Narrow Results

Pre-Germinated Brown Rice May Possibly Benefit Alzheimer’s Patients.

Genetically Engineered Plants for Preventing Diabetes.

Gene Therapy — A Novel Treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Potential New Treatment for Stroke and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

AUSTRALIA — Malaria Breakthrough in Australia.

AUSTRALIA — Advances in Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis.

AUSTRALIA — Genetic Test for Epilepsy Sufferers Developed By Victoria, Australia Scientists.

AUSTRALIA — New R & D Facility Leads Way for Australian Biotech Sector.

AUSTRALIA — Australia Launches New Center to Focus on HIV Prevention, Treatment Research.

CHINA — Genomics Center Researchers Identify Key Mechanism in DNA Damage Response.

CHINA — Hemophiliacs in Guangdong Suffer From Lack of Treatment.

CHINA — Microbix to Build Flu Vaccine Plant in China.

CHINA — Applied Biosystems, 454 Life Sciences and Illumina Join 1000 Genomes Project.

INDIA — Indian Scientists Develop GM Mice Through Transgenic Sperm.

JAPAN — Experts Identify Genes for Bird Flu Replication.

JAPAN — Boosting Survival of Insulin-cell Transplants For Type 1 Diabetes.

JAPAN — Medtronic Launches First Insertable Cardiac Monitor in Japan.

JAPAN — Sewing DNA Thread with Lasers, Hooks and Microbobbins.

KOREA — CSD Korea launches its Patient Longitudinal Database.

NEW ZEALAND — NZ Signs Science Agreement with EU.

SINGAPORE — Singapore Researchers Identify Viral Factor That Induces Deadly Fungal Infection.

SINGAPORE — Singapore, Indonesia Enhance Collaboration to Fight Bird Flu.

SINGAPORE — Singapore Scientists Beat More Than 140 Teams to Claim Top Award at 46th American Society of Neuroradiology 2008 Meeting.

TAIWAN — Government Plans Development of Five Bio-Agricultural Parks.

TAIWAN — Local Researchers Cast New Light on Genetic Mutations.

TAIWAN — Enterovirus Cases Hit Record High.

VIETNAM — New Cholera Outbreaks in Vietnam.

VIETNAM — Vietnam, WB Join Hands to Improve Health Services in Remote Areas.

INDIA – A novel form of gene regulation in bacteria.

INDIA – Algal biofuels are no energy panacea.

JAPAN – Medical Data Vision enhances the quality of medical care with Actian Vectorwise.

SINGAPORE – Singapore heart surgeon to receive honour from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

SINGAPORE – ELGA^® to deliver innovative water purification at new Singapore General Hospital expansion.

AUSTRALIA – Specialised Therapeutics Australia: New drug to fight hospital superbug infection.

AUSTRALIA – Group of genes hold the clue in migraine cases.

AUSTRALIA – CT scans can triple risk of brain cancer, leukemia.

BRAZIL – Science can do more for sustainable development.

MIDDLE EAST – Particles and persecution: why we should care about Iranian physicists.

EUROPE – Medicyte coordinates EU-funded collaboration on Biomimetic Bioartificial Liver.

EUROPE – Selvita and Orion Pharma achieve a research milestone in Alzheimer's Disease Program.

EUROPE – Zinforo (ceftaroline fosamil) receives positive CHMP opinion in the European Union for the treatment of patients with serious skin infections or community acquired pneumonia.

USA – Vein grown from girl's own stem cells transplanted.

USA – Hidden vitamin in milk yields remarkable health benefits - Weill Cornell researchers show tiny vitamin in milk, in high doses, makes mice leaner, faster and stronger.

USA – New report finds biotechnology companies are participating in 39% of all projects in development for new medicines and technologies for neglected diseases.

USA – TriReme Medical receives FDA clearance for expanded matrix of sizes of Chocolate PTA balloon catheter.

USA – New data show investigational compound dapagliflozin demonstrated significant reductions in blood sugar levels when added to sitagliptin in adults with type 2 diabetes at 24 weeks, with results maintained over 48 weeks.

USA – Zalicus successfully completes Phase 1 single ascending dose study with Z944, a novel, oral T-Type Calcium Channel Blocker.

USA – Study provides clues to clinical trial cost savings.

INDIA — Asianhhm.com introduces innovative print and digital advertising solutions.

INDONESIA — IMCD acquires leading Indonesian food ingredients distributor Alam Subur.

JAPAN — VITAL Corporation to distribute Imagine Eyes' rtx1™ Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera in Japan.

SINGAPORE — Global threat of multi-drug-resistant Tuberculosis.

SINGAPORE — APAC breeding ground for Anti-bacterial household product innovation.

AUSTRALIA — In defence of the humble ant, champion of biodiversity.

AUSTRALIA — Senz Oncology initiates VAL-1000 clinical trial in patients with acute leukemias.

AUSTRALIA — ABRAXANE^® demonstrates significant improvement in advanced melanoma patients.

AUSTRALIA — Alzheimer's, cancer and rare disease research to benefit from landmark MRC-AstraZeneca compound collaboration.

