Bacteria don't like getting poked

ScienceDaily (2010-03-15) -- For two decades, scientists have been pursuing a potential new way to treat bacterial infections, using naturally occurring proteins known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Now, scientists have recorded the first microscopic images showing the deadly effects of AMPs, most of which kill by poking holes in bacterial cell membranes.

I love gooooold. But cancer sure doesn't

ScienceDaily (2010-03-16)
-"Magic Bullets" are highly targeted medical treatments which are the ultimate goal for drug development.
-Cancer has evaded these so-called bullets because of drastic changes in tumors between (1) different stages of cancer development, (2) different organs/tissues of the body, and (3) different patients.
-A new treatment developed at Washington University in St. Louis may be able to target cancer cells and selectively kill them with minimal damage to healthy cells.
-The technique is called 'Photothermal Therapy' and involves injecting gold nanocages into a patient's bloodstream (gold is inert and therefore nontoxic at low levels).
-Some of these 'golden bullet' nanocages accumulate at the tumor site (~6%) through leaky blood vessels (a commonality between tumor).
-A laser is then shone on the tumor site and the nanocages present convert light into heat which leads to the death of the tumor cells and has little/no effect on the surrounding healthy cells.
-This treatment was shown to work in a mouse model, but with the way things are currently for translating developments from the lab-to-clinic, this technology should be available in 100 years or so.
-This treatment isn't perfect yet, more research has begun on actively targeting cancer cells so fewer particles need to be injected, but is a huge tool in treating cancer which could be effective right now!

'Glow-in-the-dark' sperm

ScienceDaily (2010-03-19) -- By genetically altering fruit flies so that the heads of their sperm were fluorescent green or red, biologists were able to observe in striking detail what happens to live sperm inside the female. The findings may have huge implications for the fields of reproductive biology, sexual selection and speciation.

Frozen boobies

ScienceDaily (2010-03-20)
-Once again, an article that hits close to home since my mom was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer over 2 years ago.
-Women (and some men) diagnosed with breast cancer have many treatment options which usually involve invasive surgery to remove the tumor(s) and chemotherapy to ensure the death of any remaning cancerous cells.
-Unfortunately, these treatments can be expensive, uncomfortable, and long-lasting as well as resulting in drastic physical changes after a mastectomy (breast removal) most often leading to further plastic surgery.
-A new technique called 'image-guided multiprobe cryotherapy' solves most/all of those complications.
-Needles small enough to be inserted into the body through a small skin nick instead of a surgical operation are guided to the tumor site using ultrasound, CT, or MR imaging before releasing "ice balls" which selectively destroy tumor cells.

What's wrong with my heart doc? Too much fat

ScienceDaily (2010-03-20)
-This article is particularly relevant to me because some of the research my lab is doing involves studying adipose(fat) tissue in mice and the immune/inflammatory cells associated with different fat pads.
-By measuring the layer of fat around the heart with CT scanning or MRI, doctors are able to better predict ischemia, diminished blood flow in the heart.
-One hypothesis for this correlation is that the fat cells release certain inflammatory molecules/chemicals which results in the build-up of 'atherosclerotic plaques', specifically non-calcified plaques, believed by cardiologists to carry increased risks of heart problems.

Vaccines feel the heat

• Many vaccines today are composed of live viruses modified to trigger an immune response without causing the symptoms of an actual infection.
• Drawback to this 'live-attenuated' vaccine method:
• Refrigeration (4°-8°C) is necessary for the vaccine's effectiveness.
• Costs hundreds of millions of dollars in the developed world.
• Nearly impossible to maintain in delivering vaccines to the developing world where immunizations are most needed
• A new process developed by British scientists (jolly-good old chaps) can keep unrefrigerated vaccines stable for 4 months, even at tropical temperatures.
• If proven to be economically feasible (the key with any new technology), vaccines against tuberculosis, malaria, bird flu, and maybe even HIV could be delivered to those most at risk for contracting the spreading these diseases.

http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24603/