Using 'big data' to fight flu Thanks to 'big data', researchers have identified new molecules that are instrumental in the replication of the flu virus. If these host proteins are blocked, influenza viruses are unable to multiply as effectively. The international study therefore makes a significant contribution towards the development of new treatments and flu drugs.
Preventing diabetes at the office For people who already have high blood sugar, preventing diabetes could amount to just another day at the office. Employees enrolled in a workplace intervention program as a group lost more weight, showed greater reductions in fasting blood sugar and ate less fat than employees who received only written health guidelines for diabetes prevention.
Potential treatment for cirrhosis discovered by scientists Cirrhosis is the main risk factor for liver cancer. The same target may be the key to preventing and treating this condition, suggests researchers at the conclusion of a recent study. Cirrhosis is among the top 20 causes of death from disease worldwide.
Immune cells in the skin remember, defend against parasite For the first time, researchers have found resident T cells in a tissue in response to a parasite infection. The finding could help inform efforts to develop an effective vaccine for leishmaniasis, as well as other diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
How a single molecule turns one immune cell into another All it takes is one molecule to reprogram an antibody-producing B cell into a scavenging macrophage. This transformation is possible, new evidence shows, because the molecule (C/EBPa, a transcription factor) 'short-circuits' the cells so that they re-express genes reserved for embryonic development.
Cirrhosis, antibodies increase risk of poor outcome for autoimmune hepatitis patients New research reports that cirrhosis at first diagnosis and antibodies for the soluble liver antigen/liver pancreas antigen (SLA/LP) are major risk factors for poor short- and long-term outcome in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Scientists also found that patients diagnosed in childhood were at higher risk of relapse, need of a liver transplant, and reduced life expectancy
Susceptibility to allergies can be reduced Susceptibility to allergies reduced by increased production of regulatory T cells, researchers report, adding that these new findings could lead to preventive treatments being developed for high risk patients in the future.
Frozen raw tuna likely source of salmonella infections As of July 14, 2015, 60 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate(+) have been reported from 11 states. Eleven ill people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. That’s according to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was posted July 15...
Common diabetes drug can also treat liver cirrhosis Diabetes drug metformin can treat portal hypertension--high blood pressure in the liver resulting from cirrhosis, new research shows. This study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that use of metformin goes beyond treating type 2 diabetes.
Therapeutic target identified for treatment of spinal cord injuries Therapeutic target for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries has been identified. According to research, conducted on mice, the administration of a drug that prevents loss of myelin -- the insulating sheath around nerve fibers that allows signals to be transmitted -- increases the mobility of the mice after an injury.
