Researchers at The University of British Columbia have discovered why the brain loses its capacity to re-grow connections and repair itself, knowledge that could lead to therapeutics that “rejuvenate” the brain. 

The study, published today in The EMBO Journal, identified a set of proteins - calpain and cortactin - which regulate and control the sprouting of neurons, a mechanism known as neural plasticity.

Neurons, or nerve cells, process and transmit information by electrochemical signalling and are the core components of the brain and spinal cord. During development, growing neurons are relatively plastic and can sprout new connections, however their plasticity levels drop rapidly as they mature and become integrated into neuronal networks. 

A study published today in Anticancer Research demonstrates that an ingredient used in a common cough suppressant may be useful in treating advanced prostate cancer. Researchers found that noscapine, which has been used in cough medication for nearly 50 years, reduced tumor growth in mice by 60% and limited the spread of tumors by 65% without causing harmful side effects.

BARCELONA, Spain, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/diagnostics) announced the signing of an agreement today with Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, to integrate the use of laboratory diagnostics, imaging and information technology systems with the intent to improve management of patient care from early detection and diagnosis of diseases or conditions to patient treatment. Under the agreement, Siemens and the Hospital Clinic will initially focus on three specific areas: liver fibrosis, fetal medicine and colon cancer.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/siemens/36202/

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

Metaphors are dangerous things. On the one hand, it seems pretty much impossible to avoid using them, especially in rather abstract fields like philosophy and science. On the other hand, they are well known to trick one’s mind into taking the metaphor too literally, thereby creating problems that are not actually reflective of the reality of the natural world, but are only perverse constructs of our own warped understanding of it.

TOLEDO, Ohio, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

- Trio of building science and energy thought leaders unite to deliver international experience with local expertise

Global building materials and composite solutions leader Owens Corning announced the formation of a strategic alliance to provide solutions that help communities reduce energy use by up to 50 percent and CO2 emissions by up to 80 percent versus standard developments. The Alliance, which is focused on developers, campuses and entire communities, includes Owens Corning, MVV decon GmbH, an international consulting subsidiary of the Mannheim-based German company MVV Energiedienstleistungen GmbH, and Garforth International, LLC, a Toledo and Brussels, Belgium-based provider of energy productivity solutions.

Thanks to NASA and the LCROSS satellite, I may soon know where the best place is to build my Moon Base. A new analysis of the data from the Lunar Prospector, launched in 1998, shows large concentrations of hydrogen around the lunar poles. If that hydrogen is in water form, then astronauts could potentially use it on a permanent outpost.

Certain lunar craters are permanently shadowed, never reaching temperatures above -170 C. Many of these areas also contain significant amounts of hydrogen. If that hydrogen is attached to oxygen in water ice form, it should be stable for millions of years. Astronauts deployed to a base near one of these sites could use this water since hauling it from Earth would be prohibitive.

WASHINGTON, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

The Coalition Against Domain Name Abuse (CADNA) welcomes Goldman, Sachs Co. and New York Life Insurance Company as its newest members. These memberships top off an 80% increase in membership in 2008. This is clear evidence that more businesses recognize the need to speak out about domain name abuse, including cybersquatting, phishing, and domain name tasting. With the support of its member companies, CADNA is eager to address domain name abuses in 2009.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070724/DCTU006LOGO)

ANDOVER, Massachusetts, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company Also Marks 10 Years of Serving the Healthcare Industry by Surpassing 400,000 Live Users

Sentillion, the company that created healthcare single sign-on, today announced that KLAS, the healthcare industry's leading independent research firm, has named Sentillion Vergence(R) the number one Single Sign-On product in their 2008 Top 20 Best in KLAS Awards: Software Professional Services report for the second consecutive year. The KLAS distinction comes at a historic point for Sentillion, as the Company marks its 10th year in serving the healthcare industry and surpasses 400,000 live users on its single sign-on solutions.

TOKYO and INDIANAPOLIS, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (TSE: 4568), and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion recommending approval of prasugrel for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

SAINT PREX, Switzerland, December 18 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptor Antagonist Demonstrates Rapid, Long-Term Suppression of Testosterone