blood diseases

Stanford researchers identify granddaddy of human blood cells

harminka — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:39:25 -0600

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have isolated a human blood cell that represents the great-grandparent of all the cells of the blood, a finding that could lead to new treatments for blood cancers and other blood diseases.

Stem cell transplant can grow new immune system in certain mice

harminka — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:43:52 -0600

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have taken a small but significant step, in mouse studies, toward the goal of transplanting adult stem cells to create a new immune system for people with autoimmune or genetic blood diseases.

Regular exercise reduces risk of blood clots

harminka — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:27:56 -0600

According to a new study published in Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, regular participation in sports reduces the risk of developing blood clots by 39 percent in women and 22 percent in men.

MIT uncovers key blood protein

harminka — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 09:23:52 -0500

Scientists working in the only lab at MIT doing hematology research have uncovered a protein that plays a key role in the recycling of iron from blood.

Novel Cause of Iron Overload in Thalassemia Disorders

harminka — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 06:00:47 -0500

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a novel cause of iron overload in patients with thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that causes anemia. According to the study, thalassemia patients overproduce a protein called GDF15, which suppresses the production of a liver protein, hepcidin, which in turn leads to an increase in the uptake of dietary iron in the gut.

Genes, Drug Dose Predict Increased Risk of Neutropenia from Irinotecan

harminka — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:32:52 -0500

Patients with a particular version of the UGT1A1 gene are at greater risk of neutropenia, a shortage of certain white blood cells, if they are taking medium or high doses of the anticancer drug irinotecan.

Aging stem cells hold answers to diseases of aged

harminka — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:27:17 -0500

As stem cells in the blood grow older, genetic mutations accumulate that could be at the root of blood diseases that strike people as they age, according to work done in mice by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Sepsis treatment Protocol can reduce hospital deaths

harminka — Wed, 16 May 2007 12:30:58 -0500

More than 215,000 people will die of sepsis in the United States each year, more than 750,000 will require hospital treatment, and the costs will be nearly $17 billion. Severe sepsis is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in adults, yet there has been little progress in recent decades in treating sepsis and septic shock, and the mortality rate remains disturbingly high.