Research on discovering and developing new drugs. Covers structure-revealing tools, eye-disease mechanisms, protein screening, and once-daily oral medicines.
A study published in JAMA found that dexmedetomidine reduced delirium prevalence and improved extubation times compared to midazolam, a commonly used sedative drug. The medication also showed a lower risk of bradycardia but higher tachycardia rates.
Researchers found that Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on the Pcalp protein, which is essential for its cell cycle progression. By manipulating Pcalp levels, they revealed the parasite's vulnerability to inhibition.
Researchers have developed a new approach for treating pneumococci by emulating the choline architecture of their cell walls. This method traps critical pneumococcal proteins, preventing bacterial growth and toxin release. The resulting CBP inhibitor has a suitable dosage range for pharmaceuticals.
Martin Delaney, founder of Project Inform, received the NIAID Director's Special Recognition Award for his efforts on behalf of HIV-infected people. He played a key role in expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral medications.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America warns that new drugs are desperately needed to treat six drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA and gram-negative pathogens. The society outlines steps to tackle the shortage and urges cooperation among industry, academia, and government.
A meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials found that metformin hydrochloride was associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to other oral diabetes agents or placebo. However, the study did not find significant associations between other diabetes medications and beneficial or harmful cardiovascular effects.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School developed a self-assembling hydrogel drug delivery system that releases clinically approved drugs in high concentrations without carriers or toxic residues. The system, triggered by enzymes, has the potential to serve as a platform technology for developing targeted drug delivery systems.
Researchers have found a potential treatment for ciguatera poisoning using the compound brevenal, which can block the effect of the toxin on sodium channels. Currently, there are few effective treatments available for acute impact of ciguatera poisoning on humans and marine mammals.
Researchers have developed ultra-sensitive probes to investigate vancomycin's working mechanisms, paving the way for more effective new drugs. By detecting surface stress on bacteria, scientists can identify the disruption of cell walls and potentially develop more powerful antibiotics.
A study found that GSK-3-beta is crucial for normal mouse embryonic heart development. Mice lacking this protein died prematurely due to cardiac defects and liver degeneration. The findings suggest caution when considering new GSK-3 inhibitors in women of childbearing age.
In a phase II trial, pazopanib was found to shrink lung cancer tumors in 30 out of 35 patients by up to 85%. The results suggest that pazopanib is highly active in early stage operable lung cancer. Further development of this drug in lung cancer is underway.
A National Institutes of Health study found that people with WAGR syndrome, a rare genetic condition, have low blood levels of the brain chemical BDNF and are more likely to become obese. The study suggests that BDNF plays a role in regulating appetite and body weight.
Research at the University of Warwick has challenged a century-old rule in pharmacology, suggesting that key chemicals can pass across cell walls much slower than predicted. The findings have major implications for the development and testing of future drugs.
Despite being an important part of TB control efforts, children are underrepresented in TB drug development. Key findings include: Children make up 20% of new TB cases and are at high risk of severe TB forms. The lack of child involvement is due to barriers such as diagnostic challenges, side effect concerns, and regulatory requirements.
Researchers found that deleting furin in helper T cells led to autoimmune disease in mice, highlighting the importance of regulatory and effector T cell balance. The study's findings have implications for developing drugs to increase immune response in diseases like cancer and HIV.
Scientists at NIST have developed a technique to accurately measure the formation of protein clumps in biologic drugs, addressing a major concern for quality control and safety. The new method uses electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA) to quickly resolve particle sizes differing by as little as 0.2 nanometers.
A world-leading political philosopher argues that international rules on intellectual property violate human rights by denying access to vital medicines. An alternative licensing system, the Health Impact Fund (HIF), is proposed to render the existing system human-rights compliant.
A new study has identified a molecular alarm system in which intracellular pathogens send signals to kick the immune response into gear. The findings shed light on how cells recognize and destroy pathogenic bugs living within their walls, potentially providing new targets for vaccine and drug research.
A University of Michigan study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have different forms of the disease that require different kinds of treatment. The research suggests targeting specific inflammatory processes in the body could lead to more effective treatments for MS patients.
