SEATTLE – Tracing the family tree of COVID-19 through its evolving DNA sequence makes it possible to disprove many false claims circulating on social media about the novel coronavirus, and, in particular, that it was generated in a covert biological weapons program. “From everything I’ve looked at, there is zero evidence for genetic engineering; it looks like normal evolution,” said Trevor Bedford, a computational biologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, who has been using genomes sequences taken from patient samples to track the spread of the virus since Jan. 11.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in neurology, including: PTSD linked to a dysfunction of the brain networks that control memory; Molecule offers hope for halting Parkinson's; Brain abnormalities associated with schizophrenia in individuals with 22q revealed.
BioWorld looks at translational medicine, including: Ebola survivor's antibodies reveal therapeutic targets; JAK inhibitors build bone, no inflammation necessary; Origin story helps ovarian cancer prognosis; Celiac model captures gluten, genetics and gut reactions; New search method, new antibiotic MOA; Nanogold improves MS symptoms; Autophagy helps repair lung injury; How hook(worm)s grapple with nets; Thanks for the memories, myelin; Heat-shock proteins’ subtler cousin.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in diagnostics, including: Creating a safer MRI contrast agent; Novel blood test for HPV-related head and neck cancer; More enhancers suggest more pathogenicity: study; Distinguishing real from backseat drivers.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in orthopedics, including: Using bone’s natural electricity to promote regeneration; Puregraft reports successful phase IIa trial results for KO; Bioventus updates U.S. label for Exogen ultrasound bone healing system; Injectable drug for faster healing of bone fractures prepares for clinical trials (Novosteo).
The hormone prolactin is known for and named after its role in breastfeeding. But that is far from its only role. There are more than 300 identified functions of prolactin, which is present in both men and women, though women have higher levels, and extremely high levels late in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Now, scientists at the University of Arizona have identified another function of prolactin signaling.
At this very early point in the emerging 2019-nCoV outbreak, knowledge about the virus is insufficient to predict what shape that outbreak will ultimately take.
The drug screens prompted by the SARS and MERS outbreaks have been useful for quickly identifying drug candidates. But in terms of their epidemiology, “SARS and MERS were different from this coronavirus,” Allison McGeer explained at a Feb. 3 webinar by Evercore ISI.
Keeping you up to date on recent developments in oncology, including: Study bolsters case for maximal resection for glioblastoma; CD47 knockout improves antitumor vaccine; Distinguishing real from backseat drivers; Protons come to American state of Alabama.
LONDON – The genomes of 38 different tumor types and the 47 million mutations that fostered their growth are revealed in unprecedented detail in 23 studies published in Nature and other journals on Feb. 6, 2020.
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