Research on discovering and developing new drugs. Covers structure-revealing tools, eye-disease mechanisms, protein screening, and once-daily oral medicines.
A collaborative research project analyzed raw sewage samples from 19 European cities, providing unique insights into illicit drug use patterns. The study found distinct temporal and spatial patterns in drug use across Europe, with cocaine use higher in Western and Central Europe and ecstasy loads highest in Dutch cities.
A new class of drug developed at Northwestern University has shown early promise in reducing inflammation in the brain, which is a common denominator in these neurological diseases. The drug targets proinflammatory cytokines and prevents their overproduction, preventing damage to synapses and neurons.
A new collaboration between DNDi and Cipla aims to develop a 4-in-1 ARV combination product for young children with HIV/AIDS, addressing the gap in current treatments. The goal is to provide safe, potent, child-friendly treatment combinations to accelerate care provision for infants and toddlers living with HIV/AIDS.
A study found that rituximab, an immune drug, helped patients with serious kidney disorder idiopathic membranous nephropathy experience remission, even when standard therapies failed. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, with all patients achieving complete or partial remission over time.
Medical Developments International (MDI) has signed a technology deal with CSIRO to develop a new production process for the pain-relieving drug Penthrox, known as the green whistle. The partnership aims to reduce production costs and enable large-scale production for global sales in the UK and Europe.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have successfully treated a severe form of autism spectrum disorder called creatine transporter deficiency (CTD) using a creatine analogue called CincY. The treatment reversed mental retardation-like symptoms in mice and improved cognitive abilities, including recognition and spatial learning.
The US government is developing medical countermeasures against nuclear threats, including acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Several companies are working on adapting existing drugs and creating new compounds to treat ARS symptoms and remove radioactive particles from the body.
Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the enzyme YfcM as a key player in bacterial pathogenicity modification. The discovery of YfcM, which displays hydroxylase activity and lacks sequence similarity to known proteins, has significant implications for the development of new antibiotics.
Scientists have created a simple procedure to remove nearly all acrolein impurities from pharmaceuticals, potentially increasing patient safety. The new method uses engineered particles and shows promise in removing 98% of impurities without affecting the active ingredient.
Research by Trinity College Dublin scientists establishes a clear link between nanoparticles and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Exposure to nanoparticles can trigger the transformation of amino acids, leading to inflammation and tissue damage.
A recent study found that pre-existing mutations in HIV patients can cause the virus to develop resistance to drugs used to slow its progression. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that understanding how resistance evolves may lead to the development of more effective treatments.
A UBC-developed oral drug delivery system of Amphotericin B shows promise in 'flushing' HIV from reservoirs and boosting effectiveness of existing therapies. The $1.1-million funding supports its clinical development as a treatment for HIV patients, offering new hope for the quest to find a cure.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed a method for building complex nanostructures out of short synthetic strands of DNA. This technology, called single-stranded tiles, can assemble themselves into precisely designed shapes and may enable the creation of new nanoscale devices for targeted drug delivery.
Developing a new, two-step process could stabilize prices for the raw material essential for making malaria treatment drugs. The improved manufacturing method generates less waste and requires less artemisinin, potentially easing supply problems.
Researchers develop a more accurate method for predicting interaction energy of large molecules, such as biomolecules used to develop new drugs. The 'dispersionless density functional plus dispersion method' (dlDF+D) generates more accurate predictions than existing approaches.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have found that persistent pain and hyperalgesia are generated by the same nerves but through different mechanisms. The discovery could lead to more effective painkillers with fewer side effects.
A UNC study successfully delivers therapeutic doses of a cancer drug using nanoparticle carriers, overcoming pharmacologic challenges that led to its abandonment. The study demonstrates improved efficacy and reduced toxicity for the abandoned drug.
Scientists are developing new medicines based on epigenetics, a quiet revolution in biology and chemistry that influences how genes work in health and disease. Four drugs approved for blood cancer have limitations due to lack of selectivity.
