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Scientists find protein spurs spread of prostate cancer

(PHILADELPHIA) Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson have found that Stat5, a signaling protein previously found to be key to survival of prostate cancer, is also involved in metastasis.

Their study, published in the online edition of Endocrine-Related Cancer, demonstrates in both laboratory and animal models that nuclear Stat5 over-expression leads to a deadly spread of the cancer. They add that their work with mice was unique in that it was the first time Stat5 was associated with prostate cancer metastasis processes in an animal model.

Even birds know 'organic' food is marketing hype

The nutritional benefits of organic food have always been tenuous - in science, 'organic' means something very different than in culture, where the process of making organic food leads people to imply it is somehow nutritionally different and make money selling it. Birds don't watch television, though, and new research shows wild garden birds prefer conventional seed to that which has been 'organically' grown.

Researchers embark on work to control the prion epidemic affecting deer in the USA

Researchers at the Centre for Cooperative Research in Bioscience, CIC bioGUNE, in collaboration with the Universidad de Kentucky (USA), have discovered a new way to control the stability of certain types of prions (the pathogen agents responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or TSEs) by means of selecting certain proteins. This gives the opportunity to control prion disease in deer, which has become an epidemic in the USA and Canada. The discovery was published last week in the prestigious scientific journal Science.

Reprogram stem cells with heart tissue, which might improve treatments for heart disease

Spanish researchers have employed for the first time adult cells extracted from a human heart to turn stem cells from adipose tissue into cardiac myocytes. In other words, they achieved to "reprogram" adult stem cells, which might improve treatments for heart disease therapeutical.

Bat echolocation helps keep an ear out for kin

Bat echolocation helps keep an ear out for kin

Bats can distinguish between the calls of their own and different species with their echolocation calls, report scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen. This applies even for species closely related and ecologically similar with overlap of call frequency bands (The American Naturalist online, May 11th 2010).

Drug in new class of targeted therapies shows early promise against blood-related cancers

HACKENSACK, N.J. (May 19, 2010) — A Phase I clinical trial of SNS-032, one of the first in a new class of drugs that inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, demonstrated the drug's safety and potential clinical action against advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cyclin-dependent kinases are enzymatic proteins that are integrally involved in cellular metabolism, renewal and signaling, and are thought to play key roles in the growth of cancers.

It gets the job done: Male antelopes deceive females to increase their chances of mating

Male antelopes deceive females to increase their chances of mating

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have discovered that male topi antelopes deceive their female counterparts in order to increase their chances of mating.

Particulate air pollution affects heart health

Breathing polluted air increases stress on the heart's regulation capacity, up to six hours after inhalation of combustion-related small particles called PM2.5, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

Stress on the heart from exposure to high levels of PM2.5 may contribute to cardiovascular disease, said Duanping Liao, professor of public health sciences.

Formation of plexiform lesions in experimental severe pulmonary arterial hypertension

ATS 2010, NEW ORLEANS— A new preclinical model of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may lead to improved research and ultimately better therapies for this life-threatening problem, according to its developers, researchers at the University of South Alabama.

The researchers modified a recently developed rat model of severe PAH and found that the model can mimic the plexiform lesion, the signature lesion of PAH.

Their results will be presented at the ATS 2010 International Conference in New Orleans.

CPAP use reduces incidence of cardiovascular events and hypertension in OSA patients

ATS 2010, NEW ORLEANS— In non-sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events and hypertension, according to researchers from Spain.

The research will be presented at the ATS 2010 International Conference in New Orleans.

Gene therapy may be effective in treating PAH

ATS 2010, NEW ORLEANS— Gene therapy has been shown to have positive effects in rat models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), according to researchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

PAH is a life-threatening disease in which pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs increases, causing a back-pressure strain on the heart. In inherited forms of the disease, PAH is caused by a mutation in a receptor called bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type II (BMPR2). Even in some non-inherited forms of the disease, BMPR2 levels are low.

Experts call for urgent action to tackle strong links between impotence and heart disease

Experts call for urgent action to tackle strong links between impotence and heart disease

International experts are calling for all men experiencing impotence to undergo thorough medical assessments, after an extensive review showed that a significant proportion of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) exhibit early signs of coronary artery disease (CAD).

New study reveals ways to better inhibit blood clots

New study reveals ways to better inhibit blood clots

Fibrin, the primary ingredient of blood clots, creates a fibrous network that stems the loss of blood at an injury site. But beyond this essential work, fibrin can also cause heart attack, stroke and tissue damage by forming clots that block blood vessels.

Study: DanActive reduced rate of common infections in daycare children

Washington, DC – The probiotic yogurt-like drink DanActive reduced the rate of common sicknesses such as ear infections, sinusitis, the flu and diarrhea in daycare children, say researchers who studied the drink in the largest known probiotic clinical trial to be conducted in the United States. An additional finding, however, showed no reduction in the number school days missed. The study led by Daniel Merenstein of Georgetown University School of Medicine (GUSOM), was funded by The Dannon Company, Inc., and published today online in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Heavy alcohol use, binge drinking, might increase risk of pancreatic cancer, researcher reports

Heavy alcohol use, binge drinking, might increase risk of pancreatic cancer, researcher reports

DALLAS – May 19, 2010 – Heavy alcohol use and binge drinking could increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in men, research from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggests.