I wanted to make an Adam and Eve joke, or a bioshock reference, but I am so not witty tonight. Blargrarrgragurgle.
SO. ADAM-12 is a gene which is normally only slightly active in adults. It goes up in people who have cancer and some other problems, or normally when a person is pregnant. Scientists noted that in normal people an inhibitor is present to keep ADAM-12 down (or in parts of the body where less should be present, such as in pregnant women), so they're hypothesizing that with a little more research, an inhibitor or some kind of co-factor that goes along with ADAM-12 could be the answer to controlling the spread of cancer and other problems. It kinda makes sense, they just gotta figure out how it works and what is causing the change. For now we know ADAM-12 plays a role in keeping cells together, so it's a good lead.
Personally I'm not real positive they're looking at a cause so much as just another symptom, but I look forward to hearing what they find out! In the meantime, it just strikes me as "hey we noticed something! *Looks closer* Now what does it mean?" If they can figure it out, though, it'll be another great addition to the ever-gaining-momentum race to cure cancer! :)
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
It can also be...an arthritis cure:
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-adam-gene-key-cancer-arthritis.html
Showing posts with label Oncology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oncology. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
5 February 2011 - Cancer.
I went ahead and changed the Tue-Thur-Sun Schedule on the site header because...well we all know how dependable I am! So yes. I sure do wish blogging was all I did all day! Instead, here is a picture of a kitten:
Anyhoo.
Today, I'd like to talk about a couple of stories I very recently tweeted regarding cancer. Oh, by the way - I noticed that twitter gadget was a little bit of fail, so to make it easier for you guys to use from the site I've switched to the Twitter-created version. Stories should now open in a new tab or window, making it easier for you to read each and come back to the list. :) Okay, anyways, CANCER.
First, something called "Cornell dots." Earlier today I was ranting and raving about how nutty the FDA could get, but here, we see they've graciously permitted the testing of something really nifty - inorganic, tiny dye beads inside a small silica ball. The little balls are small enough to safely pass from the body, as well as being coated with "don't-destroy-me" chemicals. Organic binding bits are stuck to the little dye nanoparticles, making them seek out and stick to tumor cells. Once exposed to "near-infrared" light, they fluoresce brightly, allowing examiners to spot problem sites very easily. They're using radioactivity to double-check results, and will be looking for how long it takes the particles to reach and tag different organ systems, and the length of time needed to leave the body.
Next, most people recognize that sun damage ups your risk for skin cancer, specifically melanoma, but exactly HOW that occurs is still a bit foggy. Well, new research based on previous findings (that a certain kind of interferon moving when exposed to UVB radiation can actually lead to cancerous growth) shows that adding a drug that may block that interferon's activity enough to prevent or halt cancer growth. I don't think there are results on that yet, but it'll be interesting to see where this goes, fo sho.
Mmkay, I know this one was brief, but there was a kitten, so you can't blame me. :) Keep reading the twitter feed, and I'll be around!
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Cancer Dots
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110205162831.htm
More "we're-at-least-onto-something" Science
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110205141314.htm
 |
| That's in my office. Only a few days older. Lookitthelittlenose. |
Today, I'd like to talk about a couple of stories I very recently tweeted regarding cancer. Oh, by the way - I noticed that twitter gadget was a little bit of fail, so to make it easier for you guys to use from the site I've switched to the Twitter-created version. Stories should now open in a new tab or window, making it easier for you to read each and come back to the list. :) Okay, anyways, CANCER.
First, something called "Cornell dots." Earlier today I was ranting and raving about how nutty the FDA could get, but here, we see they've graciously permitted the testing of something really nifty - inorganic, tiny dye beads inside a small silica ball. The little balls are small enough to safely pass from the body, as well as being coated with "don't-destroy-me" chemicals. Organic binding bits are stuck to the little dye nanoparticles, making them seek out and stick to tumor cells. Once exposed to "near-infrared" light, they fluoresce brightly, allowing examiners to spot problem sites very easily. They're using radioactivity to double-check results, and will be looking for how long it takes the particles to reach and tag different organ systems, and the length of time needed to leave the body.
