ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• Bacterial security agents go rogue
• Nanosponges soak up toxins released by bacterial infections and venom
• Implantable, bioengineered rat kidney: Transplanted organ produces urine, but further refinement is needed
• Gene sequencing project finds new mutations to blame for a majority of brain tumor subtype
• Ordinary skin cells morphed into functional brain cells
• New gene variations associated with heart rate identified
• Icy therapy spot treats cancer in the lung
• Freezing nerves knocks pain out cold

Bacterial security agents go rogue Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:34 PM PDT CRISPR, a system of genes that bacteria use to defend themselves against viruses, has been found to be involved in helping some bacteria evade the mammalian immune system. Scientists have shown that Francisella novicida, a close relative of the bacterium that causes tularemia, and another bacterium that causes meningitis, need parts of the CRISPR system to stay infectious.

Nanosponges soak up toxins released by bacterial infections and venom Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:34 PM PDT Engineers have invented a "nanosponge" capable of safely removing a broad class of dangerous toxins from the bloodstream -- including toxins produced by MRSA, E. coli, poisonous snakes and bees.

Implantable, bioengineered rat kidney: Transplanted organ produces urine, but further refinement is needed Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:34 PM PDT Bioengineered rat kidneys successfully produced urine both in a laboratory apparatus and after being transplanted into living animals. The research team built functional replacement kidneys on the structure of donor organs from which living cells had been stripped, an approach previously used to create bioartificial hearts, lungs and livers.

Gene sequencing project finds new mutations to blame for a majority of brain tumor subtype Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:31 PM PDT Scientists have advanced their understanding of the genetic defects underlying childhood low-grade gliomas and identifies promising new drug therapies.

Ordinary skin cells morphed into functional brain cells Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:31 PM PDT Researchers have discovered a technique that directly converts skin cells to the type of brain cells destroyed in patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and other so-called myelin disorders.

New gene variations associated with heart rate identified Posted: 14 Apr 2013 04:31 PM PDT Findings pinpoint 14 genetic targets in humans that may provide insight for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Icy therapy spot treats cancer in the lung Posted: 14 Apr 2013 09:11 AM PDT Frozen balls of ice can safely kill cancerous tumors that have spread to the lungs, according to the first prospective multicenter trial of cryoablation.

Freezing nerves knocks pain out cold Posted: 14 Apr 2013 09:11 AM PDT Using a tiny ball of ice, a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment called cryoneurolysis safely short circuits chronic pain caused by nerve damage, according to new data.

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