Biological pacemaker to treat heart rhythm disorders by gene therapy

Researchers develop first minimally invasive gene therapy procedure to treat heart rhythm disorders by transforming ordinary heart muscle cells into specialized rhythm-keeping cells, potentially eliminating future need for electronic pacemakers – Cardiologists at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have developed a minimally invasive gene transplant procedure that changes unspecialized heart cells into “biological pacemaker” cells that keep the heart steadily beating.

New blood test predicts breast cancer risk

New test predicts the risk of non-hereditary breast cancer — A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer – A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, even in the absence of a high-risk BRCA1 gene mutation. This new research is published in the Genome Medicine.

Alzheimer’s related memory loss linked to Neuroligin-1 protein

Cleveland Clinic identifies mechanism in Alzheimer’s-related memory loss — Study uncovers role of Neuroligin-1 protein – Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a protein in the brain that plays a critical role in the memory loss seen in Alzheimer’s patients. The protein – Neuroligin-1 (NLGN1) – is known to be involved in memory formation; this is the first time it’s been linked to amyloid-associated memory loss.

Smoking may change genes in smokers

Smoking changes our genes – The fact that smoking means a considerable health risk is nowadays commonly accepted. New research findings from Uppsala University and Uppsala Clinical Research Center show that smoking alters several genes that can be associated with health problems for smokers, such as increased risk for cancer and diabetes.

Parkinson’s Biomarker Test has prognostic and diagnostic value in Parkinson’s Disease

Comprehensive Parkinson’s Biomarker Test Has Prognostic and Diagnostic Value, Penn Medicine Team Reports — First Biomarker Results from Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative Detect Differences in Subtypes of Parkinson’s Disease – The first biomarker results reported from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), showing that a comprehensive test of protein biomarkers in spinal fluid have prognostic and diagnostic value in early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

Aspirin may lower melanoma skin cancer risk

Aspirin may lower melanoma risk – Women who take aspirin have a reduced risk of developing melanoma – and that the longer they take it, the lower the risk. The findings of the new study suggest that aspirin’s anti-inflammatory effects may help protect against this type of skin cancer.

Health Newstrack