MEDICINE & HEALTH

From human embryonic stem cells to billions of human insulin producing cells

Giant step toward new diabetes treatment Giant step toward new diabetes treatment Harvard stem cell researchers today announced that they have made a giant leap forward in the quest to find a truly effective treatment for type 1 diabetes, a condition that affects an estimated three million Americans at a cost of about $15 billion annually: With human embryonic stem cells as a starting point, the scientists are for the first time able to produce, in the kind of massive quantities needed for cell transplantation and pharmaceutical purposes, human insulin-producing beta cells equivalent in most every way to normally functioning beta cells.

Quantifying physical changes in red blood cells as they mature in the bloodstream

During their approximately 100-day lifespan in the bloodstream, red blood cells lose membrane surface area, volume, and hemoglobin content. A study publishing this week in PLOS Computational Biology finds that of these three changes, only the observed surface-area loss can be explained by RBCs shedding small hemoglobin-containing vesicles budding off their cells' membrane.

Cold exposure prompts body to convert white fat to calorie-burning beige fat

Obesity, inflammation limit body's ability to produce beneficial tissue Obesity, inflammation limit body's ability to produce beneficial tissue Exposure to cold temperatures can convert white fat tissue from the thighs and belly to beige fat that burns calories for heat, but this biological response is hampered in obese people, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Treating C. diff infection with oral, frozen encapsulated fecal material

A preliminary study has shown the potential of treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (a bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of the colon) with oral administration of frozen encapsulated fecal material from unrelated donors, which resulted in an overall rate of resolution of diarrhea of 90 percent, according to a study published in JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at IDWeek 2014.

Study examines effect of antibiotic susceptibility for patients with bloodstream infection

In an analysis of more than 8,000 episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, there were no significant differences in the risk of death when comparing patients exhibiting less susceptibility to the antibiotic vancomycin to patients with more vancomycin susceptible strains of S. aureus, according to a study published in JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with the IDWeek 2014 meeting.

College athletes in contact sports more likely to carry MRSA, study finds

Should practice good hygiene, not share razors and towels Should practice good hygiene, not share razors and towels PHILADELPHIA - Even if they don't show signs of infection, college athletes who play football, soccer and other contact sports are more likely to carry the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), suggests a study on MRSA and athletes, which is being presented at IDWeek 2014TM.
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