Articles tagged with Translational Medicine
SYNB1020, Synlogic's Synthetic Biotic medicine, demonstrates safety and proof of mechanism in healthy volunteers, clearing ammonia from the blood. The therapy is being evaluated in patients with cirrhosis and elevated blood ammonia, offering a potential new treatment for hyperammonemia.
Regenstrief Institute researcher Malaz Boustani advocates for Medicare payment for team-based care, which improves patient outcomes and reduces costs. Collaborative care models, including the Aging Brain Care model, have shown effective results in managing dementia and related dementias.
The EurekAlert Fellowships provide opportunities for early-career science journalists from developing countries to attend the AAAS Annual Meeting and improve their skills. The program celebrates its 15th anniversary with five new winners, including those from China, India, Slovenia, and Egypt.
Scientists have discovered that specific molecules produced by intestinal bacteria are altered during three instances associated with human obesity. The study also found that the gut microbiome undergoes fluctuations in a 24-hour rhythm and influences circadian biology, predisposing individuals to obesity and glucose intolerance.
A multidisciplinary team at Penn successfully demonstrated the feasibility of 'engineered living tissue' disc replacement in a large animal model. The study showed that bioengineered spinal discs can restore native disc structure, biology, and mechanical function, offering new hope for treating spinal pain.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology are developing a novel gene therapy to treat Usher syndrome type IF. They will use three different strategies to overcome the challenge of delivering the unusually large Usher 1F protein into target cells.
A new study published in Child Development found that a short-term family-centered prevention program can have enduring effects on brain network connections into young adulthood. The program improved self-regulation skills and parental emotional support, leading to fewer disruptive behavioral problems.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that removing the appendix early in life can lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The appendix acts as a reservoir for disease-associated proteins, and appendectomy delays disease progression by an average of 3.6 years.
New findings suggest that the immune system's response to a protein called GDP-L-fucose synthase, found in both human cells and bacteria, may play a key role in multiple sclerosis. The protein is believed to activate T cells in the intestine, leading to an inflammatory cascade that damages the protective coating around nerve cells.
A recent study by Johannes Kohl highlights the function of a small population of neurons in the medial preoptic area that control parenting behavior in mice. The research found that individual pools of these neurons were activated during discrete parenting events, suggesting they control specific components of parenting.
Researchers identified PIEZO2 as a gene controlling tactile allodynia, a form of pain caused by gentle touch after injury. The study found that PIEZO2 plays an essential role in the nervous system's reaction to injury and inflammation, making it a target for developing precise treatments for relieving painful skin injuries.
A new study found that longer daily fasting times improved health and longevity in male mice, with benefits seen across different diets and calorie consumption levels. The researchers also discovered that extended fasting periods enabled repair and maintenance mechanisms, which may help prevent age-related metabolic disorders.
A new smartphone-based research platform has been developed to recruit a large and diverse population of pregnant women for a study. The platform, built using Apple's ResearchKit technology, was embedded into the popular WebMD Pregnancy app and connected researchers with over 1.6 million potential participants.
Researchers found that the CSB protein, previously thought to be solely responsible for DNA repair, also enhances acetylation of alpha-Tubulin and regulates autophagy. HDAC inhibition restores balance, improving skin symptoms in mouse models. Further studies aim to explore its potential treatment for Cockayne syndrome.
Nir Grossman's temporal interference (TI) approach stimulates deep brain regions without surgery, offering a new treatment option for brain disorders. TI uses multiple electric fields to target specific brain areas, improving spatial resolution and non-invasiveness.
Researchers found that LRRK2 protein activity may contribute to Parkinson's disease development in up to three percent of patients without gene mutations. The study identified LRRK2 as a key player in neurobiological pathways affected by the disease.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that acetazolamide increases sensitivity to treatment and enhances survival in mice with glioblastoma. The drug, which is also used to treat altitude sickness, was able to restore the effectiveness of chemotherapy by blocking a protein called BCL-3.
Researchers tracked 27 patients for five years after receiving purified CD34+ cell therapy, showing improved pain management and limb salvage. The study suggests a potential new cell therapy for debilitating disease.
