Investigational drug with immunotherapy may provide new therapeutic opportunity for patients previously treated for kidney and lung cancer

Investigational drug with immunotherapy may provide new therapeutic opportunity for patients previously treated for kidney and lung cancer. Pegilodecakin with pembrolizumab and nivolumab shown to be safe in Phase 1B study.

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Researchers developing new 'DNA stitch' to treat muscular dystrophy

A new therapeutic being tested is showing early promise as a more effective treatment that could help nearly half of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The treatment — a cocktail of DNA-like molecules — results in dramatic regrowth of a protein called dystrophin, which acts as a support beam to keep muscles strong. The protein is virtually absent in those with DMD.

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Mystery underlying heart toxicity caused by diabetes drugs solved

For new diabetes medications, in which one drug aims to address the excess of lipids and glucose in the blood, the therapeutic benefits, while great, frequently are accompanied by dangerous toxic effects to the heart. Why and how these drugs cause heart dysfunction in diabetes patients has been unclear. Now, scientists show that certain diabetes drugs have a profound toxic effect on the generation and function of mitochondria.

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Benefits for mind, body and work ability seen in Medicaid Expansion study

Expanding Medicaid to more low-income adults helped many of them feel healthier, and do a better job at work or a job search, in just one year after they got their new health coverage, a new study finds. But people with behavioral health conditions, including mental health disorders such as depression or addiction to alcohol or drugs, got an especially big boost in many health and work-related measures.

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Portable electronics: A stretchable and flexible biofuel cell that runs on sweat

A unique new flexible and stretchable device, worn against the skin and capable of producing electrical energy by transforming the compounds present in sweat, was recently developed and patented. This cell is already capable of continuously lighting an LED, opening new avenues for the development of wearable electronics powered by autonomous and environmentally friendly biodevices.

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Plastic teabags release microscopic particles into tea

Many people are trying to reduce their plastic use, but some tea manufacturers are moving in the opposite direction: replacing traditional paper teabags with plastic ones. Now, researchers have discovered that a soothing cup of the brewed beverage may come with a dose of micro- and nano-sized plastics shed from the bags. Possible health effects of ingesting these particles are currently unknown, the researchers say.

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New method provides better understanding of gene 'enhancers' work

Using anew method called Net-CAGE, researchers identified as many as 20,000 new enhancers in humans. They found that while promoters are activated in a variety of cell types, enhancers tend to function in just 1 cell type, thus showing an important difference between the 2 types of region.

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