Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have found out that stem cells can be successfully converted into beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. The transplantation of such cells to diabetics will be a real breakthrough in treatment. According to the researchers, about 415 million people suffer from diabetes in the world, NDTV reports.
Scientists from the US have managed to slow down the growth of glioblastoma (the most aggressive form of brain cancer) by using a new device. This device is attached to the shaved part of the patient's head and generates low-intensity electric fields continuously. A network of isolated electrodes directs the fields to a tumor, UPI.com reports.
As Psych Central notes scientists from Germany have found that stuttering is associated with the hyperactivity of the neural network in the right frontal lobe of the brain. According to the experts, this neural network prevents the planning of articulatory movements and their implementation. Due to this, a person stutters.
Scientists of the University of East Anglia have found that leflunomide (a drug from rheumatoid arthritis) may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Leflunomide in combination with a chemotherapeutic drug, selumethinib, has inhibited a tumor growth in mice with melanoma, Zee News reports.
As The Hindustan Times notes, scientists from the Medical Center of Vanderbilt University have analyzed the data of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) of volunteers. The experts have found a link between brain damage and acquired sociopathy.
It is known that folic acid is able to prevent neural tube defects. Therefore, doctors recommend women to use folic acid supplements during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, sometimes taking folic acid can cause undesirable consequences, Zee News reports.
As Xinhua notes, scientists from the University of Arizona and the Norwegian University of Sciences have studied bacteria that live in the intestine of honey bees. The scientists have found that genes for an antibiotic resistance were spread in the bacteria community so that all bacteria without exceptions became resistant.
According to a new study carried out by scientists of Yale University and the Mayo Clinic, hundreds of small genetic mutations start mutating in the cells of the embryo after conception. Many of these mutations occur in the embryo when sex cells are formed. This means that these mutations can become a part of the genome and be transmitted to the next generation, UPI.com reports.
As Vesti.ru notes, scientists of Yale University and Harvard have calculated how many mutations the human’s brain accumulates during the life. The scientists have studied both embryos and adults. The experts from Yale have evaluated the dynamics of mutations in embryos. DNA analysis has shown that young neurons contain 200 to 400 genetic variations scattered along the whole DNA chain.
This method of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University is able to cure even the most antibiotic resistant bacterial infections, Xinhua reports. In particular, the scientists were interested in increasing the sensitivity of pathogens to quinolones (antibiotics are often used to treat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus).