Curing Death by Curing Aging - June 2008 Archives

Blue light used to harden tooth fillings stunts tumor growth (6/30/2008)

A blue curing light used to harden dental fillings also may stunt tumor growth ...> Full Article

Study opening new route for combating viruses (6/30/2008)

A unique technique for analyzing the function of microRNAs has led to the discovery of a new mechanism by which viruses evade the human immune system. ...> Full Article

Pregnancy May Help Protect Against Bladder Cancer (6/30/2008)

Pregnancy seems to confer some protection against bladder cancer in mice, scientists have found. ...> Full Article

Faulty DNA Repair could be a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers (6/30/2008)

Faulty DNA Repair could be a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer in Nonsmokers ...> Full Article

Researchers identify promising cancer drug target in prostate tumors (6/30/2008)

Scientists have blocked the development of prostate tumors in cancer-prone mice by knocking out a molecular unit they describe as a "powerhouse" that drives runaway cell growth. ...> Full Article

Study suggests a little milk could go a long way for your heart (6/30/2008)

New research links drinking lowfat milk to lower risk for heart disease ...> Full Article

New 'Photo Op' For Ovaries May Solve Some Mysteries Of Infertility (6/29/2008)

What causes a woman's eggs to deteriorate in quality with age, and can that be reversed? ...> Full Article

Seniors with type 2 diabetes may experience memory declines immediately after eating unhealthy meal (6/29/2008)

Can be offset by taking antioxidant vitamins with meal, but healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is best defense ...> Full Article

Higher Coffee Consumption Associated with Lower Liver Cancer Risk (6/29/2008)

Liver Cancer is the Third Most Common Global Cause of Cancer Death ...> Full Article

Inadequate Sleep May Exacerbate Cellular Aging (6/29/2008)

Cellular response to sleep deprivation is impaired in old mice ...> Full Article

Number of People with Diabetes Increases to 24 Million (6/29/2008)

Estimates of Diagnosed Diabetes Now Available for all U.S. Counties ...> Full Article

New Research On Mutation In Yeast Can Enhance Understanding Of Human Diseases (6/28/2008)

Yeast, a model organism heavily relied upon for studying basic biological processes as they relate to human health, mutates in a distinctly different pattern than other model organisms, a finding that brings researchers closer to understanding the role of evolutionary genetics in human diseases and cancer. ...> Full Article

Genetic profiling for breast cancer on the horizon (6/28/2008)

Scientists have shown it may soon be possible to offer women a genetic test to assess their risk of breast cancer which could aid early diagnosis for those at high risk of the disease. ...> Full Article

New Approach to HIV Vaccine Research (6/28/2008)

A new national effort to create a vaccine against HIV will include work by a University of Rochester Medical Center rheumatologist who is an expert on a portion of the immune system that has sometimes gotten short shrift in the fight against HIV. ...> Full Article

Small Protein Can Broaden Immune Response in Humans (6/27/2008)

Treating cancer patients with interleukin-7 (IL-7), a small protein that can stimulate the immune system, leads to an increase in lymphocytes which are key to the production of effective immune responses in the body ...> Full Article

Marine organisms could hold the secret to reducing cancer (6/27/2008)

Research into why a tea derived from an ancient crop from the western Pacific could be responsible for reducing the risk of cancer ...> Full Article

Seasonal variations linked to heart failure (6/27/2008)

An association between winter months and an increase in heart failure has been confirmed ...> Full Article

Researchers overcome chemotherapy resistance in the lab (6/27/2008)

Re-purposed Malaysian folk medication reduces resistance to cancer treatments ...> Full Article

Models help scientists understand brain cancer (6/27/2008)

Transplanting brain cancer cells directly into similar tissues of immune-deficient mice created a model for the disease that preserved the brain tumor stem cells from which the cancers derived ...> Full Article

Subtle Nervous System Abnormalities Appear To Predict Risk Of Death In Older Individuals (6/26/2008)