A survey found that many health research reporting guidelines lack funding, leading to poor methodology and findings. The EQUATOR Network aims to harmonize development and promote use of guidelines through training and resources.
Scientists at Savannah River National Laboratory developed Glass Microspheres with porous walls that can store hydrogen gas and release it safely. These microspheres can also be used to filter mixed gas streams and are suitable for reuse and recycling due to their unique mechanical properties.
Researchers at Yale University have successfully cleared up Alzheimer's plaques in mice by blocking a common immune system response, enabling treated mice to recover lost memory. The breakthrough could one day lead to the development of new dementia medications that can safely cross the blood-brain barrier.
A large-scale analysis of monkeys addicted to cocaine reveals more numerous and long-lasting protein changes than previously thought, potentially explaining why cocaine addiction is difficult to overcome. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of biochemical changes in the cocaine-addicted brain.
The new vaptan drug class has shown promising results in treating conditions such as painful periods, brain hemorrhage, and psychotic disorders. The drugs target the vasopressin hormone system, inducing water loss without mineral salt loss, to treat various health issues.
A new class of anti-obesity drugs that block cannabinoid receptors may disrupt neural development in children. The study suggests caution when using these compounds in juvenile mice and potentially humans.
International health experts call for urgent action from international development banks and pharmaceutical companies to address blood pressure-related diseases affecting developing countries. The authors argue that deaths from heart disease and stroke are largely avoidable but lack of effort has resulted in over 50 million deaths, wit...
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a sensitive method to test and assess drug treatments for Chagas disease. The study found that the current drug therapies can only cure the infection in less than 50% of those treated, but also identified a potential new treatment approach.
A study of 187 two-year-old children found that breastfed kids had higher cognitive test scores than non-breasted counterparts, with an average score of 98.1 compared to 89.5. However, the results were not significant after adjusting for mothers' IQ levels.
Researchers have developed a fast method to detect fake Tamiflu using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (DESI-MS), which can analyze samples in under one minute. This new approach is crucial in the fight against counterfeit drugs, with potential applications for large-scale screening during pandemics.
Researchers discuss developments in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), highlighting the potential of targeted drug therapies and cancer stem cell targeting. New molecular technologies aim to improve treatment outcomes and reduce toxic side effects.
Experiments with rats reveal that severing connections between striatal regions decreases compulsive cocaine seeking behavior, highlighting the key role of the striatum in addiction. The findings suggest a complex neural mechanism underlying drug addiction development.
The pharmaceutical industry is failing pregnant women due to a lack of drug development for maternal health, with only 17 drugs in active development. This 'drug drought' is attributed to the high litigation costs associated with testing and developing drugs during pregnancy.
A team of LA BioMed researchers developed a new, more reliable method for measuring protein synthesis and turnover using deuterated water and mass spectrometry. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the dynamics of every protein in the human body accurately for the first time.
A Virginia Tech chemist has developed a computational method to determine the handedness of chiral molecules, which could speed up drug development. This technique eliminates the need for synthesizing the two hands of chiral molecules, reducing time consumption by weeks or years.
A study of 7916 patients found that the cumulative risk of triple-class failure was estimated at 9.2% by 10 years, with evidence suggesting a decrease in this rate over time. Despite extensive failure, many patients retained some virological activity post-failure, and the risk of death was lower than expected.
The Penn State Prevention Research Center is expanding its PROSPER program, which helps young people avoid substance abuse and behavioral problems through partnerships with local communities. The program has shown positive outcomes in family functioning and adolescent substance use rates.
Researchers have discovered a new compound, sLRP1-alpha, that attenuates neuropathic pain in rodents. The study found that sLRP1-alpha reduces inflammation and inhibits pain signals in the nervous system.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created novel biomimetic membranes that can efficiently transport water, making them ideal for desalination and wastewater purification. The membranes' high permeability and selectivity could also be useful for drug delivery applications.
A new 'Twinkle' eye test has been developed to detect vision loss in people with age-related macular disease (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The test relies on a visual illusion that can identify regions of the eye with vision loss, and its results indicate it could be a powerful diagnostic tool.
A study found that a strain of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa developed resistance to multiple drugs due to inadequate drug susceptibility testing. The authors emphasize the need for increased use of drug resistance surveillance programs to prevent further development of XDR TB.