AUSTRALIA — Nine Sydney researchers to receive funding for biomedical research projects.

AMERICAS — How blind mole rats keep cancer at bay.

AMERICAS — No assembly required for new micro particles.

AMERICAS — Caribbean sardine collapse linked to climate change.

EUROPE — Radioembolization using sir-spheres significantly improves overall survival for patients with inoperable colorectal cancer.

MALAYSIA — Veolia expands presence in East Malaysia.

SINGAPORE — Syneron Dental Lasers signs distribution agreement with Healthcare Solutions & Services Pte Ltd.

SINGAPORE — Fujitsu advances healthcare innovation in collaboration with National University of Singapore.

SINGAPORE — Clearbridge BioMedics makes a big impact at the 2012 Asian Innovation Awards.

SINGAPORE — TauRx Pharmaceuticals receives $111.8m commitment from Genting to prepare for Market Leadership in Alzheimer's.

THAILAND — Key Phase II HIV/HCV trial has commenced in Bangkok.

AUSTRALIA — Hatchtech mechanism of action data and safety study published.

AUSTRALIA — Power to you: carbon nanotube muscles are going strong.

EUROPE — GE Healthcare Life Sciences opens new £3 million laboratories for cell science.

EUROPE — AstraZeneca announces Phase III results from naloxegol pivotal trials.

EUROPE — ACADIA's pimavanserin sees Phase III success.

EUROPE — Big Pharma is doing more for access to medicine in developing countries.

EUROPE — CAVATAK™ bladder cancer – positive preliminary data.

EUROPE — Avita Medical initiates European trial in the management of chronic lower limb ulcers.

NORTH AMERICA — FEI unveils broad correlative microscopy solution set for cell biologists.

NORTH AMERICA — A single dose of Medicago's H5N1 VLP vaccine protects against additional pandemic flu strains in a preclinical study.

NORTH AMERICA — Biologics and stem cell research boost the cell culture market.

Difference in rainfall between wet and dry seasons is increasing worldwide.

Rare carbon molecule detected in dying star gives glimpse of stellar evolution.

Whole genome sequencing of wild rice reveals the mechanisms underlying Oryza genome evolution.

BGI and TGAC join efforts to tackle global challenges in food security, energy and health.

A regeneration system for tartary buckwheat invented by CIB.

A new approach for the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane and acetic acid.

Launch of the Chinese-German Center for Bio-Inspired Materials at the Mainz University Medical Center.

Science: The early bird loses an ovary.

Disruptions of functional brain connectomes in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

A breakthrough in carbohydrate-based vaccine: One vaccine targets three unique glycan epitopes on cancer cells and cancer stem cells.

BSD Medical signs exclusive agreement for distribution of BSD's cancer treatment hyperthermia system in Taiwan.

Catalent announces major China expansion with two new facilities.

INDIA – Oral chlorea vaccine ‘offers protection for five years’.

JAPAN – Gene discovery leads way to more rice.

MALAYSIA – Top international hospitals to hold summit in Asia to address efficiency, patient safety issues.

SINGAPORE – Study led by NUS scientists provides new insights into cause of human neurodegenerative disease.

SINGAPORE – Recycled plastic proves effective in killing drug-resistant fungi.

SINGAPORE – Singapore scientists engineer human stem cells and move closer to mastering regenerative medicine.

SINGAPORE – A*STAR scientists discover novel hormone essential for heart development.

SINGAPORE – New discovery on how skin cells form “bridges” paves the way for advances in wound healing and tissue engineering.

AUSTRALIA – Pathogen study explores blocking effect of E. coli protein on immune system.

CANADA – Alzheimer's risk gene may begin to affect brains as early as childhood.

EUROPE – Simple blood test detects 85% of colorectal cancers and over 50% of polyps.

JERUSALEM – New compound for slowing the aging process can lead to novel treatments for brain diseases.

US – Older mice fed wolfberries show reduced risk for flu virus with vaccine diseases.

US – Molecular sensor detects early signs of multiple sclerosis, Gladstone study finds.

US – Scripps Research Institute scientists achieve detailed picture of key part of Hepatitis C virus.

US – Researchers discover promising new treatment to help people with spine injuries walk better.

US – Personalized vaccine for most lethal type of brain tumor shows promise.

INDONESIA – Oil palm industry linked to Indonesia's forest loss

SINGAPORE – Scientists discover protein responsible for DNA compaction

SINGAPORE – Missing protein explains link between obesity and diabetes

SINGAPORE – Novel use of fluorescent probe shines new light to finding future anti-cancer drugs

SINGAPORE – Singapore scientists make breakthrough discovery in stomach cancer research using technology developed at Genome Institute of Singapore

AFRICA – New vaccine against five livestock diseases in progress

EUROPE – Combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in removing beta-amyloid plaques from the brains of mice

UNITED STATES – Combination vaccine for ricin and anthrax achieves simultaneous protection milestone

UNITED STATES – Pseudogenes may provide clearer understanding of biomarkers

UNITED STATES – Smell and eye tests show potential to detect Alzheimer's early

UNITED STATES – Neurons, brain cancer cells require the same little-known protein for long-term survival

UNITED STATES – Transplanting gene into injured hearts creates biological pacemakers

SINGAPORE – Singapore Scientists Provide New Insights on How Cancers Evade the Immune System.

