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Irreversible tissue loss seen within 40 days of spinal cord injury
Link shown between Crohn's disease and virus
NIH Limits Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research
Depressed preschoolers have increased activity in the brain’s amygdala
Role of Arl13b gene in early brain development discovered
Murine study predicts cancer drug responsiveness in human tumors
UCLA stem cell gene therapy for sickle cell disease advances toward clinical trials
New Understanding of Tiny RNA Molecules Could Have Medical Applications from Viral Vaccines to Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases
Doctor-patient communication about dietary supplements could use a vitamin boost
Teaching a Computer to Play ‘Concentration’ Advances Security, Understanding of the Human Mind

Irreversible tissue loss seen within 40 days of spinal cord injury

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:05 AM PDT

The rate and extent of damage to the spinal cord and brain following spinal cord injury have long been a mystery. Now, a joint research effort by UCL, the University of Zurich and University Hospital Balgrist has found evidence that patients already have irreversible tissue loss in the spinal cord within 40 days of injury.

Link shown between Crohn's disease and virus

Posted: 02 Jul 2013 06:57 AM PDT

In a new study, researchers in Stockholm and Uppsala reveal a previously unknown link between Crohn's disease in children and a commonly occurring virus - an enterovirus - in the intestines. The findings, which are presented in the scientific periodical Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, paves the way for a better understanding of what might be involved in causing this chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder.

NIH Limits Chimpanzees in Biomedical Research

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 06:11 PM PDT

Today the leadership of National Institutes of Health (NIH) has decided to significantly reduce the use of chimpanzees in the biomedical research it supports, and expects to designate the majority of NIH-owned chimpanzees for retirement.

The NIH announced the responses to public comments and decisions of the National Institutes of Health regarding the use of chimpanzees in research.

Depressed preschoolers have increased activity in the brain’s amygdala

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 04:20 PM PDT

A new functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study shows that amygdala, a key brain structure that regulates emotions, works differently in preschoolers with depression compared with their healthy peers. The researchers say the findings could lead to ways to identify and treat depressed children earlier in the course of the illness, potentially preventing problems later in life.

The differences, measured using fMRI, provide the earliest evidence yet of changes in brain function in young children with depression.

Role of Arl13b gene in early brain development discovered

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 12:06 PM PDT

Researchers have pinpointed the role of a gene known as Arl13b in guiding the formation and proper placement of neurons in the early stages of brain development. Mutations in the gene could help explain brain malformations often seen in neurodevelopmental disorders.

The research, led by a team at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, was published June 30 in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Murine study predicts cancer drug responsiveness in human tumors

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 11:51 AM PDT

It’s a GEMM of a system. Genetically engineered mouse models that is. Using them allows scientists to study cancer in a way that more naturally mimics how human tumors exist within the complex environment of the body.

UNC scientists used GEMMs to develop biomarkers for challenging molecular subtypes of human breast cancer, those for which there are fewer targets and therapies. Their work helps to further establish genetically engineered mouse models as predictors of human response to therapy.

UCLA stem cell gene therapy for sickle cell disease advances toward clinical trials

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 11:37 AM PDT

Researchers at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have successfully established the foundation for using hematopoietic (blood-producing) stem cells from the bone marrow of patients with sickle cell disease to treat the disease. The study was led by Dr. Donald Kohn, professor of pediatrics and of microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics.

New Understanding of Tiny RNA Molecules Could Have Medical Applications from Viral Vaccines to Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 11:32 AM PDT

A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has identified a family of tiny RNA molecules that work as powerful regulators of the immune response in mammals. Mice who lack these RNA molecules lose their normal infection-fighting ability, whereas mice that overproduce them develop a fatal autoimmune syndrome.

Doctor-patient communication about dietary supplements could use a vitamin boost

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 09:49 AM PDT

Vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements are widely available in supermarkets and drug stores across the nation without a prescription, so it's no surprise that nearly half of all Americans take them.

Teaching a Computer to Play ‘Concentration’ Advances Security, Understanding of the Human Mind

Posted: 01 Jul 2013 09:42 AM PDT

Computer science researchers have programmed a computer to play the game Concentration (also known as Memory). The work could help improve computer security – and improve our understanding of how the human mind works.