Subtle but clinically detectable neurological abnormalities, such as reduced reflexes and an unstable posture, may be associated with the risk of death and stroke in otherwise healthy older adults ...> Full Article

Laser Surgery Probe Targets Individual Cancer Cells (6/26/2008)

Mechanical engineering has developed a laser "microscalpel" that destroys a single cell while leaving nearby cells intact, which could improve the precision of surgeries for cancer, epilepsy and other diseases. ...> Full Article

Common Laser Surgery Used In Uncommon Cancer (6/26/2008)

During a routine eye exam earlier this year, Mike Samogala learned he had a rare form of cancer known as melanoma of the eye. Because the cancer was so advanced, surgeons had to remove his eye to save his life. ...> Full Article

Could new discovery about a shape-shifting protein lead to a mighty 'morpheein' bacteria fighter? (6/26/2008)

A small molecule that locks an essential enzyme in an inactive form could one day form the basis of a new class of unbeatable, species-specific antibiotics ...> Full Article

New Cancer Treatment Targets Both Tumor Cells and Blood Vessels (6/25/2008)

researchers develop non-toxic treatment that has broad anti-cancer potential ...> Full Article

Structural protein defect linked to sudden death risk (6/25/2008)

For about one-fourth of people with an inherited heart problem called long QT syndrome, the source of their problem was a mystery - until researchers pinpointed a defect in a structural protein ...> Full Article

Study Provides Detail on How Low Blood Flow Promotes Vascular Disease (6/25/2008)

Researchers have found the first direct proof that a key protein drives the clogging of arteries in two ways, and that lowering levels of it opens them up ...> Full Article

Blocking Protein Proves Toxic to Myeloma Cells (6/25/2008)

Researchers have found that cells from a blood-borne cancer called multiple myeloma rely on the activity of a single protein, IRF4, for the activation of a wide range of genes responsible for cell survival and spread. Blocking the production of this protein can be strikingly effective in eliminating cancer cells in laboratory models of multiple myeloma. ...> Full Article

Drug-Releasing Stents May Help Avoid Repeat Procedures to Unclog Heart Arteries (6/25/2008)

The widespread use of drug-releasing coronary artery stents in routine practice is associated with a decrease in the need for repeat procedures to unblock heart arteries, and also does not appear to increase the risk of death, compared to bare-metal stents ...> Full Article

Team discovers new inhibitors of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells (6/24/2008)

Researchers have discovered a new family of agents that inhibit the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. ...> Full Article

New therapy shows promise for fighting treatment-resistant cancer cells (6/24/2008)

There is a real possibility for treating the most challenging cancer cases ...> Full Article

Best code for disease detection, bar none (6/24/2008)

Malaria and dengue fever will be the early targets of new trans-Pacific research using minuscule "barcodes" to detect disease. ...> Full Article

Scientists find 5 genes involved in the metastasis of breast tumours to the lung (6/24/2008)

According to the results of this study, of the five genes identified, the Tenascina-C gene seems to be a good therapeutic target for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. ...> Full Article

Protein discovery may bolster antibiotic development (6/24/2008)

Researchers have discovered the first ever three-dimensional structure of a protein family that may help in developing more effective antibiotics. ...> Full Article

Getting Better with a Little Help from Our 'Micro' Friends (6/24/2008)

A naturally occurring molecule made by symbiotic gut bacteria may offer a new type of treatment for inflammatory bowel disease ...> Full Article

Improving understanding of cell behaviour in breast cancer (6/23/2008)

Researchers are combining a number of approaches in a dynamic effort to improve our understanding of cell behaviour in breast cancer ...> Full Article

Lifestyle can alter gene activity, lead to insulin resistance (6/23/2008)

A Finnish study of identical twins has found that physical inactivity and acquired obesity can impair expression of the genes which help the cells produce energy. The findings suggest that lifestyle, more than heredity, contributes to insulin resistance in people who are obese. Insulin resistance increases the chance of developing diabetes and heart disease. ...> Full Article