Researchers found that CFTR mutations cause TGN acidity, leading to increased furin activity, which promotes tissue fibrosis and suppresses immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study suggests chloroquine as a potential treatment and identifies furin inhibitors as new therapeutics for cystic fibrosis
A recent editorial highlights the need for further research on bariatric surgery's risks and outcomes to convince non-believers of its benefits for morbidly obese patients. Studies suggest that routine upper GI tests may not be necessary, and complications can have devastating consequences if left untreated.
A new research project aims to integrate radio frequency identification technology into cardiac sensor networks, improving remote medical delivery. The team will also work to enhance the security of the systems used in the process, reducing the possibility of identity theft and cyber-terrorism.
Scientists found that inhibiting Nox1 and Nox2 genes can slow down ALS progression in mice, leading to improved survival rates. The study suggests developing drugs targeting the Nox pathway could be beneficial for individuals with ALS.
A study published in Neurology found that people with multiple sclerosis who stop taking natalizumab may develop more brain lesions, indicating increased disease activity. The results suggest that discontinuing the drug can lead to a rebound increase in disease activity, particularly for those who take it for a short time.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph+) experience poor response to imatinib due to emerging drug-resistant clones. Research reveals signals from the bone marrow microenvironment can sustain viability of Ph+ ALL cells, enabling rapid resistance development.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a suite of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for ginkgo biloba, enabling the validation of analytical methods and support measurements associated with clinical trials or product label claims. The SRMs can also be used by dietary supplement manufacturers to improve p...
A study found that 21% of patients taking verapamil for cluster headaches experienced irregular heartbeats, while 37% had slower than normal heart rates. Close monitoring with electrocardiograms is recommended to mitigate potential heart problems.
A decision aid for patients with diabetes was developed by Victor Montori and colleagues, enabling them to make informed choices about statin use. The tool created a conversation about medications, allowing patients to weigh the benefits and risks of statins.
Preliminary research suggests that hydroxychloroquine reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found a 38% lower risk among those taking hydroxychloroquine, which increased to 77% for longer-term users.
The new criteria focus on a clinical core of early and significant episodic memory impairment, incorporating biomarker-based tests. Validation studies are necessary to optimize sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
The International AIDS Society conference in Sydney drew a record number of 5,000 delegates and featured a new biomedical prevention track, reflecting increasing interest in microbicides and other innovative approaches.
Research found that prenatal toxicity is associated with immunological damage leading to chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, and autoimmunity. The study identified several substances, including herbal and fungal chemicals, that may help restore inflammatory cell regulation.
A recent report highlights the need for medical professionals to be trained in managing rape and sexual assault cases, particularly in the UK. The editorial argues that teaching future doctors about this topic could improve victim responses and increase convictions.
The USGS has developed a new waterborne aquaculture drug, 35% PEROX-AID, which was recently approved by the FDA for use in treating three major freshwater fish diseases. The approval is expected to benefit both commercial and public aquaculture industries, reducing losses estimated at $100 million annually.
A new drug delivery method developed by UBC researcher Kishor M. Wasan has shown promising results in treating devastating fungal infections, including candidemia and aspergillosis, with minimal toxic side effects compared to traditional intravenous administration.
Research reveals significant differences in gene expression between individuals and populations, with individual-level factors dominating variations. This study challenges the notion of biological races, highlighting the importance of understanding human genetic variation for better disease treatment and drug development.
Researchers at The University of Manchester have developed a new type of technology using the world's thinnest material, which can be used to sieve gases and make ultra-fast electronic switches. The discovery has significant implications for the development of medical drugs, as it will potentially allow the rapid analysis of atomic str...
Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered a new therapeutic target, casein kinase 1, which may lead to treatments for Alzheimer's disease that don't cause harmful side effects. By blocking casein kinase 1, production of beta-amyloid proteins can be reduced without affecting Notch signaling.
A new oral corticosteroid therapy has significantly reduced deaths from gastrointestinal graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) in stem-cell transplant patients. The treatment, which includes a reformulated version of beclomethasone dipropionate, kept GVHD in remission and allowed patients to taper off high-dose prednisone therapy.