Category Biology/Biotechnology

The significance of the dorsomedial PFC came as a surprise because of its relative neglect in the decision neuroscience literature. Credit: © raresb / Fotolia

If you’re pondering whether to buy a Galaxy smartphone or iPhone this holiday season, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (PFC) might ultimately determine your choice. Results of a new study suggest that this region of the brain plays a critical role in making choices.

“A big question is how and where value information is represented in the brain, and what goes into that representation,” says Dr. Fellows. “Our research confirmed what savvy marketers already know: the longer you look at one of two objects, the more likely you’ll choose that object even if you initially valued the other one more...

Schematic of sentinel node detection using ICG and OPUS, utilizing optoacoustic contrast of biomarkers in tissue using multispectral excitation. The contrast images are overlaid on tomographic ultrasound images, as well as using three dimensional optoacoustic detection. Credit: S. Morscher, I. Stoffels, J. Claussen, J. Klode

Scientists are testing a noninvasive alternative to lymph node biopsy for detecting early signs that melanoma skin cancer has spread. Patients currently undergo surgical removal, often involving a radioactive tracer, of these lymph nodes to screen for wayward cancer cells. But researchers say that in most cases this approach uncovers no sign of cancer spread while exposing patients to unnecessary risks...

The image on the left shows high-grade aggressive prostate cancer before treatment. the image on the right shows no evidence of cancer after combined gene therapy and radiotherapy. Credit: Houston Methodist

Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers show that combining radiation treatment with ‘suicide gene therapy’ provides a safe and effective one-two punch against the disease. The researchers compared 2 arms of patients and report high 5-yr overall survival rates of 97% and 94% respectively. That’s a 5 to 20% improvement for survival over historical studies.

66 prostate cancer patients participated in the Phase II clinical trial between 1999 and 2003 and were split into two groups...

A three-drug nanoscale drug delivery system designed for preferential lymphatic uptake for the treatment of metastatic melanoma

A new 3-drug delivery system for cancer treatment, especially metastatic melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has been developed by researchers. The work has demonstrated that the system may have particular value with cancers like this that often spread through the lymphatic system. It may offer a novel therapeutic option for more effective cancer treatment.

The new technology takes advantage of nanoparticles that can migrate to, and increase the effectiveness of an attack on cancer cells in the body’s lymph nodes. This can also reduce the development of drug resistance and the broader toxicity often associated with this type of chemotherapy.

“Melanoma has...