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    Category Health/Medical

    Epigenetic Modification Increases Susceptibility to Obesity and predicts Fatty Liver

    May 23, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    DNA methylations occur when methyl groups bind to the DNA. These can either activate or inactivate genes. Epigenetic factors modify histone tails by e.g. transferring methyl or acetyl groups on lysine side chains. This can complicate or facilitate the activation of a gene. The direct methylation of the DNA changes the gene expression permanently if it takes place in the control regions of genes (so-called CpG islands), that have been made accessible by the modification of the histones. Credit: Copyright: DIfE

    DNA methylations occur when methyl groups bind to the DNA. These can either activate or inactivate genes. Epigenetic factors modify histone tails by e.g. transferring methyl or acetyl groups on lysine side chains. This can complicate or facilitate the activation of a gene. The direct methylation of the DNA changes the gene expression permanently if it takes place in the control regions of genes (so-called CpG islands), that have been made accessible by the modification of the histones. Credit: Copyright: DIfE

    Scientists have shown in a mouse model that the epigenetic* modification of the Igfbp2** gene observed in the young animal precedes a fatty liver in the adult animal later in life...

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    Engineers take 1st step toward Flexible, Wearable, Tricoder-like device

    May 23, 2016, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    On-body test configuration.

    On-body test configuration. (a) A photograph of Chem–Phys hybrid patch. (b) Location of the Chem–Phys patch for mounting on the human body—the fourth intercostal space of the chest. (c) Cycling resistance profile for on-body tests. (d) Effect of amperometric measurement on the electrocardiogram signal before cycling (no sweat state) and during cycling (sweating state).

    Engineers at the UC San Deigo have developed the first flexible wearable device capable of monitoring both biochemical and electric signals in the human body. The Chem-Phys patch records electrocardiogram (EKG) heart signals and tracks levels of lactate, a biochemical that is a marker of physical effort, in real time...

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    Nanotubes are Beacons in Cancer-Imaging Technique

    May 22, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Nanotubes are beacons in cancer-imaging technique

    A new Rice University method for medical imaging uses strong light from an LED array and an avalanche photodiode detector to pinpoint the location of tumors that have been tagged by antibody-targeted carbon nanotubes. The method can detect fluorescence from single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) through up to 20 millimeters of tissue. Credit: Weisman Lab/Rice University

    Bathing a patient in LED light may someday offer a new way to locate tumors, according to Rice University researchers.
    The spectral triangulation system developed by Rice chemist Bruce Weisman and his colleagues is intended to pinpoint targeted cancer tumors tagged with antibody-linked carbon nanotubes CNT...

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    HOXA5 Protein acts as Tumor Suppressor in Breast cancer, lab cell study shows

    May 21, 2016, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    A human breast cell lacking HOXA5 (right) shows protruding structures similar to tumor cells, compared with a normal human breast cell (left). Credit: Courtesy of Sara Sukumar, Ph.D.

    A human breast cell lacking HOXA5 (right) shows protruding structures similar to tumor cells, compared with a normal human breast cell (left). Credit: Courtesy of Sara Sukumar, Ph.D.

    Many breast cancers are marked by a lack of HOXA5 protein, a gene product known to control cell differentiation and death, and lower levels of the protein correspond to poorer outcomes for patients. Now, results of a new study by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center scientists suggests a powerful role for the protein in normal breast cells, acting as a tumor suppressor that halts abnormal cell growth.

    Cells without HOXA5 have an increased capacity to renew themselves and are more invasive than normal breast cells, ie they become more tumor like...

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