Scientists are about to make publicly available all the data they have so far on the genetic blueprint of medicinal plants and what beneficial properties are encoded by the genes identified. The resources follow a $6 million initiative to study how plant genes contribute to producing various chemical compounds, some of which are medicinally important.
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Biochemical signature predicts progression to Alzheimer's disease
A study led by Research Professor Matej Orešič from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland suggests that Alzheimer's disease is preceded by a molecular signature indicative of hypoxia and up-regulated pentose phosphate pathway. This indicator can be analysed as a simple biochemical assay from a serum sample months or even years before the first symptoms of the disease occur. In a healthcare setting, the application of such an assay could therefore complement the neurocognitive assessment by the medical doctor and could be applied to identify the at-risk patients in need of further comprehensive follow-up.
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Visualization of DNA synthesis in vivo
Interactions of biological macromolecules are the central bases of living systems. Biological macromolecules are synthesized in living cells by linking many small molecules together. Naturally occurring macromolecules include genetic materials (DNA) and proteins. A detailed understanding of the synthesis of these macromolecules in whole animals is a basic requirement for understanding biological systems, and for the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Scientists discover new way to target cancer
Scientists have discovered a new way to target cancer through manipulating a master switch responsible for cancer cell growth. The findings, published in the journal Cancer Cell, reveal how cancer cells grow faster by producing their own blood vessels. Cancer cells gain the nutrients they need by producing proteins that make blood vessels grow, helping deliver oxygen and sugars to the tumour. These proteins are vascular growth factors like VEGF - the target for the anti-cancer drug Avastin.
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New Study Shows European Consumers Show Considerable Interest in Learning from Pharma Companies
Despite heavy restrictions on DTC advertising in Europe, nearly two in five online Europeans would like to be able to learn more about prescription drugs directly from a pharmaceutical company, according to the new Cybercitizen Health® Europe study from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. Cybercitizen Health® Europe 2011 explores how European consumers use digital health and pharma information and tools.
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Importance of echocardiography to evaluate cardio toxicity in cancer patients
One study presented at the meeting, which is being held in Budapest, Hungary, 7 to 10 December, reports on an initiative using echocardiography to document early warning signs of adverse effects from trastuzumab (Herceptin ®) (1), while the other uses echocardiography to evaluate the protective role of ACE inhibitors and statins on the hearts of cancer patients (2).
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Philips Welcomes Initial Results of Largest Home Healthcare Clinical Study to Date
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) welcomed the initial results of a home healthcare clinical study published today by the UK's Department of Health. Involving approximately 6,000 patients at three sites across the UK, the two-year study is believed to be the world's largest of its kind to date. Funded by the Department of Health, the clinical study - known as the Whole System Demonstrator (WSD) program - aimed to provide an evidence base for the adoption of telemonitoring technologies, which could alleviate the mounting financial burden of institutional care for the chronically ill.
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