News
Genes Evolve To Minimize Protein Production Errors - Scientists at Harvard University and the University of Texas at Austin have found that genetic evolution is strongly shaped by genes’ efforts to prevent or tolerate errors in protein production. Their study also suggests that the cost of errors in protein production may lie in the malformed proteins themselves, rather than the loss of functional proteins.
New Method Enabling Routine Targeted Gene Modification Developed By Consortium - A multi-institutional team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine - a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair.
Identification Of New Cellular Pathway Linked To Cancer May Enable Cells To Be Sensitized To Chemotherapy - In the life of a cell, the response to DNA damage determines whether the cell is fated to pause and repair itself, commit suicide, or grow uncontrollably, a route leading to cancer. In a new study, published in the July 25th issue of Cell, scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have identified a way that cells respond to DNA damage through a process that targets proteins for disposal.
Visually Impaired May Soon Benefit FromTelescope Embedded In Glasses Lens - Glasses embedded with a telescope promise to make it easier for people with impaired vision to drive and do other activities requiring sharper distance vision.
Novel Structure Proteins Could Play A Role In Apoptosis - Isoforms from Novel Structure Proteins (NSP), a new family of genes discovered by researchers in the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine in Temple University’s College of Science and Technology, could be involved in apoptosis or programmed cell death.
Wrong Bra Can Damage Breasts, Say UK Experts - UK experts on breast biomechanics said today that some women could be damaging their breasts by wearing the wrong bra, either because they don’t realize it, or because they are too embarassed to wear the right bra for their size and shape.
Many Gym-goers Are Reading An Answering Text Messages While Using Treadmill - With increasing pressure on workers and businesses it’s probably not a great surprise that one in five of us miss a planned session at the gym because of work commitments. But the fact that nearly one in ten who DO get to the gym actually check their mobile phones and devices for email and text DURING a workout shows that the gym treadmill is a seamless extension of the work treadmill for many.
New Report Examines Current Use And Future Impact On Global Clinical And Reimbursement Practices - Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Evidence-Based Medicine - Current Use and Future Impact on Global Clinical and Reimbursement Practices” report to their offering. Evidence-based medicine is defined as an attempt to use standards from scientifically-collected evidence to improve medical practices by assessing risks and benefits of treatments and/or the lack of treatments.
Bruker BioSpin 1.7mm MicroCryoProbe™ Wins R&D 100 Award For Delivering A Tenfold Jump In NMR Sensitivity For Small Sample Amounts - A 2008 R&D 100 Award has been presented to Bruker BioSpin for its 1.7mm triple resonance NMR MicroCryoProbe™ with breakthrough sensitivity on an active volume of only 30 microliters. The 1.
Clinical Trial Concluded For New Wrinkle Treatment - Gel-Del Technologies, a St. Paul, Minnesota based biomedical device company announced that it has concluded clinical trials of CosmetaLife, a dermal filler injection that company officials say holds potential to be a more effective alternative to currently available treatments for deep lines and wrinkles that activates a more natural skin correction.
Biogenerics Would Reduce Health Care Costs For Patients, Says GPhA - The Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA) today said the availability of a workable pathway that provides timely patient access to safe, affordable and life-saving biogeneric medicines would save consumers and the health care system billions of dollars.
BioPharm America Unveils Conference Program - With only two months until the start of BioPharm America(TM) in Atlanta, September 9-10, 2008, EBD Group today announced the conference’s program highlights covering a wide selection of important industry topics.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Education And Continence Promotion Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - Ms. Newman presented the committee’s findings and began by recommending a name change from the previous consultation to “Continence Promotion, Education and Primary Prevention.” The committee aimed to evaluate the areas of urinary and fecal incontinence, painful bladder syndrome and POP.
NEJM Publishes Nexavar® (sorafenib) Study Demonstrating Major Improvement In Overall Survival In Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma - The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) has today published the results of the Sorafenib HCC Assessment Randomized Protocol (SHARP) Phase 3 trial in which Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets demonstrated that “survival rates at 1 year were 44% in the sorafenib group and 33% in the placebo group.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Management Using Continence Products Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - Dr. Cottenden presented Committee 20’s findings for the final session of the day. He presented a brief overview of the different devices for urinary retention, urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence, and he stated that there is some overlapping usage for certain products across these conditions.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Frail Elderly Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - Dr. DuBeau began by thanking David Fonda, who chaired this committee for the previous consultation and whose work provided the basis for this committee’s endeavors. Dr. DuBeau noted that definitions of “frailty” exist, but for the purposes of this discussion “Frail Elderly” are essentially the vulnerable elderly.
