science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Δευτέρα 7 Ιανουαρίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Sublingual immunotherapy shows promise as treatment for peanut allergy
Rare Form of Active 'Jumping Genes' Found In Mammals
Targeting use of acid-suppressants in hospital patients
How morphine increases pain in some people - a new pathway to reduce pain identified
Study reveals extraordinary glass properties

Sublingual immunotherapy shows promise as treatment for peanut allergy

Posted: 07 Jan 2013 07:40 AM PST

Peanuts are one of the most common triggers of severe food-induced allergic reactions, which can be fatal, and the prevalence of peanut allergy is increasing. However, there is currently no clinical treatment available for peanut allergy other than strict dietary elimination and, in cases of accidental ingestion, injections of epinephrine.

Rare Form of Active 'Jumping Genes' Found In Mammals

Posted: 07 Jan 2013 07:33 AM PST

Much of the DNA that makes up our genomes can be traced back to strange rogue sequences known as transposable elements, or jumping genes, which are largely idle in mammals. But Johns Hopkins researchers report they have identified a new DNA sequence moving around in bats — the first member of its class found to be active in mammals. The discovery, described in a report published in December on the website of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers a new means of studying evolution, and may help in developing tools for gene therapy, the research team says.

Targeting use of acid-suppressants in hospital patients

Posted: 07 Jan 2013 07:23 AM PST

Gastrointestinal bleeds which occur in the hospital, although rare, are a significant source of morbidity and mortality when they occur. Currently, the prophylactic use of acid-suppressive medication in non-critically ill patients in the hospital is not widely recommended. Despite this, these medications continue to be widely utilized for this purpose.

How morphine increases pain in some people - a new pathway to reduce pain identified

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 06:32 PM PST

New research suggests that adults and children whose pain gets worse when treated with morphine may be closer to a solution. For individuals with agonizing pain, it is a cruel blow when the gold-standard medication actually causes more pain.

"Our research identifies a molecular pathway by which morphine can increase pain, and suggests potential new ways to make morphine effective for more patients," says senior author Dr. Yves De Koninck, Professor at Université Laval in Quebec City.

Study reveals extraordinary glass properties

Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:31 PM PST

Technologically valuable ultrastable glasses can be produced in days or hours with properties corresponding to those that have been aged for thousands of years, computational and laboratory studies have confirmed.