Laboratory | Page 4 of 116 | SpiritIndia.com

DNA :: New method of selecting DNA for resequencing accelerates discovery of subtle DNA variations

A new technology developed by scientists at Emory University will allow researchers to more easily discover subtle and overlooked genetic variations that may have serious consequences for health and disease. Called Microarray-based Genomic Selection (MGS), the research protocol allows scientists to extract and enrich specific large-sized DNA regions, then compare genetic variation among individuals using DNA resequencing methods.

Chocolate :: People are programmed to love chocolate – chocolate lover

For the first time, scientists have linked the all-too-human preference for a food — chocolate — to a specific, chemical signature that may be programmed into the metabolic system and is detectable by laboratory tests. The signature reads ‘chocolate lover’ in some people and indifference to the popular sweet in others, the researchers say.

Blood Pressure :: Expecting an afternoon nap can reduce blood pressure

Where does the benefit lie in an afternoon nap? Is it in the nap itself — or in the anticipation of taking a snooze? Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that the time just before you fall asleep is where beneficial cardiovascular changes take place.

Breast Cancer :: AACR, BCRF award inaugural grants in translational breast cancer research

Through the generous support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the 2007 BCRF-AACR Grants in Translational Breast Cancer Research. These grants provide direct support for innovative breast cancer research projects designed to accelerate the discovery, development, and application of new ways to treat breast cancer, or for preclinical research with direct therapeutic implications.

Parenting :: Study examines parent-child interactions in at-risk families

A closer look at the way parents interact with children may provide clues to mistreatment of kids and pave the way for potential interventions to prevent the problem.

Foot and Mouth Disease :: Smiths Detection to launch a portable diagnostic system for foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu

Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announces it is to launch a portable detection system that will enable veterinarians to carry out on-site diagnosis of animal diseases such as foot-and-mouth and avian flu. This new technology means vets will be able to diagnose diseases in livestock and birds in the field in less than 90 minutes rather than having to send samples for laboratory analysis.

Pancreatic Cancer :: Jefferson scientists find protein may be key in developing deadly form of pancreatic cancer

A tumor-blocking protein previously implicated in prostate and breast cancer development may also be behind the most aggressive type of pancreatic cancer. Researchers have discovered that the protein pp32 — which normally applies the brakes on a cancer-causing gene — is missing in an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer. Though the work is preliminary, the scientists say, the absent protein could eventually become a marker for the disease and a potential drug target.

Portal Hypertension :: Ultra-low-dose aspirin might decrease bleeding severity in portal hypertension

In rats with portal hypertension, ultra¨Clow-dose aspirin has shown a normalizing effect of platelet-endothelial cell alterations and bleeding time. Further, this effect is mediated by Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibition.

HIV :: Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise names Alan Bernstein as Inaugural Executive Director

At the Keystone Symposium in Cape Town, the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise announced the appointment of its first executive director and the opening of a new secretariat in New York City. Dr. Alan Bernstein, founding president of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, will lead the international alliance of researchers, funders and advocates dedicated to speeding the search for an HIV vaccine.

Meditation :: Body mind meditation boosts performance, reduces stress

A team of researchers from China and the University of Oregon have developed an approach for neuroscientists to study how meditation might provide improvements in a person’s attention and response to stress.