Science and Health News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec), an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of adults with Hemophilia B (congenital Factor IX deficiency) who currently use Factor IX prophylaxis therapy, or have current or historical life-threatening hemorrhage, or have repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes.

Taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen for osteoarthritis may worsen inflammation in the knee joint over time, according to a new study being presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Old muscle stem cells express high levels of the cancer-associated molecule CD47. Blocking a pathway mediated by CD47 restored strength to old mice in a Stanford Medicine study.

An unusual type of antibody that even at miniscule levels neutralizes the Zika virus and renders the virus infection undetectable in preclinical models has been identified by a team led by Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian and National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigators.

Researchers led by Hidetoshi Masumoto and Genshiro Sunagawa at the RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR) in Japan have developed a new method of protecting organs during heart and aortic surgery when blood circulation has to be blocked. Rather than relying on cold temperatures to induce hypometabolism and reduce the need for oxygen, the technique works by stimulating Q neurons in the brain, which slow metabolism down to a hibernation-like state. In this proof-of-concept study, the procedure protected mouse kidneys from damage due to lack of oxygen and avoided harmful side effects related to extended hypothermia. The findings could lead to new ways of performing similar surgeries in people.

Liver cancer is one of the most deadly types of cancer. The team led by Prof. Michael N. Hall from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel has now uncovered how a healthy liver cell turns into a tumor cell. Comprehensive metabolic changes convert mature liver cells into immature progenitor cells. These cells proliferate rapidly and tumors develop.

Findings could help explain rare symptoms such as problems with language, vision

Study led by University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University team details a small-molecule drug that lowers cholesterol by 70% in animal models