Patient's own infection-fighting T cells put late-stage melanoma into long-term remission - without chemotherapy or radiation (6/23/2008)

Case is first to show safety and effectiveness of using cloned cells alone to kill tumors ...> Full Article

Computer predicts anti-cancer molecules (6/23/2008)

New computer-based method of analyzing cellular activity has correctly predicted the anti-tumour activity of several molecules ...> Full Article

Leukemia drug could save lives of stroke patients (6/23/2008)

Studies in mice reveal why tPA may cause brain damage ...> Full Article

Genes that boost good cholesterol may protect against heart disease (6/22/2008)

More than one in three people have genetic variations which raise 'good cholesterol' and may protect against heart disease ...> Full Article

'Obesity' gene linked to eating more (6/22/2008)

People with a variant of the first common gene linked to obesity on average eat more ...> Full Article

Common cooking spice shows promise in combating diabetes and obesity (6/22/2008)

Shown to reverse inflammation associated with obesity and improves blood sugar control ...> Full Article

Modulated radiotherapy can cut treatment time for cancer of the rectum without increasing toxicity (6/21/2008)

Application of modulated radiotherapy in the treatment of bowel cancer can enhance the results obtained by means of other conventional therapies. ...> Full Article

Test of bacteria toxin delivery system could pave way for new antibiotic drugs (6/21/2008)

Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in monitoring the toxin-delivery system of highly pathogenic bacteria - an accomplishment that could help pave the way for new drugs that will be capable of neutralizing those germs. ...> Full Article

Team finds key mechanism of DDT resistance in malarial mosquitoes (6/21/2008)

Researchers have identified a key detoxifying protein in Anopheles mosquitoes that metabolizes DDT, a synthetic insecticide used since World War II to control the mosquitoes that spread malaria. ...> Full Article

Study of syphilis bacteria yields valuable diagnostic tool (6/20/2008)

Variations in a gene within the family of bacteria that causes syphilis may hold clinical, epidemiological and evolutionary significance ...> Full Article

PET/CT scan could be valuable noninvasive tool for determining stages of ovarian cancer (6/20/2008)

Safer alternative could reduce number of unnecessary surgeries ...> Full Article

Researchers discover Legionnaire microbe's tricks (6/20/2008)

Researchers have shed new light how bacteria like the ones that cause Legionnaires' disease and Q-fever raise such havoc in human patients ...> Full Article

Salmonella: Trickier Than We Imagined (6/19/2008)

Salmonella is serving up a surprise not only for tomato lovers around the country but also for scientists who study the rod-shaped bacterium that causes misery for millions of people. ...> Full Article

Mutant Mouse Mimics Human Bone Cancer (6/19/2008)

Researchers have developed a mouse model of osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer ...> Full Article

Hearing loss is common in people with diabetes (6/19/2008)

Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease ...> Full Article

Gene Mutation Improves Leukemia Drug's Effect (6/19/2008)

Research shows that a mutation present in some cases of acute leukemia makes the disease more susceptible to high doses of a particular anticancer drug. ...> Full Article

Urologists identify seven biomarkers that may help pinpoint prostate cancer recurrence (6/18/2008)

A simple blood test may help doctors better predict whether prostate cancer will recur or spread in patients who have undergone surgery for the disease ...> Full Article

Treated diabetes associated with increased risk for depression (6/18/2008)

Persons with treated type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for developing depression, while a more modest association was found between persons with depression and the risk of diabetes ...> Full Article

Experimental anti-cancer synthetic molecule targets tumor cell growth and angiogenesis (6/18/2008)

A recent study describes a new candidate anti-cancer drug, named HB-19 ...> Full Article

New possibilities for breast cancer treatment on the horizon (6/17/2008)

Custom-built breast PET/CT scanner could advance breast cancer treatment, ...> Full Article

New study shows potential to treat or prevent viral cancers (6/17/2008)