Researchers have identified metastasin as a crucial protein that helps stop tumor cells from spreading. By understanding how metastasin binds to motor proteins, scientists can develop drugs to block this interaction and prevent tumor cell proliferation.
A Johns Hopkins bioethicist is part of a committee releasing an IOM report on translating 'omics' research into clinical tests. The report aims to improve the development, evaluation, and translation of omics-based tests.
Scientists have discovered that immune cells circulating in the blood enter the lungs' large airways, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. This breakthrough helps clarify how smoking causes severe respiratory damage and may lead to new treatments.
A research team at the University of Melbourne has developed a novel technique to track diseased proteins in brain diseases like Huntington's and Alzheimer's. The technique uses a flow cytometer to rapidly identify and track protein clusters in cells, enabling drugs to be targeted at different stages of disease development.
A new drug has been developed by a Canadian scientist that protects the brain against damaging effects of a stroke, preventing brain cell death and preserving brain function. The study used cynomolgus macaques as an ideal model for humans and showed remarkable recoveries in several scenarios.
Researchers are taking a new approach to developing medications that boost levels of good cholesterol, removing it from the body. Three new versions of CETP blockers show promise as viable new heart drugs, but final judgment may be years away.
Researchers have designed a new chemical compound that binds 1,000 times more effectively to the target protein in the brain than current drugs, reducing cell death by 40% in animal models. The compound also improves motor function and passes through the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers developed new drugs targeting calcium channel in neurons to completely suppress absence seizures in rats and test them in humans. The results show a significant reduction in seizure duration as well.
A mobile device called iHeal combines sensors to detect physiological changes and software applications to intervene in real-time. The device aims to prevent drug use by identifying trigger points for risky health behaviors.
Researchers discovered that CTLP acts as a key pass granting Treponema access to oral bacteria communities. Inhibiting CTLP could reduce bleeding gums and slow down periodontal disease progression. Regular tooth brushing is crucial in keeping harmful mouth bacteria at bay.
Frequent anti-infective shortages can alter clinical care, leading to worse outcomes for patients, particularly hospitalized individuals. Multidisciplinary stewardship programs and enhanced regulatory oversight are proposed solutions to mitigate the impact of these shortages.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of endomannosidase, an enzyme used by devastating human viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C to replicate. This breakthrough opens the door to developing inhibitors that block both pathways used by these viruses.
Researchers at Tufts University developed silk-based microneedle systems that can precisely control drug release rates and maintain bioactivity. The technology has the potential to address limitations in existing painless drug delivery mechanisms and prevent local infections.
A phase 2 study shows that aflibercept reduces the development of malignant ascites, a common complication of advanced ovarian cancer, and improves symptoms. However, it also increases the risk of fatal bowel perforations.
A study found that consumers expect communal principles in churches and pharmaceutical companies, but become outraged when they prioritize commercial interests. Organizations can communicate with consumers by framing their motives as part of their community's shared values.
Aaron Ciechanover, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his pioneering work on the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cellular waste disposal and its role in various diseases.
A new study has identified the most effective ways to assess progression in Huntington's disease, which could speed up the development of disease-modifying drugs. The findings suggest that measures derived from brain imaging techniques are the most effective at detecting disease progression over time.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that US FDA testing of imported seafood is inadequate, with only 2% of imports tested, compared to 15-50% in EU, Japan, and Canada. This lack of inspection may lead to adverse health consequences due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a nano-tech method to test new medicines in extremely small volumes, allowing for faster and cheaper drug development. The technique uses self-assembling systems made from biological materials, significantly reducing environmental impact.
Researchers developed a novel indirect screener to detect recent drug use in at-risk post-partum women, proving more sensitive than alternatives. A brief, computer-delivered intervention aims to motivate behavioral change without presuming drug use, showing promise for improved detection and treatment.
The Arizona State University-led initiative aims to identify molecular markers for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk, with the goal of predicting heart attack risk and assessing potential new treatments. The project will use proteomics and mass spectrometry technology to discover and validate biomarkers.
