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When brands tempt us to lie, cheat and steal

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that consumers are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior, such as shoplifting or piracy, if they perceive a company as harming the environment or people. This effect occurs even when consumers have not personally had a bad experience with the company.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateNov 29, 2017

Sclerosis medicine can fight multi-resistant bacteria

Researchers have discovered that glatiramer acetate, a widely used multiple sclerosis treatment, can also effectively kill certain multi-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for treating cystic fibrosis patients and may even provide insight into the underlying causes of multiple sclerosis.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 22, 2017

New combination therapy of registered drugs shortens anti-Wolbachia therapy

A new combination therapy using registered drugs albendazole and antibiotics has dramatically shortened treatment time for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, reducing it from weeks to just seven days. This breakthrough could accelerate elimination of these debilitating diseases, prioritized by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2017

A surprising new role for baker's yeast

Researchers used baker's yeast to test natural compounds from soil-based bacteria, discovering diverse agents affecting various cell processes. These compounds may be used to treat conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 7, 2017

Electron caught in the act

Griffith University researchers used Australia's fastest camera to measure the time it takes for molecules to break apart, achieving a record-breaking 15 millionth of a billionth of a second. This breakthrough could help design new molecules for materials science and drug discovery.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 19, 2017

Choosing a simpler path to drug discovery

A team of scientists from Kyoto University has developed a simpler approach to drug discovery using decision trees, achieving high predictive ability with reduced data sets. The new method could lead to significant cost savings in the drug development process.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFuture Medicinal Chemistry·DateMar 29, 2017

One-two punch may floor worst infections

McMaster researchers have discovered a new combination therapy that effectively treats the world's worst infectious diseases, including superbugs resistant to all known antibiotics. The treatment targets Gram-negative bacteria with an intrinsically impenetrable outer shell, making infections deadly in hospital settings.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMar 6, 2017

Study says drugs could be developed cheaper and faster

Researchers have discovered a new way to identify and test new drugs using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), which analyzes drug molecules based on their response to an electrical field. This technique can measure drug properties in seconds, allowing for high-throughput testing of hundreds or thousands of drugs.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Central Science·DateFeb 22, 2017

Could drugs replace gastric bypass surgery?

Researchers have identified B0AT1 inhibitors as a potential replacement for gastric bypass surgery in treating obesity and related disorders. These compounds, including benztropine, could replicate the effects of gastric bypass by reducing nutrient absorption, offering a new treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateFeb 8, 2017

Faster track to treatment

A team of researchers has identified a network of genes in the brain that contribute to epilepsy, and predicts that a known anti-epileptic drug can restore its function. The study's 'network-biology' approach may provide a faster and cheaper way to discover new treatments.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalGenome Biology·DateDec 12, 2016