Biotech2736 articles archived since 1845

Heparin Does Not Reduce Pregnancy Complications, and May Create Some

A commonly used blood thinner does not appear to lower the risk of blood clots or miscarriage during pregnancy

New Brain Implant Conquers Vertigo

Surgeons have implanted a new prosthesis in four patients to correct disabling dizziness. The device may someday restore balance to hundreds of thousands more

Molecular Computer Detects Ebola and Marburg Viruses

Material from deadly pathogens triggers alerts directly, and could speed detection

"Gene Drives" And CRISPR Could Revolutionize Ecosystem Management

A note from the authors: With this guest blog post we want to share the key features of an innovative method for the high-precision genome editing of wild populations that has been outlined by our team at the Wyss Institute, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health...

Heart Cells Transformed into "Biological Pacemaker"

Injecting the TBX18 gene into heart muscle could transform normal heart cells into special ones that can initiate a heartbeat

Light Could Restore Lost Hearing

Large Study of Stem Cells for Autism Draws Criticism

Experts say a $15-million trial to explore stem cells from cord blood for treating autism is premature

Bio-Unsafety Level 3: Could the Next Lab Accident Result in a Pandemic?

So-called gain-of-function pathogen research will likely receive closer scrutiny after three U.S. biolab incidents

CDC Botched Handling of Deadly Flu Virus

The third recent mistake in handling of pathogens is a “wake-up call,” says Centers for Disease Control head

Memory-Saving Devices Snag $37.5 Million in Federal Funds

Implants to restore brain function lost to injury and disease win support from a defense agency

Supercooled Organs Could Stretch Time to Transplant

Liver transplant time from human donor to patient is limited to 12 hours, but rats that got livers specially stored for three days were going strong three months later. Cynthia Graber reports 

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Biotech Reels over Natural Products Ruling

Firms are fighting with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Supreme Court for the right to patent natural products and processes

"Body on a Chip" Hints That Nanoparticles Could Damage Organs

Miniature version of intestine and liver shows the tiny particles could breach an important barrier

The Newest Endangered Species: Physician-Scientists

Can excellent scientists be excellent physicians at the same time? "I would like to ask you about a trip to Thailand." This is not the kind of question I expected from a patient in my cardiology clinic at the Veterans Administration hospital in Indianapolis...

New Electronic Joint Ignites E-Device Debate

Health experts worry that a Dutch delivery device marketed as the “world’s first” electronic joint may not be safe, and could potentially increase the number of U.S. drug users...

Should Prisoners Be Used in Medical Experiments?

History is rife with unethical experiments on inmates. But with proper safeguards prisoner studies may hold the key to the accurate representation of vulnerable groups and lead to health benefits...

Perspective: Learning to Share

Genomics can provide powerful tools against cancer — but only once clinical information can be made broadly available

Robotic Exoskeleton Gets First-Ever FDA Approval

The ReWalk exoskeleton allows some people paralyzed from the waist down to walk again, with the aid of crutches. Dina Fine Maron reports

 

"Super Bananas" Enter U.S. Market Trials

While testing crops are legal, it's unlikely farmers will be persuaded to convert to the new bananas without a way to physically sell the fruit

“Neuro Scout” Gets into Batters’ Heads to Rate Hitters

Columbia University start-up Neuroscout is developing a tool that would allow baseball and other sports teams to evaluate talent by examining players’ brain waves