For several years, the biomedical research community has recognized that compounds already approved for human use might have additional therapeutic applications. To facilitate investigation of new applications for existing drugs, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) assembled several collections of molecules that can be screened for specific characteristics. Two recent papers report the screeningContinueContinue reading “Teaching old drugs new tricks”
Author Archives: monicascicom
Shedding light on circadian clock control
The circadian clock is the mechanism that coordinates an organism’s internal rhythms with daily changes in the environment. To maintain synchronicity, the clock is continuously reset or entrained by signals from the environment, primarily light. But the molecular basis of clock entrainment is not well understood. A new study directed by Shimon Amir of ConcordiaContinueContinue reading “Shedding light on circadian clock control”
AACR Annual Meeting 2015
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2015 convened investigators from all over the world to highlight recent progress in cancer research. The meeting’s program committee chose a theme that acknowledges the vital link between investigation and treatment: “Bringing Cancer Discoveries to Patients”. Precision medicine is poised to be a key strategy inContinueContinue reading “AACR Annual Meeting 2015”
Blueberries balance neurotransmitters
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prolonged stress response to a traumatic event that can impair a person’s ability to function in everyday life. It is associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and with dysregulation of neurotransmitters (specifically, low levels of serotonin and high levels of norepinephrine). Compounds that increase serotoninContinueContinue reading “Blueberries balance neurotransmitters”
Icing an injury might slow healing
Application of ice is commonly prescribed to treat bruised muscles, but does it really shorten recovery and facilitate healing? Researchers from Queensland University of Technology (Australia) investigated the science behind the conventional wisdom of icing. Jonathan Peake presented the results at the American Physiological Society Annual Meeting, part of Experimental Biology 2015 (30 March 2015;ContinueContinue reading “Icing an injury might slow healing”
Desert pupfish hold their breath
Living in the desert might seem like a peculiar strategy for a fish. But 10,000 years ago, the southwestern US was a much wetter place than it is now, covered by water as deep as 100 m that was home to many creatures including pupfish. As the water receded, pupfish became isolated to warm springs,ContinueContinue reading “Desert pupfish hold their breath”
Refining HDAC inhibition to restore memory
Alzheimer disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs memory and mental function. It is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of cases, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide, a trend that is expected to continue for the next few decades. Memory loss in Alzheimer disease is driven by the loss ofContinueContinue reading “Refining HDAC inhibition to restore memory”
Genetic predisposition to liver cirrhosis
Chronic alcohol abuse can damage the liver, leading to fat accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis (as healthy tissue is replaced with scar tissue) and, eventually, cirrhosis, a late-stage disease in which fibrosis is extensive and irreversible. Not all cases of liver disease progress to cirrhosis, however. Findings of a new study suggest that specific genetic mutations mightContinueContinue reading “Genetic predisposition to liver cirrhosis”
Experimental Biology 2015
Experimental Biology is an annual meeting that brings together researchers from dozens of life-science disciplines, from laboratory to translational to clinical investigation. Six professional societies take part in the ‘superconference’: American Association of Anatomists, American Physiological Society (APS), American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Society for Investigative Pathology, American Society for Nutrition (ASN)ContinueContinue reading “Experimental Biology 2015”
TWEAKing treatment for myotonic dystrophy
Muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders that result in progressive muscle damage and functional disability. There are currently no effective treatments available for the most common muscular dystrophy in adults, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Mani Mahadevan (University of Virginia, Charlottesville) led the team that identified the mutation that causes DM1, which they reported in 1992ContinueContinue reading “TWEAKing treatment for myotonic dystrophy”
Fluent in Science 