Health News

Mutation mechanism discovered for neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer

Although neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas are rare, the available treatment options are currently limited. Researchers have now managed to identify the mutation mechanism, namely a mutation on the gene that activates the telomerase enzyme TERT, and this will potentially give rise to new treatment options. This discovery could lead to a more targeted treatment […]

Health Problems

Going the distance: Brain cells for 3-D vision discovered

In stunning images captured under the microscope for the first time, the neurons were found in praying mantises. The work is published in Nature Communications today. In a specially-designed insect cinema, the mantises were fitted with 3-D glasses and shown 3-D movies of simulated bugs while their brain activity was monitored. When the image of […]

Health Problems

Newly discovered immune cell linked to type 1 diabetes

In a discovery that might be likened to finding medicine’s version of the Loch Ness monster, a research team from Johns Hopkins Medicine, IBM Research and four collaborating institutions is the first to document the existence of long-doubted “X cell,” a “rogue hybrid” immune system cell that may play a key role in the development […]

Personal Health

First common risk genes discovered for autism

A study headed by researchers from the Danish project iPSYCH and the Broad Institute in the U.S., has found the first common genetic risk variants for autism and uncovered genetic differences in clinical subgroups of autism. The discovery means that we will in future be able to determine the genes that separate the diagnostic groups, […]

Health Problems

New pathway for cell communication discovered

Small lipid vesicles known as extracellular vesicles are of great interest to cell scientists since it has been discovered that they mediate intercellular communication. Now, Professor Tom Carter’s group has identified a novel pathway for the storage and release of these vesicles from vascular endothelial cells. Working in collaboration with Dr Peter Rosenthal of the […]

Personal Health

Solving a medical mystery: Cause of rare type of dwarfism discovered

For children born with Saul-Wilson syndrome, and their parents, much of their lives are spent searching for answers. First defined in 1990, only 14 cases are known worldwide. And the cause of the syndrome—characterized by short stature, microcephaly (small head), hearing loss and early developmental delays—remained unknown. Today, these individuals have answers. “This is the […]