Articles tagged with Translational Medicine
The DREAM Breast Cancer Prognosis Challenge successfully predicted better breast cancer progression than existing models, using genomic and clinical information from 2000 women. The winning team, Attractor Metagenes, developed a model based on 'attractor metagenes,' gene signatures that behave similarly in multiple cancer types.
A team of scientists at Temple University School of Medicine has identified a key molecule, GRK2, in mitochondria that contributes to the death of heart cells. The researchers found that blocking this enzyme's activity can prevent its delivery to mitochondria and reduce pro-death signaling.
The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute aims to develop advanced personalized therapeutic solutions for patients with devastating brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The institute will conduct bench-to-bedside research to test novel therapeutics in cutting-edge clinical trials.
Researchers envision cell-based therapeutics as a promising approach to treat critical diseases. Cells can adapt and respond better than small-molecule drugs, offering a more predictable treatment option.
Christina Wang, a leading LA BioMed researcher, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of andrology. Her research has focused on male reproductive health and disease, with a particular emphasis on androgen replacement therapy and hormonal male contraceptive development.
Researchers propose coverage with evidence development (CED) and parallel review policies to accelerate access to molecular diagnostics, which aid in disease prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. These policies aim to streamline regulatory processes and provide benefits for developers.
Researchers at Temple University School of Medicine have identified a biochemical step underlying heart failure that could aid the development of new drugs. GRK5 enzyme gains access to heart cells' nucleus via calcium and calmodulin, leading to hypertrophy and ultimately heart failure.
A Mars research project led by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Middle-school students from a small rural town in northern California used a camera orbiting Mars to conduct their own experiment and discover a new cave on the flanks of a Martian volcano.
A new paradigm for therapeutics discovery is proposed by Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS, to address the unsustainable model of current drug development in the US. The approach aims to integrate knowledge of preclinical science with an understanding of drug action in humans, leading to improved prediction of efficacy and safety.
A study by Umeå University researchers found that even small amounts of anxiety-moderating drugs like Oxazepam can change the behavior and feeding rates of wild European perch. The fish became bolder, less social, and ate faster after exposure to the drug.
A study found that certain gut microbes convert melamine into toxic cyanuric acid, accelerating kidney stone formation. This conversion process is key to understanding melamine-induced kidney failure in humans.
A new study offers conclusive evidence that cosmic ray protons within our galaxy are accelerated in the shock waves produced by supernovae. Researchers detected the spectral cutoff in the gamma ray spectrum due to the decay of neutral pions, connecting gamma rays to accelerated protons.
Researchers at Penn have identified innate lymphoid cells as a possible therapeutic target for treating atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. The study found that these cells contribute to disease progression and may be regulated by different pathways in the skin.
A new web-based teaching tool, Genomics Explorers, has been awarded the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. The tool helps students formulate and explore their own research questions using genomic data sets, promoting real research experience and ownership of the process.
Genetic sequencing technology is altering cancer diagnosis and treatment, but traditional specimen handling methods slow progress. Scripps physicians propose freezing tumor tissue to preserve DNA coding, potentially leading to better diagnoses and treatments.
The five recipients of the 2013 AAAS-EurekAlert Fellowships are Sofia Moutinho, Victoria Renata Sanchez Hernandez, Marcos Chumpitaz Sanchez, Lucas Viano, and Alejandra Vargas Morera. They will attend the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston to cover the latest research and network with peers from around the world.
Researchers identified MECP2 duplication syndrome as a cause of recurrent infections and neurological problems in infant boys. The study found that excess MeCP2 protein suppressed gamma interferon production, leading to partial immunodeficiency. This deficiency made it difficult for the immune system to fight off certain infections, su...
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
Fifteen University of South Florida faculty were named AAAS Fellows this year, recognized for their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts. The university was among the top ten organizations worldwide with the most AAAS Fellows, alongside universities such as Michigan and California-Davis.
Seven University of Minnesota faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking research and innovative efforts in science. They were recognized in four different sections, including geology, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, and biological sciences.
Darlene Ketten, a biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for her work on the biophysics of hearing in mammals. She is also developing ultra-high resolution imaging techniques to diagnose hearing impairments.
