Cancer Research; Prostate cells undergo 'reprogramming' to form tumors ♦ UV light robots cut C. diff transmissions by 25 percent on cancer patient floors ♦ Malaria vaccine provides hope for a general cure for cancer

Prostate cells undergo 'reprogramming' to form tumors Researchers link early prostate cancer to alterations in a program controlled by a 'master regulator' of cell growth. These epigenetic changes point to new avenues for preventing and treating prostate cancer.

UV light robots cut C. diff transmissions by 25 percent on cancer patient floors New research from infection control specialists found that ultraviolet robots helped reduce the rates transmission of the common bacterial infection known as Clostridium difficile among cancer inpatients -- mostly blood cancer patients, a group more vulnerable to hospital-acquired infections -- by 25 percent. The interventions also saved about $150,000 in annual direct medical costs.

Malaria vaccine provides hope for a general cure for cancer The hunt for a vaccine against malaria in pregnant women has provided an unexpected side benefit for researchers, namely what appears to be an effective weapon against cancer. The scientists behind the vaccine aim for tests on humans within four years

The dilemma of screening for prostate cancer Primary care providers are put in a difficult position when screening their male patients for prostate cancer -- some guidelines suggest that testing the general population lacks evidence whereas others state that it is appropriate in certain patients. Now a new perspective piece offers some guidance on when to screen patients and how to involve them in decisions about screening and treatment.

Lack of referrals for suspected cancer leads to more deaths Deaths are higher in cancer patients whose GPs do not regularly send patients through the two-week urgent referral route for suspected cancer, suggests a British study

Health Research: Millions of smokers have undiagnosed lung disease ♦ How DNA protects itself from UV light ♦ Obesity: Small intestine contributes to chronic inflammation

Research team evolves CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with novel properties Researchers found a way to expand the use and precision of the powerful gene-editing tools called CRISPR-Cas9 RNA-guided nucleases. The investigators describe evolved versions of the DNA-cutting Cas9 enzyme that are able to recognize a different range of nucleic acid sequences than is possible with the naturally occurring form of Cas9

Millions of smokers have undiagnosed lung disease More than half of long-term smokers and ex-smokers who are considered disease-free because they passed lung-function tests have respiratory-related impairments when more closely evaluated with lung imaging, walking and quality-of-life tests. Many of those people likely have the earliest stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Molecular sunscreen: How DNA protects itself from UV light Using X-rays, scientists measured the ultrafast response of DNA nucleobases to UV light. They found that the UV excited state in the nucleobase thymine decays rapidly, harmlessly dissipating the potentially destructive UV energy. The findings give new insight on how the nucleobases inside DNA protect themselves from light-induced damage.

Obesity: Small intestine contributes to chronic inflammation Obesity is caused by numerous and complex factors, some of which are as yet unsuspected. Scientists have now shown that severe obesity is accompanied by inflammation of the small intestine and enhanced immune response in that region.

Primed for medical nanotechnology? Soft core, hard shell Medical science is placing high hopes on nanoparticles that could be used as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery. Scientists have for the first time succeeded in assaying the stability of these particles and their distribution within the body. Their results show that a lot of research is still needed in this field