New way to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Target human cells instead

Posted: 11 Dec 2013 01:00 PM PST

As more reports appear of a grim "post-antibiotic era" ushered in by the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, a new strategy for fighting infection is emerging that targets a patient's cells rather than those of the invading pathogens. The technique interferes with the way that the pathogens take over a patient's cells to cause infection.

New research shows obesity is an inflammatory disease

Posted: 03 Dec 2013 01:00 PM PST

Scientists have moved a step closer to an "obesity drug" that may block the effects of diets high in sugar and fats. In a new research report published in the December 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, scientists show that there is an abnormal amount of an inflammatory protein called PAR2 in the abdominal fat tissue of overweight and obese humans and rats. This protein is also increased on the surfaces of human immune cells by common fatty acids in the diet.

Some 'healthy' vegetable oils may actually increase risk of heart disease

Some 'healthy' vegetable oils may actually increase risk of heart disease

Posted: 12 Nov 2013 01:00 PM PST

Some vegetable oils that claim to be healthy may actually increase the risk of heart disease, and Health Canada should reconsider cholesterol-lowering claims on food labelling, states an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). Replacing saturated animal fats with polyunsaturated vegetable oils has become common practice because they can reduce serum cholesterol levels and help prevent heart disease.

Statin, osteoporosis drug combo may help treat parasitic infections

Statin, osteoporosis drug combo may help treat parasitic infections

Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:00 PM PDT

Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that a combination of two commonly prescribed drugs used to treat high cholesterol and osteoporosis may serve as the foundation of a new treatment for toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. They published their findings recently in PLOS Pathogens.

Compound in grapes, red wine could help treat multiple types of cancer

Compound in grapes, red wine could help treat multiple types of cancer

Posted: 13 Oct 2013 02:00 PM PDT

A recent study by a University of Missouri researcher shows that resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine, can make certain tumor cells more susceptible to radiation treatment. This research, which studied melanoma cells, follows a previous MU study that found similar results in the treatment of prostate cancer. The next step is for researchers to develop a successful method to deliver the compound to tumor sites and potentially treat many types of cancers.

Coffee and tea may contribute to a healthy liver

Coffee and tea may contribute to a healthy liver

Posted: 19 Aug 2013 02:00 PM PDT

Your morning cup of tea or coffee may be doing more than just perking you up before work. An international team of researchers led by Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School (Duke-NUS) and the Duke University School of Medicine suggest that increased caffeine intake may reduce fatty liver in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Celery, artichokes contain flavonoids that kill human pancreatic cancer cells

Celery, artichokes contain flavonoids that kill human pancreatic cancer cells

Posted: 18 Aug 2013 02:00 PM PDT

Celery, artichokes, and herbs, especially Mexican oregano, all contain apigenin and luteolin, flavonoids that kill human pancreatic cancer cells in the lab by inhibiting an important enzyme, according to two new University of Illinois studies.