New Method To Manipulate Genetic Material Developed By Consortium - A multi-institutional team of researchers, including scientists at the University of Minnesota Medical School, have developed a powerful tool for genomic research and medicine. The robust method will allow researchers to generate synthetic enzymes that can target and manipulate DNA sequences for inactivation or repair. The potential for discovery is great, said Dan Voytas, Ph.D.
Better Understanding Of Neurodegenerative Disease May Result From New Study Of Gene Evolution - Genetic evolution is strongly shaped by genes’ efforts to prevent or tolerate errors in the production of proteins, scientists at The University of Texas at Austin and Harvard University have found. Their study also suggests that the cost of errors in protein production may lie in the malformed proteins themselves, rather than in the loss of functional proteins.
Innovative New Treatments Take Fear Out Of Dentist’s Chair - Leeds Dental Institute, ranked the top school in the UK for dentistry is currently looking at new and better ways to improve dental treatment and take the fear factor out of the patient experience for good. Professor Jennifer Kirkham, Research Director of Leeds Dental Institute explains: “The laboratory is looking to find safe new ways to control plaque which do not rely on toothpaste.
Neurotherapeutics Presents Special Issue On New Treatments For Alzheimer’s Disease - The editors of Neurotherapeutics are pleased and proud to announce their July issue, devoted to “Novel Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease.” Neurotherapeutics (http://www.neurotherapeutics.org) is the journal of the American Society of Experimental NeuroTherapeutics (ASENT) www.asent.org.
Research Says Fat Friends And Poor Education Helps People Think Thin - Research by economists at the University of Warwick, Dartmouth College, and the University of Leuven, finds that people are powerfully but subconsciously influenced by the weight of those around them. Without being aware of it, the researchers believe, human beings keep up with the weight of the Joneses. For a whole society, this can lead to a spiral of imitative obesity.
Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosis And Treatment: New Guidelines For Primary Care Professionals - Two complementary guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis are published in the August issue of the Allergy journal. These guidelines are the result of a close cooperation between scientists, primary care professionals, and patients’ organisations. GA²LEN, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network contributed to the guidelines representing European research in the field.
National Survey Finds That 14% Of Primary Care Nurses Have Never Undertaken Any Type Of Basic Training In Cardiovascular Disease, UK - More than 1 in 10 primary care nurses lack even basic training in cardiovascular disease (CVD), and nearly a third (28%) said they were not comfortable seeing patients with CVD, in a major survey of the practice nursing profession. The Nursing in Practice - Omron Survey, of more than 800 primary care nurses, by the journal Nursing in Practice (www.nursinginpractice.
Federal Authorities Seize Xiadafil VIP Tablets After Company Refuses To Recall Product, USA - At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized nearly $74,000 worth of Xiadafil VIP tablets, Lots 6K029 and 6K209-SEI, distributed by SEI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Miami, Fla. Although marketed as a dietary supplement to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and for sexual enhancement, these lots represent an illegally marketed drug containing an undeclared ingredient.
Medicare Should Increase Payments For Physician Practices That Acquire And Use HIT To Improve Quality Says American College Of Physicians - “The benefits of widespread adoption of interoperable Health Information Technology (HIT) will be significant, leading to a higher standard of quality in the U.S. healthcare system,” Yul D. Ejnes, MD, FACP, told the House Ways and Means Committee subcommittee on Health today.
Regional Factors Driven By Genetic Diversity Add Complexity To Autoimmune Disease Drug Development - As a group, autoimmune diseases remain one of the most refractory and difficult-to-treat segments of healthcare therapeutics. The underlying genetics of the immune response and the complexities they foster among individual patients make this one of the most challenging areas in all of life science. Until recently, autoimmune disease patients were given little hope for effective treatment.
Australian Study Investigates Shockingly Low Level Of Concern In Elderly Regarding Falls - Despite aggressive efforts to raise awareness in elders of the dangers of falling, a study conducted on Australians 60 and older reported that most did not consider themselves at any great risk, nor did they regard prevention information as relevant to them.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Vesicovaginal Fistula In The Developing World Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - The increasing attention to vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF) in the developing world continued with the first presentation of the afternoon by Dr. DeRidder. He noted the challenges in this area with respect to presenting levels of evidence and recommendation grades due to a scarcity of randomized controlled trials and high-level evidence.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Pathophysiology Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - Dr. Koelbl began the last presentation of the morning session by discussing the various etiologies for detrusor overactivity (neurogenic vs. non-neurogenic) and how different mechanisms are responsible. Neurogenic DO is generally understood to be caused by decreased inhibitory input from the spinal cord or higher centers.
Fourth International Consultation On Incontinence (ICI) - Painful Bladder Syndrome Committee Highlights - PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday.com) - Committee member Jorgen Nordling (Denmark) presented this committee’s report, as Dr. Hanno was not present. He began by proposing a name change for the condition to Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) and remarked on the number of different names for this condition or symptom complex over the last several years.
