The Society of Nuclear Medicine has announced an image that represents a significant advance in achieving high throughput in PET scanning without sacrificing quality. The image showcases technology such as 3D-LSO PET/CT, which could decrease whole-body scan duration substantially, benefiting nuclear medicine professionals and patients.
A groundbreaking study has identified mirtazapine as a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea, significantly reducing symptoms and improving breathing patterns. The medication, already approved for depression, showed the largest benefit and most consistent improvement of any pharmaceutical therapy in controlled studies.
Researchers at USF and VA hospitals found that rats with intrusive emotional memories can't remember new information. They also exhibited behavioral symptoms similar to those in people with PTSD after being reminded of the traumatic experience.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill found a third transporter, the serotonin system, plays a role in cocaine's effects on the brain. The discovery brings medical science closer to effective therapies for treating cocaine addiction.
Researchers have discovered a novel protein, Ang4, produced by Paneth cells in the intestinal lining that can kill certain types of gut microbes. This finding suggests that Ang4 may play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and preventing infection.
A study found that an uncommon variation of the Nogo gene increases schizophrenia risk, particularly when inherited from both parents. One in five people with schizophrenia has this risk gene, and researchers hope to discover new related genes to aid diagnosis and treatment.
Research reported in this supplement describes how marijuana affects nearly every organ system, including cognitive function, heart rate, and respiratory health. The findings add to evidence that marijuana use is linked to various health hazards.
A recent study has found that gut bacteria interact with the intestine to regulate blood supply, with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron stimulating blood vessel development. The research suggests a key developmental program shared by intestinal bacteria and their host is essential for healthy development.
The new center will focus on developing hormonal methods for effective and reversible male contraception, with potential health benefits such as preventing prostate disease. The program supports interactive research projects aiming to develop clinically useful products for people of different backgrounds and ages.
A Canadian study found a 353% increase in antidepressant prescriptions from 3.2 million to 14.5 million between 1981 and 2000, outpacing the country's population growth. The study suggests increased awareness and better understanding of depression may be contributing factors, but the underlying cause remains unclear.
Dr. Francis White, a leading expert in neuropsychopharmacology, has received the prestigious MERIT Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. His research focuses on understanding the neurobiology of dopamine systems and their role in addiction, with implications for developing new treatments.
Sporn's groundbreaking research on chemoprevention has revolutionized the field of cancer prevention, exploring novel approaches to prevent or treat cancer. His work has led to strategies with vast potential for reducing cancer incidence and death, and continues to inspire new directions in cancer prevention research.
The Society for Women's Health Research is launching a new series on women and pharmacology, covering topics such as sex differences in drug metabolism and the risks of polypharmacy. The seven articles will provide valuable information to the public on how drugs affect women and inform efforts to improve women's health.
Researchers found that male and female rats selectively bred for high and low sensitivity to alcohol also exhibited differences in their response to nicotine. The study suggests that genetic factors may contribute to the co-occurrence of these two substances in individuals, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.
Researchers have developed a new technique using the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a carrier to deliver a toxic agent selectively to tumor blood vessels. This approach has shown impressive anti-tumor effects in mice with human melanoma and prostate cancer, reducing tumor growth by up to 16 percent.
A UNC research team has shed new light on the classic 'lock-and-key' theory of drug action by discovering functional selectivity. The findings reveal that drugs can act as both agonists and antagonists at different receptors, allowing for more targeted treatment options. This breakthrough could lead to improved clinical effects with ex...
Researchers found that high-fat diets lead to an accumulation of lithocholic acid, a toxic compound produced when the body processes cholesterol. The vitamin D receptor plays a crucial role in eliminating this acid, which may help prevent colon cancer. However, excessive vitamin D intake can cause other health issues.
Researchers examined abstinent alcoholics and healthy controls to investigate motor functioning, finding impaired limb movements, gait, and postural stability. Alcoholic men showed slower movement speeds and jerky movements, while women displayed less impairment but still struggled with postural instability.
GenMAPP organizes gene expression results by biological process, allowing researchers to see coordinated changes in gene expression. The program uses graphical representations of biological pathways to analyze gene expression data, providing a systems approach to interpreting biological data.
Researchers discovered that guggulsterone blocks the FXR receptor, regulating cholesterol metabolism. The study suggests that guggulsterone could lead to new drugs to control cholesterol levels and potentially treat hyperlipidemia.