Next, most people recognize that sun damage ups your risk for skin cancer, specifically melanoma, but exactly HOW that occurs is still a bit foggy. Well, new research based on previous findings (that a certain kind of interferon moving when exposed to UVB radiation can actually lead to cancerous growth) shows that adding a drug that may block that interferon's activity enough to prevent or halt cancer growth. I don't think there are results on that yet, but it'll be interesting to see where this goes, fo sho.
Mmkay, I know this one was brief, but there was a kitten, so you can't blame me. :) Keep reading the twitter feed, and I'll be around!
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Cancer Dots
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110205162831.htm
More "we're-at-least-onto-something" Science
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110205141314.htm
Monday, October 4, 2010
4 October 2010 - OCD, Breath-taking Treatments, and Terminal Cancer
Sunday's post is a day late, thanks to a severe case of the homeworks. Actually, Tuesday's might not come at all due to the same extensive case, which will be culminating in four simultaneous tests. :( I'll be twittering my butt off now, though, since I have *gasp* my computer back!!
Today, I have a hefty dose of Vitamin Soft-Sciences. And I'm going to spew it all over your computer screens.
Enough of that.
First up today is a study utilizing electrodes to treat otherwise unresponsive OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder. The study, published in the October Archives of General Psychiatry, implanted electrodes in the nucleus accumbens portion of the brain (which plays a role in rewards) in 16 patients whose OCD was unaffected by other treatments. Then the study took place in three parts. First, active stimulation (whatever that implies) was given over an eight month period to all participants, during which they were assessed for symptoms every two weeks using a 40 point scale. Then comes the double-blind portion, in which for one month the patients were randomly assigned treatment or having the electrodes turned off for two weeks at a time. Much assessing took place. Finally, a year of stimulation again with 3-month assessments. So...did it work? Kinda! Nine patients responded appreciably and decreases in symptoms were pretty evident (check out the link at bottom for details). Side effects were forgetfulness and...uh...what's the term for...er...oh, right, word-finding problems.
While we have brains on the brain, there are also new and exciting findings concerning the breath-holding symptoms of Rett Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 girls. Breathing problems is just one of the symptoms, and can be lethal (not to mention terrifying). Researchers found that in a mouse model with Rett Syndrome, the portion of the brain that controls breathing was actually low on a transmitter, aminobutyric acid. So, by supplementing the aminobutyric acid and also stimulating a certain type of receptor, they successfully stopped the mouse's breathing problems, all using drugs already approved by the FDA. Hopefully this approach will be made available quickly to help those who need it!
Last for today, because I've got quite a bit of studying to get to, new information has been found regarding terminal cancers and how to stop them in their latest stages. Before, there didn't seem to be much you could do once the cancer had "spread." Now, however, research is starting to show how those cancers spread and ways to target that method - specifically, something called platelet endothelial cell adhesion 1...or PECAM-1. By creating an antibody, the anti-PECAM-1 antibody, a new approach becomes available for combatting several types of terminal cancers. Details are in the link at the bottom of this post, but beware, it's a little full of itself. :p
See you later!
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Shockingly OCD
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/569171/
Okay, you can breathe now
http://www.physorg.com/news205425548.html
It's not over til it's over (Cancer, I mean)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/568884/
Today, I have a hefty dose of Vitamin Soft-Sciences. And I'm going to spew it all over your computer screens.
Enough of that.
First up today is a study utilizing electrodes to treat otherwise unresponsive OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder. The study, published in the October Archives of General Psychiatry, implanted electrodes in the nucleus accumbens portion of the brain (which plays a role in rewards) in 16 patients whose OCD was unaffected by other treatments. Then the study took place in three parts. First, active stimulation (whatever that implies) was given over an eight month period to all participants, during which they were assessed for symptoms every two weeks using a 40 point scale. Then comes the double-blind portion, in which for one month the patients were randomly assigned treatment or having the electrodes turned off for two weeks at a time. Much assessing took place. Finally, a year of stimulation again with 3-month assessments. So...did it work? Kinda! Nine patients responded appreciably and decreases in symptoms were pretty evident (check out the link at bottom for details). Side effects were forgetfulness and...uh...what's the term for...er...oh, right, word-finding problems.
