Public Release:
5-Jul-2009
Nature
Medicine
GUMC
discovery highlights new direction for drug discovery
In a discovery that rebuffs conventional scientific thinking,
researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered a
novel way to block the activity of the fusion protein responsible for
Ewing's sarcoma, a rare cancer found in children and young adults.
National Institutes of Health,
Children's Cancer Foundation, Go4theGoal
Foundation, Dani's Foundation, Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative,
Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation, Burroughs-Wellcome Fund
Contact:
Karen Mallet
km463@georgetown.edu
215-514-9751
Georgetown University
Medical Center
Public Release:
5-Jul-2009
Nature
Genetics
Variations
in 5 genes raise risk for most common brain tumors
Common genetic variations spread across five genes raise a person's
risk of developing the most frequent type of brain tumor, an
international research team reports online in Nature Genetics.
Contact:
Scott Merville
smerville@mdanderson.org
713-792-0661
University of Texas M.
D. Anderson Cancer Center
Public Release:
5-Jul-2009
Nature
Gladstone
scientists identify genetic factors that hold promise for treatment of
vascular diseases
Researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease have
discovered a key switch that makes stem cells turn into the type of
muscle cells that reside in the wall of blood vessels. The same switch
might be used in the future to limit growth of vascular muscle cells
that cause narrowing of arteries leading to heart attacks and strokes,
limit formation of blood vessels that feed cancers or make new blood
vessels for organs that are not getting enough blood flow.
National Institutes of Health,
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, American Heart
Association
Contact:
Valerie Tucker
vtucker@gladstone.ucsf.edu
415-734-2019
Gladstone
Institutes
Public Release:
6-Jul-2009
Cancer Cell
Ready
for relapse: Molecule helps breast cancer cells to survive in the bone
marrow
Patients who survive an initial diagnosis of breast cancer often
succumb to the disease years later when the cancer shows up in a
different part of the body. Now, scientists have identified key signals
that support the long term survival of breast cancer cells after they
have spread to the bone marrow.
Contact:
Cathleen Genova
cgenova@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press
Public Release: 6-Jul-2009
Archives of General Psychiatry
Health food supplement may curb compulsive hair pulling
University of Minnesota Medical School researchers have discovered that
a common anti-oxidant, widely available as a health food supplement,
may help stop the urges of those with trichotillomania, a disorder
characterized by compulsive hair-pulling.
University of Minnesota Medical School
Contact: Nick Hanson
hans2853@umn.edu
651-235-2265
University of MinnesotaPublic Release: 6-Jul-2009
Nature Neuroscience
New study pinpoints difference in the way children with autism learn new behaviors
Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine have collaborated to uncover important
new insights into the neurological basis of autism.
National Alliance for Autism Research/Autism Speaks, National
Institutes of Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Contact: Megan Lustig
mlustig@spectrumscience.com
202-955-6222
Kennedy Krieger InstitutePublic Release: 6-Jul-2009
Brain
CU-Boulder study shows brain's immune system may cause chronic seizures
Chronic seizures caused by traumatic head injuries may result from
chemicals released by the brain's immune system attempting to repair
the injured site, according to a study led by the University of
Colorado at Boulder.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: Daniel Barth
daniel.barth@colorado.edu
303-492-0359
University of Colorado at BoulderPublic Release: 6-Jul-2009
Journal of Anatomy
Ancient fossils shed light on anatomical changes accompanying evolution of first land vertebrates
Long before mammals, birds, and even dinosaurs roamed the Earth, the
first four-legged creatures made their first steps onto land. These
early land vertebrates varied considerably in size and shape. To
understand the anatomical changes that accompanied this diversity,
paleontologist Jennifer Clack teamed up with two biologists who work on
living fishes -- Charles Kimmel of the University of Oregon, and Brian
Sidlauskas of the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in North
Carolina.
Contact: Robin Ann Smith
rsmith@nescent.org
919-668-4544
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)Public Release: 7-Jul-2009
Clinical Cancer Research
Stanford study bolsters case for preventive prostate cancer treatment
For the last six years, doctors have faced a dilemma about whether to
treat men at risk of prostate cancer with the drug finasteride. Now new
research from Stanford University School of Medicine appears to show
that the drug did not cause those more aggressive forms of prostate
cancer but simply made them easier to diagnose. The findings, which are
to be published July 7 in Clinical Cancer Research, suggest that
doctors can be less cautious in use of finasteride.
