Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Counting white blood cells at home

A new portable device can count all five subtypes of white blood cells within minutes, providing an accurate differential and enabling the detection of rare basophils. This technology could improve outpatient monitoring of patients with chronic conditions and bring medical care to remote areas.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalLab on a Chip·DateMar 26, 2013

Low vitamin D levels in pregnancy associated with lower birth weights, pitt research finds

Women deficient in vitamin D early in pregnancy are more likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights. Maternal vitamin D deficiency may impact fetal growth by reducing calcium absorption and glucose production, leading to a higher risk of small for gestational age births.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 20, 2012

Autism treatment is more than skin deep

Researchers found that metal-binding agents applied to the skin, prescribed for autism treatment, are not absorbed and ineffective. The study contradicts claims made by some practitioners treating children with mercury-binding agents.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Medical Toxicology·DateNov 13, 2012

Technique spots disease using immune cell DNA

Researchers at Brown University have discovered a way to determine unique leukocyte mixes from blood samples using DNA methylation. The technique can distinguish between various types of cancer and non-cancer conditions, offering a powerful tool for medical research and clinical diagnosis.

Study finds Caribbean-American women at higher risk for elevated mercury levels

A new study has found that foreign-born immigrant women from the Caribbean are at a higher risk of elevated mercury levels in their blood. Mercury exposure is particularly concerning for infants and children due to potential damage to cognitive and central nervous system development. The study suggests that community education efforts ...

SourceSUNY Downstate Health Science University·JournalJournal of Environmental Monitoring·DateFeb 17, 2012

Fast new method for mapping blood vessels may aid cancer research

Researchers have developed a fast new method for mapping blood vessels that could aid cancer research by analyzing the vascular network of organs in less than two days. The technique uses knife-edge scanning microscopy to create detailed 3D maps of blood vessels, from arteries and veins to smallest capillaries.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 31, 2011

Comprehensive study finds no link between XMRV retrovirus and chronic fatigue syndrome

Researchers at the University of Utah Health conducted a comprehensive study finding no evidence of XMRV in CFS patients or healthy controls. The study's results contradict previous findings that linked the retrovirus to CFS, and experts emphasize the need for further research into potential infectious agents associated with the disease.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalJournal of Virology·DateMay 4, 2011

Link between cholesterol compound and multiple sclerosis unlikely, researchers say

A new study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that oxysterols, previously thought to be associated with multiple sclerosis, are not present in significant amounts in MS patients. The research contradicts a previous study and suggests the potential role of oxysterols in MS needs reconsideration.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateDec 15, 2010

A novel method for collecting dolphin DNA

Researchers at Georgetown University and the National Aquarium successfully extracted DNA from dolphin blow, providing an alternative to biopsies. The new method involves collecting exhalations from blowholes, eliminating harm to young animals and requiring less skill than traditional dart biopsying.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 25, 2010

Cheap, simple, noninvasive blood test may replace invasive diagnostic techniques in early pregnancy

Researchers have developed a simple, non-invasive blood test that can detect chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus using molecular genetic probes. The test has already shown promise in identifying DNA from the Y chromosome and is being investigated for detecting trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome) and other conditions.

Pitt/Magee research finds women with preeclampsia have fewer blood vessel precursor cells

A study by Pitt/Magee research team found that women with preeclampsia have reduced numbers of endothelial progenitor cells, which are thought to help grow and maintain blood vessels. This adaptation didn't happen in patients with preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure.

A hot road to new drugs

A new technology called microscale thermophoresis allows researchers to measure interactions under close-to-native conditions, improving decision-making in drug development. The technique exploits the Soret effect to detect binding activity, providing a more reliable method for identifying potential therapeutic agents.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 24, 2010

'No muss, no fuss' miniaturized analysis for complex samples developed

NIST researchers have developed a novel method for analyzing complex samples with minimal sample preparation, using Gradient Elution Moving Boundary Electrophoresis (GEMBE) in microfluidic devices. This technique enables the separation of components from solutions containing particulates or other contaminating materials.