Targeting viral antigens offers a novel option to treat-or even prevent- many viral cancers by targeting cancer cells expressing viral antigens or infected cells before they convert into malignancy ...> Full Article

CT Lung Cancer Screening No Cure-All for Smokers (6/16/2008)

Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography (CT) may help reduce lung cancer deaths in current and former smokers, but it won't protect them from other causes of death associated with smoking ...> Full Article

Scientists Discover How Cells Move a Critical Protein (6/16/2008)

Researchers have found the pathway through which a signaling protein called Smoothened (Smo) can move into the primary cilium, a discovery that could eventually translate into therapeutic treatments for cancer. ...> Full Article

Scientists follow evolutionary trail of molecules that cause Lou Gehrig's disease (6/16/2008)

Researchers show how a single mutation in the human form of the VAMP-Associated Protein B (VAPB) contributes to the nerve and muscle breakdown in flies and worms, similar to ALS in humans. ...> Full Article

Study examines link between gut bacteria, obesity (6/16/2008)

Researchers examine the role that bacteria found in the human gastrointestinal tract play in regulating weight and the development of obesity. ...> Full Article

Tsunami in the Brain (6/16/2008)

After a stroke, waves of electrical discharge in the human brain cause more nerve cells to die ...> Full Article

Remembering 'ABCs' Could Help Identify Skin Cancer Warning Signs (6/15/2008)

Recognizing precancerous moles could be as easy as remembering your ABCs. ...> Full Article

Researchers Identify Biofilms That Cause Infection (6/15/2008)

Understanding the way bacterial cells "talk" to each other could lead to more effective methods for fighting the often persistent and serious infections caused by the biofilms they form ...> Full Article

Cell surface receptors are all 'talk' in T cell stimulation (6/15/2008)

Researcher describes how cell surface receptors cooperate to generate immune responses in a process referred to as costimulation ...> Full Article

Study Finds Benefits to Earlier Colon Cancer Screenings (6/15/2008)

Patients would benefit by having colon cancer screenings earlier than currently recommended ...> Full Article

Avoiding Infections Helps Keep Cancer Patients Healthy (6/15/2008)

Infections are a major cause of illness and death in cancer patients, but simple steps and common sense can help keep patients healthy and improve their chances of a good recovery. ...> Full Article

Women, Smoking and Heart Disease (6/14/2008)

Researchers Say Toenails Tell the Tale ...> Full Article

Researchers discover gene linked to adult-onset obesity (6/14/2008)

Researchers have discovered a gene that may provide a clue as to why obesity rates increase with age ...> Full Article

'Addicted' cells provide early cancer diagnosis (6/14/2008)

Researchers have detected subtle changes that may make the bowel more vulnerable to the development of tumours. ...> Full Article

Raloxifene reduces risk of invasive estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer (6/14/2008)

Women who took raloxifene were less likely to develop invasive estrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer compared with women who did not ...> Full Article

Enhanced Chickens, Eggs, May Prevent Breast Cancer (6/14/2008)

Researchers are studying whether adding a component of cotton plants to chicken feed might result in anti-cancer eggs and chicken meat. ...> Full Article

Cancer incidence and mortality in young people decreases with increasing deprivation (6/13/2008)

Results of research into the associations between cancer and socio-economic deprivation and affluence have shown that, in contrast to cancers in older people, the numbers of new cases and deaths from the disease in teenagers and young adults (TYAs) decrease with increasing deprivation ...> Full Article

Anti-estrogen Drug Therapy Reduces Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer in Older Women (6/13/2008)

New analysis of a drug approved for osteoporosis prevention and treatment has provided definitive evidence that the medication is also effective as a breast cancer preventative for certain cancers. ...> Full Article

A protein sequence associated with Huntington's disease may become life-saving vaccine component (6/13/2008)

Protein sequence important in neurodegenerative Huntington's disease can be safely used as a new generation of vaccine adjuvants. ...> Full Article

Men With Vitamin D Deficiency May Have Increased Risk Of Heart Attack (6/12/2008)

