Medical News Observer

Keep updated with latest medical research news

Bone marrow derived stem cell therapy shown to reduce inflammation in traumatic brain injury

Results of a cellular therapy clinical trial for traumatic brain injury (TBI) using a patient’s own stem cells showed that the therapy appears to dampen the body’s neuroinflammatory response to trauma and preserve brain tissue, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). The results, which also confirmed safety…
Protein galectin-3 plays role in insulin resistance and glucose intolerance

By removing the protein galectin-3 (Gal3), a team of investigators led by University of California School of Medicine researchers were able to reverse diabetic insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mouse models of obesity and diabetes. By binding to insulin receptors on cells, Gal3 prevents insulin from attaching to the receptors resulting in cellular insulin…
Researchers study foamy retrovirus as a safe gene therapy vector

A Washington State University researcher has developed a way to reduce the development of cancer cells that are an infrequent but dangerous byproduct of gene therapy. Grant Trobridge, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, has altered the way a virus carries a beneficial gene to its target cell. The modified viral vectors reduce the risk…
Shift work and sleep habits in men and cancer association shown in a research study

Men who have worked night shifts for more than 20 years, or who work night shifts without daytime napping, or sleep for more than ten hours per night on average may have an increased risk of cancer, according to a study published in Annals of Medicine. The study, led by scientists based at the Huazhong…
Researchers map Genetic mutations behind X-linked Retinoschisis, a type of macular degeneration

Two gene mutations that trigger a retinal disease that causes blindness in one in 5,000 males have been mapped, leading to the potential for new therapeutic treatments. Researchers from The University of Manchester undertook a structural analysis of X-linked Retinoschisis (XLRS), a genetic disease leading to a type of macular degeneration in which the inner…
Research finds potential cause of chronic inflammation in diabetic patients

Inflammation is one of the main reasons why people with diabetes experience heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems and other, related complications. Now, in a surprise finding, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a possible trigger of chronic inflammation. The study is available Nov. 2 as an advance online publication from…
fABMACS – a new computational tool to simulate drug protein interaction

A new computational tool called fABMACS is helping scientists see beyond static images of proteins to more efficiently understand how these molecules function, which could ultimately speed up the drug discovery process. Simulation of BRD4 interacting with a potent inhibitor. Credit: Dr. Bradley Dickson, Rothbart Laboratory Van Andel Research Institute “The goal of targeted drug…
Fluselenamyl in conjuction with positron emission tomography (PET) scans shown effective in diagnosing early Alzheimer’s disease pathology

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a chemical compound, named Fluselenamyl, that detects amyloid clumps better than current FDA-approved compounds. If a radioactive atom is incorporated into the compound, its location in a living brain can be monitored using positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The compound, described in a paper…
Research finds that better cognitive function is associated with higher physical activity and healthy eating habits (fruits and vegetables)

Findings published this week in the Journal of Public Health reveal that both younger and older Canadian adults who engage in regular physical activity, consume more fruits and vegetables and are normal weight or overweight have overall better cognitive functioning. Regular engagement in physical activity and healthy eating has long been associated with a reduced…
Study finds that hybrid structures composed of DNA and RNA and enzyme RNase H play important role in DNA repair

Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) and Heidelberg University in Germany have found an essential component in the DNA repair process which could open the door to the development of new cancer drugs. Lead researcher Associate Professor Tamás Fischer from ANU said the research found hybrid structures composed of DNA and RNA play an…