Latest advances in medical research thread

[ScienceRocks]

KL-VS gene makes up six IQ points of cognitive difference and would be the most influential intelligence gene and elevated intelligence could come soon from a pill

Researchers have been studying the role in ageing of klotho, a protein encoded by a gene called KL. A particular version of this gene, KL-VS, promotes longevity. One way it does so is by reducing age-related heart disease. Dr Dubal and Dr Mucke wondered if it might have similar powers over age-related cognitive decline.

What they found was startling. KL-VS did not curb decline, but it did boost cognitive faculties regardless of a person’s age by the equivalent of about six IQ points. If this result, just published in Cell Reports, is confirmed, KL-VS will be the most important genetic agent of non-pathological variation in intelligence yet discovered.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Better cognition seen with gene variant carried by one in five

A scientific team led by the Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco has discovered that a common form of a gene already associated with long life also improves learning and memory, a finding that could have implications for treating age-related diseases like Alzheimer's.

Better cognition seen with gene variant carried by one in five

 

[ScienceRocks]

Multiple sclerosis discovery may explain gender gap

BBC News - Multiple sclerosis discovery may explain gender gap

A key difference in the brains of male and female MS patients may explain why more women than men get the disease, a study suggests.

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in the US found higher levels of protein S1PR2 in tests on the brains of female mice and dead women with MS than in male equivalents.

Four times more women than men are currently diagnosed with MS.

Experts said the finding was "really interesting".

MS affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, which causes problems with muscle movement, balance and vision. It is a major cause of disability, and affects about 100,000 people in the UK.

 

[ScienceRocks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/b...in-creating-artificial-genetic-code.html?_r=0

Scientists reported Wednesday that they had taken a significant step toward altering the fundamental alphabet of life — creating an organism with an expanded artificial genetic code in its DNA.

The accomplishment might eventually lead to organisms that can make medicines or industrial products that cells with only the natural genetic code cannot.

The scientists behind the work at the Scripps Research Institute have already formed a company to try to use the technique to develop new antibiotics, vaccines and other products, though a lot more work needs to be done before this is practical.

The work also gives some support to the concept that life can exist elsewhere in the universe using genetics different from those on Earth.

“This is the first time that you have had a living cell manage an alien genetic alphabet,” said Steven A. Benner, a researcher in the field at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution in Gainesville, Fla., who was not involved in the new work.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Lipid transport: Research breakthrough paves way for understanding serious diseases

Lipid transport: Research breakthrough paves way for understanding serious diseases -- ScienceDaily

"With the model we have found a possible answer to the question known as 'the giant substrate problem.' It has not previously been possible to explain how a relatively small protein could transport large lipid molecules in the membrane. This fundamental question has occupied researchers around the world since the existence and size of the flippase protein became known. With the new knowledge we can understand how the mutation interferes with the lipid transport mechanism and thus, in this way, triggers disease," says postdoc Anna Lindeløv Vestergaard, who is one of the researchers behind the project.

"14 out of the 36 pumps in the cells are flippases. For that reason alone there is every reason to believe that they play an important role. Genetic errors in the flippases are probably the cause of many more diseases than we currently recognise. The basic scientific understanding is the first step. In the long term it can lead to us becoming better to diagnose and treat diseases that are caused by errors in a flippase," says postdoc Anna Lindeløv Vestergaard, before continuing:

"We surmise that the basic mechanism which we have discovered is universal for all flippases in humans and animals. So this is the first step towards far greater knowledge than we have today," says Professor Jens Peter Andersen, who has headed the study in collaboration with Anna Lindeløv Vestergaard.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Scientists make deep-brain implants possible through wireless charging

Stanford researchers have figured out a way to wirelessly charge electronic devices that are deep inside your body. Currently pacemakers and nerve transmitters need to have large receiving coils near the top of your skin to charge up (limiting where you can put them), or periodically have their battery replaced through surgery. This new method, however, would allow devices to be much smaller because they don't have to tote around such a huge battery. Also since they're not reliant on charging coils they could live much deeper in the body and brain.

Scientists make deep-brain implants possible through wireless charging

 

[ScienceRocks]

Blocking pain receptors found to extend lifespan in mammals
Blocking pain receptors found to extend lifespan in mammals | Science Codex

Chronic pain in humans is associated with worse health and a shorter lifespan, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these clinical observations have not been clear. A study published by Cell Press May 22nd in the journal Cell reveals that the activity of a pain receptor called TRPV1 regulates lifespan and metabolic health in mice. The study suggests that pain perception can affect the aging process and reveals novel strategies that could improve metabolic health and longevity in humans.