Researchers used ribosome-mapping technique to investigate HCMV's proteome, discovering hundreds of previously unidentified proteins and exceptionally short protein sequences. These findings provide new understanding of how the virus manipulates human cells during infection.
Dr. Aristotle Voineskos has won the prestigious Polanyi Prize for his research combining brain imaging and genetics to improve diagnostic classification and treatment strategies for severe mental illness.
Researchers are using computational models and digital tools to build a clearer picture of disease mechanisms, aid in diagnosis, and test therapies. These advancements have the potential to predict patient risk and develop more effective treatments.
Peter Liddicoat, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, won the contest with his six-month preparation burlesque circus show on manipulating aluminum alloy crystal structures. His win marks the first time a Ph.D. dance based on pure mathematics has taken top prize.
Cohen's research reveals that when the mind wanders, so too do our perceptual abilities, with a significant decrease in ability to detect subtle changes. Her method allows for measuring the effect of internal states on behavior, offering new insights into attention and perception.
The funding will support clinical trials of wireless biosensor systems and rapid pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests to track heart attacks and Type 1 diabetes. Scripps Digital Medicine aims to revolutionize healthcare with breakthrough technologies, including DNA sequencing tools.
Chronic sinusitis may be caused by a loss of normal microbial diversity in the sinuses, which allows a specific bacterium to colonize and cause inflammation. Restoring natural protective bacteria could be an effective way to treat this condition.
Researchers found that sleep disturbances occur when Alzheimer's plaques appear in the brain, disrupting the normal sleep-wake cycle. The study suggests that sleep problems could be an easily detectable sign of pathology, potentially indicating whether new treatments are succeeding.
Researchers discovered two specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) linked to acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and disease-free survival. A new screening protocol is being developed to better match patients and donors, with the goal of reducing GVHD incidence.
Researchers have successfully tested a vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus in monkeys, achieving a 75% fatality rate in humans. The vaccine, based on a protein from Hendra virus, has shown great efficacy in protecting animals from infection.
Researchers at the University of Nevada School of Medicine review the impact of MG53 protein therapy as a treatment option for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The study found that MG53 facilitates rapid membrane repair to prevent damage to normal muscle, suggesting potential synergy with other therapies.
The new web-based smoking cessation program, StopAdvisor, offers expert advice to help smokers prepare for and overcome the challenges of quitting. The platform uses a combination of interactive menus and personalized sessions to support users in their journey to quit smoking.
A recent study analyzing 5,000-year-old DNA from Stone Age remains in Sweden found that farming moved north across the continent with migrating populations. The analysis suggests that European farmers mixed their genes with resident hunter-gatherers, shaping modern European genomes.
Researchers found that GRN-529 increased social interactions and reduced repetitive self-grooming behavior in mice with autism-like symptoms. The compound also almost completely stopped repetitive jumping in another strain of mice.
Two studies found that neonicotinoid insecticides harm bumblebees by reducing food intake and queen production, while impairing honeybees' homing abilities, leading to increased mortality. The pesticides can also interfere with bees' behavior, posing a threat to pollination.
Scientists have designed a battery cathode made of lignin byproducts, which may lead to cheaper and safer electrodes. The new cathode is comparable to those that require precious metals or rare raw materials.
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine shows a promising blood test that can predict who is at risk for an imminent heart attack, potentially saving thousands of lives. The test uses circulating endothelial cells, which are abnormally large and misshapen in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Scientists used NMR to study pharmaceutical molecules' packing and hydrogen bonding arrangements, shedding new light on polymorphic forms.
Researchers found that mild hypothermia (34C) can offset the damage caused by tPA treatment in rats, reducing swelling and damaged tissue after a stroke. The therapy may also increase the time window for tPA treatment, potentially benefiting patients who experience significant brain function loss.
The MIT researchers and scientists from MicroCHIPS Inc. have successfully used a wirelessly controlled microchip to administer daily doses of an osteoporosis drug normally given by injection. The study found that the device delivered dosages comparable to injections, and there were no adverse side effects.
A new study shows that an implantable microchip can deliver medication on command, improving bone formation and reducing the risk of bone fracture in women with osteoporosis. The device, which is roughly the size of a pacemaker, releases medication via a wireless signal and has shown to be effective and safer than traditional injections.
Physicists from Harvard University and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität used the Quantum Gas Microscope to observe individual rubidium atoms transitioning between quantum states. They found that this transition occurs surprisingly fast, providing a new understanding of solid-state systems.
A new Harvard School of Public Health study found that limiting protein or certain amino acids before surgery can reduce the risk of serious surgical complications. The study used mice and found that restricting these nutrients can increase stress resistance and prevent injuries to the kidneys and liver.
Nadkarni has made a significant impact through her public engagement activities, raising awareness of environmental and conservation issues among diverse audiences. Her initiatives include the Sustainable Prisons Project, Tree-Top Barbie, and the Research Ambassadors Program, promoting science education and outreach.
Yogi D. Goswami, Alan R. Hevner, Robert H. Tykot, and Michael J. Zaworotko were elected as AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking work in renewable energies, computer sciences, archaeological materials science, and solid-state chemistry. They will be formally announced on December 23, 2011, at Science journal.
Erez Lieberman Aiden has developed a method for three-dimensional genome sequencing, creating the first genome-wide spatial map of the human genome. The study reveals that active and inactive genomic regions are separated inside the nucleus, suggesting an 'epigenetic mark' that regulates gene expression.
Researchers have successfully transplanted immature neurons from healthy mouse embryos into adult mice with a genetic deficiency, restoring leptin signaling and partially normalizing their metabolism. The study demonstrates the potential of neuronal replacement therapy for treating metabolic disorders.
Researchers analyzed genealogies of early pioneers and found they had significantly more children than those who settled within the core of an existing colony. Women on the edge of colonization also showed a 15% higher fertility rate due to earlier marriage, suggesting that fertility can rapidly evolve during range expansion.
Tiago Branco's research focuses on how single neurons process information from the outside world to generate behaviors. He discovered that dendrites actively filter and transform this information, enabling single neurons to solve complex computational tasks.
A human antibody given to monkeys infected with Hendra virus completely protected them from disease. The study results are cause for hope that the antibody may be developed into a possible treatment for people who become infected with these viruses.
A research team led by Professor Christian Weber has discovered a peptide that promotes the healing of damaged blood vessels and prevents restenosis in stent implantations. The peptide, cathelicidin, was found to improve endothelial cell recovery and prevent the formation of neointima.
Researchers developed a noninvasive technique called Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) to map the source and pattern of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in just one heartbeat. The technology, which combines CT scans with electrocardiograms, can generate movies of VT excitation waves and reveal even more about the nature of the arrhythmia.
Researchers developed a liquid composite material that can restore damaged soft tissue relatively safely and durably. The material, composed of biological and synthetic molecules, was tested in rats and humans, showing promise in facial reconstruction, particularly for soldiers' blast injuries.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecule called CXCL5 that controls sensitivity to UVB irradiation-induced pain, providing a potential new target for medicines. The findings also suggest the possibility of developing new analgesics for conditions like arthritis and cystitis.
The AAAS Pacific Division will convene a joint session with the World Congress on Mummy Studies in San Diego, exploring DNA analysis and facial images from mummies. The meeting will feature 16 sessions on topics including fragile X syndrome, music and science, and ancient mummification methods.
The study suggests that an enhanced sense of smell was a key driver of brain evolution in mammals. Early Jurassic Period fossils reveal three stages of brain development, from improved olfaction to increased tactile sensitivity and neuromuscular coordination. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of mammalian brains.
Researchers at King's College London have developed a new approach using immune cells to prevent organ rejection. The 'specific' Tregs can regulate only the activity of effector cells that would target a transplanted organ, leaving the remaining effector cells to function normally.
Adaptive clinical trial designs may accelerate HIV vaccine development by rapidly screening out poor candidates and evaluating promising ones. These designs can provide key information on the immunological basis for HIV prevention, helping to advance vaccines through clinical trials more quickly.
Researchers have discovered thousands of human artifacts in Texas that predates Clovis culture by 2,500 years, expanding evidence for earlier cultures in North America. The pre-Clovis toolkit includes biface and blade technology, which may have later been adapted by the Clovis culture.