Archives for 2012

Pluripotent Stem Cells and the Nobel Prize for Medicine

October 11, 2012 | by

nobel medal in medicineThe 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was announced earlier this week. The prize was awarded to two scientists for their work on reprogramming mature cells to become pluripotent.

The prize of 10-million-Swedish-krona (US$1.5-million) was divided, one half jointly to Sir John B. Gurdon, age 79, at the Gurdon Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Shinya Yamanaka, age 50, at Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan and the Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, California, USA, for the discovery that mature, specialized cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body.

Study Reveals How Green Tea Improves Memory

October 5, 2012 | by

Green tea has been enjoyed for centuries, and its benefits have been widely touted. It is reputed to help treat many of modernity’s worst ills, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV infection, and neurodegenerative diseases. New work done in China furthers the observations that green tea can help prevent neurodegeneration. The report, published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, starts to elucidate the mechanism by which it does so [1].

Green tea

Dark Matter DNA Active in Brain During Day-Night Cycle

September 25, 2012 | by

Long stretches of DNA once considered inert “dark matter” of the genome — the over 98% of DNA that doesn’t code for proteins — appear to be uniquely active in a part of the brain known to control the body’s 24-hour cycle, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The findings appear in the August 14th edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [1].

Dark Matter DNA

The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge

September 20, 2012 | by

On Saturday, September 22, Urology of Indiana and ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer will be hosting a huge event in Indianapolis — including a 5K race — to raise awareness about prostate cancer.

Indianapolis Great Prostate Cancer Challenge

Walmart and Sam’s Club Offer 10 Vital Immunizations Nationwide

September 18, 2012 | by

Walmart and Sam’s Club (a division of Wal-Mart Stores) recently announced the launch of expanded immunization services across the United States, signaling the company’s expansion into healthcare services [1, 2]. In partnership with Mollen Immunization Clinics, ten of the CDC-recommended immunizations will be offered in more than 2,700 Walmart stores and 554 Sam’s Club pharmacy locations.

Walmart and Sams Club