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NHGRI Funds Large-Scale Sequencing Centers

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) today announced the results of the recent competition for support of its three large-scale sequencing centers, strengthening efforts to use the power of DNA sequencing to unlock the genomic secrets of human diseases. Also today, NHGRI and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), both part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced that all three sequencing centers will devote a significant part of their efforts to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pilot Project, which is testing the feasibility of a large-scale, systematic approach to identify important genomic changes involved in cancer.

Heart Disease :: Researchers find insect protein effective for treating heart enlargement, arrythmias

Compounds known to play an important role in how insects develop from larvae to adults have been shown in a mouse model for congestive heart failure to be effective in preventing and reducing cardiac cell overgrowth and irregular heart rhythms, according to UC Davis research published in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Heart Disease :: Researchers Find Enzyme Inhibitor that Prevents, Reduces Heart Enlargement, Arrythmias

An enzyme inhibitor that regulates insect larvae development reduces heart enlargement and irregular heart rhythms in a mouse model, a 16-member University of California, Davis research team has discovered. The work, published in the current edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could lead to important new medications to treat human heart patients.

Anemia :: Mircera – first drug to correct anaemia in all chronic kidney disease patients

Results from two Roche studies show for the first time that chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis as well as those not on dialysis who need correction of renal anaemia, can be successfully treated with Mircera on a simple twice monthly dosing schedule ? an option that does not exist today. Mircera was shown to be as effective as existing agents in correcting renal anaemia while reducing the dosing frequency 2 to 6-fold of these drugs. Two phase III trials demonstrating these findings were presented at the 39th annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in San Diego, USA.

Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and ConvaTec Recognize Young Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) and ConvaTec, a world-leading manufacturer of ostomy and wound care products, announced today the recipients of the Great Comebacks(R) Program 2006 Ina Brudnick Scholarship and the Comeback Kids awards. Abby Ryan, the 2006 Ina Brudnick Scholar, was honored alongside Lauren Belanger, Becca Davis and Michelle Flude, the 2006 Comeback Kids, in New York City on November 18th at CCFA’s annual meeting.

Alzheimer’s Disease :: More insight into Alzheimer’s disease with Stanford discovery of possible cause

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that when a molecule responsible for dialing down the immune system malfunctions in the brain cells of mice, the rodents develop symptoms of the degenerative brain disease.

Twin star explosions fascinate astronomers

Scientists using NASA’s Swift satellite stumbled upon a rare sight: Two supernovas side-by-side in one galaxy. Large galaxies typically play host to three supernovas per century. Galaxy NGC 1316 has had two supernovas in less than five months, and a total of four supernova in 26 years, as far back as the records go. This makes NGC 1316 the most prodigious known producer of supernovas.

Asthma :: Cincinnnati scientists pursue new target for asthma treatment

Cincinnati scientists have found further evidence that certain defensive white cells in the body cause or play a major role in the symptoms experienced by asthma patients.

Extraordinary life found around deep-sea gas seeps

An international team led by scientists from the United States and New Zealand have observed, for the first time, the bizarre deep-sea communities living around methane seeps off New Zealand’s east coast. This is the first time cold seeps have been viewed and sampled in the southwest Pacific. Cold seeps are areas of the seafloor where methane gas or hydrogen sulphide escapes from large stores deep below.

Nevada Seismological Laboratory ranks top 10 states for earthquake activity

New data offers freshest list of states ranked in top 10 for seismic activity; Alaska and California unquestioned 1-2; Nevada and Hawaii very close at number 3.