The program aims to collect unprecedented health data from one million participants, enabling scientists to study individual differences in biology and lifestyle. The initiative will provide insights into how factors like genetics, exercise habits, and environment impact human health.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered a common pattern of immune response among monkeys exposed to Ebola virus, occurring four days before the onset of fever. This finding suggests a possible biomarker for early diagnosis and could lead to better quarantine and control of outbreaks.
A new app and hardware for smartphones measures blood pressure with accuracy rivaling arm-cuff devices, according to Michigan State University scientists. The technology uses a fingertip measurement point and includes a discovery of a more convenient measurement location.
Keivan Stassun, a renowned astrophysicist, has been awarded the 2018 AAAS Mentor Award for his dedication to mentoring underrepresented minority students. The award recognizes his innovative mentoring models that have led to the growth of numerous Ph.D. graduates in physics and astronomy.
Linda Sealy has been selected to receive the 2018 Lifetime Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her work in recruiting and mentoring underrepresented minority students. She has mentored over 55 students through completion of their PhDs at Vanderbilt University.
Climate scientist Michael E. Mann has received the AAAS Public Engagement with Science Award for his extensive media interviews, op-eds, and public outreach on climate change. He has reached millions of people through social media and collaborations like his book with Tom Toles.
Varner is honored by AAAS for her public engagement in science, which empowers participants to join the entire process. She has developed citizen science programs that invite volunteers to track pika populations and study pika stress hormones.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified three molecules that effectively treat over 60 types of cancer cells without harming normal cells. These molecules target the TrxR1 enzyme, which supports cancer cell growth and protects them from oxidative stress.
Lassina Zerbo received the 2018 AAAS Award for Science Diplomacy for his efforts to strengthen nuclear test-ban verification. He has led international diplomacy efforts, negotiated data-sharing agreements, and promoted universalization of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Edwards was recognized by AAAS for applying engineering expertise to expose dangerous levels of lead contamination in water supplies. His team tested over 250 homes, demonstrating corrosive water causing lead contamination, which led to the discovery of high blood levels in children living in Flint.
Arthur Bienenstock, a distinguished physicist and academic leader at Stanford University, has been awarded the 2018 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. He is being honored for his work in increasing diversity across the university's faculty and student body.
Researchers have developed a new additive that combines polyethylene and polypropylene, making them recyclable together. The multiblock polymer chain anchors the two plastics, allowing for more efficient recycling of plastic waste.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that temporarily shutting off neuronal signals to a healthy part of the brain may aid stroke recovery. Mice with clipped whiskers showed improved recovery of right forepaw use, while those with intact whiskers had limited improvement.
Researchers develop optimized titanium-mesh scaffolds that promote faster and more effective bone regeneration. The study found that softer implants enhanced healing, with results applicable to various types of bone defects.
Awards go to Mićo Tatalović, Julianna Photopoulos, Xiaoxue Chen, Haonan Liu, and Vijay Shankar Balakrishnan for their work in science journalism. The EurekAlert! Fellowships aim to expand coverage of science globally, addressing language barriers and economic isolations.
The AAAS Annual Meeting will explore various scientific breakthroughs, such as regenerating organs for patient transplants and advances in immunotherapy treatments for cancer. The conference also features free public lectures on the International Space Station and science-informed responses to climate change.
A new international collaboration between neuroscientists from the Middle East and West is being launched to advance basic and translational life science research. The Science Bridge project, led by Mazahir Hasan, aims to foster a partnership between Western and Middle Eastern neuroscience communities.
A young scientist's groundbreaking work reveals that microbial communities' metabolic processes are influenced by environmental constraints rather than species interactions. The study uses high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the DNA of entire microbial communities, providing insights into bioremediation and ocean chemistry.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created lab-grown blood vessel replacements that are non-living yet can be repopulated with cells by the recipient's own cells. The grafts performed well in a recent study with adult baboons, showing healthy cell growth and resistance to infection.
Flavio Donato's research uncovered how neurons in the brain work together to form a highly functional organ. His novel strategy allowed him to label populations of neurons born at specific time points, enabling closer tracking of development among a crowd of neurons.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched SciLine, a new service connecting reporters with credible scientists to provide evidence-based information on news-worthy topics. This initiative aims to advance quality reporting on science and technology issues, building trust between news outlets and audiences.
