HOUSTON – Cancer vaccines that attempt to stimulate an immune system assault fail because the killer T cells aimed at tumors instead find the vaccination site a more inviting target, scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report in Nature Medicine. A common substance used in many cancer vaccines to boost immune attack betrays the cause by facilitating a buildup of T cells at the vaccination site, which then summon more T cells to help with the perceived threat. "Vaccines stimulate production of T cells primed to attack the target cancer, and ...

A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has discovered mutations in two genes that lead to the death of nerve cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and related degenerative diseases. The same mutation occurred in both genes and led to the abnormal build-up of the proteins inside cells. These proteins play an essential role in normal RNA functioning and have also been linked to cancer, including the Ewing sarcoma, the second most common type of bone cancer in children and adolescents. The finding is the latest in ...

Scientists have produced an instruction manual for the human genome that provides a framework to better understand the relationship between an individual's genetic make-up and their lifestyle. The international team of researchers say their study – published in Nature Biotechnology – provides the best model yet to explain why individuals react differently to environmental factors such as diet or medication. "This research is the second important stage of our understanding of the human genome," said study author Professor Pedro Mendes, from The University of Manchester's ...

A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Children's Center, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Massachusetts Medical School describe the first case of a so-called "functional cure" in an HIV-infected infant. The finding, the investigators say, may help pave the way to eliminating HIV infection in children. A report on the case is scheduled for presentation at a press conference on Sunday, March 3, at the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Atlanta. Johns Hopkins Children's Center virologist Deborah Persaud, ...

Building on earlier pioneering work by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, an international consortium of university researchers has produced the most comprehensive virtual reconstruction of human metabolism to date. Scientists could use the model, known as Recon 2, to identify causes of and new treatments for diseases like cancer, diabetes and even psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Each person's metabolism, which represents the conversion of food sources into energy and the assembly of molecules, is determined by genetics, environment and ...

MADISON — A multi-university team of researchers has artificially engineered a unique multilayer material that could lead to breakthroughs in both superconductivity research and in real-world applications. The researchers can tailor the material, which seamlessly alternates between metal and oxide layers, to achieve extraordinary superconducting properties — in particular, the ability to transport much more electrical current than non-engineered materials. The team includes experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Florida State University and the University ...

(Boston) – An international group of researchers has discovered seven new regions of the human genome—called loci—that are associated with increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness. The AMD Gene Consortium, a network of international investigators representing 18 research groups, also confirmed 12 loci identified in previous studies. The study, which is published online in Nature Genetics and represents the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variations associated with AMD, was supported by the National Eye Institute ...

An international group of investigators has identified seven new genetic regions associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of blindness in older individuals. The findings, reported online March 3 in Nature Genetics, could point to new biological pathways and therapeutic targets for AMD. The AMD Gene Consortium, a network of 18 research groups supported by the National Eye Institute, also confirmed 12 genetic loci identified in previous studies. The study represents the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis of genetic variations associated ...

BOSTON, Mass, March 4, 2013—The first large, population-based study to follow children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into adulthood shows that ADHD often doesn't "go away," and that children with ADHD are more likely to have other psychiatric disorders as adults. Although numbers were small, they also appear more likely to commit suicide and are often incarcerated as adults. "Only 37.5 percent of the children we contacted as adults were free of these really worrisome outcomes," says William Barbaresi, MD, of Boston Children's Hospital, lead investigator ...

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL. (March 4, 2013) – Two million Americans are allergic to insect stings, an allergy which sends more than 500,000 people to the emergency room annually. Yet, according to a study published today in the March issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAA), while fire ant allergy sufferers know allergy shots can save their life, more than 60 percent do not adhere to treatment guidelines. For optimal protection against fire ant stings, allergists recommend allergy ...

A small study from Johns Hopkins adds to the growing body of evidence that red blood cells stored longer than three weeks begin to lose the capacity to deliver oxygen-rich cells where they may be most needed. In a report published online in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, the Johns Hopkins investigators say red cells in blood stored that long gradually lose the flexibility required to squeeze through the body's smallest capillaries to deliver oxygen to tissue. Moreover, they say, that capacity is not regained after transfusion into patients during or after surgery. ...

Yacht Crew Direct has launched its online sailing crew finder service yachtcrewdirect.com, bringing budding crew together with global sailing adventurers, super yachts and everything in between. The yachtcrewdirect.com site lists professional paid crew jobs, round the world travel opportunities and mile building trips for new crew, all posted by the yacht owners/operators themselves. Yacht Crew Direct allows crew to search anywhere in the world for a working passage or professional job to apply for. Perfect for backpackers looking for creative ways to travel cheaply ...

Fundraising company Dibbee recently added young entrepreneur and Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization's National Growth & Programs Manager Michael Luchies as their Director of Marketing. CEO Jay Ponnada was matched with Luchies through CoFoundersLab; a matchmaking site for entrepreneurs. One day after Luchies had contacted Jay through the site they met at a local coffee shop. Just a week later they had agreed in principal to add Luchies to the team as the new Director of Marketing. "It seemed like fate, as corny as it sounds," said Luchies during ...

The Rate Speeches second generation Public Speaking Topic Generator now has database of more than 7,000 topics, compared to the Rate Speeches first generation, which was launched with about 2,000 topics. The topic generator is free to use and does not require users to register, log in, or disclose any information. In addition, most topics include a variety of subtopics. In this second generation topic generator, Rate Speeches has more than 230,000 subtopics for the 7,000 topics. Subtopics expand the topics and provide ideas on how to analyze or explore topics. Subtopics ...

