FDA Allows First Test of Human Stem Cell Therapy
from The New York Times
In a research milestone, the federal government will allow the world's first test in people of a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells. Federal drug regulators said that political considerations had no role in the decision. More

A Link Between Autism and Testosterone?
from Time magazine
A researcher who describes autism as a condition of the "extreme male brain" says fetuses exposed in the womb to high levels of the male hormone testosterone are more likely than others to develop autistic traits as children. More

Identification of MicroRNAs Caused by DNA Methylation that Induce Metastasis
from Medscape Today
Up to 90 percent of cancer deaths are due to metastasis from the primary site. Lymph node metastasis is one of the most common features among almost all solid tumors. The ability to clarify the mechanism underlying metastasis and predict metastasis from analysis of primary disease can have substantial clinical benefit. More

Richard Besser, Terrorism Preparedness Guru, to Head CDC
from The Wall Street Journal
The Obama administration has appointed an infectious disease and disaster preparedness expert as acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Richard Besser, who headed the CDC's public health emergency preparedness and response functions, succeeds Julie Gerberding, who stepped down with the change in administration after six years of leading the federal agency. More

Potential New Antibody Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases
from Science Daily
Scientists at UCSF have discovered an abnormality in a patient’s immune system that may lead to safer therapies for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and colitis, as well as potential new ways to treat transplant rejection. The research identified antibodies from a woman’s immune system that prevent infection-fighting T cells from moving through her blood stream and entering her body’s organs to attack invaders such as bacteria or viruses. More

Monitoring Oral Antiplatelet Therapy: Is It Justified?
from Medscape Today
Platelets play a key role in the initial formation and progression of intravascular thrombus. During coronary and peripheral vascular interventions, antiplatelet therapy is used to impair platelet reactivity in order to minimize adverse ischemic events. Chronic antiplatelet therapy is also administered to decrease the long term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with high atherothrombotic burden. More

Mysterious, Deadly Bat Disease Found in New Jersey
from Newsday
A mysterious disease that has killed thousands of bats in New England has spread to New Jersey, perplexing wildlife officials and raising concerns of a possible increase in bugs and pests. Mick Valent, the division's principal zoologist, said several bats found last month later died in rehabilitation, and others were found dead or emaciated. All displayed a white fungus around their muzzles, a sign of what is called white-nose syndrome. More

Resurgence of Rare Disease Leads to Warning: Vaccinate
from The Minneapolis Star Tribune
An unexpected resurgence of a rare but dangerous childhood illness has prompted Minnesota health officials to issue a public warning for parents to make sure their children are fully vaccinated. Five cases of the infectious children's bacterial disease known as HiB, or Haemophilus influenza type B, were reported in Minnesota in 2008, the most since a vaccine was introduced in the early 1990s, state health officials said. More

Worm Gene May Help Restore Injured Nerves
from United Press International
U.S. scientists say they have identified a nematode worm gene that can be over-activated to speed damaged nerve cell regeneration. The University of Utah researchers said their discovery is a step toward new treatments for nerves injured by trauma or disease. The findings might lead to a treatment for multiple sclerosis, in which nerves are damaged by the loss of their myelin coating. More

Diabetes Cure Might Be Homegrown
from The Minneapolis Star Tribune
The descendents of Abraham are ready. They were born inside a cinderblock bubble in an anonymous building surrounded by fields in western Wisconsin. This dynasty of pigs, which began with a boar named Abraham, had the same little eyes and floppy ears as those that become bacon and pork chops. But these are destined for a different service to humanity − to provide insulin-producing cells for people who have diabetes. More