Tag Diseases
Cell component breakdown suggests possible treatment for multiple neural disorders
New UW–Madison research provides the first direct evidence that mitochondria dysfunction contributes to fragile X and autism, raising hope for new therapeutic developments.
Five questions with Su-Chun Zhang, forger of brain cells
In light of the 20th anniversary of James Thomson’s derivation of human embryonic stem cells, we had some questions for one of the founders of stem cell neuroscience.
Discovery opens new opportunities to slow or reverse MS
Nerve cells stripped of their insulation can no longer carry vital information, leading to the numbness, weakness and vision problems often associated with multiple sclerosis. A new study shows an overlooked source may be able to replace that lost insulation.
Study shows movement, evolutionary history of TB in China
A genetic scan of a massive number of samples taken from tuberculosis patients across China has shown a surprising genetic uniformity: just two “strains” of the tuberculosis bacterium account for 99.4 percent of all cases.
Mutation in common protein triggers tangles, chaos inside brain cells
Growing human brain cells in lab dishes was key to the findings. Researcher Su-Chun Zhang was the first scientist to convert all-purpose human stem cells into neural cells.
Clinical prospects for stem cells begin to emerge
Responsible science is almost always a slow, grueling process, but 20 years after James Thomson derived the first human embryonic stem cell lines, experts in the field of stem cell and regenerative medicine feel more optimistic than ever.
A stent-free future for common cardiovascular ailments
An interdisciplinary team of investigators from UW–Madison and Ohio State believes once the new approach to maintaining open blood vessels is fully developed, it could benefit millions of patients.
Researchers trace Parkinson’s damage in the heart
Heart attacks, diabetes and other disorders cause similar damage to nerves in the heart. Those patients and potential therapies could also benefit from the new visualization method, says Parkinson's disease researcher Marina Emborg.
Finding a weak link in the frightful parasite Schistosoma
More than 250 million people, mostly in Africa and Asia, have schistosomiasis, which kills an estimated 280,000 each year. “We don’t get that many aha! moments in our lives as scientists,” says a researcher. “This was one of them.”
Lipids in blood and liver offer insights into metabolic health
Often, in order to identify a fatty liver, an invasive liver biopsy is required. Taking a blood sample would be a much simpler way to diagnose it.
Study of inflammation’s link to diseases wins NIH grant
Inflammation "is likely implicated in almost every disease,” says researcher David Beebe — including cancer, cardiovascular conditions and autoimmune diseases.
Ebola vaccine inches toward human clinical trials
The need for an Ebola vaccine is acute. Periodic outbreaks of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa, including an epidemic between 2013 and 2016, caused major loss of life and serious economic disruption.
Bringing cheap and accurate tuberculosis tests to Africa
Researchers are developing a "robust, simple and inexpensive way to increase the sensitivity of an existing TB test" by integrating a step very similar to a pregnancy test.
Monkeys infected by mosquito bites further Zika virus research
Monkeys who catch Zika virus through bites from infected mosquitoes develop infections that look like human Zika cases, and may help researchers understand the many ways Zika can be transmitted.
Chimpanzee deaths in Uganda pinned on human cold virus
Scientists investigating an outbreak of respiratory disease in a community of wild chimpanzees in Uganda were surprised and dismayed to discover that rhinovirus C was killing healthy chimps.
Designer molecule points to treatment for diseases caused by DNA repeats
“Most young people with Friedreich’s ataxia develop severe heart problems and are wheelchair-bound," says researcher Aseem Ansari, "but the disease is so rare that few drug companies invest in it."
A little myelin goes a long way to restore nervous system function
New research shows that in long-lived animals, renewed but thin myelin sheaths are enough to restore impaired nervous systems and can do so for years after the onset of disease.
Zika infections unlikely to be passed by kissing, casual contact
UW-Madison researchers have found in a study of monkeys that casual contact through saliva is not enough for the virus to move between hosts.
UW center plays key role in finding Zika-transmitting mosquito in state
Under a federal grant, Midwestern universities led by UW–Madison have more resources to conduct the kind of surveillance that turned up the Asian tiger mosquito in Dane County.
Zika infections could be factor in more pregnancies
“It’s sobering," says researcher Ted Golos. "If microcephaly is the tip of the iceberg for babies infected in pregnancy, the rest of the iceberg may be bigger than we’ve imagined.”