Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have identified an existing drug, auranofin, that effectively targets the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. The parasite causes over 70,000 deaths worldwide each year, and current treatment with metronidazole has adverse effects.
Researchers have identified a unique molecular subtype of prostate cancer associated with mutations in the SPOP gene, accounting for up to 15% of all cases. The study reveals that these mutations may lead to an accumulation of proteins driving cancer growth.
A new technique has been reported in the American Journal of Pathology that uses genetic abnormalities to predict prostate cancer relapse. The study found that copy number variations (CNVs) in both cancerous and non-cancerous tissues can accurately forecast recurrence, allowing for more targeted treatment approaches.
Researchers have found that measuring progesterone receptor expression can improve hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer management. The study identifies a subpopulation of patients with high survival rates when treated with endocrine therapy alone, and could lead to a more personalized medicine approach in breast cancer.
A new study shows cone beam CT is better than multidetector CT for visualizing superior semicircular canal dehiscence and normal temporal bone anatomy, with improved image quality at half the radiation dose. The study found a significant reduction in false positives and improvements in pathology detection.
A study published in Brain Pathology has found that halting the Kallikrein 6 enzyme can slow multiple sclerosis progression in mice. The researchers discovered an antibody that neutralizes the enzyme, which was shown to reduce inflammatory white blood cells and slow demyelination.
A molecular pathway that controls the retention and release of brain stem cells has been identified. The discovery reveals that this pathway is critical for the adhesion of stem cells to their niche and for stem cell maintenance, suggesting a new idea in understanding stem cell regulation.
A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has demonstrated that a range of diagnostic spinal fluid tests are needed to differentiate between brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The studies found that biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, including tau and amy...
Researchers found that alpha-synuclein fibrils can induce normal a-syn to misfold, leading to neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the corrupted form of a-syn can be transmitted from diseased neurons to healthy ones via white-matter tracks.
Researchers found EPR to be 30-46% better at identifying nonmelanoma skin cancer cases compared to claims data. The study suggests using EPR as an alternative for effectively tracking these cases, potentially improving disease burden estimates.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that chronic stress triggers the production and accumulation of insoluble tau protein aggregates inside brain cells, similar to neurofibrillary tangles. This may explain why people prone to stress are more likely to develop sporadic Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a method to correct human mitochondrial mutations by targeting corrective RNAs, which could lead to treating a range of mitochondrial diseases. The study builds on previous work that uncovered a role for an essential protein in regulating RNA import into mitochondria.
Researchers validated protease cathepsin B as a target to improve memory deficits and reduce amyloid plaque pathology in an animal model representative of most AD patients. Deleting the CatB gene improved memory deficits while reducing amyloid plaque, mimicking that found in AD.
Cancer cells losing cadherin-11 protein spread to nearby organs and structures like lymph nodes. Researchers propose recovering protein activity could slow tumour growth and decrease metastases.
Aging and longevity expert Colin Farrelly suggests shifting research focus from disease causes to understanding the causes of health and happiness. This approach, known as positive biology, could lead to significant medical breakthroughs in slowing down the aging process.
Researchers discovered that mitochondrial DNA mutations cause programmed cell death in the inner ear, leading to inherited deafness. The study found that reactive oxygen molecules produced by diseased mitochondria trigger a cell death-inducing gene expression program.
A study published in American Journal of Pathology reveals that trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) protein, which protects the epithelial surface in normal breast tissue, also promotes tumor invasion and metastasis in breast cancer. Higher TFF3 expression is associated with a more aggressive phenotype.
A recent study from University of Utah biologists found that the diversity of immune-system MHC genes is maintained through an 'arms race' between genes and germs, where pathogens evolve to evade the immune response, but also create new opportunities for other variants to emerge. This phenomenon helps explain why some disease-susceptib...
A new study published in PloS One suggests that abnormal tau protein propagates along linked brain circuits, jumping from neuron to neuron. This finding opens new opportunities for studying Alzheimer's disease and developing therapies to halt its progression.
Abnormal regulation of viral sensors can lead to autoimmune pathology, according to a new study using a mouse model of human autoimmune disease. The research identifies key pathways linking DNA detection with IFN production and drives different aspects of the immune response.
