March 21, 2011
Scientists Switch Off Brain's Anxiety Circuit
Scientists have identified a distinct brain circuit that seems to switch anxiety off and on in the mouse brain. The discovery could have implications for developing improved anti-anxiety medications for humans.
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A Molecular Link Between Sleep and Liver Fat
Researchers have discovered a molecular link between the body's biological clock and fat production in the liver. The finding may help explain why disrupting your daily cycle increases the risk of diseases like obesity and diabetes.
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March 14, 2011
Faulty Gene Helps Tumors Dodge Drugs
Researchers have shown how a defective or missing gene may allow some tumors to resist cancer-fighting drugs. The finding may eventually lead to more targeted chemotherapy based on patients’ genes.
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Barbers Help Black Men Beat High Blood Pressure
A new study found that barbers successfully helped fight high blood pressure in African-American men. The results support an increasingly popular practice, in which trusted community members deliver key health messages to those who need them.
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Enzyme Can Alter Long-Term Memories
Even long after memories have formed, they can be enhanced or erased by altering the activity of a single brain enzyme, a new study reveals. The finding may give insight into treatment strategies for a variety of memory disorders.
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March 7, 2011
Protein Helps Pregnancy Proceed
Researchers have identified a key step in the establishment of a pregnancy. The discovery may shed light on fertility disorders and diseases of the uterus, including endometrial cancer.
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Fungi Developed to Fight Malaria in Mosquitoes
A genetically engineered fungus could be a highly effective tool for preventing malaria transmission. The advance might offer a new line of defense in combating a disease that affects nearly 300 million people worldwide.
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February 28, 2011
New Approach to Fighting Staph Infections
Researchers have identified a small molecule that can inhibit methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a growing public health problem. The discovery may open the door to a new class of antibiotics to combat MRSA.
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February 14, 2011
Preschool Program Produces Payoff
An early education program for children from low-income families generates an estimated $4 to $11 of economic benefits over a child's lifetime for every dollar spent on the program, according to a new analysis.
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Rare Artery Disease Linked to Gene Variant
Scientists discovered a genetic cause for a rare disorder that leads to calcium deposits in arteries below the waist and in the joints of patients' hands and feet. Understanding the basis for this disease may one day lead to a cure.
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February 7, 2011
Study Reveals Parkinson’s Disease Risk Genes
In the largest genome-wide association study of the disease to date, scientists have discovered that genetics play a substantial role in Parkinson's disease. The finding may one day lead to better diagnostics and therapies.
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UV Radiation Triggers Melanoma
A protein that immune cells use to communicate with each other is involved in the development of melanoma, a new study shows. The findings suggest a new potential target for treating this aggressive skin cancer.
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