"The TRPV1 receptor is a major drug target with many known drugs in the clinic that can affect its function," says senior study author Andrew Dillin of the University of California, Berkeley. "Finding that manipulation of this receptor can not only promote a youthful metabolism but also increase lifespan should be highly significant for age-related maladies, diabetes being a major one."

Past research has shown that mice lacking TRPV1 are protected against diet-induced obesity, suggesting that this receptor plays a role in metabolism. Intriguingly, diets rich in capsaicin—the active molecule of chili peppers that can overstimulate and kill TRPV1 neurons—have long been linked to lower incidents of diabetes and metabolic problems in humans. Moreover, disruption of sensory perception increases longevity in worms and flies. But until now, it was not known whether sensory perception also affects aging in mammals.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Stanford researchers discover immune system's rules of engagement

Stanford researchers discover immune system's rules of engagement

"This is an important illustration of how SSRL's X-ray-imaging capabilities allow researchers to get detailed structural information on technically very challenging systems," said Britt Hedman, professor of photon science and science director at SSRL. "To understand the factors behind T-cell-receptor binding to peptides will have major impact on biomedical developments, including vaccine design and immunotherapy."

 

[ScienceRocks]

DNA-Based Research May Have Unveiled Long-Sought Diabetes Treatment

DNA-Based Method Finds Anti-Diabetes Drug That Other Methods Couldn?t | MIT Technology Review

After decades of searching, researchers may have finally identified a chemical compound that could be used to study and treat diabetes.



Researchers have long known that the body carries an enzyme that breaks down insulin inside cells and helps regulate the body’s response to sugars—a process that goes awry in type 2 diabetes. Genetic studies have shown that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have mutations in the gene that encodes a protein called insulin-degrading enzyme, or IDE. But exactly which processes the enzyme controls is not yet clear.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

When scientists at the University of Utah injected human stem cells into mice disabled by a condition similar to multiple sclerosis, they expected the cells to be rejected by the animals' bodies. It turned out that the cells were indeed rejected, but not before they got the mice walking again. The unexpected finding could have major implications for human MS sufferers.

In multiple sclerosis, the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath that covers and insulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve. With that insulation gone, the nerves short-circuit and malfunction, often compromising the patient's ability to walk – among other things.

In the U Utah study (which was begun at the University of California, Irvine) human neural stem cells were grown in a Petri dish, then injected into the afflicted mice. The cells were grown under less crowded conditions than is usual, which reportedly resulted in their being "extremely potent."

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

 

[ScienceRocks]

'First drafts' of human protein catalogue published

BBC News - 'First drafts' of human protein catalogue published

The first two attempts at a database of every single human protein - the "proteome" - have been made public.

This builds on our knowledge of the genome by showing which genes actually produce proteins in which tissues.

One team in Germany and one spanning the US and India have published their proteome maps in the journal Nature, and on searchable, public websites.

Some of the 17-to-18,000 reported proteins arise from stretches of DNA previously thought to be "non-coding".

Along the vast length of DNA packed inside each of our cells, our genes are the sections which contain the instructions, or code, for making proteins.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Joint research builds stronger scaffold

Medical Xpress: Joint research builds stronger scaffold

(Medical Xpress)—A new biomaterial that enhances the ability of stem cells to regenerate into nerves and body parts is the direct result of collaborative work between Monash University and the University of Warwick.

Other biomedical "scaffold" materials, which act as templates for tissue regeneration, already exist but they can't communicate effectively with the cells they are trying to influence.

The Monash and Warwick researchers have created a more advanced material that targets specific cells and provides clear signals to these cells to enhance regeneration. The biomaterial also dissolves once repair is well underway and its stealth coating makes it invisible to the immune system.

Associate Professor John Forsythe from the Department of Materials Engineering at Monash said this research idea resulted from a workshop he attended at Warwick in 2012.

"I first met Warwick's Associate Professor Andrew Dove at the workshop, where we discussed the need for more effective scaffolding materials for regenerative medicine," Associate Professor Forsythe said.

"Warwick has the specialised facilities and knowledge to synthesise these materials, whereas Monash has the expertise in nanofabrication and applying them to biomedical research, so together we have very complementary strengths.

"Now we have developed this material, the next stage is to conduct further research to determine its effectiveness in models of Parkinson's disease."

