Inhibiting cholesterol-associated protein reduces high-risk blockages in arteries

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PHILADELPHIA – Using the drug darapladib, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and colleagues have inhibited a cholesterol-and immune system-associated protein, thereby reducing the development of heart-disease plaques that may cause death, heart attacks, and strokes in a pig model of atherosclerosis and diabetes. The study appeared online this week in Nature Medicine.

Insight into the evolution of parasitism

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This release is also available in German.

UC Davis researchers discover new drug target for inflammatory disease

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(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — UC Davis researchers have defined a cellular process that promotes inflammation and, at the same time, found an important starting point for identifying and testing new drugs for diseases such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

The scientists discovered that a protein called sPLA2-IIA binds to two integrins labeled alpha-V-beta-3 and alpha-4-beta-1, causing them to rapidly multiply and boosting an immune system response already gone awry due to disease.

Purifying nanorods: Big success with tiny cleanup

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HOUSTON, Sept. 22, 2008 -- Chemists at Rice University have discovered a novel method to produce ultra-pure gold nanorods -- tiny, wand-like nanoparticles that are being studied in dozens of labs worldwide for applications as broad as diagnosing disease and improving electronic viewscreens.

Risk of colorectal cancer extremely low 5 years after a normal colonoscopy screening

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OAK BROOK, Ill. – September 22, 2008 – A study appearing in the Sept. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine shows that among individuals with no colorectal neoplasia (abnormal growths) on initial screening colonoscopy, the five-year risk of colorectal cancer is extremely low. The data provides support for rescreening at an interval of five years or longer after a normal colonoscopic examination.

Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss inconsistent among clinicians

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Chicago, IL – Patients seeking care for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) are receiving inconsistent care due to lack of established clinical practice guidelines, says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL.

Captive breeding introduced infectious disease to Mallorcan amphibians

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A potentially deadly fungus that can kill frogs and toads was inadvertently introduced into Mallorca by a captive breeding program that was reintroducing a rare species of toad into the wild, according to a new study published in the September 23rd issue of the journal Current Biology.

Captive breeding introduced infectious disease to Mallorcan amphibians

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A potentially deadly fungus that can kill frogs and toads was inadvertently introduced into Mallorca by a captive breeding programme that was reintroducing a rare species of toad into the wild, according to a new study published today in the journal Current Biology.

Immigrant children are increasingly more likely to lack health coverage

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PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 22, 2008 – Contrary to public perceptions, foreign-born children are increasingly uninsured, rather than publicly insured, in the wake of immigration policy changes, according to a study by public health researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Geriatric patients receive significant benefit from cochlear implantation

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Chicago, IL – Despite previous inconclusive research, geriatric patients do experience significant quality of life improvement (QOL) after receiving cochlear implants for hearing loss, says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL.