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Complete fluke? Genome sequencers crack parasite genome

Researchers have today published the complete genome sequence of the Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm – commonly known as a blood fluke – that causes devastating disease. The World Health Organization ranks schistosomiasis as a neglected disease of the poor, affecting 210 million people in 76 countries, and each year causing 280,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa alone.

The international team has identified several potential new drug targets and the genome sequence will be invaluable to scientists searching for new methods to treat and eradicate the disease.

'Sloppy' DNA enzyme may be invaluable and efficient

The enzyme known as DNA polymerase V (pol V) comes in when a cell's DNA is reeling from radiation damage or other serious blows. Pol V copies the damaged DNA as best it can – saving the life of the bacterial cell at the cost of adding hundreds of random mutations.

This enzyme, nicknamed the "sloppier copier," was discovered by USC biologists and is the best an the DNA repair game

The July 16 Nature study reveals pol V's key attributes are economy of motion and quickness to engage.

Scientists challenge convetional wisdom: Blood and tissue cells genetically unique

Research by a group of Montreal scientists calls into question one of the most basic assumptions of human genetics: that when it comes to DNA, every cell in the body is essentially identical to every other cell. Their results appear in the July issue of the journal Human Mutation.

This discovery may undercut the rationale behind numerous large-scale genetic studies conducted over the last 15 years, studies which were supposed to isolate the causes of scores of human diseases.

High-speed, ultrasound imaging helps classify "click languages"

A new way to classify sounds in some human languages may solve a problem that has plagued linguists for nearly 100 years--how to accurately describe click sounds distinct to certain African languages.

archaeon volcanii give new insight in DNA replication and repair

A microscopic single-celled organism, adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on earth, could help scientists gain a better understanding of how cancer cells behave.

Experts at The University of Nottingham were surprised to discover that the archaeon Haloferax volcanii was better at repairing DNA damage. This is compared to enzymes that are widely considered to be critically important in coordinating the repair of DNA.

New consensus on breast cancer radiation treatment

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has published a consensus statement outlining patient selection criteria and best practices for the use of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) outside the context of a clinical trial in the July 15 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of ASTRO.

Swine flue and influenze drug research makes headway

Amid reports that swine flu viruses are developing the ability to shrug off existing antiviral drugs, scientists in Japan are reporting a new discovery that could foster a new genre of antivirals that sidestep resistance problems, according to an article scheduled for the July 23 issue of the ACS' Journal of the Medicinal Chemistry.

Environmental factors instruct lineage choice of blood progenitor cells

The findings, published in the current issue of the prestigious journal Science, provide an essential building block for understanding the molecular mechanisms of hematopoiesis and are an important prerequisite for optimizing therapeutic stem cell applications.

Developing a safer form of acetaminophen

Scientists in Louisiana are reporting development of a process for producing large batches of a new and potentially safer form of acetaminophen, the widely used pain-reliever now the source of growing concern over its potentially toxic effects on the liver. Their study, which could speed development of a next-generation pain-reliever, is scheduled for the July 17 issue of ACS' Organic Process Research & Development, a bi-monthly journal.

New insect on Balearic Islands

After 10 years of biochemical and molecular analysis of the Tyrrhenoleuctra plecoptera that live in the Western Mediterranean, Spanish and Italian scientists have now demonstrated that one of the insect populations of this group is a distinct and, therefore, new species.

Study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory properties of pine bark extract

(July 15, 2009) – HOBOKEN, NJ – A recent study published in International Immunopharmacology, reveals why Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is effective for reducing inflammation and soothing pain associated with various health problems. Dr. Raffaella Canali of the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition in Rome, Italy, found that Pycnogenol® inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring enzymes associated with a host of inflammatory conditions.

Indigenous health experts reject MP's call for removal of alcohol restriction

Leading medical researchers from Australia's George Institute for International Health are surprised by recent statements made by a Western Australian Member of Parliament, Hon. Carol Anne Martin MLA, who is calling for the removal of the alcohol restrictions in the Kimberley towns of Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. The George Institute considers these statements a disappointing response to the positive community impacts of the alcohol restriction.

Researchers link 27 genes to Asperger syndrome, autistic traits and empathy

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have identified 27 genes that are associated with either Asperger Syndrome (AS) and/or autistic traits and/or empathy. The research will be published tomorrow in the journal Autism Research. This is the first candidate gene study of its kind.

Abrupt opioid withdrawal increases pain sensitivity

The abrupt withdrawal of morphine-like analgesics - opioids - can increase sensitivity to pain. Experiments have now shown that this effect is caused by a memory-like process, the long-term potentiation of synaptic strength in the spinal cord. The study, which was supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), also found ways of avoiding this increase in pain sensitivity. These pioneering results have now been published in the prestigious journal SCIENCE.Opioids are the oldest and most effective analgesics.

Universal microbial gene language in the works

The Gene Ontology is a powerful language that gives researchers a shared vocabulary to describe disease-related and beneficial interactions between a microbe and its host. By allowing scientists to link experimental results to a computer-readable language, the Gene Ontology provides scientists with an important bridge between specific experiments that characterize gene function, and biology efforts to provide a global picture of host-microbe interactions.