Low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in men ...> Full Article

Bird Flu Strains have Acquired Properties that Might Enhance Potential to Infect Humans (6/12/2008)

Study suggests that some North American avian influenza A H7 virus strains have properties that might enhance their potential to infect humans as well as their potential to spread from human to human. ...> Full Article

Researchers block the transmission of malaria in animal tests (6/12/2008)

By disrupting the potassium channel of the malaria parasite, a team of researchers has been able to prevent the malaria parasites from forming in mosquitoes and has thereby broken the cycle of infection during recent animal tests. ...> Full Article

Promising Advances in Islet Cell Transplants for Diabetes (6/11/2008)

Researchers have modified the procedure for islet cell transplantation and achieved insulin independence in diabetes patients with fewer but better-functioning pancreatic islet cells. ...> Full Article

Largest Ever Study of Diabetes Shows Intensive Glucose Control Reduces Serious Complications (6/11/2008)

ADVANCE Results go Beyond Existing Evidence ...> Full Article

Researchers discover traits of aggressive form of prostate cancer (6/10/2008)

Prostate cancer linked with SPINK1 gene occurs in 10 percent of cases ...> Full Article

Solid Tumor Cells Not Killed by Radiation and Chemotherapy Become Stronger (6/10/2008)

Because of the way solid tumors adapt the body's machinery to bring themselves more oxygen, chemotherapy and radiation may actually make these tumors stronger. ...> Full Article

Microenvironment a main driver of aggressive multi-lineage leukemia disease type (6/10/2008)

Study yields clues into different leukemia forms and possible therapeutic targets ...> Full Article

Outing the outliers: Strategy matches oncogene with subtype of prostate cancer (6/10/2008)

A new study reveals a previously unidentified candidate oncogene that appears to play a significant role in a subset of prostate cancers. ...> Full Article

Niacin's role in maintaining good cholesterol (6/8/2008)

A research team has uncovered the likely target of niacin (vitamin B3) in the liver, which should provide a clearer picture of how this vitamin helps maintain adequate HDL-cholesterol levels in the blood and thus lower the risk of heart disease. ...> Full Article

New drug to stop tuberculosis epidemic (6/8/2008)

Researchers are developing a new drug against tuberculosis (TB), one of the oldest human infectious diseases, which is now threatening to reach epidemic proportions once more. ...> Full Article

Adult stem cell findings offer new hope for Parkinson's cure (6/8/2008)

Research released today provides evidence that a cure for Parkinson's disease could lie just inside the nose of patients themselves. ...> Full Article

Clinical study shows biological and clinical activity in relapsed leukemia patients (6/7/2008)

Single-agent induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in patients' CLL cells, reduces leukocyte count in some patients and is generally well tolerated ...> Full Article

Synthetic molecules hold promise for new family of anti-cancer drugs (6/7/2008)

Synthetic molecules designed by two Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers have succeeded in reducing and even eliminating the growth of human malignant tissues in mice, while having no toxic effects on normal tissue. ...> Full Article

Cancer Center Study Links Vitamin D, Type 1 Diabetes (6/7/2008)

Global View Supports Concept of Using Vitamin D in Reducing Disease Risks ...> Full Article

Brief, intense exercise benefits the heart (6/6/2008)

Short bursts of high intensity sprints-known to benefit muscle and improve exercise performance-can improve the function and structure of blood vessels, in particular arteries that deliver blood to our muscles and heart ...> Full Article

Long-term Pesticide Exposure May Increase Risk of Diabetes (6/6/2008)

Licensed pesticide applicators who used chlorinated pesticides on more than 100 days in their lifetime were at greater risk of diabetes ...> Full Article

Substance in red wine found to keep hearts young (6/6/2008)

How do the French get away with a clean bill of heart health despite a diet loaded with saturated fats? Scientists have long suspected that the answer to the so-called "French paradox" lies in red wine. Now, the results of a new study bring them closer to understanding why. ...> Full Article

For Patients With Colon Cancer, Family History Of Colorectal Cancer Associated With Reduced Risk Of Recurrence And Death (6/5/2008)

Among patients with advanced colon cancer receiving treatment that includes chemotherapy, a family history of colorectal cancer is associated with a significant reduction in cancer recurrence and death, with the risk reduced further by having an increasing number of affected first-degree relatives ...> Full Article

Oestrogen applied to the human penis could stop the spread of HIV (6/5/2008)

In a world first, a new study has shown that topical oestrogen could help prevent HIV infection by blocking entry of the virus into the human penis. ...> Full Article

Cancer researchers develop new, non-toxic agents to locate tumors (6/5/2008)

Researchers have developed new contrast agents using natural calcium and proteins that are harmless and are more effective at detecting tumors. ...> Full Article

Manipulation of molecule protects intestinal cells from radiation (6/5/2008)

A new study identifies a signaling molecule that plays a major role in radiation-induced intestinal damage ...> Full Article

Treatment Improves Walking Ability of Parkinson's Patients (6/4/2008)

Pilot Study Tests Treatment Called "Functional Electrical Stimulation" ...> Full Article

Vaccine May Double Survival in Patients with Deadly Brain Tumors (6/4/2008)

A vaccine aimed at inducing immunity to the most common and deadly type of brain tumor may stave off recurrence and more than double survival in patients ...> Full Article

New kidney protein speeds/improves the diagnosis of failing kidneys (6/4/2008)

NGAL protein levels in simple urine test reveal sudden kidney failure days sooner than current tests ...> Full Article

Gender, Colorectal Cancer Survival Linked (6/3/2008)

Findings call for further study into the role of hormonal status in survival, USC researchers say. ...> Full Article

How advanced prostate cancer becomes resistant to androgen-deprivation therapy (6/3/2008)

Findings suggest androgen production occurs within metastatic prostate tumors ...> Full Article

Scientists confirm link between inflammation, cancer (6/3/2008)

Chronic inflammation of the intestine or stomach can damage DNA, increasing the risk of cancer ...> Full Article

Metformin Increases Pathologic Complete Response Rates in Breast Cancer Patients With Diabetes (6/3/2008)

First clinical study looking at the role of metformin as possible anti-tumor agent ...> Full Article

Fruits, vegetables, teas may protect smokers from lung cancer (6/2/2008)

Tobacco smokers who eat three servings of fruits and vegetables per day and drink green or black tea may be protecting themselves from lung cancer ...> Full Article

Parasites' family planning strategy helps malaria spread (6/2/2008)

Malaria parasites ensure the successful spread of the disease by being able to produce more sons than daughters when conditions are difficult ...> Full Article

Research News: The Structure of XPD Sheds Light on Cancer and Aging (6/2/2008)

The role of a unique DNA-repair protein in multiple diseases ...> Full Article

Chemist wins major grant to study obesity-diabetes link (6/2/2008)

A Florida State University researcher has received a major scientific grant to study the chemical processes within the human body that may lead to the development of diabetes ...> Full Article

New combination therapy safe, promising for melanoma patients (6/2/2008)

The combination of two different biotherapies may be beneficial for patients with inoperable melanoma ...> Full Article

Decoy Protein Captures Tumor Growth Factors (6/1/2008)

Implications for designing drugs to inhibit cancer ...> Full Article

Mosquito genes affecting malaria transmission in Africa revealed (6/1/2008)

Mosquito genes that control how many malaria parasites can successfully develop inside the body of the mosquito have been identified by researchers ...> Full Article

Study shows pine bark naturally reduces cardiovascular risk factors in diabetics (6/1/2008)

Extract improved diabetes control and reduced antihypertensive medications ...> Full Article

Even Low Levels of Air Pollution May Pose Stroke Risk (6/1/2008)

A new study investigated the association between short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and the risk of stroke and found that even low pollutant levels may increase that risk. ...> Full Article