May 17, 2013--------News Archive—Latest research covered daily, archived weekly

Endothelium, heal thyself
The endothelium is a cellular layer lining the body's blood vessels that routinely withstands blood flow, hydrostatic pressure, stretch and tissue compression, creating a highly dynamic barrier that partitions tissues from the body's circulatory system. When it enables immune cells to fight infection, it cooperates with leukocytes allowing access to their targets. But how?

Study Identifies Genes Altered During Relaxation
Immediate changes seen in gene expression involved with inflammation, energy metabolism and insulin secretion.

Breakthrough for IVF?
One of the greatest challenges in assisted reproduction is to find the one embryo, which can develop successfully. Now, combining time lapse imaging of IVF embryos cultured for 5 days to the blastocyst stage with trophoblast biopsy, it has proved possible to correlate the rate of blastocyst formation with chromosomal abnormalities.

May 16, 2013--------News Archive—Latest research covered daily, archived weekly

The developmental genetics of space and time
Understanding the mechanism by which a signal from one part of an embryo can influence the location and other variables of surrounding cells—is important to gene regulation, evolution, and human health.

OHSU successfully converts human skin cells into embryonic stem cells
The breakthrough marks the first time human stem cells have been produced via nuclear transfer and follows several unsuccessful attempts by research groups worldwide.

Pelvic organ prolapse surgery not very effective
Study reveals many women develop recurrence of sacrocolpopexy or urinary incontinence.

May 15, 2013--------News Archive—Latest research covered daily, archived weekly

Massage therapy improves stress response in preterm infantsMassage therapy may reduce stress in preterm infants by promoting autonomic nervous system development—particularly in male infants.

How cilia trap proteins inside a cell: Implications for hearing, vision loss and kidney disease
Experiments at Johns Hopkins have unearthed clues about which protein signaling molecules are allowed into the hollow, hair-like "antennae" called cilia, that alert cells to critical changes in their environments.

Alligator stem cell study gives clues to tooth regeneration
Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people.

May 14, 2013--------News Archive—Latest research covered daily, archived weekly

Retinoblastoma 1 gene fights cancer when starved
A particular tumor suppressor gene that fights cancer cells does more than clamp down on unabated cell division—hallmark of cancer—it can also make cells more fit by allowing them to fend off stress.

Mutation causes one type of Blue-Baby Syndrome
“Blue Baby” syndrome—total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC)—is a potentially deadly congenital disorder that occurs when an embryo's pulmonary veins don’t connect normally to the left atrium of it's developing heart. TAPVC babies are born cyanotic—blue-colored—from lack of oxygen.

Baby formula use helps some mothers breastfeed longer
In the first trial of its kind, researchers at UC San Francisco have found that giving small amounts of formula in the first few days of life to infants experiencing high levels of early weight loss actually can increase the length of time their mothers end up breastfeeding.

May 13, 2013--------News Archive—Latest research covered daily, archived weekly

PiWi proteins defend sex cells from 'jumping genes'
When activated, troublesome segments of DNA called 'jumping genes' or transposons, can copy and insert themselves at random spots across the chromosomes. In sperm and egg cells the proliferation of transposons can be particularly devastating, causing severe developmental impairments in offspring as well as sterility.

Women altering menstruation cycles in large numbers
A surprisingly large number of women 18 or older choose to delay or skip monthly menstruation by deviating from the instructions of birth-control pills and other hormonal contraceptives.

Brain progenitor cells transform to protect injured nerves
By monitoring the behavior of a class of cells in the brains of living mice, neuroscientists have discovered that these cells remain highly dynamic in the adult brain, transforming into cells that insulate nerve fibers and help form scars to aid in tissue repair.