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Archive for the ‘biotech/medical’ category: Page 1673

Apr 8, 2020

Japan to Fund Firms to Shift Production Out of China

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, economics

Japan has earmarked $2.2 billion of its record economic stimulus package to help its manufacturers shift production out of China as the coronavirus disrupts supply chains between the major trading partners.

The extra budget, compiled to try to offset the devastating effects of the pandemic, includes 220 billion yen ($2 billion) for companies shifting production back to Japan and 23.5 billion yen for those seeking to move production to other countries, according to details of the plan posted online.

Apr 8, 2020

Alzheimer’s trial supports high amyloid levels as early sign of disease

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, government, neuroscience

An ongoing long-term trial suggests high levels of amyloid proteins in the brain do serve as an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease before cognitive decline becomes apparent.


A new study presenting the first data from a long-running US government trial is suggesting high levels of amyloid proteins in the brains of cognitively normal older adults can be an effective presymptomatic sign of early stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Over the last few decades, the amyloid hypothesis has guided the majority of research into an Alzheimer’s disease treatment. The idea is that a build up of toxic amyloid proteins in the brain, called plaques, is the primary degenerative driver behind the disease.

Continue reading “Alzheimer’s trial supports high amyloid levels as early sign of disease” »

Apr 8, 2020

Researchers successfully repair stroke-damaged rat brains

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have succeeded in restoring mobility and sensation of touch in stroke-afflicted rats by reprogramming human skin cells to become nerve cells, which were then transplanted into the rats’ brains. The study has now been published in the research journal PNAS.

“Six months after the transplantation, we could see how the new cells had repaired the damage that a stroke had caused in the rats’ brains,” says Professor Zaal Kokaia, who together with senior professor Olle Lindvall and researcher Sara Palma-Tortosa at the Division of Neurology is behind the study.

Several previous studies from the Lund team and others have shown that it is possible to transplant cells derived from human stem cells or from reprogrammed cells into brains of rats afflicted by stroke. However, it was not known whether the transplanted cells can form connections correctly in the rat in a way that restores normal movement and feeling.

Apr 8, 2020

At least 20 UK phone masts vandalised over false 5G coronavirus claims

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, internet, mobile phones

Industry body assures people in open letter there is no link between 5G and pandemic.

Apr 8, 2020

Scientists decipher complete genome of SARS-Cov-2

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, evolution

Scientists in Argentina decipher complete genome of SARS-Cov-2. Work by ANLIS-Malbrán Institute specialists will allow experts to follow evolution of virus in Argentina, ensure quality of diagnosis and contribute to development of vaccine.

Apr 8, 2020

Bat Man: Hunting Down COVID-19 and other Deadly Viruses

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

If you’re curious about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship to animals, I’d like to recommend an excellent interview with a bat virus expert who was in Wuhan, China at ground zero in mid-January. He has been involved in a series of investigations of viral epidemics since the mid-1990s.


Ira Pastor, ideaXme life sciences ambassador, interviews Dr. Linfa Wang, director of the Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases at the collaborative Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School in Singapore.

Continue reading “Bat Man: Hunting Down COVID-19 and other Deadly Viruses” »

Apr 8, 2020

Israeli COVID-19 treatment shows 100% survival rate

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Not only have all the patients survived, according to Pluristem, but four of them showed improvement in respiratory parameters and three of them are in the advanced stages of weaning from ventilators. Moreover, two of the patients with preexisting medical conditions are showing clinical recovery in addition to the respiratory improvement.

“We are pleased with this initial outcome of the compassionate use program and committed to harnessing PLX cells for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems,” said Pluristem CEO and president Yaky Yanay. “Pluristem is dedicated to using its competitive advantages in large-scale manufacturing to potentially deliver PLX cells to a large number of patients in significant need.”

Pluristem’s PLX cells are “allogeneic mesenchymal-like cells that have immunomodulatory properties,” meaning they induce the immune system’s natural regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages, the company explained in a previous release. The result could be the reversal of dangerous overactivation of the immune system. This would likely reduce the fatal symptoms of pneumonia and pneumonitis (general inflammation of lung tissue).

Apr 8, 2020

Universal basic income is set to transform Spain when it’s needed most

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, economics, government

The Spanish government is taking action in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Apr 8, 2020

Detecting real biological viruses with a smartphone

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, cybercrime/malcode, economics, mobile phones

Most of us are similar with ‘viruses’ and malware relating to our computers or smartphones, but Yoshihiro Minagawa, a researcher from the University of Tokyo has taken it on literally – he has invented a portable, low-cost, battery-powered device that pairs with a smartphone, which was tested with viruses but could also detect other biological markers. His initial findings, together with other teammates were published recently in the journal, Lab on a Chip.

The current leading method to assess the presence of viruses and other biological markers of disease is effective but large and expensive. It is prohibitively difficult for use in many situations, especially due to certain economic and geographic factors. Although highly accurate at counting viruses, these tools are just too cumbersome for many situations, especially when rapid diagnosis is required.

“I wanted to produce a useful tool for inaccessible or less-affluent communities that can help in the fight against diseases such as influenza,” said Minagawa. “Diagnosis is a critical factor of disease prevention. Our device paves the way for better access to essential diagnostic tools.”

Apr 8, 2020

DIY T-Shirt Masks and Balaclavas: Military Services Release Face-Covering Guidance

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, military, policy

The military branches are requiring troops to make their own cloth face masks after the Pentagon’s latest policy directed face coverings for all personnel during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Defense Department announced Sunday that troops, DoD civilian employees, contractors and family members are encouraged to make simple coverings out of clean T-shirts and other household materials. The do-it-yourself face coverings are mandatory whenever people cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public areas or places of work, according to the policy, signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

The DIY masks will help preserve much-needed N95 and surgical masks for health care workers, the policy states.