The Science/Science Careers' 2017 Top Employers Survey ranked Regeneron the top biopharmaceutical employer, followed by Biogen and Pfizer. The survey received over 6,950 responses from employees in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
A newly engineered material, MeTro sealant, has been developed to seal lung tissue without sutures, showing complete sealing and evidence of promoting wound healing in laboratory tests. The sealant is derived from human protein and has improved biocompatibility compared to existing synthetic sealants.
Researchers at Yale University found that individualized diets based on food sensitivity testing significantly improved symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared to a placebo. The study suggests that tailored dietary approaches may be a viable alternative to traditional treatments.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new compound extracted from coralberry leaves that effectively relieves bronchial spasms and may be more effective than common asthma medication salbutamol. The study was conducted in mice, but further human trials are needed before its application.
Scientists at Temple University Health System uncover the mechanism underlying energy loss from heart dysfunction in sepsis, proposing NOX2 inhibition as a potential treatment. The research builds on earlier findings and aims to provide extra time for anti-inflammatory treatments to work.
A study by NIH and other institutions has extended noninvasive prenatal screening to all 24 human chromosomes, detecting rare genetic disorders that may explain miscarriage and pregnancy abnormalities. The research identified risk for serious complications in pregnancies with high levels of abnormal cells in the placenta.
Researchers found that a tick saliva molecule blocks inflammation and abnormal blood clotting in HIV-infected cells, reducing cardiovascular risks. The discovery could lead to new treatments targeting the TF pathway.
Researchers have developed a novel method to treat addiction using optogenetically-inspired deep-brain stimulation, which could provide continued benefits and improve on existing treatments. The method targets brain circuits responsible for addiction and shows promise in animal models.
Scientists have discovered how a compound activates an enzyme to reduce cholesterol and other accumulated fats in the brains and livers of Niemann-Pick type C1 patients. The study may lead to new treatments for NPC1 and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Daniel MacArthur receives ASHG's first Early-Career Award for his work on rare disease diagnosis using large-scale genomic technologies. The award recognizes his development of key resources, including Exome Aggregation Consortium and Genome Aggregation Database.
Researchers at Temple University have identified a novel mechanism underlying the efficacy of common heart failure drug beta-blockers. The study reveals that dysfunctional beta-adrenergic receptor 3 and decreased levels of cardioprotective phospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate contribute to treatment resistance in some patients.
Researchers discovered that the Sestrin1 gene is frequently missing or malfunctioning in follicular lymphoma patients, leading to tumor growth and poor prognosis. The study found that targeting this gene can suppress tumors and improve treatment efficacy, offering hope for new therapies.
Researchers used functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to scan 59 high-risk, 6-month-old infants, finding that brain patterns preceded behavioral symptoms of autism. The technique accurately predicted diagnoses in 82% of cases, with 93% accuracy in smaller groups.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered a link between complement C3 signaling and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. In preclinical models, mice with C3 deficiency showed improved cognitive function despite accumulating amyloid plaques, suggesting modulating immune response could combat the disease.
Researchers at Georgia State University are studying the role of an enzyme in causing diabetic vascular diseases and exploring its potential as a new treatment. The study aims to understand the molecular mechanisms behind the disease and identify a strategy to protect against its development.
A new study from Bentley University found that most new drugs approved by the FDA since 2010 arose from basic scientific research initiated in the 1970s or 1980s. The development of targeted and biological therapeutics depends on achieving a certain level of maturation in basic science.
Dr. Chad M. Walesky receives the ASIP Young Scientist Leadership Award for his contributions to liver cancer pathogenesis, including a novel function of HNF4α as a tumor suppressor. His work has been published in top journals such as The American Journal of Physiology and Hepatology.
Research teams identified two cyclic peptides that can shut down an enzyme long thought to be undruggable for fighting disease-causing parasites and bacteria. The finding could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers found that loss of tumor-suppressing genes, not mutations, leads to resistance to immune checkpoint blockade drugs in melanoma. Anti-CTLA4 treatment can prime T cells for anti-PD1 therapy, improving patient response.
Dr. Gita Martohardjono presents research on bilingual populations, showing changes in Spanish processing and predicting the impact of English use on brain responses. Her findings suggest that social factors hinder language learning in adults.
Researchers identify leiomodin-1 as a key protein in Nodding syndrome, an autoimmune disease linked to Onchocerca volvulus. The study suggests that the immune system mistakenly attacks brain cells containing this protein, leading to symptoms of the disorder.