Researchers have discovered a biomarker, miR-375, that can predict the life-threatening nature of head and neck cancer tumors. The study found that patients with lower levels of miR-375 are more likely to experience aggressive disease progression.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that the bacterial toxin alpha-hemolysin triggers bladder cell shedding and disables immune responses, contributing to persistent urinary tract infections. The toxin causes degradation of proteins involved in cellular responses to infection, leading to more severe clinical symptoms.
The St. Baldrick's Foundation has awarded a grant of $47,000 to the Biopathology Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital to enhance its digital pathology services. This funding will enable researchers to conduct more studies and enroll more children in clinical trials, which are their best hope for a cure.
A new software tool called Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ) has been developed to analyze digital pathology images with high accuracy. The program was tested on a case of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma and showed promise in separating malignancy from background tissue.
Researchers have discovered a technique to keep normal cells and tumor cells taken from an individual cancer patient alive in the laboratory. This breakthrough could revolutionize personalized cancer medicine and regenerative medicine, enabling oncologists to find the right therapies for patients.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found a direct link between diesel exhaust particulates, house dust extract, and pulmonary inflammation that aggravates asthma. Cleaning can reduce some allergen exposure, but DEP is harder to avoid in urban environments.
Researchers developed a method to detect cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients using MRI brain scans, revealing higher Alzheimer's patterns of atrophy predict worsening cognition. The study found an overlap between the two neurodegenerative diseases, raising hopes for early diagnosis and treatment.
A study published in the American Journal of Pathology suggests laquinimod targets immune cells to increase neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis patients. The treatment increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, contributing to neuron repair and limiting brain damage.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine have made a breakthrough using century-old brain samples to detect mental illness. The goal is to create a simple blood test for conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD, which could lead to faster diagnoses and improved patient care.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found that about 5% of glioblastomas contain extra copies of two or three key genes, which may explain the limited success of targeted therapies. The research team identified mosaic subpopulations of cells within tumors, each with its own unique genetic mutations and functions.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered two cancer-spurring gene rearrangements that may trigger 5 to 7 percent of all breast cancers. These rearrangements, seen in the MAST kinase and Notch family genes, can give scientists targets for potential therapies.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered a new human gene, TAF15, similar to TDP-43 and FUS, that may contribute to ALS pathology. The study used yeast as a model organism to identify potential disease genes associated with the neurodegenerative disease.
Scientists discover that genetic dysfunction in multiple cell types contributes to SCA7, a devastating neurological disorder. Targeting specific cell types may improve treatment and slow disease progression.
A new clinical test called SNaPshot allows doctors to identify patients' individual genotypes and target tumours with the most appropriate therapy. The test has been shown to significantly improve response rates in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.
A new device combines optical frequency-domain imaging and near-infrared fluorescence to provide simultaneous structural and molecular images of internal arterial surfaces. This integrated approach can assess key factors linked to the risk of clot formation, enabling a 'stent checkup' for patients at risk.
A new study reveals that mTOR plays a key role in the complex signaling process that helps cells know when to grow and when to sit tight. The research found that mTOR turns itself on in a positive feedback loop involving the destruction of DEPTOR, a protein that normally holds it off.
Researchers developed a method to optimize ion channel activity, reversing abnormal neuronal function and pathology in epilepsy. The study suggests this approach may be useful for other brain diseases and organs with excitable cells.
Women with high-grade ovarian cancer who have BRCA2 genetic mutations live longer and respond better to platinum-based chemotherapy. The tumors are more vulnerable to DNA-damaging agents, which could lead to effective treatment combinations.
Researchers led by Robert Linhardt of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have sequenced the first complex carbohydrate biopolymer, bikunin. The discovery provides a fundamental new view of these vital biomolecules, which play roles in cell structure and development, disease pathology, and blood clotting.
A Mayo Clinic study recommends adding categories to more effectively identify and treat people with preclinical Alzheimer's disease, a long latent stage of the disease. The researchers suggest two additional sub-groups: Stage 0 (normal biomarkers and no cognitive impairment) and SNAP patients (with suspected non-AD pathophysiology).