SINGAPORE – NUS Scientists Discover Novel Vulnerabilities in Dengue Virus.

UNITED STATES – New Study Suggests that Vitamin D Decreases Risk of Cancer.

UNITED STATES – Study Reverses Thinking on Genetic Links to Stress, Depression.

UNITED STATES – Antibody Helps Detect Protein Implicated in Alzheimer’s, Other Diseases.

UNITED STATES – Fruits and Vegetables’ Latest Superpower? Lowering Blood Pressure.

AUSTRALIA & KOREA – Novotech Signs MOU with South Korea’s Leading Medical Center, the Asan Medical Center.

JAPAN – Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association (APACMed) announces partnership with Japan Federation of Medical Devices Associations (JFMDA).

UNITED STATES – Gene Mutation May Speed Up Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease.

UNITED STATES – Know the Facts About Skin Cancer.

UNITED STATES – Another Reason to Exercise: Burning Bone Fat – a Key to Better Bone Health.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND – LCT Collaborates with Auckland University Centre for Brain Research to Extend Product Pipeline.

TAIWAN – Peptide Nasal Spray to Delay Onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

TAIWAN – TLC178 Designated by US FDA as Drug for Rare Pediatric Disease in the Treatment of Rhabdomyosarcoma.

New births in China reached 18.5 million in 2016.

2017 Future Science Prize winners announced: Yigong Shi, Jianwei Pan, Chenyang Xu.

Smart nano-pesticide to combat soil and water contamination.

Nanotech applications lag behind research output.

China plans to launch “brain project” by year end.

AliHealth builds up online pharmacy in China.

Internet of Things for better health solutions.

Knowledge sharing via the Digital Silk Road.

UNAIDS encourages Chinese to produce drugs for Africa.

The following topics are under this section:

• Tencent makes medical information readily available to the public
• United States FDA approves first China-made cancer drug
• Chinese conglomerate breaks ground to create network of international hospitals in China in strategic cooperation agreement
• China launches project on lung cancer gene atlas
• Dermatology centre in Shanghai to pursue research in biologicals
• Inner Mongolia ends medical observation in pneumonic plague case
• China looks to expand malaria aid in Africa

In this work, an attempt is made to analyze anatomical regions of Alzheimer's brain MR images using level set and Minkowski functionals (MFs). The T1 weighted sagittal view of normal and abnormal images considered in this work, are obtained from MIRIAD database. The ventricle along with the hippocampus is segmented using Reaction Diffusion (RD) level set method and is subjected to further analysis using MFs. The prominent feature derived from the segmented region which contains ventricle and hippocampus is correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Results show that RD method is able to delineate the exact boundary of the ventricle along with hippocampus. It is observed that the MF-area of segmented region provides better discrimination of normal and abnormal subjects (p < 0.001) compared to the MF-perimeter and MF-Euler number. The correlation of the MMSE with prominent MF-area for normal, mild, moderate and severe are found to be 0.71, 0.82, 0.84 and 0.89, respectively. This suggests that characterization of brain structures using MFs improve the discrimination capability of brain disorders. Hence MF-area feature could be used for the study of progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) like neurodegenerative disorders.

Readhead et al. recently reported in Neuron the detection and association of human herpesviruses 6A (HHV6A) and 7 (HHV7) with Alzheimer’s disease by shotgun sequencing. I was skeptical of the specificity of their modified Viromescan bioinformatics method and subsequent analysis for numerous reasons. Using their supplementary data, the prevalence of variola virus, the etiological agent of the eradicated disease smallpox, can be calculated at 97.5% of their Mount Sinai Brain Bank dataset. Reanalysis of Readhead et al.’s data using highly sensitive and specific alternative methods finds no HHV7 reads in their samples; HHV6A reads were found in only 2 out of their top 15 samples sorted by reported HHV6A abundance. Finally, recreation of Readhead et al.’s modified Viromescan method identifies reasons for its low specificity.

Amyloidopathy is one of the most prominent hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain parenchyma. The plaques consist of abnormal deposits mainly composed of an aggregation-prone protein fragment, $\beta$-amyloid 1-40/1-42, into the extracellular matrix. Brillouin microspectroscopy is an all-optical contactless technique that is based on the interaction between visible light and longitudinal acoustic waves or phonons, giving access to the viscoelasticity of a sample on a subcellular scale. Here, we describe the first application of micromechanical mapping based on Brillouin scattering spectroscopy to probe the stiffness of individual amyloid plaques in the hippocampal part of the brain of a $\beta$-amyloid overexpressing transgenic mouse. Correlative analysis based on Brillouin and Raman microspectroscopy showed that amyloid plaques have a complex structure with a rigid core of $\beta$-pleated sheet conformation ($\beta$-amyloid) protein surrounded by a softer ring-shaped region richer in lipids and other protein conformations. These preliminary results give a new insight into the plaque biophysics and biomechanics, and a valuable contrast mechanism for the study and diagnosis of amyloidopathy.