EPO doping in elite cycling: no evidence of benefit but high risk of harm
07 December, 2012The drug erythropoietin, often called EPO, is banned from sports because it is believed to enhance an athlete’s performance and give people who use it an unfair advantage over unenhanced competitors. A new systemic review of existing research reveals that there is no scientific evidence that it does enhance performance, but that its use in sport could place a user’s health and life at risk.
Breath test could possibly diagnose colorectal cancer
06 December, 2012A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery (BJS) has demonstrated for the first time that a simple breath analysis could be used for colorectal cancer screening.
Scientists identify depression and anxiety biomarker in youths
01 December, 2012Scientists from the University of Cambridge have discovered a cognitive biomarker - a biological indicator of a disease - for young adolescents who are at high risk of developing depression and anxiety. Their findings have been published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Pairing blood test and gene sequencing to detect cancer
30 November, 2012Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have combined the ability to detect cancer DNA in the blood with genome sequencing technology in a test that could be used to screen for cancers, monitor cancer patients for recurrence and find residual cancer left after surgery.
New method for diagnosing malaria
28 November, 2012Danish researchers have developed a new and sensitive method that makes it possible to diagnose malaria from a single drop of blood or saliva.
Best early-detection formula for breast cancer identified
27 November, 2012La Trobe University researchers have identified the formula that works best in early detection of breast cancer.
Nanomedicine breakthrough improves chemotherapy for childhood cancer
20 November, 2012In a world first, researchers from The University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Australian Centre for NanoMedicine (ACN) have developed a nanoparticle that improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy for neuroblastoma by a factor of five.
Possible link between immune system and Alzheimer’s
16 November, 2012An international research team, including scientists from the University of Toronto’s (U of T) Faculty of Medicine, has discovered a link between a mutation in an immune system gene and Alzheimer’s disease.
New drug target found for cystic fibrosis lung disease
09 November, 2012Vancouver researchers have discovered the cellular pathway that causes lung-damaging inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF), and that reducing the pathway’s activity also decreases inflammation. The finding offers a potential new drug target for treating CF lung disease.
Measuring metabolism can predict the progress of Alzheimer’s
08 November, 2012When it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, scientists usually look to the brain as their first centre of attention. Now researchers at Tel Aviv University (TAU) say that early clues regarding the progression of the disease can be found in the brain’s metabolism.
Breakthrough research into pancreatic cancer gene mutations
26 October, 2012A large-scale international study into pancreatic cancer has discovered that the cancer is not just one disease, but many.
Naturally occurring compounds could fight ovarian cancer
19 October, 2012A University of Canterbury (UC) research project, in collaboration with the University of Otago, Christchurch (formerly known as Christchurch School of Medicine), has shown some promising signs in the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Volunteers sought for edible vaccine trials
18 October, 2012Researchers from The University of Western Australia, Ondek and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital are continuing a study into how the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers, Helicobacter pylori, can be used as a carrier for ingestible vaccines.
Thermo Fisher Scientific and Immundiagnostik collaborate on mass spectrometry-based clinical and research tools
17 October, 2012Thermo Fisher Scientific and Immundiagnostik have announced a collaboration to develop novel mass spectrometry-based assays for qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins and peptides. The goal is development of commercial assays to be widely applicable in research and routine clinical analysis.
Non-invasive test for colorectal cancer shows promise
17 October, 2012A new non-invasive test for colorectal cancer screening has demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting colorectal cancer; in particular, precancers that are most likely to develop into cancer.