While we have brains on the brain, there are also new and exciting findings concerning the breath-holding symptoms of Rett Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder affecting 1 in 10,000 girls. Breathing problems is just one of the symptoms, and can be lethal (not to mention terrifying). Researchers found that in a mouse model with Rett Syndrome, the portion of the brain that controls breathing was actually low on a transmitter, aminobutyric acid. So, by supplementing the aminobutyric acid and also stimulating a certain type of receptor, they successfully stopped the mouse's breathing problems, all using drugs already approved by the FDA. Hopefully this approach will be made available quickly to help those who need it!
Last for today, because I've got quite a bit of studying to get to, new information has been found regarding terminal cancers and how to stop them in their latest stages. Before, there didn't seem to be much you could do once the cancer had "spread." Now, however, research is starting to show how those cancers spread and ways to target that method - specifically, something called platelet endothelial cell adhesion 1...or PECAM-1. By creating an antibody, the anti-PECAM-1 antibody, a new approach becomes available for combatting several types of terminal cancers. Details are in the link at the bottom of this post, but beware, it's a little full of itself. :p
See you later!
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Shockingly OCD
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/569171/
Okay, you can breathe now
http://www.physorg.com/news205425548.html
It's not over til it's over (Cancer, I mean)
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/568884/
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
13 April 2010 - Sneaky Brain Cancer Cells, Watery Glue, Monopole Magnets, and Dance-Powered Street Lamps
Heya!
Hope everyone's week is off to a great start! I guess technically it's Wednesday, but does it still count as Tuesday if I've been up all night? ;)
I found a very interesting article regarding glioblastoma today, a very common and deadly brain cancer. The average patient only survives about 15 months past diagnosis, and closer research may show why. The main tumor generally shoots off occasional cells into the surrounding tissue, which then behave very differently from the growth itself. Those cells are not responsive to the same therapies given to the cancer patients alongside removal of the tumor, and will actually spawn new growths later on. As a result, pretty much every patient with glioblastoma relapses after treatment. Now that the cells have been looked at closer and this fact about their resistance revealed, new treatments to target them as well can start to be explored.
Over at the University of Utah, a lab is checking out sea creatures and their construction habits in an effort to uncover new ideas on underwater adhesives. Specifically, they're looking at Phragmatopoma californica, called the "sandcastle worm," which builds little, compartments for itself via tiny drops of glue and sand bits. Other labs around the country are looking at various other sorts of marine animals looking for clues to apply to the goal. Hopefully the methods they're working toward will aid not only in ocean-stuff, but also have first aid and health applications. Apparently they're making progress, although it is still too soon to try it out on people. :)
Not too long ago scientists managed to actually produce a magnet with only one end - a monopole, but it would only work in very, very cold temperatures. Now, however, an artificial version of this "spin ice" has been created that can behave like a monopole in room temperature. The method employs arranging nano-sized magnets into a honeycomb structure, which as a whole behaves as hoped. Very interesting! I believe the applications lie in quantum computing, but I'd be talking out my rear if I tried to go into more detail.
Last for today is just really neat - France has actually installed and tried out eight modules created by Sustainable Dance Floor on the streets. They're these sections installed into the pavement that generate power when walked across. The goal is to reduce waste in powering city public areas (like street lamps), and to change where that power comes from. Check it out:
Photo: Robin Utrecht/EPA
That's it for today (yesterday?), but check out the twitter feed on the right for more stories I didn't include here. :)
See you Thursday!
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Brain Cancer Relapses
Watery Glue
Warmish Magnets
DDR Power
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6 April 2010 - Links
Hey!
I'm sorry, I was way too overwhelmed today to write a decent post, :( BUT I did find a bunch of great articles yesterday and today! So, here are your links:
Armored T-Shirts
Nanotube black holes
Rising River Temperatures in the US
Early Emphysema Tests
Pyrimidines for Cancer Treatments
For Those Concerned about the Speed of Nano Progress without Health Testing (me)
Toxoplasmosis via the Iberian Lynx
Neurons Cooperating to Get Message Heard
Drug That Caused Birth Defects in 60s May Be Useful in Stopping Bleeding
Enjoy, and I'm sorry I couldn't write more! I promise a real post on Thursday! :)
-Miss Mouse
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)