Futurity.org » Washington University in St. Louis

Self-destructive nerves can be beneficial

Julia Evangelou Strait-WUSTL — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:56:27 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — A new understanding of how nerve axons degenerate might lead to effective ways to remove damaged nerves before the illness or drug at fault affects healthy nerve tissue.

Many medical issues affect nerves, from injuries in car accidents and side effects of chemotherapy to glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

Sticky questions about role of Alzheimer’s gene

Michael Purdy-WUSTL — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:45:59 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — Scientists’ picture of how a gene strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease harms the brain may need to be revised.

People with harmful forms of the APOE gene have up to 12 times the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared with those who have other variations of the gene.

How ‘jolt’ to nerve treats stubborn depression

Jim Dryden-WUSTL — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:08:08 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — Brain scans offer new details on how a device that stimulates the vagus nerve can bring relief for severe depression.

The stimulation brings about changes in brain metabolism weeks or even months before patients begin to feel better. Researchers say the findings, published in the journal Brain Stimulation, may provide some clues about how the device improves depression.

Faulty memory fails to ‘chunk’ events

Gerry Everding-WUSTL — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:49:26 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — How older adults perceive life events can hurt their ability to remember, but breaking the day into meaningful events can help them recall better.

Grandpa’s stories often begin with the phrase, “Have I ever told you about the time…?” What he doesn’t know is that, yes, he has told you about that time, and he has told you many times before.

Algorithms find ‘hot networks’ in cancer

Kevin Stacey-Brown — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:48:35 +0000

BROWN / WASHINGTON U.-ST. LOUIS (US) — Scientists have used two new algorithms to assemble the most complete genetic profile yet of an aggressive form of blood cancer.

The researchers hope the work will lead to new treatments for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) based on the genetics of each patient’s disease.

For women, microbe may spell STD trouble

Michael Purdy-WUSTL — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:14:06 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — A common microbe likely causes a condition that can make women more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

The condition, bacterial vaginosis, affects one in every three women, making it more common than yeast infections. But it often does not cause significant symptoms, leaving many women unaware they have it.

ALS trial shows novel therapy is safe

Michael Purdy-WUSTL — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:37:31 +0000

WASHINGTON U.-ST. LOUIS (US) — An investigational treatment for an inherited form of Lou Gehrig’s disease has passed an early clinical trial for safety, researchers report.

The researchers have shown that the therapy produced no serious side effects in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The phase 1 trial’s results, available online in Lancet Neurology, also demonstrate that the drug was successfully introduced into the central nervous system.

The treatment uses a technique that shuts off the mutated gene that causes the disease. This approach had never been tested against a condition that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Did sand in meteorites come from supernova?

Diana Lutz-WUSTL — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:27:47 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — Two tiny grains of silica found in primitive meteorites could be from the same supernova, a massive star that exploded at the end of its life.

This discovery is surprising because silica is not one of the minerals expected to condense in stellar atmospheres—in fact, it has been called “a mythical condensate.”

Genome may show why platyfish get cancer

Caroline Arbanas-WUSTL — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:32:48 +0000

WASHINGTON U. – ST. LOUIS (US) — The decoded genome of a popular aquarium fish could help explain why they are prone to developing melanomas and how they evolved a set of complex behaviors.

Among scientists, the fish are meticulously studied for their tendency to develop melanoma and for other attributes more common to mammals, like courting prospective mates and giving birth to live young.

Known scientifically as Xiphophorus maculatus, platyfish sport a variety of spectacular colors—brilliant oranges, yellows, and lovely iridescent silver—and myriad striped and speckled patterns. And when melanomas develop, they are easy to spot, even to an untrained eye.

Gene tied to double Alzheimer’s risk in African Americans

Michelle Falling-Columbia — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:57:20 +0000

COLUMBIA (US) — African Americans with a specific gene variant have almost double the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease compared with African Americans who lack the variant.

The ABCA7 gene is involved in the production of cholesterol and lipids, which suggests that lipid metabolism may be a more important pathway in Alzheimer’s disease in African Americans than in whites.