 

[ScienceRocks]

Scientists Use Lasers To Regrow Teeth From Stem Cells

Imagine if a trip to the dentist to treat a cavity didn’t involve a filling, root canal, or crown. What if a simple light treatment could actually get your teeth to regrow themselves using stem cells? That’s the aim of a group of researchers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute, led by David Mooney, who have found success in regrowing rat teeth in this manner. The researchers have developed a technique using a low-power laser to coax stem cells into reforming dentin, which could have implications for dentistry, wound healing, and bone restoration. The results of the study have been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Proteins known as growth factors are what cause stem cells to differentiate into whatever type of cell they are bound to become. Introducing different growth factors force the cells to develop the desired type of tissue. Unfortunately, it isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. Most of the developments in using stem cells in regenerative medicine have regrown tissues in vitro and later need to be transplanted into the person. This involves a lot of technical care and is a highly regulated process, which slows down progress. Mooney’s team claims they have come up with a new technique that could streamline the process, making it a viable clinical option much more quickly.

Read more at Scientists Use Lasers To Regrow Teeth From Stem Cells | I Fucking Love Science

 

[JimBowie1958]

Sort of funny how Matthew can only post articles but has nothing to contribute unless he is on a racist diatribe. I understand, Timmy, that you are looking for a miracle...perhaps you should try praying and quit trying to rely on aliens and junk science to fix you.

Why don't you keep you shit to the political forums, ass hole?

 

[I.P.Freely]

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

When scientists at the University of Utah injected human stem cells into mice disabled by a condition similar to multiple sclerosis, they expected the cells to be rejected by the animals' bodies. It turned out that the cells were indeed rejected, but not before they got the mice walking again. The unexpected finding could have major implications for human MS sufferers.

In multiple sclerosis, the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath that covers and insulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve. With that insulation gone, the nerves short-circuit and malfunction, often compromising the patient's ability to walk – among other things.

In the U Utah study (which was begun at the University of California, Irvine) human neural stem cells were grown in a Petri dish, then injected into the afflicted mice. The cells were grown under less crowded conditions than is usual, which reportedly resulted in their being "extremely potent."

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

fuck me Mice get a real bum deal.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

When scientists at the University of Utah injected human stem cells into mice disabled by a condition similar to multiple sclerosis, they expected the cells to be rejected by the animals' bodies. It turned out that the cells were indeed rejected, but not before they got the mice walking again. The unexpected finding could have major implications for human MS sufferers.

In multiple sclerosis, the body's immune system attacks the myelin sheath that covers and insulates nerve fibers in the spinal cord, brain and optic nerve. With that insulation gone, the nerves short-circuit and malfunction, often compromising the patient's ability to walk – among other things.

In the U Utah study (which was begun at the University of California, Irvine) human neural stem cells were grown in a Petri dish, then injected into the afflicted mice. The cells were grown under less crowded conditions than is usual, which reportedly resulted in their being "extremely potent."

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

fuck me Mice get a real bum deal.

How so? The creature is walking again.

 

[I.P.Freely]

Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again



Human stem cell treatment gets mice with MS-like condition walking again

fuck me Mice get a real bum deal.

How so? The creature is walking again.

would you volunteer?

 

[JimBowie1958]

fuck me Mice get a real bum deal.

How so? The creature is walking again.

would you volunteer?

While it is quite understandable how you equate your life with that of a mouse, the rest of humanity is of far greater value and the mice very expendable for the cause of science.

Personally, I think the mice could just be put in a blender for entertainment purposes for all I care, you dimwitted ignoramus.

Leave it to libtards to make a science thread about medical advances into a controversial topic, roflmao.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Human studies are done all the time. So, if I had a bad disease after a few animal studies, I'd take the chance with a new "cure" to get better. Do you have any understanding of history at all? If you did, you'd understand that modern science over the past 200 years has added at least 30 years to our life. Not only, that the viruses, diseases and ailments that affect us aren't like they were in the 19th century when we had diseases that could wipe out entire families. This was within the modern world...And within the modern world, death was typically as painful as any in the shittest of third world countries.

So when I see a moron tell me that modern science is bad...Well, Why don't you just go into the jungle or something and live without it?

 

[ScienceRocks]

Scientists use 3D printing to make artificial blood vessels

The tangled highway of blood vessels that twists and turns inside our bodies, delivering essential nutrients and disposing of hazardous waste to keep our organs working properly has been a conundrum for scientists trying to make artificial vessels from scratch. Now a team from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) has made headway in fabricating blood vessels using a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technique.

Read more at: Scientists use 3D printing to make artificial blood vessels