The balancing act between COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes plays a crucial role in protecting the heart from cardiovascular disease. The study found that PGI2 production is stimulated as a response to platelet interactions with the vessel wall, limiting the harmful effects of thromboxane.
Researchers have identified four chemicals that induce nerve regeneration in rat brain cells, focusing on the MAG-ganglioside interaction. The findings could lead to new treatments for spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, but caution is needed due to the complexity of human neural systems.
Researchers have discovered a chemical messenger called fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF 18) that regulates bone development in growing embryos. FGF 18 appears to coordinate both the lengthening and hardening of bones, which may lead to new understanding of diseases such as achondroplasia and osteoporosis.
Researchers found that two American infants were infected with African strains of HIV as early as 1994. The study suggests that more complicated regimens work best to combat the spread of HIV in pediatric patients, but may pose social problems for children entering adolescence.
A new study by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that the protein GCC is present in intestinal metaplasia, a sometimes precancerous condition in the esophagus and stomach. GCC's presence was detected in five of five cases of esophageal cancer and eight of nine cases of stomach cancer.
A new blood test was developed using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, which can detect amyloid plaques and predict dementia risk. The test uses a protein called Ab40, which is not reflective of brain pathology unless an antibody is injected into the animal.
The study reveals that female mice develop cardiac hypertrophy when estrogen is blocked, mimicking human conditions. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of the molecular signals causing heart enlargement and potential ways to prevent or reverse it.
A study by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network found that low to medium doses of inhaled steroids improve lung function in most asthma patients. However, high doses may not provide additional benefits but increase the risk of adverse effects.
Researchers at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth have identified a genetic switch that turns on a program to destroy leukemic cells and potentially other tumor cells. This target gene, called UBE1L, mimics the action of retinoic acid, which causes remissions in acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Research shows that alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk by impairing DNA repair processes, leading to genetic damage and mutations. Acetaldehyde, a metabolite of alcohol, is identified as the primary culprit in this process.
A study by Dr. Jennifer Grandis and colleagues identified a protein associated with lung cancer also expressed in head and neck cancer, leading to potential therapeutic strategies. The researchers found increased GRPR expression in head and neck cancer tissues compared to healthy controls.
Researchers used C.elegans to study molecular mechanisms of dopamine neuron degeneration in Parkinson's disease. The study found that exposure to a neurotoxin, 6-OHDA, caused rapid death of dopamine neurons, and blocking dopamine transporter function eliminated the toxic effect.
Researchers found that raloxifene did not prevent growth of breast tumors previously exposed to tamoxifen, while being less effective in blocking endometrial tumor growth. The study suggests that raloxifene may not further reduce the risk for breast cancer recurrence after five years of tamoxifen therapy.
A new interactive computer program will be developed to bridge the language barrier for Spanish-speaking diabetics, providing healthcare professionals with translation tools. The program will translate basic health questions and answers from English to Spanish and vice versa.
Georgetown University Medical Center's research found that 53% of medical schools lack training in clinical pharmacology and adverse drug reactions for third- and fourth-year students. Most residency programs offer lectures on the topic but have limited reporting of adverse events.
Researchers found sulforaphane's phase 2 enzymes protect cells against oxidants for up to three days, preventing damage from cancer, retinal degeneration, and other conditions. Eating large quantities of vegetables, especially cruciferous ones, helps fight disease by increasing antioxidant defenses.
Scientists have successfully generated primate stem cells from an unfertilized embryo through parthenogenesis, demonstrating the ability to produce various cell types, including midbrain dopamine neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's, heart disease, and diabetes.
The University of North Carolina is expanding its CATIE project to examine the effectiveness of newer anti-psychotic drugs for schizophrenia and behavioral problems in Alzheimer's disease. The trials will include a newly-approved drug, ziprasidone, and aim to determine its relative effectiveness compared to other medications.
Recent studies suggest that modulating glial inflammation may be an effective approach to delaying onset or slowing progression of neurodegeneration. New compounds described in a study selectively block production of IL-1B, iNOS and NO by activated glia without diminishing the production of other glial proteins.
