Research Provides Insight Into Brain's Decision-Making Process
Mar 19, 2010
Replaying recent events in the area of the brain called the hippocampus may have less to do with creating long-term memories, as scientists have suspected, than with an active decision-making process, suggests a new study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Exposure to BPA May Cause Permanent Fertility Defects
Mar 19, 2010
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered that exposure during pregnancy to Bisphenol A (BPA), a common component of plastics, causes permanent abnormalities in the uterus of offspring, including alteration in their DNA. The findings were reported in the March issue of Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB J.).
Intentional Variation Increases Result Validity in Mouse Testing
Mar 19, 2010
For decades, the traditional practice in animal testing has been standardization, but a study involving Purdue University has shown that adding as few as two controlled environmental variables to preclinical mice tests can greatly reduce costly false positives, the number of animals needed for testing and the cost of pharmaceutical trials.
Noise and Vibration Design Criteria – Should limits be standardized?
Mar 19, 2010
A working group within the Acoustical Society of America is focusing on the animal lab environment. Specifically, the purpose of the working group is to develop guidelines, author technical reports, and work toward standardization pertaining to design, construction, and evaluation of vivaria and facilities for conducting laboratory animal research.
Cancer Protecting Methods Interconnected
Mar 19, 2010
German researchers have found that cells protect themselves against lymphatic cancer using two different, yet interconnected methods. The study used animal models and was conducted by researchers from the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) and the Charité – University.
“Pep Boys” Prepared for Space Flight
Mar 19, 2010
Pep Boy mice will be blasting off in the space shuttle Discovery on April 5, 2010 as part of a research project studying the immune system’s ability to protect against infections during space flight. The mice were recently transported to Kennedy Space Center in Florida to acclimate to the “NASA bars” shuttle diet, which is formulated to prevent its floating while in zero gravity. This is the second trip into space for JAX® Mice.
Protein has Potential for Cancer Therapy
Mar 19, 2010
A naturally occurring protein, sFRP4, inhibited tumor growth as effectively as the cancer drug Avastin® in animal trials, according to a study published in The American Journal of Pathology.
sFPR4 is a secreted frizzled-related protein that is known to play an active role in preventing cell proliferation, promoting cell death, and blocking blood-vessel formation. During the study, the protein restricted oxygen and nutrient supply in tumors by preventing the growth of blood vessels.
Osmotic Pump Implantation: Are you sure you have it right?
Mar 19, 2010
Although this is a common procedure, it is often performed incorrectly.
The use of osmotic pumps in rodents allows for safe, controlled, continuous delivery of agents. Not only do they simplify drug delivery, but they can also reduce stress in the animal by allowing free range of movement and removing the need for a catheter connection. For this and other reasons, osmotic pumps are an attractive option for delivery of agents.
Singapore Presents Best Biomedical Science Career Opportunities in Asia
Mar 18, 2010
An Asia-Pacific specific survey that revealed that named Singapore as the number one location for biomedical science professionals in the region, according to RSA Singapore, a worldwide organization that specializes in executive search and interim management.
Singapore was named the top choice because of its good standards of living, associated safety/security, favorable taxes, and its strong biomedical sciences industry. Last year, Singapore's biomedical manufacturing output earned $21 million and employed 13,000 people, a growth of 900 jobs since the beginning of 2009.
Fruit Flies Help Prevent and Treat Buildup of Aβ in Brain
Mar 16, 2010
A protein called Affibody could possibly prevent and even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, according to research from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and the Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences.
Origin of Skin Cells Discovered
Mar 16, 2010
A stem cell present in hair follicles is responsible for producing all the different types of skin cells, according to a study led by Hans Clevers at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in Utrecht, Netherlands. This finding could result in improved skin treatments for victims of serious wounds and burns.
There are three different populations of cells; hair follicles, moisturizing sebaceous glands, and the interfollicular epidermis. Previously, it was thought that stem cells in each type of skin cell were capable of producing cells of its own type.
