Clue found on breast tumors distinguishes patients with better survival odds
... a DNA-binding factor that regulates expression of certain genes, many of which remain unknown. During pregnancy, Stat5 is activated by the hormone prolactin, and stimulates milk production in the breast. Rui and colleagues have recently shown that Stat5 is also active at a lower level in healthy breast cel...Gene therapy with growth factor seems promising therapy for incurable muscle disorder ALS
...produce an insufficient amount of VEGF because of certain variations in the gene coding for VEGF have an increased risk of developing ALS. Now, a year later, Peter Carmeliet and Oxford BioMedica, indicate that an injection of the VEGF gene in the muscles slows down the onset and progression of ALS in mice....UW-Madison scientists find a key to cell division
...e key to life, failures in the process can lead to certain diseases, says Skop. "Several diseases are caused by cells that don't divide properly, or divide out of control, as in cancer," she says. "In addition, proteins that work during cell division may also work in the neurons in our brain or during wound...Researchers identify new target of protein involved in cancerous cell growth
...required to produce a molecular anchor that allows certain proteins to stick to the cell surface. These molecules, known as GPI-anchored proteins, regulate the way cells interact and connect with one another. GPI-anchored proteins are also used by parasites, such as the Plasmodium that causes malaria, to pro...Does antibiotic use contribute to allergies?
...antibiotic use may help promote the development of certain respiratory allergies, a finding that could help explain the increase in certain types of allergies and asthma in the 20th century. They will present their findings at the 104th Ge...Nanoparticles illuminate brain tumors for days under MRI
...ientists learn more about how the material reaches certain tumors and lesions, and why. "This contrast agent provides a completely different way of looking at enhancement patterns on MRI," Nesbit added. There are distinct differences in how tumors enhance with contrast agents. "The way the contrast agent get...Molecular image of genotoxin reveals how bacteria damage human DNA
...lobacter jejuni, a common cause of food poisoning; certain strains of Escherichia coli that cause diarrhea, and a host of other pathogenic bacteria. "More CDT-containing bacteria are discovered each year," says Stebbins, "Many of these bacteria cause very different kinds of diseases and colonize different ti...Indoor mold, building dampness linked to respiratory problems and require better prevention
...aid, we were able to find sufficient evidence that certain respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthma...se healthy children, although the evidence is less certain in these circumstances. Likewise, the presence of visible mold indoors may be linked to lower respi...Mite transmits viruses damaging to wheat
... the advantages of planting in late fall to reduce certain disease problems," Rush said, "The farmer politely said he could not do that and stay in business. He quoted the farmer as saying: "Your job is to allow me to plant the wheat in early September in order to get some forage as well as grain." ...Male susceptibility to disease may play role in evolution of insect societies
...s, suggest that this male vulnerability has shaped certain behaviors in social insect colonies. These behaviors, they say, are designed to minimize the risk of disease transmission in a colony. Division of labor is a prime example. While colonies vary widely in the total number of individuals, females vast...Study may improve survival of transplanted livers
...xide can cause damage to the transplanted liver at certain levels. Therefore, the appropriate concentration of nitric oxide is vital to guarantee its protective effects, the scientists said. The researchers also discovered that nitric oxide exerts its protective effects by stimulating the liver cells to prod...Small trial shows daclizumab add-on therapy improves MS outcome
...scovery offers hope for thousands of patients with certain forms of MS. Findings like this are helping us to better understand how this disease affects the immune system, which offers hope for all MS patients," said Story C. Landis, Ph.D., NINDS director. Further studies are needed to confirm the extent of ...Promising research: From employment issues to virology
...esearchers from different research institutions on certain projects in develop-ing fields of research. As a rule, Priority Programmes run for six years. The new Priority Programmes are: Life Sciences The Priority Programme "Membranes Enveloping Virus Particles and Cellular Struc-tures" unites the fields ...Researchers target deficit irrigation for wine grapes
...u don't want the vine to get thirsty at all during certain stages of growth.". At the end of each growing season Basinger and Hellman compared grape yield, fruit composition and the cold hardiness of buds in both experiments. "Our results found no advantage in partial root zone drying. Where we applied a l...Many scientists believe the dog genome holds information that will benefit human health
...that were analyzed as well as similarities between certain breeds. The researchers expect that understanding these genetic relationships will help them uncover the genes responsible for the physical features and behaviors unique to each breed as well as the diseases to which they are commonly susceptible, su...Study of Cape Cod Seashore finds off-road vehicles harmful to beach fauna
...ratures. But traffic is still having an effect on certain species," she added. Funded by the National Park Service, Steinback's research compared the composition and abundance of beach invertebrates living in and around the wrack on beaches with and without vehicular traffic. She took core samples, set pit...Without words, bullfrogs communicate through stutters in their croaks
... An acoustic analysis showed the stutters followed certain rules: 100 percent of the recorded calls began wit...es produced the stuttered calls more frequently at certain points during the breeding season, indicating the stuttering may be involved in attracting a mate. S...Cells may shoot messenger to halt protein production
...hoot the messenger" as a way to halt production of certain proteins. The study, published in the May 21 issue...needs to be degraded." This pathway works only on certain classes of mRNA, and Schoenberg now wants to learn how the enzyme identifies which mRNA molecules to...Plant pathologists to meet in Anaheim, CA to discuss agricultural security, food safety, and more
...nsight into how dangerous human pathogens, such as certain strains of E.coli and Salmonella, can survive on fresh fruits and vegetables and what can be done to control future outbreaks. Speakers will address factors that influence establishment and persistence of human pathogens on fruit and vegetables from ...Stem cells more vulnerable to toxic chemotherapy when protective molecule is disabled
...and carcinogenic chemicals out of cells, including certain drugs used to treat leukemia. Researchers elsewhere are developing molecules to block BCRP in leukemic cells in order to make them more vulnerable to chemotherapy. However, drugs that block BCRP in leukemic cells would also block this molecule in hea...