron combined with Capecitabine significantly extended progression-free survival for patients with metastatic breast cancer to 8.3 months, nearly twice that of those taking Capecitabine alone. The study also showed improved results in previously treated patients.
A preclinical study published in Cancer Research found that obesity and overfeeding during menopause together drive aggressive tumor growth and progression. Obesity-related metabolic changes allowed breast tumors to accumulate glucose and promote proliferation.
Researchers found that compressed propane increased inulinase activity, but the effect depended on enzyme structure and experimental conditions. The study explored the potential of compressed fluids to boost biotransformation reactions in industrial processes.
Scientists discovered blocking a specific protein makes tumors more vulnerable to treatment in mice, hinting at potential new therapies for humans. Researchers are now exploring inhibitors of the protein, which could boost cancer drugs' effectiveness.
Bright areas in Western Australia are caused by wildfires, confirmed by satellite data and composite imaging. The fires, detected over nine days in April and 13 days in October, appear as a massive blaze due to cumulative lighting.
Researchers found that statin use improved progression-free survival and disease-specific survival in patients with stage III inflammatory breast cancer. Patients who took hydrophilic statins saw the greatest improvement in survival, with an average of 4.88 years.
A protein pair called Norrin/Frizzled-4 plays a crucial role in managing the blood vessel network that serves the brain and retina. The study reveals a dual role for the protein pair, with one job forming the network's proper architecture during fetal development and another maintaining the blood-brain barrier after birth.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) significantly reduced depressive symptoms in adults who had not responded to antidepressant medication. After six months, 46% of participants in the CBT group showed improvement compared to 22% in the control group.
A study published by UCSF found that acute kidney injuries have doubled over the last decade, from 222 to 533 cases per million people. The total number of deaths associated with acute kidney injury also more than doubled during this time, from 18,000 in 2000 to nearly 39,000 in 2009.
New research at the University of Missouri suggests that eating fewer, larger meals can be more beneficial for obese women than consuming small meals throughout the day. The study found that this approach lowered blood-fat levels and reduced the risk of developing heart disease.
GLYX-13 produced statistically significant reductions in depression scores within 24 hours and persisted for an average of seven days. The effect size observed was nearly double the effect size seen with most other antidepressant drugs after 4-6 weeks of repeated dosing.