Contact: Jonathan Rabinovitz
jrabin@stanford.edu
650-724-2459
Stanford University Medical CenterPublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
Journal of Neuroscience
Single gene mutation responsible for 'catastrophic epilepsy'
Catastrophic epilepsy -- characterized by severe muscle spasms,
persistent seizures, mental retardation and sometimes autism -- results
from a mutation in a single gene, said Baylor College of Medicine
researchers in a report that appears in the current issue of the
Journal of Neuroscience.
Peter Kellaway Memorial Research Fund, Blue Bird Circle Foundation, National Institutes of Health, PACE Foundation
Contact: Graciela Gutierrez
ggutierr@bcm.edu
713-798-4710
Baylor College of MedicinePublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
BMC Biology
Erythropoietin boosts brainpower
Healthy young mice treated with erythropoietin show lasting improved
performance in learning and other higher brain functions. Researchers
writing in the open access journal BMC Biology tested the cognitive
effects of the growth factor, finding that it improved the sequential
learning and memory components of a complex long-term cognitive task.
Contact: Graeme Baldwin
graeme.baldwin@biomedcentral.com
44-020-319-22165
BioMed CentralPublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Muscle rubs: Use for pain is questionable
There is not enough evidence to support using gels and creams
containing rubefacients for chronic and acute pain, according to a
systematic review by Cochrane Researchers. Rubefacients cause
irritation and reddening of the skin, due to increased blood flow. The
review focused on formulations containing salicylates, which are widely
prescribed or sold over the counter as topical treatments for sports
injuries and muscle pain.
Contact: Jennifer Beal
medicalnews@wiley.com
44-012-437-70633
Wiley-BlackwellPublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
Cochrane Library
Chinese herbs for endometriosis
Chinese herbal medicine may relieve symptoms in the treatment of
endometriosis. A systematic review by Cochrane researchers found some
evidence that women had comparable benefits following laparoscopic
surgery and suffered fewer adverse effects if they were given Chinese
herbs compared with conventional drug treatments.
Contact: Jennifer Beal
medicalnews@wiley.com
44-012-437-70633
Wiley-BlackwellVital SignsRegimens: Licorice May Curb a Postoperative HurtOne
annoying consequence of surgery is the painful sore throat that follows
recovery from anesthesia, but a small study suggests a simple and cheap
way to reduce the risk: gargle with licorice just before going under.By NICHOLAS BAKALARPublished: July 6, 2009
Black Holes, a Riddle All Their Own, May Be Fueling the BlobsBlack
holes might seem like the most inwardly focused denizens of the
universe.But astronomers have found growing evidence that black holes
can be extroverts. Black holes seem to be able to regulate other
objects’ cosmic growth by a fiery feedback of light and other radiation
from material on its way to oblivion.By DENNIS OVERBYEJuly 7, 2009
A Doctor by Choice, a Businessman by NecessityA greater focus on money comes at a cost to the medical profession.By SANDEEP JAUHAR, M.D.
July 6, 2009
Public Release: 7-Jul-2009
Cochrane Library
Progressive resistance strength training helps older people in daily life
Progressive resistance strength training not only helps older adults
become stronger but also makes their everyday life easier, a Cochrane
Review suggests.
Contact: Jennifer Beal
medicalnews@wiley.com
44-012-437-70633
Wiley-BlackwellPublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
Cochrane Library
Blood pressure targets: Aiming lower offers no benefit
Aiming for lower than standard blood pressure targets offers no known
clinical benefit, according to a Cochrane Review. In a systematic
review of the evidence, researchers found that using antihypertensive
drugs to reduce blood pressure below the 140/90 mm Hg standard was not
associated with any reduction in death rates or serious morbidity.
Contact: Jennifer Beal
medicalnews@wiley.com
44-012-437-70633
Wiley-BlackwellPublic Release: 7-Jul-2009
Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
Operation for aneurysm yields nearly normal longevity
Preventive operations are being used more and more often to treat
abdominal aortic aneurysms. Even though the operation is now being
offered to ever older and sicker patients, the long-term survival of
those who have had the operation has improved over the last two
decades. This is shown in a major Swedish study in which researchers
from Uppsala University examined 12,000 patients. The findings are
published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Contact: Kevin Mani
kevin.mani@surgsci.uu.se
46-070-690-5463
Uppsala UniversityDieting Monkeys Offer Hope for Living LongerA study of monkeys suggests that people could in principle extend their life span by following a calorie-restricted diet.By NICHOLAS WADEAs Unbreakable as ... Glass?With new technology, builders are imagining structures made entirely of glass.* Slide Show: Building With GlassBy HENRY FOUNTAIN
Public Release: 7-Jul-2009
Remote-control closed system invented for inserting radio-active atoms inside fullerenes
A hands-off process for filling fullerenes with radioactive material is
being tested to see if it will produce multimodality material for
better imaging and targeting of treatment of brain tumors.
