Day: December 14, 2009
‘Mini’-transplant may reverse severe sickle cell
December 14, 2009
Results of a preliminary study by scientists at the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins show that “mini” stem cell transplantation may safely reverse severe sickle cell disease in adults.
Scientists find potential new ‘twist’ in breast cancer detection
December 14, 2009
Working with mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins have shown that a protein made by a gene called “Twist” may be the proverbial red flag that can accurately distinguish stem cells that drive aggressive, metastatic breast cancer from other breast cancer cells.
On new lab chip, heart cells display a behavior-guiding ‘nanosense’
December 14, 2009
Johns Hopkins biomedical engineers, working with colleagues in Korea, have produced a laboratory chip with nanoscopic grooves and ridges capable of growing cardiac tissue that more closely resembles natural heart muscle. Surprisingly, heart cells cultured in this way used a “nanosense” to collect instructions for growth and function solely from the physical patterns on the nanotextured chip and did not require any special chemical cues to steer the tissue development in distinct ways. The scientists say this tool could be used to design new therapies or diagnostic tests for cardiac disease.
Niacin offers no additional benefits to statin therapy in seniors
December 14, 2009
The routine prescription of extended-release niacin (1,500 milligrams daily), a B vitamin, in combination with traditional cholesterol-lowering therapy offers no extra benefit in correcting arterial narrowing and diminishing plaque buildup in seniors who already have coronary artery disease, a new vascular imaging study from Johns Hopkins experts shows.
Gene therapy, stem cells save limb damaged by low blood flow
December 14, 2009
Blood vessel blockage, a common condition in old age or diabetes, leads to low blood flow and results in low oxygen, which can kill cells and tissues. Such blockages can require amputation of limbs. Now, using mice as their model, researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed therapies that increase blood flow, improve movement and decrease tissue death and the need for amputation. The findings, published online this month in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, hold promise for developing clinical therapies.
Med students regularly stuck by needles, fail to report injuries
December 14, 2009
Medical students are commonly stuck by needles—putting them at risk of contracting potentially dangerous blood-borne diseases—and many of them fail to report the injuries to hospital authorities, according to a Johns Hopkins study published in the December issue of the journal Academic Medicine.
Cheers — December, 2009
December 14, 2009
ACADEMIC CENTERS AND AFFILIATES Sandee Newman, professor in the Institute for Policy Studies, was elected vice president of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the main professional association for the public policy field with a broad membership from academia, think tanks, government agencies, foundations and others. Marsha Schachtel, senior fellow in the Institute […]
Notices
December 14, 2009
English as a Second Language — Registration is now open for the Krieger School’s English as a Second Language spring program. Evening classes in Oral Communication at the intermediate and advanced levels and in Academic and Professional Writing at the intermediate level will run from Jan. 25 to April 30 at the Homewood campus. Classes […]
Calendar — Dec. 14, 2009
December 14, 2009
BLOOD DRIVE Tues., Dec. 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. JHU Blood Drive on the East Baltimore campus. Schedule an appointment at http://hr.jhu .edu/fsrp/outreach/blooddrive, by e-mail to johnshopkinsblooddrive @jhmi.edu or call 410-735-4963. Turner Concourse. EB DISCUSSIONS/ TALKS Mon., Dec. 14, 9:30 a.m. “Energy Information Agency’s (EIA) Updated Energy Forecast to 2035,” a SAIS Global Energy […]
KSAS alum to study at Oxford as 2010 Marshall Scholar
December 14, 2009
Nabiha Syed, who earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations and anthropology from the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences in 2007, has been named a 2010 Marshall Scholar, an honor awarded to just 40 American students each year. Funded by the British government, the scholarship offers the opportunity to study at any British university for two to three years, covering university fees and living expenses as well as travel fare to and from the United States.