Magnetically controlled pills could boost body’s absorption of drugs Many drugs can only be absorbed in very specific parts of the intestine. In a new paper, Brown University scientists describe a new system that can safely hold a magnetic gelatin capsule in place anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract of a rat. In humans, the system […]

Continue reading "Magnetically controlled pills could boost body’s absorption of drugs" >>

Five faculty named fellows of the AAAS Edward Hawrot, Timothy Herbert, Agnes Kane, John Mustard, and Gary Wessel have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They will be officially welcomed as fellows on Saturday, Feb. 19, during the 2011 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.        PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown […]

Continue reading "Five faculty named fellows of the AAAS" >>

Nursing home closures concentrated in poorest areas A nationwide study of nursing home closures finds that the country has lost 5 percent of its beds, and that closures are twice as likely in the poorest areas than in the richest areas. Researchers say this will mean less access to nursing home care for the people […]

Continue reading "Nursing home closures concentrated in poorest areas" >>

Species loss tied to ecosystem collapse and recovery Geologists at Brown University and the University of Washington have a cautionary tale: Lose enough species in the oceans, and the entire ecosystem could collapse. Looking at two of the greatest mass extinctions in Earth’s history, the scientists attribute the ecosystems’ collapse to a loss in the […]

Continue reading "Species loss tied to ecosystem collapse and recovery" >>

Patients who loathe appearance often get better, but it could take years A new study by Brown University psychiatrists finds evidence that given enough time, patients with body dysmorphic disorder frequently recover and rarely relapse. The surprisingly high rate may be related to patients in prior studies having had especially severe cases of the disease. […]

Continue reading "Patients who loathe appearance often get better, but it could take years" >>

Human protein improves muscle function of muscular dystrophy mice Now headed toward human trials, biglycan significantly slows the weakening of muscles in mice with the genetic mutation that causes muscular dystrophy. Biglycan causes utrophin, a natural muscle-building protein prevalent in young children, to collect in muscle cell membranes. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — A novel […]

Continue reading "Human protein improves muscle function of muscular dystrophy mice" >>

Malaria-infected cells stiffen, block blood flow A team of researchers at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has completed the first modeling, followed by experiments, of how red blood cells are infected by a malarial parasite that attacks the brain. The researchers report that infected cells stiffen by as much as 50 times […]

Continue reading "Malaria-infected cells stiffen, block blood flow" >>

Hospice care increasing for nursing home patients with dementia More nursing home patients with dementia are seeking hospice care and using it longer, according to a new study by gerontologist Susan Miller and colleagues. Their findings appear online in the American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias. Susan Miller Nursing home residents with dementia […]

Continue reading "Hospice care increasing for nursing home patients with dementia" >>

Insight offers new angle of attack on variety of brain tumors A research team led by scientists at Brown University and the University of California–San Francisco have associated a mutation found in many kinds of brain tumors with a molecular process that affects metabolism genes. The discovery may open the door to developing new treatments […]

Continue reading "Insight offers new angle of attack on variety of brain tumors" >>

New survey device gets better information on teenage sexual behavior Brown University sociologists have developed a low-cost, easy-to-use device that is helping researchers in Ethiopia obtain more reliable answers when they ask teenagers about stigmatized sexual behaviors. Their findings are published in the December issue of Studies in Family Planning. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — […]

Continue reading "New survey device gets better information on teenage sexual behavior" >>