Research on discovering and developing new drugs. Covers structure-revealing tools, eye-disease mechanisms, protein screening, and once-daily oral medicines.
Researchers developed new methods for synthesizing coumarin-based drugs, which showed promise as anti-inflammatory agents. The study revealed one of the pathways in which coumarins act, and understanding this pathway may help develop future treatments for chronic inflammation diseases.
A collaborative team, led by Prof. Mark Williams, reveals how the APOBEC3G protein forms a roadblock to prevent HIV replication, offering new avenues for HIV therapy and drug development.
A study led by TGen found that reduced SMG1 expression may contribute to alpha-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease and dementia. The researchers identified SMG1 as a regulator of alpha-synuclein aggregation, suggesting potential new therapeutic targets for treatment.
A study examined expedited FDA drug approvals, finding that new drugs approved under accelerated review took a median of 5.1 years to get marketing approval compared to 7.5 years for standard-reviewed drugs. Fewer patients were studied in these expedited reviews, raising concerns over the safety and efficacy of these medications.
A recent study highlights the issue of poor antibody performance due to contaminating hitchhiker antigens. This can lead to misdiagnosis, incorrect conclusions about disease mechanisms, and costly mistakes in drug development.
A new method developed by researchers could help diagnose and treat thousands of young adults and teens who end up in emergency rooms after taking synthetic marijuana. The study found significant differences in how individuals' bodies process the drugs, which could explain why some people experience more severe effects.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs was associated with impaired fine motor skills in children at age 6 months. However, breastfeeding by mothers taking these medications was not linked to adverse development in children up to 36 months old.
The NIH's Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases program aims to develop treatments for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. Four new pre-clinical projects target retinitis pigmentosa, hypoparathyroidism and LEOPARD syndrome, marking the first use of stem cells and collaboration with Eli Lilly.
Researchers identified two pathways that recombine DNA repeats to rearrange chromosomes, which can be targeted to prevent cancer and inherited disorders. The study used mouse embryonic stem cells and found large, complicated rearrangements on multiple chromosomes.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a new form of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that occurs after an acute bout of diverticulitis. The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, found that patients who developed IBS-like symptoms after diverticulitis may also experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Scientists have developed a new form of aspirin that could extend its benefits to people who don't respond to the drug, addressing 'aspirin resistance'. The new aspirin form is linked to a carrier protein that delivers aspirin directly to damaged blood vessels, releasing it and stopping clot-formation.
Chemists at IRB Barcelona and PharmaMar develop synthesis method for pipecolidepsin A, a compound active against eleven types of cancers. The new approach simplifies production, reducing time and cost to produce large quantities of the molecule.
Researchers identified a mechanism that limits the body clock's ability to adjust to changes in light patterns, slowing down recovery from jet-lag. Blocking this gene in mice allowed them to recover faster.
A new review highlights recent advances in the scientific understanding of bitter taste to improve drug acceptance and compliance in pediatric populations. The paper focuses on applying this knowledge to formulate pediatric medications that are more palatable for children.
Children exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero are at risk for motor development issues, language skills difficulties, and autistic traits. The study also found no increased risk of developmental delays in children born to mothers with epilepsy who did not use AEDs during pregnancy.
Researchers have developed artificial peroxisomes that mimic natural organelles, transforming toxic free radicals into water and oxygen. This innovation enables direct cellular targeting, paving the way for novel patient-oriented treatments.
Researchers have identified key regions in the dengue virus genome that can be targeted to prevent replication. Artificial microRNAs were constructed to specifically target these sites, leading to effective inhibition of viral replication in humans. This innovative approach offers new hope for treating millions affected by dengue fever.
University of Oklahoma Norman campus researchers received $135,000 OCAST grants for three-year health research projects. The recipients will study advanced treatments for bone defects, viral RNA structure to develop new drugs, and the control of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
Researchers found that a protein controlling Alzheimer's disease also affects muscle development and coordination in mice. The study suggests that inhibitors of this protein, currently being tested for Alzheimer's treatment, might disrupt muscle spindle formation and impair movement.