A study by Scott Saunders and colleagues suggests that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) help regulate morphogen gradients, influencing cell development and differentiation. HSPGs may also play a role in the formation of complex bone structures and organs.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to visualize brain lesions indicative of Alzheimer's disease in living patients using FDDNP and PET scans. This breakthrough will enable doctors to monitor disease progression and test new treatments more effectively.
Researchers discovered a small molecular variation that inactivates the neurofibromin tumor suppressor gene, leading to increased tumor development. The finding suggests a new mechanism by which RNA editing can disable tumor-suppressing genes, potentially contributing to cancer progression.
Researchers found that taking ibuprofen daily can reduce the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in preventing heart attacks. This interaction occurs because ibuprofen blocks aspirin from binding to the COX-1 enzyme, which is essential for platelet clotting and heart protection.
Researchers developed a superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme mimetic that significantly reduced inflammation and tissue damage in an animal model of colitis. The SOD mimetic M40403 also reduced elevated cytokine levels and diarrhea, marking promising results for potential clinical candidates.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered a treatment for heart failure by correcting a specific cellular defect. Beta blockers prevent the excessive phosphorylation of the ryanodine receptor, allowing it to respond to signals and release calcium ions as needed. This finding offers new hope for treating heart failure.
The UNC-Chapel Hill Gene Therapy Center will use the funds to translate basic research knowledge into safe human clinical trials, with a focus on cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. The center aims to provide new treatments for diseases caused by single-gene defects.
Researchers discovered that garlic supplements decreased saquinavir levels by up to 51% in healthy volunteers. This suggests that patients taking saquinavir should avoid using garlic supplements to prevent interactions.
According to Roger J. Pomerantz, M.D., physicians should treat HIV-infected individuals when their CD4 lymphocyte count is below 350 or their HIV RNA level exceeds 50,000, rather than immediately upon diagnosis.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that maternal separation causes the death of brain cells. However, researchers discovered that fluoxetine, a type of Prozac, can reverse these changes and promote cell growth in the dentate gyrus of rats.
Researchers at Jefferson Medical College have demonstrated in the laboratory that prostratin can stimulate two main hiding areas in patients with HIV infection who are taking HAART, leading to death of the virus from anti-viral drugs. The work shows promise for a new second-generation approach to eradicate HIV from the body.
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center have discovered the PTEN gene's role in regulating brain stem cells, finding that its absence disrupts normal growth and proliferation. The study suggests that PTEN is a critical regulator of brain stem cell behavior, which may contribute to tumor formation.
Researchers aim to better understand cellular immunity in fighting Alzheimer's disease using a new mouse model jointly developed by USF and the University of Pennsylvania.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a pattern to protein manufacture in the hippocampus, which may help explain how memories are stored. The study found that protein synthesis in dendrites is exponentially faster than in the cell body, with specific patterns emerging.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that a combination of Vitamin E and aspirin can significantly delay the development of atherosclerosis in mice with high cholesterol levels. The study found that the production of plaque in blood vessels was lowered by over 80%.
A recent Mayo Clinic study suggests that the full-length mutant protein is responsible for toxicity in Huntington's disease, challenging traditional theories of clip-and-release. This new understanding may lead to more effective therapies by targeting the aberrant interactions of the mutant protein.
Researchers develop a microsurgical technique to manipulate signaling proteins in developing mouse brains, revealing a previously unknown molecular mechanism involved in forming the cerebral cortex. The study shows that this protein directs the development of cortical areas, including vision, touch, and memory.
A new study found that PET scans changed clinical management for 60% of women with recurrent breast cancer, including shifting from surgery to radiation therapy or medical treatment. The scan also significantly impacted disease staging, upstaging 28% and downstaging 8%, leading to more patients being classified as stage IV.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new antimalarial drug that has passed the first stage of preclinical testing in mice and rats. The carboxyphenyl trioxane compound shows good therapeutic index, safety, and efficacy in treating malaria.
Researchers have found that an enzyme mimetic compound significantly improves the functioning of blood vessels and nerves in diabetic animal studies, reducing vascular abnormalities and nerve damage. The study suggests a potentially significant new approach for treating and preventing complications associated with diabetes.
Researchers aim to identify and evaluate variations in 95 genes involved in cancer treatment, using DNA tests to predict a drug's effect on an individual. The goal is to tailor chemotherapy to each patient, improving treatment outcomes.