science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Σάββατο 18 Ιανουαρίου 2014

Science News SciGuru.com

Scientists design protein to prevent prostate cancer cell growth
Study reveals how ecstasy acts on the brain and hints at therapeutic uses
Ants protect acacia plants against pathogens
High volume of severe sepsis patients may result in better outcomes

Scientists design protein to prevent prostate cancer cell growth

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 08:49 AM PST

Researchers are creating a "designer" protein that could be effective at treating prostate cancer when other therapies fail.

In laboratory tests, the protein hindered the growth of cancer cells even in conditions where conventional therapies are ineffective.

The researchers, from Imperial College London and the University of Essex, hope to develop the protein into a therapeutic that could be trialled in patients within five years.

The findings are published today in the journal Oncotarget.

Study reveals how ecstasy acts on the brain and hints at therapeutic uses

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 08:34 AM PST

Brain imaging experiments have revealed for the first time how ecstasy produces feelings of euphoria in users.

Results of the study at Imperial College London, parts of which were televised in Drugs Live on Channel 4 in 2012, have now been published in the journal Biological Psychiatry.

The findings hint at ways that ecstasy, or MDMA, might be useful in the treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Ants protect acacia plants against pathogens

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 08:25 AM PST

The biological term “symbiosis” refers to what economists and politicians usually call a win-win situation: a relationship between two partners which is beneficial to both. The mutualistic association between acacia plants and the ants that live on them is an excellent example: The plants provide food and accommodation in the form of food bodies and nectar as well as hollow thorns which can be used as nests. The ants return this favour by protecting the plants against herbivores.

High volume of severe sepsis patients may result in better outcomes

Posted: 17 Jan 2014 08:11 AM PST

A recent study led by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows that "practice may make perfect" when it comes to caring for patients with severe sepsis. The study showed that patients admitted to academic medical centers that care for more patients with severe sepsis have significantly lower mortality rates than patients cared for at academic medical centers with lower volumes of sepsis patients. Additionally, the superior outcomes at high volume centers were achieved at similar costs compared to the lower volume medical centers.