A new drug has been shown to prevent PTSD-like symptoms in mice by targeting the Oprl1 receptor, a gene variant linked to increased risk of developing PTSD in humans. The results suggest that the drug could have a similar preventive effect on PTSD in humans.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has identified the underlying cause of noise-induced tinnitus, a chronic condition characterized by phantom sounds. They have also developed a drug that can prevent its development in animal models.
A new skin test called Skimune has been developed by Newcastle University to predict adverse reactions to new drugs and cosmetics. The test uses real human skin and immune cells to identify potential risks, providing a faster and more accurate alternative to animal testing.
A genome-wide lethality screen using RNA interference technology identified 239 gene candidates essential for cell survival. The researchers developed a high-stringency analysis method to determine which genes result in cell death when knocked down.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved only one new antibiotic since the Infectious Diseases Society of America launched its 10 x '20 Initiative in 2010. Despite this, only seven new drugs are in development to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli bacteria.
A study found modest but meaningful improvements in children with fragile X syndrome who received minocycline treatment. The antibiotic yielded significant improvements in anxiety and mood-related behaviors, while behavior problems and verbal functioning showed little change.
Researchers have identified four genes newly associated with severe childhood obesity and found an increased burden of rare structural variations in severely obese children. These variations can delete sections of DNA that help maintain protein receptors involved in weight regulation, promising new drug targets against obesity.
A Loyola University Chicago study found that disabling a specific calcium channel called TRPM2 could reduce painful inflammation in gout. The researchers also discovered that liposomes with a positive or negative electric charge can stimulate the immune system to attack pathogens.
Researchers developed biodegradable nanoparticles that selectively target and resolve inflammation, potentially treating atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. The nanoparticles release an inflammation-resolving peptide drug, promoting tissue repair and reducing chronic inflammation.
Researchers have developed an algorithm that can explain how traditional medicinal compounds work in the body, bridging the gap between Western and traditional medicine. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for various diseases.
Experts at Yale University and the American Academy of Neurology call for limiting or ending the use of memory-enhancing drugs in healthy children. They cite concerns over long-term health safety, incomplete decision-making capacity, and risks of over-medication and dependency.
The American Academy of Neurology warns against prescribing neuroenhancing drugs to healthy children and teens, citing potential long-term health risks and impaired decision-making abilities. The organization emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative solutions, such as improved sleep habits, nutrition, and study regimens.
Research finds no significant linear trend pointing to a decline in UK new drug introductions between 1982-2011, contrary to widely-held views. The number of new drugs introduced has fluctuated, with dips followed by surges, indicating an overall slight increase over the past 40 years.
Researchers have found that immature malaria parasites are significantly less sensitive to artemisinin-based drugs than mature ones. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for malaria and a better understanding of how the parasite develops resistance to drugs.
A new patent issued for an experimental compound RTX, which represents a potential new class of drugs to alleviate intractable pain. The method patent covers intrathecal administration of RTX, promising to improve lives of people with severe pain.
Scientists have developed a new and more efficient way to make paliperidone, a widely used medication for severe mental illness, reducing solvent use and increasing yield.
Scientists have developed a new method to produce large amounts of the promising anti-cancer substance AMF-26, which targets the Golgi apparatus in cells. The synthetic version of AMF-26 shows equal effectiveness as its natural counterpart in laboratory tests.
Scientists have developed a new computer-based approach to predicting possible side effects of medications. The method is based on knowledge about chemical and biological information about ingredients in these medications and has been shown to be useful in identifying potential side effects for both known and uncharacterized molecules....
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patients taking generic antiepileptic drugs are 50% more likely to stop their medication if the pills differ in color. This highlights the importance of pill similarity in improving adherence rates.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a new target for stroke treatments using candesartan, which increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stimulates angiogenesis. This approach has the potential to improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients and may also benefit veterans with traumatic brain injuries.
Only a small fraction of new medicines developed between 2000 and 2011 were for the treatment of neglected diseases, highlighting significant gaps in innovation. Despite this, some progress has been made through drug reformulations and repurposing of existing drugs.
Researchers have identified a new mutation in the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency gene that could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The finding extends understanding of Alpha-1 at the molecular level, potentially leading to new drug development.
DNDi will receive a $17.3 million grant from UNITAID to accelerate the development and delivery of child-adapted antiretroviral therapy (ARV) formulations for babies and toddlers with HIV/AIDS, including those co-infected with tuberculosis. This support aims to improve treatment accessibility and outcomes for young children affected by...
The Access to Medicine Index ranks pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to improve access to medicine in developing countries. This year's report finds that 17 out of 20 companies have improved their performance since 2010, with GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson emerging as leaders. The industry is becoming more organized in i...
A new system can identify a single target molecule from millions of water molecules within milliseconds by trapping it on gold nanoparticles. The technology has potential uses in detecting illegal substances and pollutants, offering a compact, reusable, and easy-to-assemble solution.
A new malaria drug has been developed that is twice as effective as existing treatments and may fight off the disease with a single dose. The new compound, combined with mefloquine, showed promising results in mice, allowing them to live almost twice as long.
A comprehensive review article discusses progress and application of Cell-SELEX technology, which uses live cells as targets for binding aptamers. The technique offers stability, short length, and ease of manufacturing, making it an attractive option for drug compound screening.
A novel drug mimics a naturally occurring molecule found in coffee and blueberries, increasing survival in animal models after radiation exposure. The treatment is non-invasive and can be applied directly to the skin, providing an effective solution for treating radiation exposure.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a screening method to identify RNA targets and potential drug compounds. The new technology probes millions of RNA-ligand combinations, enabling the definition of RNA motifs and small molecules that bind to RNA.
Scientists have observed that chloroquine is once again effective in combating malaria parasites, particularly in Senegal and other African countries. This development could lead to more affordable treatment options for millions of people in Africa, with the current treatment costing twice as much as chloroquine.
The Brazilian Ministry of Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) Latin America have partnered to develop new therapies and diagnostics for neglected diseases. This partnership aims to boost innovation in the field and provide new health tools to Brazil's public health programs.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a way to levitate individual droplets of solutions containing different pharmaceuticals using sound waves. This technique allows for the amorphization of drugs, which can improve their bioavailability and efficacy.
Indiana University chemists have developed a new synthesis of artemisinin, allowing for the production of fully synthetic artemisinin on a gram scale. This breakthrough could help reduce the cost of the life-saving antimalarial drug and increase its availability worldwide.
A new cell screening method has identified two novel compounds with anti-influenza activity, obatoclax and gemcitabine. These compounds show promise as next-generation antiviral drugs that can target host functions rather than viral proteins. Further research is needed to confirm their efficacy in treating influenza infections.
A meta-analysis of over 60 randomized controlled trials found no statistically significant increased risk of any type of cancer with biologic response modifiers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study included 29,423 patients and followed them for at least 24 weeks.
Researchers highlight RNA's self-assembling properties, but also discuss challenges such as stability and targeting in therapeutic applications. The article provides a detailed review of the field, discussing its potential for treating various diseases.
Researchers developed a realistic computer simulation to predict drug effects and identify why some treatments fail. The model factors in precise doses, prescription adherence, and viral replication to help develop better combination therapies.
A new formulation of cisplatin has been developed to improve the effectiveness and safety of cancer treatment. The pH-sensitive liposome was able to reduce cancer cell proliferation and increase survival in animal models with no known toxicity clinical signs.
MMV has developed a framework to evaluate the risk of resistance for its antimalarial compounds. The framework includes cross-resistance testing and selection experiments in the laboratory, measuring the likelihood of parasite mutations that confer resistance.
The Iowa State researchers discovered the structure of a regulator that controls the expression of a multidrug efflux pump in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This finding is crucial for understanding how tuberculosis bacteria develop drug resistance, providing a starting point for developing new strategies to combat the disease.
A new compound, JD5037, targets cannabinoid receptors and increases sensitivity to leptin, reducing obesity and improving metabolic health. The findings have implications for the development of new treatments for obesity in humans.