Japanese Scientists Uncover How Thalidomide Causes Birth Defects
Mar 16, 2010
A group of scientists from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tohuku University have discovered how Thalidomide, a drug used in blood cancer medicines, can lead to limb deformities in babies. This discovery may result in the development of safer cancer treatments.
University of Melbourne Receives $35m in NHMRC Program Grants
Mar 11, 2010
University of Melbourne researchers were awarded more than $35 million in program grants from Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The grants were won by researchers in the department of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health services for use on projects that include research on Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, knee osteoarthritis, and bacterial infections.
Research Finds Link between Repeated Anesthesia and Memory Impairment in Children
Mar 10, 2010
A new study in the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism indicates that there is a link between repeated anesthesia in children and memory impairment.
The researchers, from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, had previously discovered a link between stem cell loss and repeated anesthesia and decided to investigate what happens to brain stem cells when exposed to strong magnetic fields, for example, during an MRI.
JAX to Offer Free Nomenclature Webinar
Mar 10, 2010
Join JAX at your computer on Thursday, March 18, from 4:00-5:00pm (ET in the U.S.) for a free live tutorial on interpreting mouse nomenclature and more.
Agreement Enables Live Animal Imaging for Cancer Studies
Mar 10, 2010
Promega and TOP srl have combined their industry leading technologies to provide the most sensitive tools for monitoring apoptosis in live mammals, an important biomarker in cancer studies.
Scientists Identify Natural Compound that Inhibits Cancer Cell Migration
Mar 09, 2010
Investigators at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute led by Kristiina Vuori, M.D., Ph.D., have discovered that the natural compound sceptrin, which is found in marine sponges, reduces cancer cell motility (movement) and has very low toxicity. Metastasis is one of the deadliest aspects of cancer, so restricting aberrant cell movement is an important step towards advancing treatments.
NIH and FDA Announce Collaborative Initiative to Fast-track Innovations to the Public
Mar 09, 2010
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health unveiled an initiative designed to accelerate the process from scientific breakthrough to the availability of new, innovative medical therapies for patients.
Stem Cells Restore Sight in Mouse Model of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Mar 09, 2010
An international research team led by Columbia University Medical Center successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. This strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of blindness that affects approximately one in 3,000 to 4,000 people, or 1.5 million people worldwide.
Mother’s Milk Lowers Risk of Obesity in Mice
Mar 09, 2010
Newborn mice who receive their mother’s milk experience a process that boosts their metabolism, possibly lowering their risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood, according to a study at the University of Barcelona.
West Virginia University Receives $14.5 million for New Animal Facility Annex
Mar 05, 2010
West Virginia University has received more than $14.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for the construction of a new animal research facility annex at West Virginia University (WVU). The funding is being made available as a research facilities construction grant within the Department of Health and Human Services’ National Center for Research Resources.
Biomedical Facility Donated to Morgridge Institute for Research
Mar 05, 2010
The private half of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will have expanded research capabilities after a California drug company donated a $16 million facility.
District 8 Conference to be held May 5 - 7th in Tempe, AZ
Mar 05, 2010
The District 9 Conference will include workshops on rodent necropsy, swine anesthesia, rodent imaging and more. The keynote speaker is Rebecca Skloot author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."
Global On-Line Training for the Biomedical Community
Mar 05, 2010
The Veterinary Bioscience Institute (VBI) provides online education to a globally dispersed biomedical community. Through innovation and research, VBI’s technologies advance the cause of animal welfare, while improving the quality of research and meeting the training needs of the biomedical community.
Worm-derived Proteins Reduce Colitis Symptoms in Mice
Mar 05, 2010
A recent study at the University of Antwerp in Belgium using a mouse model of experimental colitis found that worm-derived proteins had a therapeutic affect against inflammation and gastrointestinal mobility disturbances.