NIH/National Cancer Institute
Contact: Susan Trulove
STrulove@vt.edu
540-231-5646
Virginia TechHow the turtle's shell developedScientists have revealed a spectacular insight into turtle evolution - how the unique animals get their shells.
By Victoria Gill Science reporter, BBC News
10 July 2009 12:41 UK
Public Release: 8-Jul-2009
Nature
Easter Island compound extends lifespan of old mice
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and two
collaborating centers report that rapamycin, a compound first
discovered in soil of Easter Island, extended the expected lifespan of
middle-aged mice by 28 percent to 38 percent. In human terms, this
would be greater than the predicted increase in extra years of life if
cancer and heart disease were both cured and prevented.
NIH/National Institute on Aging
Contact: Will Sansom
sansom@uthscsa.edu
210-567-2579
University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioPublic Release: 8-Jul-2009
Public Health Nutrition
Fruit and vegetable intake in pregnant women reduces risk of upper respiratory tract infection
Boston University School of Medicine researchers have observed in a
study of pregnant women that consumption of at least seven servings per
day of fruits and vegetables moderately reduced the risk of developing
an upper respiratory tract infection. The BUSM study appears online in
the journal Public Health Nutrition.
Contact: Michelle Roberts
michelle.roberts@bmc.org
617-638-8491
Boston University Medical CenterPublic Release: 8-Jul-2009
Annals of Internal Medicine
Health clinic conditions may be to blame for decrease in primary care physicians
Adverse work conditions may be to blame for the decline in the number
of primary care physicians nationwide, according to a study published
in the latest issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Contact: Nora Plunkett
nplunkett@lumc.edu
708-216-6268
Loyola University Health System
Monkeys
have a memory for grammar
00:01 08 July 2009
Cotton-topped tamarin monkeys can remember grammatical
patterns, hinting that basic memory functions play a role in language
Public Release: 8-Jul-2009
Nature
Explosive growth of life on Earth fueled by early greening of planet
Earth's 4.5-billion-year history is filled with several turning points
but one of the biggest is the Cambrian explosion of life, roughly 540
million years ago, when complex, multicellular life burst out all over
the planet. Now, researchers led by Arizona State University geologist
L. Paul Knauth believe they have found the trigger for the Cambrian
explosion.
NASA, National Science Foundation
Contact: Skip Derra
skip.derra@asu.edu
480-965-4823
Arizona State UniversityPublic Release: 8-Jul-2009
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Inflammation may trigger Alzheimer's disease, Saint Louis University findings suggest
New Saint Louis University research sheds light on what causes Alzheimer's disease and suggests a possible therapy.
National Institutes of Health, US Department of Veteran's Affairs
Contact: Nancy Solomon
solomonn@slu.edu
314-977-8017
Saint Louis University
Public Release: 9-Jul-2009
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention
Link between migraines and reduced breast cancer risk confirmed in follow-up study
The relationship between migraine headaches in women and a significant
reduction in breast cancer risk has been confirmed in a follow-on study
to landmark research published last year and conducted by scientists at
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The new study found a 26
percent reduced risk of breast cancer among both premenopausal and
postmenopausal women with a clinical diagnosis of migraines.
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Contact: Dean Forbes
dforbes@fhcrc.org
206-667-2896
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Public Release: 10-Jul-2009
Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
New oral agents may prevent injury after radiation exposure
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine and collaborators
have discovered and analyzed several new compounds, collectively called
the ''EUK-400 series,'' which could someday be used to prevent
radiation-induced injuries to kidneys, lungs, skin, intestinal tract
and brains of radiological terrorism victims.
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Contact: Allison Rubin
allison.rubin@gmail.com
617-638-8490
Boston University Medical Center
Public Release: 10-Jul-2009
Losing sight of people in a crowd can spell disaster, warns new report
Focusing on technology instead of people is a key factor in events
going wrong, according to a major series of reports into crowd behavior
and management, published this week.
UK Government
Contact: Jo Kelly
jokelly@campuspr.co.uk
44-113-258-9880
University of Leeds
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