314 articles from THURSDAY 20.2.2020

Research shows new drug helps to preserve brain cells for a time after stroke

After 50 years of research and the testing of over 1,000 drugs, there is new hope for preserving brain cells for a time after stroke. Treating acute ischemic stroke patients with an experimental neuroprotective drug, combined with a surgical procedure to remove the clot improves outcomes as shown by clinical trial results published today in The Lancet.

Researchers identify new biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer

Applying bioinformatics to resolve biological problems. This is the objective of the research group of the University of Malaga "BI4NEXT", which, in one of its latest studies, developed in the Supercomputing and Bioinnovation Center (SCBI) based on biobank samples, has identified new biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and even treatment of lung cancer.

Researchers identify novel potential combination therapy for childhood brain tumors

Brazilian researchers working in collaboration with Canadian scientists demonstrated that all medulloblastoma tumor subtypes express two stem cell markers: BMI1 and CD133. When they induced DNA chromatin relaxation, tumor cell viability was reduced with down-regulation of BMI1 and CD133. These anti-tumor effects could be potentiated by concurrent inhibition of MAPK/ERK signaling.

Researchers say extended antidepressant use creates physical dependence

Researchers explain symptoms associated with Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome and provide a schedule for tapering various classes of antidepressants. Patients who stop medication without tapering often experience flulike symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, sensory disturbances often described as electric shocks or 'brain zaps', and hyperarousal.

Researchers show what drives a novel, ordered assembly of alternating peptides

A team of researchers has verified that it is possible to engineer two-layered nanofibers consisting of an ordered row of alternating peptides, and has also determined what makes these peptides automatically assemble into this pattern. The fundamental discovery raises the possibility of creating tailored "ABAB" peptide nanofibers with a variety of biomedical applications.

Researchers start to understand blood vessels one cell at the time

New surprising knowledge on endothelial cells in a dozen different murine tissues is now available in an open access, user-friendly, database for professionals. This is the result of a new ground-breaking research study, published in the journal Cell. A study that may help to explain why there are, for instance, more severe graft rejections of lung transplants compared to other organs.

Risk of coronavirus importation in Africa

Egypt, Algeria and Republic of South Africa are the African countries most at risk for coronavirus COVID-19 importation in the continent, due to high air traffic with the contaminated Chinese provinces. But these countries are also among the best equipped on the continent to quickly detect and deal with new cases. In other African countries, the risk of importation is lower, but health...

Scientists find many gene 'drivers' of cancer, but warn: Don't ignore 'passengers'

A massive analysis of the entire genomes of 2,658 people with 38 different types of cancer has identified mutations in 179 genes and gene regulators as 'drivers' -- variations in DNA sequences that lead to the development of cancer. The work is part of the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes project, one of the most comprehensive cancer genomics studies to date.

Scientists use light to convert fatty acids into alkanes

Researchers led by Prof. WANG Feng at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have reported that photocatalytic decarboxylation is an efficient alternate pathway for converting biomass-derived fatty acids into alkanes under mild conditions of ambient temperature and pressure.

Study reveals hidden risks of estuary development for young salmon

A Simon Fraser University-led research team has found significant evidence that human activity in estuaries is impacting juvenile Pacific and Atlantic salmon. The team's review of 167 peer-reviewed studies identified negative impacts from several stressors, including the effects of flood-protecting tidal gates, pollution and habitat modification.