Researchers have identified a human chromosome containing a specific gene associated with susceptibility to herpes simplex labialis (HSL), the common cold sore. The study found a positive link between the frequency of outbreaks, hereditability, and the presence of a specific gene, C21orf91, on chromosome 21.
Researchers developed non-natural flavanones with broad activity against bacteria and fungi, but no toxicity to mammalian cells. The compounds showed promising activity against various pathogens, including E. coli and fungal species.
Clinical trials should be reported even when product development is terminated to benefit the research community and prevent negative drug developments from being unpublished. This ensures greater patient safety, improves treatment research strategies, and optimizes resource allocations for promising new therapeutics.
Researchers found that bortezomib inhibits transforming growth factor beta, a protein essential for scar tissue growth, preventing its development in human cells and mouse models. The drug also prevented expression of proteins necessary for scarring in fibroblast cells from scleroderma patients
Researchers at Salk Institute developed bacteria that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins, enabling the creation of new synthetic chemicals. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drugs that last longer in the bloodstream and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.
A $23.2 million grant has been awarded to Rutgers University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) to continue research on developing drug products to treat individuals exposed to mustard gas, a deadly chemical agent used in chemical warfare.
Scientists have developed 'transcription factor beacons' to quickly detect the activity of proteins controlling gene expression in cancer. The breakthrough technology may enable faster cancer diagnosis and the discovery of new cancer drugs.
A group of researchers argue that ranking drugs by harm is conceptually flawed, as it combines individual harms and societal impacts. They propose more refined tools for policymakers to assess the likely changes in different types of harm associated with each change in drug policy.
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.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that particles in liquids don't always settle at the bottom based on size or speed. Instead, they arrange themselves in a way that achieves the lowest energy state, often resulting in a layered structure with larger particles at the bottom and smaller ones above.
A recent study found that early treatment with the diabetes drug metformin may prevent or delay the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents. The study, which compared early versus late metformin treatment, showed that early therapy prevented PCOS symptoms more effectively than late treatment.
A team of researchers has detailed the molecular mechanism by which FTY270 causes adverse effects in the lungs of mice with multiple sclerosis. The study suggests that developing a drug targeting S1P receptors on immune cells could provide a therapeutic with decreased side effects.
The study found that the private market for TB drugs is substantial and poses a significant risk of drug misuse and resistance. In many countries, private sector sales account for nearly equal amounts of treatment as the public sector, but often exceed international guidelines.
Researchers are developing a new antidote to regenerate an enzyme that ages after exposure to deadly chemical warfare agents. Dr. Christopher Hadad is using supercomputers to test reagents for this treatment, which could provide complete recovery from severe muscle spasms and death.
The Prix Galien awards recognize outstanding achievements in improving the global human condition through innovative drugs and treatments. The 2010 winners were announced as a special issue of Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, including Luminex Corporation for xTAG™ and Merck & Co, Inc. for RotaTeq™.
Scientists at Notre Dame and Cornell have made a breakthrough in understanding the genetic disorder Niemann-Pick Type C, which affects brain cells and causes devastating symptoms. Using histone deacetylase inhibitors, researchers were able to correct the damage done by the genetic flaw and restore normal cell function.
University of Houston professors have developed a computerized modeling system to accelerate the development of new antibiotics. The system aims to identify effective dosing regimens and prioritize clinical investigations.
Grand Challenges Canada and Canadian partners have joined forces to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affecting over 1 billion people worldwide. Researchers will develop new drugs using compounds from African botanical and microbial sources, collaborating with African scientists.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.
Marine biotechnology has the potential to address critical future challenges such as sustainable food and energy, new drugs and health treatments, and industrial materials. The European Science Foundation predicts that with the right actions taken now, Europe could become a global leader in marine biotech by 2020.
Researchers at University of British Columbia develop a lipid-based formulation of Amphotericin B, stabilizing the drug in tropical temperatures and making it more accessible for treating Visceral Leishmaniasis. The new oral formulation is effective in mouse models and has the potential to bring relief to millions affected by the disease.