Category: Features
Scientists develop salivary glands from stem cells
Researchers have grown three-dimensional salivary gland tissue that produces saliva like normal glands when implanted into mice. Scientists from Showa University and the Riken Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research in Japan used embryonic stem cells, which have the ability to transform into many types of cell to create an organoid. The revolutionary findings were published [...]
Troubling rate of c-sections around the world, scientists say
Caesarean sections around the world are rising at a rapid rate, according to a report by an international team of doctors and scientists. Since 1990, C-sections have jumped from about 6% to 21%of all births, three studies report in medical journal, The Lancet. And there are no “signs of slowing down,” the researchers write in [...]
A curious case of pancake kidneys
After an 18-year-old in India underwent a CT scan due to intestinal problems, doctors encountered condition called “pancake kidney.”. “The extraordinarily rare condition is almost exactly what it sounds like”, said Dr. Steven Chang, an assistant professor of surgery in the division of urology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Chang treats patients who [...]
Scientists in Philadelphia develop promising vaccine against Ebola
Scientists at The Wistar Institute Vaccine and Immunotherapy Centers have created a synthetic DNA vaccine that is showing immediate and long-term encouraging results against the Ebola virus in preclinical animal research. The vaccine targets a virus surface protein called glycoprotein, according the findings published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. First appearing in 1976, The [...]
In ability to process manganese linked to scoliosis
Researchers have linked scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, to the body’s inability to appropriately handle manganese. The study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found children with severe scoliosis are twice as likely to carry a gene variant that makes it difficult for their cells to take in and use manganese [...]
Biodegradable implant encourages nerve regeneration
In a recent study conducted on rats, a wireless, biodegradable implant proved to be more effective than conventional surgery. Researchers at Northwestern University and Washington University School of Medicine developed a device the size of a quarter and thickness of a sheet of paper that delivers regular pulses of electricity to damaged peripheral nerves. According [...]
Researches find potential cure for osteoarthritis
Researchers have found a new molecular target for the treatment of knee and spine osteoarthritis. Scientists at the Krembil Research Institute in Toronto researched rat and human tissue samples, and focused on a molecule called microRNA-181a-5p, which is believed to cause inflammation, cartilage destruction and collagen depletion. The findings were published in the Annals of [...]
FDA approves HPV vaccines for adults up to ages 45
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the expansion of the HPV vaccine to include men and women between 27 and 45, in an effort to protect more people from several types of cancer caused by the human papillomavirus. The vaccine, Gardasil 9, previously was approved for people ages 9 through 26. It was administered [...]
Malaysia first regional country to eradicate mother-to-child HIV cases
Malaysia has become the first country in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. “Thanks to Malaysia’s efforts over the past several years, parents can now ensure their babies are born free of HIV and syphilis and have a healthy start to life,” said Dr.Shin Young-soo, [...]
Hospis Malaysia initiates campaign to promote dialogue around serious illnesses
The diagnosis of a serious, life-threatening illness such as cancer, organ failure, HIV/AIDS, and certain degenerating neurological conditions can be overwhelming, not only to the patient, but often also to their loved ones. With the stress of treatments and caregiving needs, patients often bottle up their feelings of despair and sadness. Sometimes, denial of the [...]
