science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Τρίτη 24 Δεκεμβρίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Gene therapy method targets tumor blood vessels
New approach to vertex connectivity could maximize networks’ bandwidth
Malaria drug target raises hopes for new treatments

Gene therapy method targets tumor blood vessels

Posted: 24 Dec 2013 06:54 AM PST

Working in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report developing a gene delivery method long sought in the field of gene therapy: a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest that can be injected into the bloodstream and make its way to the right cells.

In this early proof-of-concept study, the scientists have shown that they can target tumor blood vessels in mice without affecting healthy tissues.

New approach to vertex connectivity could maximize networks’ bandwidth

Posted: 23 Dec 2013 05:45 PM PST

Computer scientists are constantly searching for ways to squeeze ever more bandwidth from communications networks.

Now a new approach to understanding a basic concept in graph theory, known as “vertex connectivity,” could ultimately lead to communications protocols — the rules that govern how digital messages are exchanged — that coax as much bandwidth as possible from networks.

Malaria drug target raises hopes for new treatments

Posted: 23 Dec 2013 09:27 AM PST

In a study published in Nature Chemistry, they show that blocking the activity of an enzyme called NMT in the most common malaria parasite prevents mice from showing symptoms and extends their lifespan. The team are working to design molecules that target NMT more potently, and hope to start clinical trials of potential treatments within four years.