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Material screening method allows more precise control over stem cells
Scientists Help Unravel a Central Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease
Early warning signs of population collapse
Researchers engineer 'protein switch' to dissect role of cancer’s key players
New method restores grip function more quickly to patients with tetraplegia
Feelings of power can diffuse effects of negative stereotypes
Cardiopoietic 'Smart' Stem Cells Show Promise in Heart Failure Patients
Alzheimer Gene ABCA7 Significantly Increases Late-Onset Risk Among African Americans
Researchers Confirm Multiple Genes Robustly Contribute to Schizophrenia Risk in Replication Study

Material screening method allows more precise control over stem cells

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 02:07 PM PDT

When it comes to delivering genes to living human tissue, the odds of success come down the molecule. The entire therapy - including the tools used to bring new genetic material into a cell - must have predictable effects.

Now, a new screening process will simplify non-viral transfection, providing a method researchers and clinicians use to find an optimal set of biomaterials to deliver genes to cells.

Scientists Help Unravel a Central Mystery of Alzheimer’s Disease

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 12:29 PM PDT

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have shed light on one of the major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. The discoveries could lead to a much better understanding of the Alzheimer’s process and how to prevent it.

Early warning signs of population collapse

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:43 AM PDT

Many factors — including climate change, overfishing or loss of food supply — can push a wild animal population to the brink of collapse. Ecologists have long sought ways to measure the risk of such a collapse, which could help wildlife and fishery managers take steps to protect endangered populations.

Researchers engineer 'protein switch' to dissect role of cancer’s key players

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 09:18 AM PDT

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have “rationally rewired” some of the cell’s smallest components to create proteins that can be switched on or off by command. These “protein switches” can be used to interrogate the inner workings of each cell, helping scientists uncover the molecular mechanisms of human health and disease.

New method restores grip function more quickly to patients with tetraplegia

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 09:09 AM PDT

A new method in which a number of operations are performed simultaneously can provide people with tetraplegia with a better grip function and the ability to open their hand. This method also shortens the patient's rehabilitation period by at least three months, reveals a doctoral thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Feelings of power can diffuse effects of negative stereotypes

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 08:52 AM PDT

New research from social psychologists at Indiana University Bloomington suggests that feeling powerful might protect against the debilitating effects of negative stereotypes.

"If you can make women feel powerful, then maybe you can protect them from the consequences of stereotype threat," IU social psychologist Katie Van Loo said.

Cardiopoietic 'Smart' Stem Cells Show Promise in Heart Failure Patients

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 08:03 AM PDT

Translating a Mayo Clinic stem-cell discovery, an international team has demonstrated that therapy with cardiopoietic (cardiogenically-instructed) or "smart" stem cells can improve heart health for people suffering from heart failure. This is the first application in patients of lineage-guided stem cells for targeted regeneration of a failing organ, paving the way to development of next generation regenerative medicine solutions. Results of the clinical trial appear online of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Alzheimer Gene ABCA7 Significantly Increases Late-Onset Risk Among African Americans

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:55 AM PDT

A variation in the gene ABCA7 causes a twofold increase in the risk of late onset Alzheimer disease among African Americans, according to a meta-analysis by a team of researchers including experts from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This is the largest analysis to date to determine genetic risk associated with late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) specifically in African American individuals. The study appears in the April 10 issue of JAMA, a genomics theme issue.

Researchers Confirm Multiple Genes Robustly Contribute to Schizophrenia Risk in Replication Study

Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:48 AM PDT

Multiple genes contribute to risk for schizophrenia and appear to function in pathways related to transmission of signals in the brain and immunity, according to an international study led by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy researchers.

By better understanding the molecular and biological mechanisms involved with schizophrenia, scientists hope to use this new genetic information to one day develop and design drugs that are more efficacious and have fewer side effects.