Passion 4 Life Liquid Vitamins & Minerals ( http://www.passion4lifevitamins.com ) has been chosen as a semi-finalist, competing for a coveted slot in the TV show "So You Think You Can Sell". In an effort to help the Southern California small business and startup community, the show So You think You Can Sell conducted a Pitchfest, which was a rare opportunity for seven businesses to pitch their product to the judges on episode 2. Passion 4 Life Liquid Vitamins and Minerals will be selected by the judges, the company's fans as well as the website and television ...

Miami is known for its paradise like weather, sexy people, and its rambunctious lifestyle, making it the perfect setting for Eenie Minnie Miney Moe- an Indie Crime Thriller. The film is based on Raul, a tow truck driver in Miami Beach, who wants to make money and make it fast. He has the perfect tool to open the doors to any car in Miami. Each car holds a prize; he soon learns that every reward has its consequences. The film is brought to life by Miami Locals: Andres Dominguez, who plays the main character, tow truck driver Raul, he also starred in Magic City Memoirs. ...

Soterix Medical Inc. is pleased to report positive results of a double-blind, sham-controlled, crossover trial of 18 patients with Fibromyalgia conducted at Harvard Medical School. Fibromyalgia is a prevalent chronic pain syndrome characterized by altered pain and sensory processing in the central nervous system, which is often refractory to multiple therapeutic approaches. The Harvard clinical trial examined the effects of the Soterix Medical's exclusive 4x1 High Definition - Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) on overall perceived pain in patients. HD-tDCS ...

Alan Blakely, the Salt Lake City-based architectural photographer, today announced three unique photography packages designed to transform the brand image of companies in the architecture, design and construction industries. Blakely's photography packages are offered at fixed prices and available anywhere in the United States. "After years of shooting for clients throughout the U.S. and Canada it occurred to me that it often takes only a small investment in photography for a company to completely change its brand image and market position," Mr. Blakely explains. ...

Intemation, a BIM technology provider, announces the release of the AEC/O Industry's first and only asset data commissioning solution for Lifecycle BIM. From Feasibility to O&M, Intemation's new platform enables facility owners and their stakeholders to easily create and manage ANY parametric data type throughout the entire facility lifecycle. "The launch of Intemation and the release of the bimCx platform is a culmination of the best talent in the Industry, many years of research and development, as well as lots of hard work. An early prototype of the solution ...

Competition heated up Sunday, February 24th at the 2013 Blok Club DJs Meet-n-Greet as Project Born Records' artist PHENOM took the stage. Captivating the audience and executives of Lincs Records, Inc., his beat-box intro leading to an a capella song set the tone for a performance no other artist could replicate. Executives M. Gene Lincoln III and Matt Gregory of Lincs Records awarded PHENOM with a distribution deal after unanimously voting in favor of the artist. "I knew I had to give the judges something different because most of the artists performing were starting ...

FundraiserPal raises more funds for schools, causes and charities as this is the company that provides simple, safe and successful fundraising avenue for every organization out there. This is the company that collects donations from individuals and other organizations. Their main goal is to evolve and to revolutionize organizations to raise money. This is done with a feature called Personal Site which is how schools and charities raise more money. Everyone can make their own fundraising website in FundraiserPal and start collecting donations online. Although there are ...

Nothing is closer than family. A boy's best friend is his Mother. What happens when a 25 year film and stage veteran teams with his 60-something creative writing Mother who was a burlesque dancer for over 20 years? They make an award-winning hit cult collection of films that explode and screen around the world. 6 SHORT FILMS BY JACK TRUMAN AND OPAL DOCKERY, a collection of award-winning short films, is heading to Austin for it's Texas premiere at the RXSM Film Festival. A collection of shocking, experimental, alternative underground independent films, short films ...

Douglas D. Koch, M.D., a foremost scholar, clinician, surgeon and Professor of Ophthalmology who is The Allen, Mosbacher, and Law Chair of Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, will be the 63rd recipient of the internationally distinguished Leslie Dana Gold Medal. Dr. Koch will be presented with the Leslie Dana Gold Medal by the St. Louis Society for the Blind & Visually Impaired in ceremonies on April 13, 2013. The Leslie Dana Gold Medal, a renowned honor esteemed worldwide, has been awarded by the Society since 1925 to many of the world's ...

PRIMAL ADVENTURES is pleased to announce the launch of findyournextadventure/com, a unique new website for all outdoor adventurers. The internet is like one big giant map across the virtual world. You can find just about anything with the proper coordinates. But what if you do not fit the profile of an outdoor person that pursues singular interests? You enjoy high mountain adventures with your friends or family in one part of the world but also find a thrill in sitting alone on a crisp autumn morning in pursuit of trophy whitetail deer. Want to find that unique hiking ...

LeadsRain.com, supplier of cloud based auto dialer technology, has launched hosted interactive voice response (IVR) products. LeadsRain.com supplier hosted cloud telephony technology has launched hosted interactive voice response (IVR) products. On the phone is not a real-time call center on behalf of the rich and the customer interaction space, allow the product to fill the important gap. The system is widely used in large enterprises, but with this release, LeadsRain democratization of technology for small to medium-sized enterprises. The Hosted IVR has powerful features ...