A new study reveals that defects in peripheral tissues contribute to SMA pathology, and systemic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) increase survival time by 25-fold. ASO treatment also restores normal IGF-1 levels, which are reduced in untreated mice with severe SMA.
A new study identifies a novel link between neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathology, revealing that an inflammatory mediator enhances A² protein plaque formation. The research also highlights the potential therapeutic target of NOS2 inhibition for treating AD.
Researchers from Kansas State University collaborated with international teams to analyze genomic data of Arabidopsis thaliana, a small flowering plant model species. The study aimed to understand the genetic variation and gene expression patterns in different plant tissues.
Researchers report the presence of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in various cancers, including bladder, cervix, and lung tumors. ALT allows cancer cells to grow indefinitely, making it a potential target for anti-cancer therapies.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found flexible-fiber CO2 lasers to be safe and effective in endoscopic assisted transsphenoidal craniotomies, with low complication rates. The study demonstrated the utility of this technology for treating pituitary tumors and other sellar lesions.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology reveals a novel mechanism for pillar formation during intussusceptive angiogenesis in tumors. The researchers found that targeting just one type of blood vessel formation may not be sufficient to slow tumor growth, and instead propose a more tailored approach to anti-tumor therapy.
A new urine test can help identify men at high risk of clinically significant prostate cancer, potentially delaying or avoiding needle biopsies. The test supplements an elevated PSA screening result and combines genetic markers to predict cancer presence.
Researchers found abnormal tau tangles and amyloid-beta plaques in survivors years after a single TBI, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions. The study suggests that a single TBI may initiate long-term neurodegenerative processes, offering new insights into the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a high-resolution imaging technology called microOCT that can reveal cellular and subcellular features of coronary artery disease. The study shows detailed images of endothelial cells, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, fibrin proteins, and platelets involved in clot formation.
A Stanford study has linked gamma-interferon, a key immune molecule, to the severity of asthma. High levels of gamma-interferon in children's blood may protect against asthma development, but severe asthmatics' lungs often have high concentrations.
A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that certain types of carbon nanotubes could cause cancer in the lining of the lung. Researchers discovered that longer nanotubes were more likely to get stuck in the lung cavity and ultimately cause mesothelioma.
A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that half of prostate cancers have a genetic anomaly making them responsive to PARP inhibitors. These drugs are being tested in breast cancer patients and show promise in shrinking tumors and blocking cancer spread.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School have identified a new cell type that can sense and respond to the dengue virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing vaccines and treatments for the disease, which currently lacks effective therapies.
A new biomarker for diagnosing prostate cancer has been found to be more reliable than current methods, reducing false positives and unnecessary operations. The study, published in PNAS, uses a unique test that detects elevated levels of prostasomes in blood, which are released by cancer cells into the surrounding tissue.
A recent study suggests that successful genetic blueprints for mesodermal development are recycled by evolution, rather than being invented anew in different species. The researchers found highly conserved transcription factor binding sites across six fruit fly species, indicating a shared regulatory program.
3D printing technology is being used to create ultra high-resolution 3D models of patient CT scans for neurosurgical planning. These models help identify defects not visible on 2-D images, improving radiologists' ability to communicate with patients and their families about complex anatomy and pathology.
Researchers found cotinine reduced Alzheimer's disease brain plaques and prevented memory loss in mice, showing promising results for a potential therapy. Cotinine also stimulated the survival of neurons and enhanced attention and memory.
The National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association Diagnostic Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease outline new approaches for clinicians and researchers. The guidelines cover the full spectrum of the disease, including preclinical stages, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's pathology.
Researchers have identified two bioflavonoids, catechin and naringenin, with antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus. These compounds, combined with existing flavonoid quercetin, may provide a promising therapy for millions of people worldwide.
A new pharmacogenetics test developed by Dr. Tara Sander can help identify the correct genotype and dosage for individuals, reducing adverse drug reactions and increasing effectiveness. The test has a 96% accuracy rate and holds promise for Personalized Medicine and forensic investigation.